Are swim skirts/tankini top combos practical for swimming?
August 11, 2009 3:14 PM Subscribe
Is a tankini top + skirted boyshorts combo (like this one) practical and comfortable to swim in? It looks like it would be fine for lounging around poolside, but I want to be able to swim in it.
I am planning to take swimming lessons soon and I am looking for advice on a swimsuit. I am an adult beginner with a fear of the water. Thus, I'm already self-conscious and dreading being in the pool, and I don't want to make it worse by wearing a swimsuit that makes me feel naked.
I found this top and swim skirt online and I like the way they look together--I think they are cute but not too revealing for my comfort level. However, I don't know how they will be for the actual activity of swimming, because previously I've only worn traditionally-cut swimsuits (which I don't like).
Have any of you worn a combo like this? Would you recommend it for someone taking swimming lessons?
Additional info: I am an A cup, so I am less worried about the top part providing support, but rather 1) about the length of the tankini top interfering with movement (should I get the halter top instead?) and 2) about the skirted bottom part being awkward to move in.
I am planning to take swimming lessons soon and I am looking for advice on a swimsuit. I am an adult beginner with a fear of the water. Thus, I'm already self-conscious and dreading being in the pool, and I don't want to make it worse by wearing a swimsuit that makes me feel naked.
I found this top and swim skirt online and I like the way they look together--I think they are cute but not too revealing for my comfort level. However, I don't know how they will be for the actual activity of swimming, because previously I've only worn traditionally-cut swimsuits (which I don't like).
Have any of you worn a combo like this? Would you recommend it for someone taking swimming lessons?
Additional info: I am an A cup, so I am less worried about the top part providing support, but rather 1) about the length of the tankini top interfering with movement (should I get the halter top instead?) and 2) about the skirted bottom part being awkward to move in.
Best answer: You'll be fine in that. You could go to swim lessons in jeans and a t-shirt if you wanted to. If you decide that you love swimming and can't get enough of it, you may want to switch to a modest one-piece just because it's easier to swim in, but you can swim in what you are suggesting and if you want to feel as comfortable as possible you should wear what you like.
I'd also suggest, if you're swimming in a chlorine pool, possibly investing in some decent goggles. You can go to a big place like Sports Authority and get totally decent goggles for $10-15. It's a little easier for novice swimmers if they don't have to worry about their eyes stinging or water getting in their eyes when they're trying to float or whatever.
If you're doing beginning swim lessons you'll do a lot of water familiarity stuff, learning to float, dog paddle and some basic strokes. If you're afraid of the water, make sure your instructor knows that so that they can make sure they're going at the right pace for you. Have fun, swimming is great exercise and good for you.
posted by jessamyn at 3:22 PM on August 11, 2009
I'd also suggest, if you're swimming in a chlorine pool, possibly investing in some decent goggles. You can go to a big place like Sports Authority and get totally decent goggles for $10-15. It's a little easier for novice swimmers if they don't have to worry about their eyes stinging or water getting in their eyes when they're trying to float or whatever.
If you're doing beginning swim lessons you'll do a lot of water familiarity stuff, learning to float, dog paddle and some basic strokes. If you're afraid of the water, make sure your instructor knows that so that they can make sure they're going at the right pace for you. Have fun, swimming is great exercise and good for you.
posted by jessamyn at 3:22 PM on August 11, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for the quick replies! otherwordlyglow, that is reassuring to know the skirt is comfy to wear and OK for basic swimming.
Jessamyn, thanks for the goggles tip. I don't like getting water in my eyes, and I bet goggles will give me one less thing to stress about.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:29 PM on August 11, 2009
Jessamyn, thanks for the goggles tip. I don't like getting water in my eyes, and I bet goggles will give me one less thing to stress about.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:29 PM on August 11, 2009
I think the tankini would be fine to swim in, but the skirt might get in the way. If you're looking for a little more coverage with the bottoms maybe try boy shorts like these? I love the pair I have mostly because I'm lazy and don't have to wax down there!
posted by delladlux at 3:30 PM on August 11, 2009
posted by delladlux at 3:30 PM on August 11, 2009
Skirts tend to flip up in the water. They're more about covering your thighs when out of the water. I'd probably go with boyshorts if you are actively going to be swimming.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:38 PM on August 11, 2009
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:38 PM on August 11, 2009
If it makes you feel any better, no one really can see your suit on you once you are in the water.
In general, going to/from the changing area to the water, most people are more worried about how they look, do they have time for a mile before they have to leave, how their bad shoulder feels, and the like.
