There is only one line of demarcation between the haves and have-nots in Houstonia every summer, and it’s made of pool tile. Here, it doesn’t matter whether your puddle of choice is a chlorinated concrete number in an aging apartment complex or a waterfall-laden, flat-screen-equipped, salt-water-infused backyard Xanadu. As long as you have one.

Similarly, you can swim in style wherever you take the plunge, equipped as you might be with a 24-karat-gold-fastened bikini, say, or sunscreen that soothes sensitive skin, a towel with the super-soft touch of velour, salt spray to capture your perfect waves or a giant flamingo to float away on. 

Clockwise from top left:  Giant inflatable flamingo float, $70 at shopthemanor.com. Black and white wide-brim hat, $29.90 at Zara. ViX abstract coral pattern bandeau bikini top, $134, and bottoms, $119, at La Mode Swim. The Rocks by Peter Nichols, $27.95 at Brazos Bookstore. Brighton luxe beach towel, $55 at shopthemanor.com. Drybar Mai Tai Spritzer Sea Salt Spray, $25 at Drybar. Supergoop! SPF 40 Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen, $28 at Sephora. Seahorse Duchess East/West tote, $178 at Jonathan Adler. Manebi gold espadrilles, $250 at Brooke Feather. Illesteva Leonard II sunglasses, $290 at Brooke Feather.