Swimming pool etiquette - 1 piece or 2 piece

convert

This kind of falls in between F&A and tLL, but I said I'd post here...

It's a pretty odd question, I know, but I was wondering what most people would wear while at a hotel swimming pool - a swim suit or a bikini?

I've asked a few friends, and their answers didn't really help as their answers fell pretty much 50/50 between the 2. I'm heading away with a few friends next weekend and wasn't sure what the 'correct' etiquette was. I don't think I've ever used a hotel pool before in Ireland (apart from when I was a kid, but that doesn't really count!), so I'm really at a loss!

FreudianSlippers

IMO: Indoor 1-piece; Outdoor 2-piece.

Don't ask me why, it just feels right in my gut

Morag

It is up to yourself and your own preference and modesty.

normal swimming pool 1 piece but a hotel one, could do either I reckon. I'd say it's just up to you

cee_jay

IMO I would say one piece for swimming, two piece for sunbathing.
So indoor pool in a hotel would be one piece.

Lucyfur

I'm a member of a hotel gym/pool. It's 50/50. I wear a one piece, purely for comfort. I'm there to swim lengths. I don't use the sun loungers/steam room/sauna or jacuzzi. I'd be afraid to wear a bikini as any time I've been in the water wearing one, it ended up not covering me...:o...couldn't give a monkeys when on holiday but I don't want my bits popping out in my local pool:p

ted1

If you plan on actually swimming then its a one piece. I worked as a.lifeguard for years and saw way to many wardrope malfunctions with two pieces.

Ickle Magoo

Yeah, bikini's for beach/sunbathing; cozzie for everything else. :cool:

Edited to add...the above is what I do - I have no idea if or what etiquette there is...

Princess Peach

Definitely doesn't matter! I use the pool and jacuzzi and steam room in my gym and I alternate between one piece and two piece, depending on whatever I grab before going out. There's no etiquette for it, think its about half and half really. They serious swimmers tend to wear one piece cause its better for laps, just depends on what you want and what you feel good in.

Acoshla

I don't own a swimsuit because they don't suit my shape, I always wear a bikini, didn't realise there was any etiquette about this! The one I used to wear when I went swimming in the gym was a 50's style one with quite a covered up top and high waisted shorts type things, but still a bikini.

convert

I was leaning towards a 1 piece, not really due to fear of wardrobe malfunctions or what suits me, but just I reckon a 2 piece is better suited to warm weather and sun, rather than an indoor pool with our lovely Irish summer weather!

That reminds me, I should probably go and check that my 1 piece still fits me (and is in good working order! It's been about 3 years since I was swimming last! )

Thanks for the replies!

Stench Blossoms

Acoshla wrote: »

I don't own a swimsuit because they don't suit my shape, I always wear a bikini, didn't realise there was any etiquette about this! The one I used to wear when I went swimming in the gym was a 50's style one with quite a covered up top and high waisted shorts type things, but still a bikini.

I'm the same, never knew there was any sort of etiquette.

I don't own a one piece and wouldn't be inclined to buy one either.

carlybabe1

well if your just swimming in the pool, then either is appropriate, depending how comfy you feel. However, due to my own experience DO NOT wear bikini while attempting aqua aerobics, I made that mistake. The instructor hasn't been able to meet my eyes since, god love him

ppink

saw a girl one day in our local indoor council pool with a bikini thong! she thought she was the bees knees, spent most of her time strutting around the edge not actually swimming:eek:

Oryx

Definitely a one piece if youre getting in the water. Too much risk of your bikini top floating away after jumping in or a length or two.

ztoical

Like others have said if your actually planning on doing any serious swimming then wear a proper 1 piece swim suit....if it's just to be social or splash about at the edge of the water then wear what ever you feel comfortable in. The majority of two piece outfits are purely for aesthetic appearances and not really for swimming.

rainbow kirby

Oryx wrote: »

Definitely a one piece if youre getting in the water. Too much risk of your bikini top floating away after jumping in or a length or two.

Agree with this. If I'm doing any sort of swimming at all it's got to be a proper one-piece that's going to hold the twins in properly.

FreudianSlippers

ppink wrote: »

saw a girl one day in our local indoor council pool with a bikini thong! she thought she was the bees knees, spent most of her time strutting around the edge not actually swimming:eek:

Ahem... directions to said pool please!

Wibbs

OK Lets dial back the blokishness just a little please.

Eve_Dublin

I don't think I've owned a one piece since I was a kid and I don't think one would suit me anyway. I don't have that sleek, athletic shape going on. I'm not a proper swimmer though...I just mess about in the pool but I've had the occasional accident only because I haven't bought a new one for years and it probably doesn't fit me anymore. Time to go bikini shopping.

Be||e

I have one of those sporty two piece swimsuits - best of both worlds!

It's a little pair of shorts and a vest top, so more modest than a bikini. I find two pieces so much easier for getting changed in and out of.