Congratulations on tackling this and good luck! As my coach used to say, "swim your guts out, sugar!"
posted by jgirl at 3:52 PM on August 11, 2009
In general, going to/from the changing area to the water, most people are more worried about how they look, do they have time for a mile before they have to leave, how their bad shoulder feels, and the like.
Congratulations on tackling this and good luck! As my coach used to say, "swim your guts out, sugar!"
posted by jgirl at 3:52 PM on August 11, 2009
I used to have a bottom like that with a skirt that was a little longer. It was fine in the water, but I totally hated it once I came out. It just seemed so....drippy. I had a hard time getting all the water out of it to the point of just being decently damp.
I've progressed to a regular bottom under a pair of board shorts (not too long, not too short). Life is much better. Besides, pockets are my friend.
Oh, and unsolicited hair tip, get it thoroughly wet with fresh water before getting in the pool (and braid it if it's long). It will soak up less chlorinated water, and will be much happier in the long run.
posted by dancinglamb at 4:02 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've progressed to a regular bottom under a pair of board shorts (not too long, not too short). Life is much better. Besides, pockets are my friend.
Oh, and unsolicited hair tip, get it thoroughly wet with fresh water before getting in the pool (and braid it if it's long). It will soak up less chlorinated water, and will be much happier in the long run.
posted by dancinglamb at 4:02 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I think you'll be fine in a beginner's swim course.
If you like swimming and start to progress, you might want to think about a one-piece. My second-biggest problem with a tankini is that the material at the waist starts to ride up a bit and starts to annoy me. It shouldn't be a problem at first, though.
posted by muddgirl at 4:03 PM on August 11, 2009
If you like swimming and start to progress, you might want to think about a one-piece. My second-biggest problem with a tankini is that the material at the waist starts to ride up a bit and starts to annoy me. It shouldn't be a problem at first, though.
posted by muddgirl at 4:03 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: I think since you're an A cup, you'll be fine. I have a tankini (also from Popina's -- highly recommend!!) and I swim in it but the material gets all floaty around my stomach which I find sometimes sort of odd feeling. However, I know the girls are covered and no one can see anyway so I don't worry about it. I have boyshorts for the bottoms and they're totally swimmable. For lap swimming, I have a one-piece sport suit from Dolphin and honestly, nobody looks at me. The tankini and boy shorts are really more for lounging pool side. I think it would be a good suit to get you started and then you'd get mileage out of it at the beach or near a pool or just running though the sprinklers!
+ 1 to the advice on getting goggles and letting the instructor know that you're hesitant. I've just gotten in to swimming after a long time away and started out with a refresher lesson and the experience was great. Now I swim three times a week and feel fab! Good luck!
posted by amanda at 4:27 PM on August 11, 2009
+ 1 to the advice on getting goggles and letting the instructor know that you're hesitant. I've just gotten in to swimming after a long time away and started out with a refresher lesson and the experience was great. Now I swim three times a week and feel fab! Good luck!
posted by amanda at 4:27 PM on August 11, 2009
nthing the goggles - definitely don't want to have to deal with your eyes stinging. Also, really important that the instructor knows that you're hesitant around water. I used to be a WSI and swim coach and it really helps when we knew if our students had issues with the water. Have fun and enjoy!!
posted by garnetgirl at 5:03 PM on August 11, 2009
posted by garnetgirl at 5:03 PM on August 11, 2009
One of my swimsuits is a set a bit like that, and it bugs me. The loose fabric on both the top and the skirt float around, so when I get out of the water or stand up (I'm usually in the shallow end with my kids) they're all twisted around and annoying.
I just switched to board shorts and a top that's actually a jog bra (but a good looking one) and it's working much better. It does show my middle, which I don't mind but might not work for you.
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:08 PM on August 11, 2009
I just switched to board shorts and a top that's actually a jog bra (but a good looking one) and it's working much better. It does show my middle, which I don't mind but might not work for you.
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:08 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: I'm an advanced swimmer, and I went swimming in the ocean in something pretty much identical a few weeks ago.
No problemo.
Once you get more comfortable, you can find out what's comfortable for *you* to swim in. In the meantime, enjoy yourself and if you've got more fabric than the next girl, so be it. I actually don't feel comfortable wearing my lap suit (your average generic Speedo. Except, it's got skulls on it.) to the beach because they're *not* form-fitting and I just look kind of... blobular. But I would never wear either of my beach suits (skirtish bottoms and halter top or same bottoms and tankini top) to the pool either. It's all about context!
