Blue hai paani paani...

Amarjot Kaur

What do you do when life throws lemons at you right in the middle of Indian summer on a day with six-hour-long electricity cut? Well, make the bad days better with a good party and great friends, but this time around, just make it around the cool pool and take a wholesome gulp of that mighty chilled lemonade! Dressing for your first pool party may seem daunting; you never know whether to be over or under dressed. Don’t pack a suitcase; get the list down to the essentials, which will see you through.

Wear it

First things first, the trick is to dress up for the occasion and when the occasion is a pool party, the last thing you want to be seen wearing are a pair of denims or pants with a sweatshirt! The trick is to keep it light, yet fancy and stylish. Whether you opt for a bikini or a one-piece, the trick is to pick a suit that flatters your body shape. “Omit the two-piece swim suit if there are any tell-tale signs of a muffin top or a belly. Pear-shaped girls should opt for a bandeau bikini, as it will help in enhancing your chest and fits snugly around your hips,” says Priyanka Khosla, Chandigarh-based designer and director, IINIFD. “However, if you are a little daring, ruffled swimsuits are cute enough to draw attention away from unwanted bits. Sexy backs and swim-suits with cuts on the waist are also a good way to go to a pool party.

“Try going for bold colours like aqua colours or funky patterns. Shorts, capris and flirty skirts are great to wear over your swimsuit, as they’re lightweight and versatile, and also keep you cool. Throw on a cute tank top or a simple t-shirt and you’re good to go. For a chic look, try a floral print sun-dress or a maxi dress,” says Sonal Manik, a second-generation fashion designer.

All that jazz

Chandigarh-based fashion stylist Veepasha Kashyap shares, “If you are planning to carry a change of clothes, make sure you carry a bigger tote or a bucket bag.” However, if you can snag a locker, a fringe bag for your essentials such as phone and camera should do the trick. “Since you will also be spending more time out of the water than in it at any pool party, a sheer cover up when mingling with other guests and sipping cocktails is a must. If your swimsuit is a single colour, then choose a printed cover up, preferably in silk chiffon,” says Shruti Rao Rathore, a Chandigarh-based fashion stylist.

Everything from sunglasses and hats to jewellery and watches add the finishing touch to your look. Think bright and bold colours while keeping the theme fun and eccentric!

Light up

When going for a pool party, make sure you wear light make-up. Tanvi KJ, a Chandigarh-based make-up artist, gives us a few tips that will come in handy while going for a pool party. “When going for a pool party, make sure that you wear a foundation with SPF, at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Also, waterproof and gel-based eyeliners work well for a pool party,” she says. “You can create a bronze look with bronzers like shimmer brick from Bobbi Brown or mineralised blusher from MAC. Also, make sure you wear nude matt shades of lipsticks when at a pool party,” she adds.

Shoe string

“Rubber flip flops are both utilitarian and fashionable. It should have a good grip and lots of colours; crochet flowers would be lovely too,” says Priyanka Khosla, who shares that flip flops in sequins are a perfect pick for the pool party.

amarjot@tribunemail.com