I spend more time getting trying to put my clothes on after swimming than the actual swimming....

likelysuspect · 2026-09-23T19:39:30+00:00

No matter how hard I try, I am clammy after swimming (this is the sea but its the same at a pool), trying to put even the most baggy items on, everything gets stuck, toes, heels, knees, hands, elbows. Ugh Pees me off.

whatsnewbuttercup · 23/09/2026 20:42

Yes, why is it not like this after we’ve dried ourselves following a bath or shower at home?

Octavia64 · 23/09/2026 20:43

Tracksuit bottoms and hoodie.

(just back from a river swim).

I bought a nice pair of fleecy bottoms when I was at the great north swim as well. Love those

Branleuse · 23/09/2026 20:44

Talc /baby powder is the answer.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 23/09/2026 20:44

You need baby powder!

And yes, loose clothes, Crocs.

HoppityBun · 23/09/2026 20:46

Branleuse · 23/09/2026 20:44

Talc /baby powder is the answer.

Seconded. Buy a large bottle of baby powder from Boots. I was putting on my shoes at the swimming pool after getting dressed and someone commented that I smelled nice: she was pleasingly surprised when I told her it was Boots baby powder. I got fed up paying extravagant prices for powder.

ThisHappyPlayer · 23/09/2026 20:46

Yes, it’s a pain! IME, loose jeans are easier to get on than leggings or joggers. And, if I can I wear a t shirt and jumper without a bra 😝. And always flip flops, even if it’s freezing cold. This all works if you just need to jump in the car and head home. Obviously less good if you swim before work…. (But I’d still go with flip flops if possible and then change later once my feet are properly dry).

Original poster

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 20:46

Octavia64 · 23/09/2026 20:43

Tracksuit bottoms and hoodie.

(just back from a river swim).

I bought a nice pair of fleecy bottoms when I was at the great north swim as well. Love those

I would never manage cuffs on the bottom of the legs!! I had very wide leg loose bottoms and a hoodie yes, everything gets stuck. Same every time.

I usually go home in the dry robe thing, but had to go to the supermarket so ha dto get dressed by the side of the car.

OP posts:

Original poster

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 20:48

I never thought of baby powder actually. Can I do this on the edge of the seafront!! It will fly everywhere!

OP posts:

ShakyBake · 23/09/2026 20:48

Oh I know op and also, does you pool have one of those spinning things to dry your swimsuit?

Because a couple of years ago I got into quite a routine of daily pool swimming. One time my swimsuit was slightly damp from the day before so I put it in the spinner before swimming and it somehow ripped chunks out and I didn't notice when I put it on and did an hour swimming on my back and when I looked in the mirror after both my boobs were hanging out and I never went back

Ohthatsabitshit · 23/09/2026 20:50

Gathering the tracksuit trousers up like you are going to put on tights. Slip your whole foot through the ring of gathered leg material then pull up.

ThisHappyPlayer · 23/09/2026 20:50

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 20:48

I never thought of baby powder actually. Can I do this on the edge of the seafront!! It will fly everywhere!

I was under the impression that talc carries a cancer risk (sorry for the glum contribution).

whatsnewbuttercup · 23/09/2026 20:52

ThisHappyPlayer · 23/09/2026 20:50

I was under the impression that talc carries a cancer risk (sorry for the glum contribution).

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Not used it for years for this very reason.

ThisHappyPlayer · 23/09/2026 20:52

ShakyBake · 23/09/2026 20:48

Oh I know op and also, does you pool have one of those spinning things to dry your swimsuit?

Because a couple of years ago I got into quite a routine of daily pool swimming. One time my swimsuit was slightly damp from the day before so I put it in the spinner before swimming and it somehow ripped chunks out and I didn't notice when I put it on and did an hour swimming on my back and when I looked in the mirror after both my boobs were hanging out and I never went back

I really hope your dined-out on that story for a good year!! Brilliant! 🤩 (Do hope you get back to the swimming sometime though.)

Original poster

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 20:52

ShakyBake · 23/09/2026 20:48

Oh I know op and also, does you pool have one of those spinning things to dry your swimsuit?

Because a couple of years ago I got into quite a routine of daily pool swimming. One time my swimsuit was slightly damp from the day before so I put it in the spinner before swimming and it somehow ripped chunks out and I didn't notice when I put it on and did an hour swimming on my back and when I looked in the mirror after both my boobs were hanging out and I never went back

Thats horrific. What a nightmare

No this is in the sea

And the salt makes things more sticky too.

OP posts:

clary · 23/09/2026 20:54

I have a friend who objects to swimming at all for this reason. I said hmm so surely it is like then when you have a shower at home? She said YES! she has to spend ages towelling and then somehow getting dry enough to get dressed.

I don't have an issue with this myself. I do favour underwear, a loose summer dress and ballet pumps for swimming for as late in the year as I can tho. Otherwise yes, loose joggers. Tights are a bit of a pain. The problem is worst when swimming before work in the winter.

AllHoityToity · 23/09/2026 20:54

I wear crocs and a towelling tracksuit after swimming, no underwear.

trappedbynerves · 23/09/2026 20:54

I swim a few times a week and I have extremely loose summer trousers and wide legged tracksuit bottoms for winter. I bring a loose half-vest style bra that I can pull on from the bottom up over my trousers, then I let myself air dry before I pull on the arm straps and a T-shirt. (Obviously won't work if I'm outside in wet/v.cold weather.)

DarkSunshine · 23/09/2026 20:56

This is the reason I hate swimming and only ever go when I'm on holiday, even then I mostly regret it.

gerispringer · 23/09/2026 20:57

I just go home in dryrobe and shower at home.

Overthebow · 23/09/2026 20:59

I wear easy to pull on clothes to swimming like loose dress and flip flops. Definitely no socks.

Original poster

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 21:00

gerispringer · 23/09/2026 20:57

I just go home in dryrobe and shower at home.

I normally do but I had to go shopping and forgot how difficult it is to get dressed!!

I didnt even have normal shoes on, I had my swim sandals on.

OP posts:

NameChangeScot · 23/09/2026 21:01

Are you using a proper bath towel? Not one of those microfibre things, I find I can't get properly dry with those, need a real towel. Even better if it's not super soft!

TheChosenTwo · 23/09/2026 21:01

When I get out of the lake I throw my dry robe on top and wiggle off my wet cossie (when it’s cold, in the winter I just put my dress on over the top and drive home.
At the pool I too find myself feeling very clammy even after I’ve thoroughly dried myself, it’s very annoying and quite confusing as my skin dries very quickly at home without vigorous towelling.

BG2015 · 23/09/2026 21:01

Always wear loose stuff. Summer swimming is so much easier - I wear a simple dress and flip flops.

Boutonnière · 23/09/2026 21:05

ThisHappyPlayer · 23/09/2026 20:50

I was under the impression that talc carries a cancer risk (sorry for the glum contribution).

Show quote history

You can rarely buy actual mineral talcum powder anymore (UK) after a class action suit in the US - most brands are now the less effective cornstarch based. Take a look at the ingredients list on baby powders etc.