Intern Pool Party - What to Wear?

Serious replies please- I could use some help.

I have an intern pool party hosted by our company next week at a rooftop. The invite said swimwear is encouraged.

I feel like all swimwear is inherently not appropriate in a semi-work setting. I'll have a cover up, but any thoughts or ideas on what to wear?

(Also I'm a little curvy/have bigger assets lol so even a Nike one piece doesn't feel like it looks appropriate).

32 Comments
 

Definitely understand where you’re coming from. These company “bonding” events are really awkward because you’re “encouraged” to be social but you’re still at work. 

As a rule of thumb, erring on the side of being too conservative is fine. Being the guy (or in your case girl) who only takes a sip or buys something non-alcoholic at happy hour or the person who dressed business professional even when your told the work dress code is “somewhat casual”.   Maybe people think you’re a bit awkward or socially out of touch but that’s the worst that can happen. Now imagine the opposite. Getting drunk and doing crazy things at the happy hour. Showing up in game day attire to work when “somewhat casual” actually meant dress pants and dress shirt without the suit or tie. The consequences are going to be more severe and an extremely bad look.

TLDR: To play it safe be conservative. If you think that a one-piece is distracting given your body type then stick to just wearing the cover up the whole time. Only you know your body type so I’m not going to give a specific recommendation but definitely avoid anything that could be perceived as distracting.

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Is there anyone in your group/team/company you can talk to about this? Sounds hard to judge since it sounds like company is encouraging swimwear but you seem to be fairly against it, so hard to tell you what is best here. 
 

it sounds like a pool party and hopefully a relaxed atmosphere. I echo people’s comments about better safe than sorry in regards to showing up in conservative clothes but it sounds like the company / your colleagues are looking for something less formal and a way for people to get to know each other better in a social, non-work capacity. If you are comfy going swimming there then it may make sense to wear some sort of swimwear if you have something you are comfy wearing. If you don’t plan to go swimming and/or don’t feel comfy at all wearing swim clothes to the event, sounds like you at least showing up at all may be appreciated by your colleagues. 
 

hopefully you can enjoy the event in whatever you end up wearing to it. Good luck, best wishes :)

 

This should do the trick, modest but functional while showing you have a sense of humor. 

https://www.amazon.com/Uideazone-Swimsuit-Bathing-Monokini-Jumpsuit/dp/…

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Just because it's encouraged doesn't mean you have to follow it to a T. I'm a girl also. It's also a pool party but you're not obligated to spend the entire time in the water. I'd say either a one piece or a high waisted bikini, with a cute dress on top. If you're not planning to go into the water at all then just dress as if you're going to happy hour at a nice beach bar or something (dress, sandals or fitted top with flowy pants etc.)

 
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I second the general consensus that it's better to err on the more conservative side. You also don't want to spend the event worried about how you're dressed, which also makes me lean conservative.

A couple of thoughts that might (or might not) be relevant:

1. Perhaps make a splash early (sorry). If you are friendly at the start people will remember it clearly and positively. The vibe is to be friendly and inclusive, almost as if you're the host. Invite folks to join you in being the first in the water (if you want to swim) or to come sit with you for a first drink. You can make an impression by being a good sport early and then discretely dial back later. Dialing back later (I often stop drinking or nurse a single one after the halfway point) also avoids the risk of later awkwardness. The professional moments people regret usually come at the end of the night.

2. Part of what's being conveyed is your intention in how you dress. If its obvious that you're making an effort to either amplify to or downplay something (whether physique/social class/wealth) with how you dress, people will register that intention as well. Even if what you wear isn't perfect, the fact that you're trying to be professional will probably come across.

 

Wear a one piece you'd be okay with your grandparents seeing (people will understand if you have a chest, just don't have a super low cut neckline). Put a dress or shorts over it and take if off if you want to swim.

Don't worry about it too much, no one expects you to have work stuff on and you should dress for the occasion. Also do not follow the advice saying business professional, that is autistic behavior ffs... definitely have a swimsuit on and you can just stay in the coverup the whole time if no one goes in the pool

 

You took “business professional” wildly out  of context. I was using that in an analogy to make a point. It is quite clear in my response that that was not what I suggested to wear to the pool party.

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this event is literally screaming out for things to go wrong, cannot think of a less-finance appropriate event than a 'pool party' lmao

 

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