Can You Wear Normal Clothes In A Swimming Pool: It’s Not Advisable!

Can you wear clothes in a swimming pool? And if yes, can you swim with them?

Most likely, when you were starting in swimming, you must have wondered why you could not wear normal clothes in the pool.

Knowing what to wear in the pool is very important, especially in a public swimming pool. In another article, we discussed why it is important to wear swimming attire in the pool.

Read our short post on: Can you swim in the ocean with a yeast infection

Certain swimming benefits are best enjoyed when you wear the right swimming gear. But then, you could have seen some people swim in board shorts, others shirtless, and others with regular beach shorts.

So, can you wear normal clothes in a swimming pool? Swimming attire does not ride up your skin when you swim. It also does not bunch up around your crotch area, and most importantly, the chlorine in the water does not affect it.

Of course, we have all on occasion found ourselves swimming in regular clothes. Once or twice is not too bad. However, when you make it a habit of wearing the shirt in the pool, you could damage the pool water and your clothes.

Can you wear normal clothes in a swimming pool?

Again, you can if you like, especially if it is your pool. It is your clothes, after all! However, this is not good practice.

Bulky wear is going to absorb too much water. You will not be able to swim well, longer, or harder.

In another article, we said you could wear leggings in a pool, they are not normal leggings. They are specially made for pool use.

At the same time, you should definitely not swim naked. Swimming pool water contains a different type of germ. Besides, the chlorine in the water can make your skin really dry and scaly.

When cleaning your clothes, you use different detergents. You might also use bleach and other cleaning products. All of these are going to find their way into the water when you use normal clothing for swimming.

Many materials have a tendency to bleed, leaving traces of their dyes in the water. Thus, if everyone swims in street clothes, the swimming pool water will start to turn blurry in no time at all.

What should you not wear in the pool: women?

Women have different needs. Therefore, they wear different things when swimming in a pool. For example, when a woman is on her period, she will need to wear a tampon.

In addition, women have to cover up more than men. For example, they need to wear a top of some sort.

You should not wear baggy clothing—you know, t-shirts, dresses, and trousers. Also, you cannot wear a sweater, no matter how cold it is.

Also, avoid wearing jogging bottoms, tracksuits, and gym clothing when swimming in the pool. Jeans are another definite no for both men and women.

Avoid heavy clothes, such as denim, since they become really heavy when they soak up the water. Wearing such clothing can make it quite impossible to swim, and even if you do swim, you will get too tired too fast.

Do not wear regular leggings. If you feel the need to protect your legs, you can always wear a wetsuit for swimming.

If the water is cold, a full wetsuit is going to help you. Wetsuit thickness starts at 2 mm, and for real cold water, some are up to 5mm thick.

Using gear that is made for swimming helps you to not only swim better but also to float in the water.

Let’s just say that if a certain item is not made for swimming, do not get into the water with it. You cannot even wear underwear under your swimsuit.

Don’t even wear shoes, as they will be too bulky and will introduce germs into the pool.

What you should avoid wearing in the pool: men

The rules of swimming pool attire apply to men just as they apply to women.

First, do not wear underwear under your swim shorts. As a rule, the best underwear is made of natural fibers.

It is also breathable and able to absorb sweat, to keep you comfortable. Thus, it will absorb water, and then it will bunch up on your crotch. It will make you so uncomfortable!

Do not wear wool items, as they can become ridiculously heavy when they absorb water. The same applies to denim materials.

Do not swim in socks, and definitely, never swim in shoes. Such can make the swimming pool water dirty and germ-laden.

If the water is too cold, you need a full wetsuit for swimming. You can also wear swimming gloves to keep your hands warm.

Unless you have been paddleboarding and then decide to swim, it is best that you do not get in the pool in board shorts. Whenever you can, always wear the right swimming attire.

Can you wear polyester in the pool?

Today, most swimsuits are made of Polyester. So yes, if you must swim in normal clothes, it would be better if they are made of polyester rather than cotton or any other material.

The reason why manufacturers use polyester for swimsuits is that the material retains its color very well. It also retains its shape. Thus, through many wears, the polyester swimsuit retains its shape very well.

Swimming pool water contains chlorine, which affects many materials and fibers. But at the same time, polyester, propylene, and nylon resist the effects of chlorine very well.

Polyester items also last longer. Thus, when ordering your pool clothes from Amazon.com, ensure that they are made of polyester or other artificial fibers.

Is pool water bad for clothes?

Pool water is bad for clothes, and the clothes themselves are bad for the pool water. If you make it a habit of swimming with regular clothes, you will destroy your pool water.

Because pool water contains chlorine, it is bad for the clothes. Long exposure to this chemical makes the colors start fading.

It also weakens the fibers and therefore continuous exposure will shorten the lifespan of your clothes.

Also, avoid using the swimming pool in street clothes. You do not want to jump into the pool with your cargo pants and sandals.

When you ask what clothes can you wear in a pool, they are not regular clothes. Pool water is prepared to be safe for human skin and not for clothes.

Even continuous use of your swimming pool attire eventually makes it fade and weak.

Is wearing a T-shirt in the swimming pool OK?

Just once or twice is okay.

It is best that you do not make a habit of wearing a T-shirt in the swimming pool. If the t-shirt is made of natural fibers such as cotton, the fibers break in the water. This can contribute to the clogging of the filter system.

Pool water can also make some materials to start running. As a result, this can discolor the water inside the pool. The swimming pool attires are designed to withstand the effects of chlorine.

Can you wear a T-shirt while swimming? The answer is no, you cannot. The reason why we discourage this is that the T-shirt fits baggily.

Without fitting tight, it will bunch upwards as it tends to float on the water and around your body.  This is uncomfortable and if you are swimming in open water, it might lead to underwater entrapment.