And yes, get goggles. Try to avoid foam gaskets (which, y'know, are obvious and look like foam) and get some with rubber/silicone/whatever gaskets instead. Foam, like a sponge, gets saturated and starts leaking after a while - which doesn't do shit for keeping water OUT of your eyes. I've got some fancy Speedo goggles that are pink and holographic and those ran me probably $25. Speedo's a pretty good brand, I've never had a pair of theirs that leaked. And man, there's nothing worse than leaky goggles.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:01 PM on August 11, 2009
No problemo.
Once you get more comfortable, you can find out what's comfortable for *you* to swim in. In the meantime, enjoy yourself and if you've got more fabric than the next girl, so be it. I actually don't feel comfortable wearing my lap suit (your average generic Speedo. Except, it's got skulls on it.) to the beach because they're *not* form-fitting and I just look kind of... blobular. But I would never wear either of my beach suits (skirtish bottoms and halter top or same bottoms and tankini top) to the pool either. It's all about context!
And yes, get goggles. Try to avoid foam gaskets (which, y'know, are obvious and look like foam) and get some with rubber/silicone/whatever gaskets instead. Foam, like a sponge, gets saturated and starts leaking after a while - which doesn't do shit for keeping water OUT of your eyes. I've got some fancy Speedo goggles that are pink and holographic and those ran me probably $25. Speedo's a pretty good brand, I've never had a pair of theirs that leaked. And man, there's nothing worse than leaky goggles.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:01 PM on August 11, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks everyone!
I think judging from the comments above, the skirt (which is more boy shorts with a short flap of fabric) won't annoy me as much as the extra fabric on the tankini top might. I may just go for the halter top after all. And I am definitely going to invest in a good pair of goggles.
I know a lot of my obsessing over the suit has more to do with anxiety over the lessons themselves, but I figure if I can eliminate some of the stressors I'll be able to deal better with the biggie (being in the water). And if I get to be more comfortable and actually learn to swim (it's good to be optimistic!) I will probably go for a one-piece at that point.
Also, I'm glad to hear that Popina's is a good place to get a suit, since I have never ordered from them before.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:32 PM on August 11, 2009
I think judging from the comments above, the skirt (which is more boy shorts with a short flap of fabric) won't annoy me as much as the extra fabric on the tankini top might. I may just go for the halter top after all. And I am definitely going to invest in a good pair of goggles.
I know a lot of my obsessing over the suit has more to do with anxiety over the lessons themselves, but I figure if I can eliminate some of the stressors I'll be able to deal better with the biggie (being in the water). And if I get to be more comfortable and actually learn to swim (it's good to be optimistic!) I will probably go for a one-piece at that point.
Also, I'm glad to hear that Popina's is a good place to get a suit, since I have never ordered from them before.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:32 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: You might even want to try a $6 drugstore nose clip, if you're nervous in water. The feeling of water in your nostrils is a little foreign at first. The chlorine will sting slightly when it gets up your nose- it's totally safe, but you might want to get used to that later too.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:12 PM on August 11, 2009
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:12 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: Good for you for taking the "plunge" to take swimming lessons.
Since you're self-conscious, I recommend buying the suit with ample time before the first lesson so you can make sure it fits and get comfortable in it. Seriously, put it on one afternoon and hang around the house in it...the more you wear it the more you'll get used to it.
posted by radioamy at 11:50 PM on August 11, 2009
Since you're self-conscious, I recommend buying the suit with ample time before the first lesson so you can make sure it fits and get comfortable in it. Seriously, put it on one afternoon and hang around the house in it...the more you wear it the more you'll get used to it.
posted by radioamy at 11:50 PM on August 11, 2009
I also don't love traditionally cut swim suits, and recently I have been wearing these "bike shorts" (just spandex and nylon - no padding) and a nylon/spandex sports bra for swimming and they've worked well. I find that the bike shorts don't ride up as much as boyshorts.
posted by puffin at 12:42 AM on August 12, 2009
posted by puffin at 12:42 AM on August 12, 2009
I have worn several vintage suits with little skirts to swim over the years. I do like to wring them when I get out of the water, but other than that they're no trouble at all.
My swimming is mostly in lakes, rivers, and at the beach so ymmv.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 6:21 PM on August 12, 2009
My swimming is mostly in lakes, rivers, and at the beach so ymmv.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 6:21 PM on August 12, 2009
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posted by otherwordlyglow at 3:19 PM on August 11, 2009