Pull up at the poolside lounger looking the part this summer.

Yes, the whole point of sitting by a pool is, ultimately, to relax. But unless you’re holidaying alone, people are going to have the pleasure of looking at you while you do it, so you should make sure your outfit is more of a bomb than a belly flop. In short, since convention dictates that you shouldn’t overdress by the pool, the few items of clothing and accessories you do wear need to be spot on. There’s also the safety element to consider – however blissfully calm you might feel, no one’s going to be convinced by a crispy nose and hay-like, sun-frazzled hair. Here are some guidelines, therefore, for getting this whole poolside thing right.

We’ve all been there: the token three-minute splash around in tepid water to justify snoozing next to the pool for the rest of the afternoon. But chlorinated hair, baked in the sun might not be the look you’re going for. This soft denim cap by Mollusk will not only prevent your hair from frazzling in the heat, it will also keep the sun out of your eyes (and off your nose). For further UV protection, and a sly nod to the Riviera style of Mr Matt Damon in The Talented Mr Ripley, rest your peepers behind a pair of Italian-made tortoiseshell sunglasses by Illesteva.

Just as you should dress for the job you want, not the one you have, you should dress for the holiday you want, not the caravanning weekend in Wales you have pencilled in for August. If in doubt, going into those tense family-holiday-location negotiations, it pays to have the word “Jamaica” plastered across your chest – even if only to lead into a punchline about your partner being open to the idea of a trip to the Caribbean this year. If instead you are pitching towards the adjacent continental plate, try a pair of these Frescobol Carioca swim shorts, inspired by the promenade of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. These come with a handy buttoned back pocket for stashing your cards and even – in the age of plastic notes – cash, should you wish to splash out on an ice cream cone.

If you were so inclined to apply the word “iconic” to a pair of flip-flops, they would likely be from Brazilian brand Havaianas. Stripped back to the bare minimum of what it takes to be footwear – to have a sole and stay on your feet – this classic pair are durable, flexible and comfortable, featuring the brand’s characteristic textured soles, inspired by the rice-straw lattice of traditional Japanese zōri sandals. Though we would advise strongly against such footwear on many occasions, if you’re near some chlorinated water, it’s more than fine – kick back and enjoy the feeling of feet-freedom. Meanwhile, drying-off wise, this superior towel from Vilebrequin brings to mind the words of the late Mr Douglas Adams: “Any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy [or, in this context, swimming pool], rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with.”