Pinklady11

So glad I came across this thread, I'm heading away in a couple of weeks and was wondering the same thing. I think I'll go for either a one piece or the two peice vest and shorts type. Imo just seems wrong to wear a bikini in a hotel swimming pool, I think they are better suited for sunbathing, but each to their own.

tan11ie

Whatever you feel most comfortable in. I only ever wear a bikini can't stand swimsuits they just look meh on me !!!

iguana

I always go for a one-piece or a tankini (vest top bikini) in an indoor pool. Bikinis feel like outdoor pool/beach wear.

Snoopy1

Bikini if im on holiday, but i dont really like my body in a bikini, so one piece for proper swimming!!

newbee22

Tankini or one piece for swimming, bikini for sunbathing!

Lia_lia

Swimsuit. Because I actually swim HARDCORE.

I worked in a leisure centre for a few years and the only girls that really wore bikinis were the ones that just went for the jacuzzi etc..

beeftotheheels

There is etiquette on this???

Is there also etiquette on the type of bikini or one-piece one wears that I'm not aware of? My one pieces tend to be of the speedo variety but I have seen "one piece" swimsuits of a designer variety which strike me as being as suitable to swimming a couple of km as many bikinis are (i.e. not at all).

squeakyduck

I wouldn't be confident to wear a bikini in a hotel swimming pool for some reason!

username123

Definitely one piece. Or sports style two piece - vest top and shorts.

Bikinis are for sunbathing.

I occasionally see woman in bikinis in my gym pool and cant help but inwardly roll my eyes. Its a bit like showing up for the cardio machines wearing heels - just not appropriate.

Stench Blossoms

username123 wrote: »

Definitely one piece. Or sports style two piece - vest top and shorts.

Bikinis are for sunbathing.

I occasionally see woman in bikinis in my gym pool and cant help but inwardly roll my eyes. Its a bit like showing up for the cardio machines wearing heels - just not appropriate.

Your comparisons aren't really valid. You're not allowed use a cardio machine with heels but you are allowed swim in a bikini.

It really depends on what your actually doing in the pool though surely?

When I'm there I stay in the paddling pool with the kids. Not doing lengths of the pool or any strenuous exercise so a one piece in not necessarily needed.

Asphyxia

I'd be more comfortable in a 1 piece, I usually just wear swim shorts and a halter neck style swim top or a swimming dress

I'd love to have the confidence to wear a bikini :rolleyes:

_ariadne

I work at a private pool.

If swimming 'properly' everyone wears a sporty one or two piece.

After that it's a real mix, but I have to say, you only really see the crappy penneys bikinis being worn by women solelyusing the jacuzzi etc. I dont think they are really up to even a bit of 'real' swimming.

so I say wear whatever you feel better in or suits your shape better, but make sure it will survive a bit of swimming!

username123

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Your comparisons aren't really valid. You're not allowed use a cardio machine with heels but you are allowed swim in a bikini.

It really depends on what your actually doing in the pool though surely?

When I'm there I stay in the paddling pool with the kids. Not doing lengths of the pool or any strenuous exercise so a one piece in not necessarily needed.

I wasnt comparing what was allowed.
I was comparing whats appropriate wear for a particular activity.

Ill use a different example for you. You can swim in a wetsuit, but no one would wear one in an indoor pool, because you dont need to keep the heat in as the pool is heated.

To me, a bikini is for sunbathing, it exposes a lot of skin - in an indoor pool there is no need to expose the skin for sunbathing purposes.

One can swim in a bikini but its not really up to strenuous activity - its not designed for sport.

Stench Blossoms

username123 wrote: »

One can swim in a bikini but its not really up to strenuous activity - its not designed for sport.

But as I said before, not everyone that goes to a swimming pool is there for strenuous activities .

pow wow

1-piece in a gym or lesiure centre setting, bikini on hols.

username123

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

But as I said before, not everyone that goes to a swimming pool is there for strenuous activities .

And if its indoors they are not there to sunbathe. So no need for bikini.

beeftotheheels

username123 wrote: »

And if its indoors they are not there to sunbathe. So no need for bikini.

But some people might just prefer them. Surely it is an individual choice?

If I swim seriously, I wear a one piece as it is more comfortable for actually swimming in. When I dive I generally wear a bikini under my wet suit because I find it easier to change out of. Nothing to do with sunbathing (although I would also wear a bikini for that).

username123

beeftotheheels wrote: »

But some people might just prefer them. Surely it is an individual choice?

If I swim seriously, I wear a one piece as it is more comfortable for actually swimming in. When I dive I generally wear a bikini under my wet suit because I find it easier to change out of. Nothing to do with sunbathing (although I would also wear a bikini for that).

Yes it is an individual choice.

The OP was asking for the correct etiquette re a bikini in a hotel pool. My opinion is that its inappropriate to wear a bikini in an indoor pool and if I see someone doing so I think that they are dressed inappropriately for where they are and what they are doing. Thats just my opinion!

And the reason for my opinion is that a bikini is designed for sunbathing.