https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:42:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387834 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 02:42:56 +0000 Sal 2387834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Even the most crowded beaches here are not very crowded - although I prefer them on quieter days I can cope in the middle of summer too.&nbsp; One advantage of being hidden away down under.</p> <p>Last year I did lots of winter swims but I haven't been in since April.&nbsp; I was sick when I had the chance and since then it has not lined up.&nbsp; I am missing it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387620 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:20:39 +0000 Suntiger 2387620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd love an excuse for a glamorous resorty beach dress and swim capsule, but that's not my life :(<br /> I live just a couple hours from the ocean, but avoid it during tourist season. Hate crowds and the parking is a mare. Plus there's a big drinking culture there :/ I do go off season sometimes, but just wade in. There's the bay too of course, but not much in the way of public beaches, and the main one gets really crowded too.</p> <p>My swimming is just laps in the (indoor) pool, minimal now with everything else going on. High neck one piece suit, rashguard for warmth. Still have my old Ripskirt as my only swim coverup.<br /> Occasionally I'll go in an ourdoor pool if at a party or work event, or at my dad's, and just wear a tankini. </p> <p>Though I live right by the river, it's not clean enough to swim, so I just paddleboard on it. Tankini top + skort or leggings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387510 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:34:35 +0000 Sal 2387510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting to see different habits and likes. I do agree that coverups outlast the swimsuits!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387299 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:31:41 +0000 cat2 2387299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t like most athletic gear, and don’t like shorts, so have a collection of other pieces to wear to the lake, beach, resort pool, etc. I have two Tommy Bahama coverup dresses in navy and black that work with my swimsuits for the beach or resort. I also have a Boden sweatshirt dress that I wear to the lake; it’s at altitude and cool. I think it was roundly dissed on this site as being seasonally confused, but it’s been perfect for that. I have had the coverups for ages; they have outlasted generations of swimsuits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387289 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:13:26 +0000 Janet 2387289@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a small capsule of a variety of swim/beach/pool options. </p> <p>We have a swimming pool in our back yard — we open it in late May and close it in September. It’s heated because our yard is shady and the pool doesn’t get much sun. I swim a couple times a week in summer, so I have a couple of old but serviceable Tyr swimsuits for laps, plus a couple of more fashionable one-pieces for social swimming (friends and family come over sometimes, and we host our neighborhood annual summer party). I cover up in lightweight technical fabric dresses for the most part. </p> <p>I used to live in a little beach cottage, across the street from our community beach, where a river meets the Chesapeake Bay. I swam in the water all the time when I was young, but no longer. Climate change and pollution have made the water somewhat unsafe, and the sea nettles have gotten really bad. The Atlantic is just a couple hours away and I’ll occasionally wade into the ocean a bit there, but it’s generally too cold for me. I’ve become quite a temperate water person. </p> <p>I have a whole other small swim capsule for vacations — we go somewhere beachy for at least a long weekend maybe every other year. A couple of bikinis and a couple of prettier/sexier one-pieces get taken on those trips. I have a selection of coverups plus a hat for those occasions. I mostly spend poolside/beach time under an umbrella or in the shade if I’m not in the pool. Not a sun-worshipper at all. I do enjoy reading on a lounge chair in the shade. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387137 Sat, 31 May 2025 05:43:21 +0000 Sal 2387137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fun to read about everyone’s approaches. Quite a variety as I expected. If I lived at the coast I would like to take a weekly sea swim…..</p> <p>Irina I love your glam beach dress - it’s also practical too.</p> <p>My friends are very wide ranging in their swimming approach too. I understand why swimming could be unappealing - I am only sad if people don’t do it for body confidence reasons when there are so many options. It’s great now there are suits from very bare ones to options with lots of coverage. </p> <p>Lane swimming is something I do less of than I would like. Maybe when I work a bit less - or maybe I will do more pickleball or yoga!