The History and Evolution of the Cabana Set

Once the hallmark of 1950s leisure culture, the cabana set—a matching short-sleeve shirt and swim short—has evolved into a modern essential. Originally made for poolside lounging at luxury resorts from Miami to Monaco, today’s cabana set blends the ease of resortwear with the confidence of tailored fashion.

At PLAYALUXE, we’ve redefined this icon for the modern man: fashion-forward prints, refined silhouettes, and sustainable materials that elevate the cabana set from vacation staple to everyday essential.

The cabana set’s roots trace back to the golden age of travel. Postwar prosperity in the 1950s gave rise to a culture of leisure—sun-soaked getaways, hotel pools, and cocktails by the cabana. Men began to trade stiff suits for relaxed two-piece sets made from cotton, terry, or linen, often in vibrant prints that reflected tropical destinations.

It was more than clothing—it was a lifestyle uniform. Effortless, coordinated, and made to look pulled together with zero effort.

Over the decades, the cabana set’s appeal has endured: it embodies summer freedom and a polished kind of relaxation.

While vintage cabana sets were often loud or novelty-driven, PLAYALUXE has reimagined them for the contemporary wardrobe. The modern man wants versatility—pieces that move seamlessly from poolside to evening, vacation to city.

Our Saint Tropez Cabana Set and Todos Santos Cabana Set deliver exactly that:

• Modern tailoring: Refined, structured cuts that fit like your favorite casual shirt.
• Elevated fabric feel: Lightweight, premium recycled materials designed to hold color and shape wear after wear.
• Refined prints: Our colors and patterns are bold but balanced—timeless tones like dark olive, black, and tobacco flower that bring a sophisticated edge to resortwear.

The result? A new standard of resortwear: tailored, elevated, and unmistakably modern.

Designed for travel, city life, and everything in between, PLAYALUXE makes the cabana set a cornerstone of modern dressing. Today’s man values versatility—pieces that move seamlessly from poolside to evening, vacation to city.

Here’s what sets our approach apart:

1. Design That Integrates with Your Style: Each PLAYALUXE set is designed to blend effortlessly into your real-life wardrobe. Our prints and solids pair easily with denim, linen, or sneakers—so you look intentional, never overdone.
2. Luxury Fabrication, Not Fast Fashion: Our cabana sets are made using GRS-certified recycled fabrics that feel soft, breathable, and substantial. Every piece is fully lined, OEKO-TEX certified, and built to last season after season.
3. Tailored Fit and Functional Detail: We studied classic tailoring to achieve the perfect proportion: shirts with a relaxed yet refined fit that drape naturally without feeling boxy, and trunks built with compression liners for comfort and support. Every detail is designed to look sharp, feel effortless, and move with you.
4. Effortless Coordination: The essence of a cabana set is ease. Matching pieces eliminate guesswork while ensuring cohesion. You throw it on—and you’re instantly pulled together. This is the PLAYALUXE difference: style without effort.
5. Sustainable Luxury: Each set contributes to ocean plastic removal through our partnership with CleanHub. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling good about what you wear.

What began as poolside attire has evolved into a versatile everyday uniform. PLAYALUXE cabana sets transition effortlessly from day to night:

• Beach to Bar: Pair your Saint Tropez Set with slides by day and sneakers by night.
• City to Coast: Wear the Todos Santos Classic Shirt open over a tee with trousers.
• Weekend Travel: The coordinated set packs light but looks styled—perfect for any getaway.

Our color palette—muted earth tones, refined neutrals, and elevated prints—reflects a more sophisticated sensibility. It’s summer style made to last beyond a single season.

Fashion is cyclical, but style is timeless. The cabana set represents effortless confidence—the ability to look polished without trying too hard. PLAYALUXE captures that balance: bold yet minimal, elevated yet approachable, masculine yet refined.

When you wear a PLAYALUXE cabana set, you’re not wearing a trend—you’re wearing a design legacy reinvented for modern life.

The cabana set was born from leisure but reborn as luxury. PLAYALUXE honors its heritage while redefining it for today—refined design, sustainable craftsmanship, and effortless coordination.

This is modern resortwear: confident, versatile, and elevated.

PLAYALUXE is a Greenwich, Connecticut–based swimwear brand redefining the idea of elevated, eco-friendly essentials for women and men. Each collection combines bold prints, sculpting silhouettes, and timeless design, crafted from GRS-certified recycled fabrics and finished with OEKO-TEX® certified nickel-free metal trims. Every piece is ethically produced in small batches using low-impact methods, merging luxury craftsmanship with a modern, eco-conscious edge. Through its partnership with CleanHub, PLAYALUXE supports global ocean cleanup and conservation initiatives—proving that sustainability and style can coexist beautifully.

Explore the full collection of men's and women's swimwear at PLAYALUXE.