A good poolside outfit doesn't need much.
When temperatures climb, two well-chosen pieces can carry almost the entire look: statement swim shorts and a quality pair of sunglasses.
For this outfit, we've paired green tropical-print men's swim shorts with classic black Gucci sunglasses. The result sits somewhere between practical swimwear and elevated resort style.
Start With Statement Swim Shorts
Plain black swim shorts are easy, but summer is one of the best opportunities to introduce more color and pattern into a man's wardrobe.
These tropical-print shorts use a deep green base with muted botanical detailing and contrasting gold trim.
The colors are noticeable without becoming excessively bright, which makes the shorts easier to wear than many loud tropical prints.The shorter athletic cut also gives them a contemporary resort look that works naturally around the pool or beach.
The Details Make the Difference
Look closely and there's more going on than just the tropical pattern.The contrasting waistband immediately separates the design from basic swim shorts, while the piping defines the shape of the garment.An adjustable drawstring provides the practical side of the design.It's a good example of why small details matter in men's summer clothing. When you're wearing only shorts and sunglasses, there's nowhere for mediocre design to hide.
Add Classic Black Gucci Sunglasses
Because the shorts already provide plenty of color and pattern, the sunglasses don't need to compete with them.
That's where the black Gucci sunglasses work particularly well.
Their dark rectangular frame gives the outfit a cleaner, more structured element while remaining versatile enough to wear away from the pool.
The combination follows a useful styling rule:Statement clothing + simple accessories.When one part of an outfit is visually strong, letting everything else remain relatively restrained usually creates a better-balanced look.
Why Green Works So Well Poolside
Green is an underrated color for men's resort wear.
Deep greens naturally complement the colors found around pools and tropical destinations: turquoise water, beige stone, blue skies and palm foliage.
The warmer gold accents in these shorts also prevent the green from feeling too cold.
This creates an outfit that photographs especially well in bright sunlight while still looking appropriate in a relaxed vacation environment.
Getting the Fit Right
Fit can make inexpensive swim shorts look significantly better—and expensive swim shorts look terrible if you get it wrong.
For this style, the hem should sit comfortably above the knee.
A shorter inseam creates a more athletic silhouette and prevents excess fabric from overwhelming the legs.
The waistband should remain secure without requiring the drawstring to be pulled excessively tight.
You also want enough room through the seat and thighs to walk, swim and sit comfortably without the shorts appearing oversized.
From Swimming Pool to Resort Bar
Versatility becomes important when you're packing for a vacation.
A good pair of swim shorts shouldn't necessarily look like something that can only be worn in the water.
Throw on a quality white linen shirt, polo or lightweight T-shirt with these shorts and the outfit can transition easily from the swimming pool to lunch or casual drinks.
Add simple leather sandals or clean summer sneakers, and you've got a complete warm-weather outfit without needing to return to the hotel room and change.
That's exactly the kind of versatility worth looking for when buying resort wear.
Final Verdict
The strength of this outfit is its simplicity.The green tropical swim shorts provide the personality.
The black Gucci sunglasses bring a cleaner premium element.
Neither piece needs much help from the rest of the outfit.It's also an easy formula to recreate regardless of budget:Great-fitting patterned swim shorts + classic sunglasses + minimal accessories.
For men who normally stick with black, navy and gray, swimwear is one of the easiest places to experiment with something more interesting.
And if you're standing next to a turquoise pool surrounded by palm trees, you might as well dress like you're actually on vacation.