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387131 Sat, 31 May 2025 03:24:59 +0000 Jenni NZ 2387131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not a typical New Zealander with regard to swimming. I grew up near a harbour beach in Auckland- not nearly as nice as the Hauraki Gulf beaches near where I have lived on the North Shore since we came here aged 28. So I have swum but not well. My mother was ahead of her time in protecting our faces especially from our strong sun (“You don’t want to ruin your beautiful English rose skin and get that leathery look older women can get”.) She did also get a few lesions cut off her face when I was still a child or teenager so that was a warning too. I’m grateful for this! I did try and tan in my teens but by early 20s realised it was firstly hopeless due to my fair skin and secondly bad for me.<br /> Bringing up the 3 kids it was practical gear and sun protection, mostly shorts at the beach but sarongs ( or lavalavas as we liked to call them, possibly a Samoan word?) in the bag to cover legs sometimes. Lots of sunblock.<br /> Only since having some beautiful resort holidays in Thailand or Fiji or Bali since 2010 (without offspring) have I bought a bit more of a glamorous pool capsule. Got a beautiful kaftan that I saw advertised in a Fashion Quarterly magazine maybe 2013 way cheaper the following year from the outlet store! So long ago, it’s off my clothing lists now as well past the 30 wears but still in great nick and taken on any tropical holiday. Love pools at resort hotels! I realise my privilege. I like to wear pretty pool-appropriate sandals or jandals then too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387124 Sat, 31 May 2025 00:30:22 +0000 Suz 2387124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like <b>Murph</b>, and unlike <b>Angie</b>, I swim in the cold PNW waters. I'm not as brave as my cousin, though, who dips in all year (and she lives north of me!) </p> <p>And truthfully, "swim" is a bit of a misnomer -- I can really only manage for half an hour even in high summer. But I love ocean swimming so I do it when I get a chance. I wear a Speedo like<b> Dee'</b>s or an Athleta suit and/or rash guard. For cover up I have a linen shirt, tech fabric shorts, a towel, a hat, sunnies....</p> <p>I lake swim, too, if I get a chance, but I prefer salt water. </p> <p>The only time I ever had a sundress or beach dress was when I was 17 and went on my one and only resort type vacation in Hawaii! I think they look so pretty, though, and if I were going to such a place again, I'd like a getup like <b>Irina's!</b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387112 Fri, 30 May 2025 20:47:40 +0000 Murph11 2387112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a caftan and woven hat if I'm at/near the beach or on vacation, and avoid the sun by flocking to any shade available.</p> <p>I live in Seattle with a 5-minute drive to Puget Sound (salt water) and &nbsp;"cold soak" with a friend weekly year-round wearing one-piece suits. This morning the water was 48.8F/9.3C... <b>cold.</b> The early morning plungers near us are a hearty group and many wear nothing at all, then quickly pull on cozy sweats and puffers to enjoy coffee on the beach! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387095 Fri, 30 May 2025 14:05:13 +0000 Olive Green 2387095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Karie and I are swimming twins. Board shorts and a tankini top. &nbsp;I am always in water with dogs, so need some coverage to keep from getting scratched. Lots of paddle boarders and kayakers here, and they generally wear bright gear clothes. Fit right in.&nbsp;<br />I throw on a large shirt in cotton or linen and a pair of stay-on water sandals. Teva, Merrell, or EVA Birks work well on the rocks.&nbsp;<br />I tried rash guards and find them clingy and bothersome.&nbsp;<br />This outfit works well for traveling and camping, hotel pools and creeks alike.&nbsp;<br />I have a short torso so swimsuits were always a pain to fit.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387090 Fri, 30 May 2025 13:12:03 +0000 Karie 2387090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My preference is for function over fashion in this area, so I mostly wear a one piece or board shorts and a tankini top. I always wear a rash guard. I grew up at the Jersey shore and love boogie boarding, but I don’t love finding my bathing suit in places it shouldn’t be, so one piece/board shorts/tankini it is as they tend to stay put. Here in NY I love our lakes and can be found not swimming, but paddle boarding and kayaking and I prefer the coverage and comfort that board shorts offer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387077 Fri, 30 May 2025 05:33:18 +0000 Carla 2387077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to swim 3xweek at a local pool/arena complex close to my home. &nbsp;It’s lane swimming so: Speedo fly back one piece, silicone cap, goggles. &nbsp;I own two sets. &nbsp;I enjoy a good shower and take time with post swim care, so leave in street clothes when I’m done. &nbsp;</p> <p><div><br /></div><div>We live on Lake Ontario and have a little sandy beach, and another rocky one in town. &nbsp;10 km away is a blue flag beach. &nbsp;I swim in the lake half a dozen times, but it is more about cooling off after a hot day and I wear a non sport one piece or bikini and throw on shorts and a sweat shirt afterwards. &nbsp;I use these same suits when I travel to a destination vacation with a beach, or if I’m travelling and might stay in a hotel with a pool or a spa/hot tub. &nbsp;I do have a rash guard top for sun protection, and a cotton dress that I use as a cover up. &nbsp;I don’t feel like my fun time swim capsule is wonderful, but I’m usually able to cobble something together that serves the purpose - and I did just aquire a new bikini!