For a pool party or a day on a boat, wear quick-dry swim briefs with a secure drawstring as your base, then add one light cover-up such as split-side shorts for the moments you are out of the water. Pick a print or a metallic finish if you want to stand out in photos, and a solid or mesh pair if you plan to swim a lot.
Start with the swimwear, not the extras
At a pool party you may swim, sit on a wet ledge, dance on the deck and queue at the bar, often all within an hour. On a boat you climb ladders, jump in and dry off in the wind. The swim brief is the one piece that has to handle all of it, so choose it first and build around it.
Three details matter most:
- A drawstring. A jump from a deck or a slide into the pool tests any waistband. An adjustable cord lets you pull the fit in before you go in.
- Quick-dry fabric. You will spend more time out of the water than in it. Fabric that dries fast means you are comfortable on a lounger or a boat seat a few minutes after a swim.
- A shaped, lined pouch. A contoured or double-layer front keeps things neat and gives a cleaner line when the fabric is wet.
Prints, solids or metallic: matching the mood
The setting decides how loud your swimwear can be. A rooftop pool party with music is a different crowd from a quiet family day on a sailing boat.
| Occasion | Best finish | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime pool party | Bold print | Reads well in photos and fits a playful, sunny mood |
| Evening or themed party | Metallic | Catches the light from pool lamps and sunset |
| Boat trip with lots of swimming | Mesh or solid colour | Light, fast drying and easy to pair with any cover-up |
| Mixed group or family day | Dark solid or subtle pattern | Relaxed and understated, still sharp |
If you are unsure, go with a print that has one dominant colour. It looks intentional without fighting with towels, floats and everyone else's outfits.
The pieces that work best
Here is how the Arjen Kroos swim range lines up for party and boat days, based on each product's own details:
- Drawstring Print Swim Briefs are made from 84% polyester and 16% spandex, cut low rise with a 3D pouch, and stay opaque when wet. The drawstring can be worn outside as a detail or tucked in for a clean front. Blue, Green, Orange and Pink, sizes S to XXL.
- Patterned Bikini Swim Briefs use 82% polyamide and 18% spandex with quick-dry, chlorine-resistant fabric, which suits long hours at a hotel or party pool. They have a double-layer front pouch, a tagless finish and come in Black, Sky Blue and Deep Blue, S to XXL.
- Printed Swim Briefs offer the widest choice of looks, including Graffiti, Flowers, Leopard and Crystal prints. They are tagless with an adjustable drawstring and a lined pouch, sizes S to XL.
- Mesh Swim Briefs are made from a fine mesh that breathes and dries quickly, with a double-layer contoured pouch and 8 colours in S to XL. A good pick when you will be in and out of the water all day.
- Metallic Swim Briefs are the party option: a shiny metallic fabric that dries quickly, with an elastic waistband and drawstring. Rose, Golden, Royal Blue, Silvery and Black, S to XXL.
Cover-ups: what to wear between swims
Few people want to spend a whole afternoon in only swim briefs, especially when walking to the bar, eating on deck or heading home. A cover-up should be light, pull on over damp swimwear and dry out fast.
- Split-side lounge shorts. The Arjen Kroos Split-Side Lounge Shorts are silky and lightweight, with deep side splits for leg room and an elastic waistband with a built-in liner. They are listed for the beach and water sports, come in 6 colours and pack down small.
- An open short-sleeve shirt. Linen or a light viscose shirt worn open over swim briefs is the easiest way to look put together at a party.
- A thin towel or sarong. On a boat a light towel doubles as a seat cover and a wrap once the wind picks up.
Match colours simply: a bold print with a plain cover-up, or a plain swim brief with a patterned shirt. Two strong patterns at once rarely look good.
Boat day checklist
A boat has limited space and no wardrobe, so pack with intention:
- Two pairs of swim briefs, so you can change into a dry pair for the trip back.
- One cover-up you can pull on in seconds.
- Non-slip deck shoes or sandals with grip, and a cap or hat that will not fly off.
- Sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen and a dry bag for your phone.
- A small zip pouch for wet swimwear so it does not soak everything else.
Planning a longer trip? Our beach holiday packing guide covers how many pairs to bring for a full week.
Fit and care so your swimwear lasts the season
Swim briefs should sit snugly when dry, because most fabrics relax a little in the water. If you are between two sizes, check the waist chart on the product page and tighten the drawstring rather than sizing up. For a full comparison of cuts, see swim trunks vs swim briefs vs board shorts.
- Rinse in cool fresh water as soon as you can after chlorine or salt water.
- Press out water gently in a towel. Do not wring metallic or mesh styles.
- Dry flat in the shade. Strong direct sun fades prints over a summer.
- Avoid sitting on rough pool edges and deck surfaces without a towel, which can pull fine fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What should a man wear to a pool party?
Quick-dry swim briefs with a drawstring, plus a light cover-up such as lounge shorts or an open shirt. A print or metallic finish works well if the party has a fun theme.
Are swim briefs okay for a boat trip?
Yes. They dry faster than longer shorts, stay put when you jump in and take up very little space in a bag. Bring a cover-up for the ride and for meals on board.
How many pairs of swimwear should I bring for a day out?
Two. Wear one and keep a dry pair for later, so you are not sitting in damp swimwear on the way home.
Will light-coloured swim briefs go see-through when wet?
It depends on the fabric and lining. Choose styles with a lined or double-layer pouch, or ones described as opaque when wet, such as the Drawstring Print Swim Briefs.
Shop this guide
Ready for the next invitation
A good pool party or boat day outfit is simple: secure, quick-dry swim briefs, one easy cover-up and a finish that suits the mood. Browse the full men's swimwear collection for prints, mesh and metallic styles, and the shorts collection for light layers to pull on between swims.
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