Despite the downsides of swimming with a t-shirt, many people still wear them in the pool. Mostly, these are people who do not have a high esteem regarding their bodies.

Regular clothes do not dry fast

One of the benefits of wearing the right pool clothing is that they do not absorb too much water. Thus, even when you step out of the pool, you will not have a lot of water running down your clothes and dripping onto the pool deck.

Of course, when you are using a public swimming pool, you do not want to attract nasty stares for dripping too much water on the pool deck. To avoid that, just wear the right clothing. It will go a long way!

Natural fibers such as cotton and wool hold moisture for a long time. Thus, they will be so uncomfortable if you just want to spend a short time on the deck and get back in the water.

As a rule, it is best to find out what you should wear for swimming in the pool regulations. Different pools have different regulations, so find out what they require. If they say use certain clothes in the pool, use such.

What to wear swimming without swimsuit

What can you wear for swimming without a swimsuit? This is the same as asking what you can wear for swimming if you don’t have a swimsuit.

Well, there are many things! However, for swimming in a public pool, please wear a swimsuit. This is the bare minimum that is expected of all men, women, and children.

In a private swimming pool though, the rules are a bit flexible. You will find that you can wear what you want. However, is everything good for you? Can you jump into the pool in a pair of jeans, or cargo pants?

Here are a few items that you can get away with to wear for swimming when you do not have your swimsuit:

Wear a wetsuit for swimming

If you do not have your swimsuit, the next best thing is a wetsuit for swimming. This is usually made of neoprene and they come in different thicknesses. If you read our article on the best swimming swimming gloves, you will understand what neoprene is.

If you are swimming in cold water, a wetsuit is the best bet for you. As the name suggests, it does get wet. However, the water that it lets in sits on your skin and becomes warm from your body warmth.

This water becomes the buffer zone between your warm skin and the cold water outside. You cannot lose warmth to the cold water and the cold water cannot get to you.

Laceless bra and panties

Honestly, who would know unless they came really close? Laceless bras and panties are already small enough, so even if they are made of natural fibers, they will not absorb too much water as to create a lot of drag.

We do not encourage this though, especially not in a public swimming pool. Natural fibers can absorb water and then they will expand and ride up your body. This can leave you exposed in a bad way.

Do not make a habit of swimming in your bra and panties because they can fade from the chlorine. Also, they introduce new types of bacteria into the water.

A pair of shorts

A pair of nicely fitting shorts for men should do very well. To some extent, they look like trunk shorts. Some also prefer to swim in board shorts. You can also slip on a nylon t-shirt, which will not absorb too much water.

Women can also wear these items, but some might find the need to throw a bra in the mix. Nylon does not absorb much water if it is fitting, it is not going to ride up your body.

Other things you can wear for swimming

Well, you could also swim in the nude, without anything on. However, this is highly discouraged unless it is in an indoor pool, which is not exposed to too many pathogens. It is possible to catch many types of infection from the water.

Women can wear g-string thongs for swimming, especially when the water is warm. However, this is not good for the beach. It is best to dress in modest swimming attire on public beaches.

Choose something that you are comfortable with and that will offer some form of protection against the cold.

Some women feel comfortable swimming in men’s swim trunks. If that is you, wear a pair without fear. Such are also good for walking and relaxing on the beach.

If you are looking for what to wear on the beach, you have more choices than when you want something you can swim in.

On the beach, you can wear regular clothes if you want. You can also wear leggings and by the way, you can even swim in them.

The general agreement is that women can swim in their underwear if it is dark colored. However, make sure yours fit snugly because adjusting panties that are riding up in the water is quite hard.

Very Important

Remember, when traveling, plan if your vacation is going to involve swimming. Pack your swimming costume or swim trunks for men. Below are some good choices you can order from Amazon.com:

What should you not wear in a pool

Anything that is not listed in this article is not good for wearing inside the pool. But there are things that you might see in the shop and think … heck! This is good for swimming.

So, what are some of the things that look good for the pool but which you should never wear inside your saltwater or chlorine pool?

Don’t wear I pee in pool items for swimming

They look good and they have a great satirical message – I pee in pools t-shirts, hats, hoodies, tank tops and shirts are really fancy.

They warn other people not to pee in the pool. However, while wearing them on the poolside is okay, never swim in them.

After all, they are not made with polyester and spandex, neoprene, silicone or latex material which are the commonly used materials for swimming items. They are made of cotton and other fibers.

These fibers absorb water and then they cause chaffing on your skin.

Don’t wear swimming trunks without netting for men

Swim trunks have netting to support the male anatomy. If you want to shame, try wearing shorts that don’t have this important feature!

For better support than what the swim shorts with a net mesh offer, go for the swim shorts with compression liners.

Those are incredible. If you are especially gifted down there, you will appreciate the support these pieces will give you.

Don’t wear a swimsuit without bust support for large women

If you are gifted in the bust area, you need the best swimsuit with bust support. It is going to hold your twin in place very well, even when you engage in vigorous water activity.

Get the best swimsuit for sagging breasts if your girls have the nasty habit of jumping all over the place when you get active.

Remember, just because you have some extra weight, it does not mean you should not swim. You should enjoy water activity just as much as the next person.

Conclusion

To the question of: Can you wear clothes in a swimming pool, you have seen that you cannot. If you have decided that swimming is your aerobic exercise of choice, buy a good set of swimming attire.

If you are a workout freak, do not be tempted to get into the water with your gym clothes. Your workout clothes are not really water-friendly and some are downright bulky. Thus, if they absorb water, they will not shed it fast.

Stop wearing a shirt in the pool, get out of your normal clothes, and get into pool clothes. The flexibility that the lightweight pool clothes give you is hard to find in regular street clothes.