</p> <p> </div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387070 Fri, 30 May 2025 02:22:12 +0000 Sloper 2387070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can see a beach dress working very nicely in a resort- or country club- type environment. &nbsp;For patio dining, or being a bit more nicely covered up/dressed when walking through the lobby.</p> <p>Personally, I am a very pale mole person (as in mole the underground burrowing creature) - and avoid the sun. &nbsp;I’ve bought hats, sleeves, and long sleeve tops from Coolibar for sun protection. &nbsp;They have some very pretty patterns and styles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387057 Thu, 29 May 2025 22:25:47 +0000 LJP 2387057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've always understood beach clubs and the resulting wardrobing as part of the coastal/resort culture and not necessarily translating to lake life here in Manitoba (we are known for having MANY lakes - like Michigan) . As a matter of fact, someone dressed in anything other than a t-shirt, denim or linen shirt , ancient flip flops and a faded towel might raise a few eyebrows. &nbsp;I grew up with a family cottage on Lake Winnipeg and cannot imagine wearing anything other than the craziest old clothes to hang out in . &nbsp;We used to keep a collection of old sweatshirts and hoodies left by unknown visitors and guests to wear on chilly days/nights. &nbsp;At our condo pool, I wear a linen shirt , a hat , sunglasses &nbsp;and Birkenstocks to and from the pool . &nbsp;I do have a nicer towel for public view, lol . &nbsp;Bright colours and prints are seen on older women. &nbsp;I don't see much laying around sunbathing anymore , which is good. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387050 Thu, 29 May 2025 18:01:24 +0000 Angie 2387050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(this is not off-topic, btw! )</p> <p><b>Sal</b>, the "beach dress" can work well in a resort or beach town environment. When I lived in Cape Town, and you went to or lived by the beach on the Atlantic Sea Board - this makes sense! In Grecian resorts too. &nbsp;Like you though - I COVER UP in the sun, so my beach dresses are long and sleeved. (I am very sun-unfriendly). I wear pants and tops too. I shade-tan in a one piece! (Not sun-tan). Always under an umbrella. <i>Absolutely no sun for me.</i> I also swim in the shade. If there is no shade - I don't swim :)&nbsp;</p> <p>In Seattle, we are surrounded by beaches and water. Sooooo lucky! But you can't swim in the water. It's too cold here. People who live in he PNW of the US get what I mean. You wrap up when you go the water - which I do almost daily.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387031 Thu, 29 May 2025 12:31:50 +0000 RobinF 2387031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We have lots of lakes and beaches here in Michigan but I am not a big swimmer or beach lounger. I do have a few swimsuits that I wear on cruises or other vacations but don't like to hang around in a swimsuit as I don't find them very comfortable. I generally use a tshirt dress as a cover up. I love the idea of a cute linen dress as a coverup. Maybe for my next warm weather vacation....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387030 Thu, 29 May 2025 12:18:22 +0000 Irina 2387030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do have a beach dress! LOL<br />well, it’s a long linen dress in fuchsia that I use as cover up sometimes on vacations. Most often, I wear a midi linen shirt dress with long sleeves. I might occasionally wear white loose linen pants with a matching long sleeves button down shirt. A pair of flip flops, a hat and a beach bag. We have a rolled up bamboo mat to use if there are no loungers available.&nbsp;</p> <div>I wear one piece swimsuit on a beach or in a swimming pool. I swim 3 times a week at the local swimming pool (indoor). I maybe swim once a summer in one of our lakes but it is a rare occasion. I much preferred salt open water swimming. Lately, we try to do a beach vacation at least once a year.&nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387029 Thu, 29 May 2025 11:52:05 +0000 Dee 2387029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well for me, here in my part of Canada, its mostly indoor pool or a bit of lake swimming in summer. Occasionally, on a vacation, we'll make it out to some of the ocean beaches but they still can be pretty cold in the northeast even in summer.</p> <p>Nothing resort-like either when we're at a beach, just a towel on the sand or a folding lawn chair and long sleeve shirt cover ups , sunscreen and wide brim hats. I usually wear a 2 piece swim suit consisting of swim shorts and a tank-style swim top.