So, I spent the afternoon at the water park...

Mae

... You know, water slides, wave pool, etc. for DS's b-day. I babysat the towels and backpack, so had quite a bit of time to watch people. So, I'm wondering... what IS the proper attire for a day at the water park?

Do you just suck it up, throw on your bathing suit and have some fun, or do you worry about how you're actually presenting yourself? I have to tell you, 99.9% of the patrons were in the former group. And it was a bit disturbing.

15 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

bj1111

Veteran

swimsuit and an old mens/boys button down shirts, preferably frayed and in advanced state of decay and flipflops. kaftan and espadrilles for after.

15 years ago

Veteran

I don't like to be seen in a bathing suit, but having kids forces me to endure the dreaded water parks each summer. I wear a tankini top with swim shorts and Teva sandals. Definitely not my most stylish time. I cringe at myself the whole day and look forward to when it's time to eat our picnic lunch or leave so then at least I can wrap myself up in a towel.

What did you wear while you were people watching?

15 years ago

Anonymous

What's wrong with putting on a bathing suit and having fun?

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

You just wear whatever the heck you want. You get a free pass.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think once you have paid your admission, swim wear would be the only appropriate clothing for a water slide, either that or wet suits which could look even more terrifying ( and may stick to the slides).

15 years ago

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

Well, I worry about the bathing suit when I buy it, usually a long tankini and board shorts, and the forget about the rest while I'm there. That said, I make sure my hair is fairly neat (kind of a lost cause at a water park, though), my toes are freshly painted and I'm not hairy any place that's at all visible. Oh and that I slather on the 90 spf sunscreen frequently. There's really only so much you can do about how you look in a swimsuit, honestly. (although I've definitely seen some pretty horrifying things - like women wearing a plainly visible white bra under a black suit or really curvy women wearing suits with a front zipper unzipped down almost to their navel).

15 years ago

April

Veteran

I agree about the water park being a "free pass" zone. The most flattering swimsuit that can be found and that isn't impractical for water slides etc., some sort of gearish footwear, and something to serve as a coverup. Not sure what else can (or should) be done for such a setting.

Love the idea of board shorts, since water slides seem guaranteed to produce all kinds of wardrobe malfunctions in a traditional women's swimsuit.

15 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Slim cut board shorts, tankini top and a crisp white buttondown style cover-up (worn open).

Accessories - stylish sunglasses, sun hat, watershoes, pedicure, SUN SCREEN!

15 years ago

rute

Veteran

How fun! I do that twice a year, my daughther loves it.
For me it's a bikini and lots of sunscreen! Because I do slide a lot with the children!
The slides tend to ruin the bikinis, so I choose an old one!

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

there was a blog post about stylish swimwear written by Laura that you might want to check out

http://youlookfab.com/category/mom-on-the-go/

I try to make sure I am on the presentable side of the spectrum but honestly pool and beach days are not the days I put the most effort into my style. If my kids were younger and I was spending more of my time in pool wear, I would probably be giving more attention and wardrobe dollars to the cause.

15 years ago

Mae

Active Member

I love these ideas. AJ, I wore my swimsuit (tankini style) underneath clams and a scoop neck t-shirt with Tevas. I thought I was going to be sliding, but ended up being the keeper of the stuff, so I never took my clothes off.

I completely agree that a flattering swimsuit is key, and covering with board shorts is a great idea (especially for the fast slides).

And I'm glad to hear that even YLF'ers get a free pass sometimes.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I don't think there's anything required except a big smile because you are having fun and getting wet all day long.

15 years ago

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