Are you tired of feeling cold and uncomfortable after a swim? Do you struggle to find the right clothing to wear that you don’t mind getting wet? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it challenging to determine what to wear after swimming.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best options for post-swim attire, including sweatsuits, tracksuits, baggy hoodies, cover-ups, and swim robes. We’ll also provide tips on how to change clothes without a change room and how to decide what clothes to wear after swimming. Keep reading to learn how to stay warm and comfortable in some stylish after swimming clothes.
What Clothes to Wear After Swimming
Sweatsuits
A sweatsuit can be an excellent option as post-swim attire due to several reasons.
Firstly, a sweatsuit is typically made from soft, comfortable materials like cotton or fleece, which can help you feel cozy and relaxed.
Even on hot days, getting out of the water can make you feel chilly. With a thick sweatsuit, you can stay warm and avoid any post-swim shivers.
Secondly, a sweatsuit can be worn both indoors and outdoors, making it a great choice if you’re planning to go from the pool to other activities. You can easily layer a t-shirt or tank top underneath the sweatshirt and remove it if you get too warm.
Lastly, a sweatsuit is lightweight and easy to pack, making it an ideal choice for those who like to travel light. You can roll it up and tuck it into your bag without taking up too much space.
You can’t really go wrong with wearing a sweatsuit; it’s so versatile, you can wear it for all kinds of situations, post-swim included.
Tracksuits
A tracksuit is another excellent option for post-swim attire for many of the same reasons a sweatsuit is, such as warmth, comfort, and how versatile it is. However, here are some additional benefits:
Most tracksuits are made from materials that dry quickly, such as polyester or nylon. This means that you can change out of your wet swimsuit and into a tracksuit without worrying about the material staying damp for long. It is even viable to wear the tracksuit over your swimsuit if changing isn’t an option.
Furthermore, tracksuits typically are made with spandex, making them stretchier than a sweatsuit. This allows for even more flexibility and can add to your comfort level if that is something you value.
Lastly, tracksuits have become a popular fashion statement in recent years, with many designers creating stylish and trendy tracksuits that can be worn for both athletic and casual occasions. I personally am loving the athleisure trend – you can look good and feel good while doing it.
For some reason, sweatsuits now have a stigma that it is the lazy person’s attire – something you put on so you can quickly make a grocery run and hope that nobody recognizes you.
Conversely, the perception of tracksuits is that you are an elite athlete keeping warm between events or that you just left the gym, or something sporty like that. If public perception bothers you, perhaps a tracksuit is the better option.
Baggy Hoodies
Chances are you’ve got an oversized hoodie in your closet somewhere. You don’t need to buy a dedicated post-swim sweatshirt when you’ve already got a perfectly usable hoodie.
Hoodies may not provide as much warmth, but that is the point. If it’s hot out and you don’t want to overheat by wearing a sweatshirt, then just wear a hoodie instead.
The option to zip it up or unzip it allows you to regulate your body temperature easily, making it a solid option for post-swim attire.
Cover-ups
Ladies, if it’s summertime and the options above sound like they will give you heatstroke, then consider wearing a cover-up instead.
Cover-ups are loose-fitting, quick-drying, airy garments that cover up (har har) your swimsuit. You just wear it over your swimsuit for some modesty and sun protection.
It’s great if you’re at the beach and want to go to a nearby restaurant or store but don’t want to change out of your swimwear. Just put on your cover-up and now it is socially acceptable for you to go to public places without showing too much skin.
Other Garments
Depending on the weather and how sensitive you are to the cold after swimming, you may want some additional layers to make the moments post-swim more bearable.
Don’t forget to keep your noggin and your extremities warm. To that end, consider bringing a hat or toque to keep your head warm. Also consider wearing thick gloves and socks if your hands and feet are getting cold.
How to Change Clothes Without a Change Room?
If you frequently swim outdoors, then you already have dealt with the issue of not always being able to privately change out of your swimwear. If this is a new experience for you, then you need to learn the art of changing publicly. For indoor swimmers, this is known as deck changing.
Wrap Yourself Up in a Large Towel
For this, you need a large towel (leave an extra towel so you don’t get the car seats wet). Find the largest towel you can – the bigger the better (shammies are likely too small), as it will keep you covered and give you more room to shuffle your clothes on and off.
Next, if you’re a guy, wrap the towel around your waist. Gals should wrap the towel under their armpits. Secure the towel in place by tucking the top corner underneath the rest of the towel. The towel should fit snug, but should not be so restrictive that you can’t move under it.
Now, be very careful. As you take off your swimsuit under the towel, you will basically end up only wearing a towel at some point. Go slowly to ensure that the towel doesn’t fall down at an inopportune moment.
Start wearing your dry clothes with the towel still on until your private bits are covered. Depending on how open you are to others seeing your underwear, you can either remove the towel after wearing your undies or only after you’ve put on all of your clothing.
Changing publicly can feel nerve-wracking at first, but it’s something you get used to. Even non-swimmers recognize that swimmers often do this kind of thing, so it’s not going to draw as much attention as you might think.
Wear a Swim Robe/Parka
If you feel that using a large towel doesn’t give you enough privacy, and you’ve had moments where you were perilously close to flashing people, then you might want to consider wearing a swim robe after swimming instead.
Swim robes, also known as dry robes, are the perfect garment for swimmers that want to keep warm both before and after swimming. Swim robes are typically lined with moisture-soaking terry cloth, which dries you and keeps you warm.
And yes, it is perfect for helping you change out of a swimsuit after swimming. No more praying that the towel won’t fall at any moment – swim robes come off only when you want them to.
Rather than only using it for cover while changing, you can also wear it between trips to the car. Or you can just hit the road with it on.
How to Decide What Clothes to Wear After Swimming
Of course, you are not limited to only the options presented above. With how many different types of clothing are available, I’m sure plenty of alternatives exist. In this section, I will go over the criteria that after swimming clothes should meet that make them a good option.
Warmth
Even during the summer, you will be surprised at just how cold you can get when you’re still damp. That is why the number one priority for all post-swim clothing should be warmth.
You don’t want to catch a cold or get hypothermia. Better to be too warm than too cold; at least you can take off clothing once you start warming up.
Thankfully, staying warm is often just a matter of putting on more layers. If you’re still cold, put on yet another layer.
Ideally, the clothing that you’re wearing is thick enough so that you don’t need to put on three different layers.
Loose-fitting
Another important consideration is how loose-fitting the clothes are. Baggy, oversized clothing is ideal because you can easily put them on and take them off. Baggy clothes are also quite comfortable to wear and can even be worn over your swimsuit.
Quick-drying
Depending on the material, some clothes are quick-drying. For example, Nike’s Dri-Fit line of sportswear are moisture-wicking, meaning they wick the sweat away from you where it can quickly evaporate. This keeps you nice and dry, which will help you warm up quickly.
If you intend on wearing your swimsuit under your clothing, then your after swimming clothes should be quick-drying so that you don’t feel damp and miserable for long.
Comfortable
At the end of the day, you just need to feel comfortable. If your post-swim clothes are warm, loose-fitting, and quick-drying, then it will probably feel quite comfortable.
Everyone has different preferences, so I’m just going to say that you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable after swimming.