</p> <p>I also swim at our local indoor pool complex, it's only a 5 minute walk from my house. There, I'll wear a Speedo one piece as it's mostly lane swimming. It's like a gym workout, so no fancy resort wear either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387021 Thu, 29 May 2025 09:26:44 +0000 Sal 2387021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a lovely habit to form with a friend<br /> Bijou! I will swim in winter as well if it is a lovely spot. Like your birks - I wear my ones too.</p> <p>JAileen - yes I expect that would be chilly! Kayaking sounds perfect. I like your pool slides too - comfy and stylish. I get skin checks regularly but so far I have been lucky. I expect one day they will find something though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387013 Thu, 29 May 2025 06:35:28 +0000 JAileen 2387013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Because of our elevation, the air is thinner here and skin cancer removal is a growth industry. &nbsp;I’ve had several things removed that were precancerous. &nbsp;My husband had Mohs surgery last year. &nbsp;It’s for removal of skin cancer. &nbsp;:(<div><br /></div><div>Our best lake is Tahoe. &nbsp;The surface of the lake is at 6220 feet. &nbsp;As you can imagine, it’s pretty cold. &nbsp;People do swim in it, but we don’t, or sunbathe. &nbsp;We take our canoe there in summer. &nbsp;I always wear sunscreen and a hat, and shorts and a tee over my swimsuit.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I swim regularly in an indoor swimming pool. &nbsp;Last summer they opened a new aquatic center a couple miles from my house. &nbsp;I wear a Speedo one piece suit. &nbsp;Now that it’s warmer I’m going to dig out my Lands End cover up (mine is navy polka dot, I think). &nbsp; I wear my suit there and home, and change at home. &nbsp;After&nbsp;my post about my recent foot problems, I bought Cushionaire slides. &nbsp;They’re easier to slip into when my feet are wet, and are very soft. &nbsp;I carry my gear in a thrifted LLBean duffle.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387011 Thu, 29 May 2025 05:29:34 +0000 Bijou 2387011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Western Australia is known for its beaches, even now as we approach winter, the water temp is about 19C, so whilst initially cold, it's refreshing. I swim in the ocean every week. At the beach I wear shorts and a shirt or sweatshirt and always a hat.</p> <p>My best friend and I follow our swim with a coffee and half a donut!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimming-culture--beach-lake-or-pool-and-attire#post-2387007 Thu, 29 May 2025 04:57:45 +0000 Sal 2387007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was reading about beach dresses in a fashion column, </p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025/may/28/jess-cartner-morley-on-fashion-the-beach-dress-is-this-summes-must-have">Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: the beach dress is this summer’s must-have | Beach holidays | The Guardian</a></p> <p>to be worn from the sun lounger to lunch, or similar.&nbsp; Very glamorous but I thought about how this category of dressing does not apply to me, despite my love of swimming, and preference to cover up when not in the water...To be fair, the author also talks about oversized shirts and hats, or beach pyjamas...&nbsp;</p> <p>NZ and Australia share the dubious honour of having the biggest hole in the ozone above us and the highest skin cancer rates.&nbsp; </p> <p>We have lots of lakes and a love of home swimming pools.&nbsp; We also have a long coast line ( NZ is eleventh on the list of longest coastlines )&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_length_of_coastline">List of countries by length of coastline - Wikipedia</a>, a climate conducive to swimming, and a culture of outdoor living.&nbsp; &nbsp;I use my pieces in my swimming capsule a lot.</p> <p>I adore sea swimming and lake swimming - cooler temperatures are fine too!! I like pools as well, both for cooling off or for lane swimming. I don't really sit around in the sun before or after swimming aside from 10 minutes here or there.</p> <p>When I swim, I wear a swimsuit, often with a long sleeve rash shirt.&nbsp; I might wear a linen or cotton cover up to keep myself protected after the swim.&nbsp; So a lovely beach dress without sun coverage has no use.</p> <p>Or I might go for a swim after a strenuous walk so I may go in in exercise shorts and a sports bra.&nbsp; All in all it is practical rather than fashionable, despite owning two lovely one piece swimsuits that get lots of wear.</p> <p>On our beaches or lakes we mostly lie on the beach on a towel, there are no loungers available. Beach clubs are really not part of the culture.</p> <p>I guess resorts and cruises might the place for an elegant beach dress, but I haven't really done those vacations.</p> <p>How about you?&nbsp; Is there a place for a stunning beach dress in your lifestyle?&nbsp; How do you dress before and after swimming if you like this activity?</p> <p>(Finds show my swimsuits and usual coverup).&nbsp; I do have a sarong and a couple of older kimono style tops that are not in finds - none especially glamorous.</p> </p>