Women Travelers - What to wear between room and hotel pool?

I don't own anything remotely resembling a swimsuit coverup!

In a carry-on only, light packing context, what do you wear over your swimsuit between your room and the pool? Regular clothes? Workout clothes? Something I haven't thought of yet that isn't a single-purpose item? What do you do about the chlorine that will undoubtedly get on these things when you pull them over your wet self to go back to your room?

T-shirt, shorts, flip flops

Long t-shirt that can double as a nightie.

Hotel bathrobe

Long t-shirt that can double as a nightie.

I've done this on occasion, but I usually include a fine nylon sarong in my regular travel kit. It serves as a coverup, but also for sunscreening, as an evening wrap, can be tied into a light jacket, or a skirt.

It can also function as an emergency towel, tablecloth or neck-pillow, be tied into a bag, worn as a scarf - and rinses out and dries in a flash. In short, it really earns its place in my one carryon bag.

Don't have any shorts.

Don't have any flip-flops.

Bathrobe? Seriously? In a public place (which I consider a hotel lobby or hallway to be)?

I guess I'm just uncomfortable appearing in a state of partial undress (tunic style anything with no pants or skirt) in a public place where other people are fully clothed.

I have a lightweight coverup.

I generally wear the kind of clothes I'd work out in. For me that is a t-shirt and shorts. But really I think that you can wear anything that you don't mind getting wet.

If the hotel pool has a changing room (most that I deal with do) then I change in there.

If the hotel pool does not, I wrap a towel around me and just wear it back to my room. Public place? Well, then patrons now know that the hotel has a pool.

I use a long t-shirt, or I steal one of Mr. Kipper's shirts for this purpose.

I've done this on occasion, but I usually include a fine nylon sarong in my regular travel kit. It serves as a coverup, but also for sunscreening, as an evening wrap, can be tied into a light jacket, or a skirt.

It can also function as an emergency towel, tablecloth or neck-pillow, be tied into a bag, worn as a scarf - and rinses out and dries in a flash. In short, it really earns its place in my one carryon bag.
+1 only mine are polyester rather than nylon.

Don't have any shorts.

Don't have any flip-flops.

Bathrobe? Seriously? In a public place (which I consider a hotel lobby or hallway to be)?

I guess I'm just uncomfortable appearing in a state of partial undress (tunic style anything with no pants or skirt) in a public place where other people are fully clothed.No shorts? Ok....throw on a skirt or wrap and a t-shirt. Or a huge/oversized t-shirt. No flip flops? Ok, they're really cheap if you want them ($3 here in NYC) but if you don't, put on a pair of sandals.

You get the idea from this thread....put on something over your bathing suit that is easy and convenient.

I'd wear a casual/Summer dress.

I've done this on occasion, but I usually include a fine nylon sarong in my regular travel kit. It serves as a coverup, but also for sunscreening, as an evening wrap, can be tied into a light jacket, or a skirt.

It can also function as an emergency towel, tablecloth or neck-pillow, be tied into a bag, worn as a scarf - and rinses out and dries in a flash. In short, it really earns its place in my one carryon bag.

Same here. I've also used it as a picnic blanket, shade, attention getting flag, head scarf, and changing room.

I have a very lightweight kaftan which doubles as a coverup and a nightie if needed

No shorts? No flip flops?

Alas, no...lots of pencil skirts, though :-).

Thanks, everyone, for your great suggestions!

To the pool: shorts or yoga pants, t-shirt, Deckers sandals

From the pool: a collection of hotel towels, because dripping wet*, you're not fooling anybody about your outfit + Deckers sandals, and I carry my clothes because I can't stand the smell of the chlorine on my clothes and don't dress until I shower.


*my hair comes midway down my back now, so it takes more than a quick toweling to get it presentable

The other option - wear something which is already dirty, so doesn't matter if it gets wet. If you are worried about chlorine rinse as soon as you get to your room, that amount of exposure to chlorine cannot possibly have an effect.

That said, I also carry an all purpose sarong - it's a very light cotton, got it 15 years ago in Bali, and it's been everywhere with me. It's my emergency robe when hotel staff try to enter the room (not always a robe or a robe which fits), it's my towel, it's my beach mat, it's my cover up, temple skirt etc....

Don't always use it, but if nothing else, at the end of the trip, I use that as the layer between where my dirty clothes stop and my clean clothes start for unpacking at the other end.

If you are worried about wearing a robe in public, then I think the best way to cure that is a long weekend at Stobo Castle Spa, where a robe is derigeur during the day http://www.stobocastle.co.uk/ You'll get to eat lunch in a room full of other guests also all in robes. It is odd. But it's a fabulous spa as well ;)

If you are worried about wearing a robe in public, then I think the best way to cure that is a long weekend at Stobo Castle Spa, where a robe is derigeur during the day http://www.stobocastle.co.uk/ You'll get to eat lunch in a room full of other guests also all in robes. It is odd. But it's a fabulous spa as well ;)

Sounds like a plan - I'll get right on that! :-)

The other option - wear something which is already dirty, so doesn't matter if it gets wet. If you are worried about chlorine rinse as soon as you get to your room, that amount of exposure to chlorine cannot possibly have an effect. Not sure what type of "effect" you mean, but it takes more than a sink rinse to get the smell of pool chlorine out of the natural fibers that I wear.

As for wearing something "already dirty" to the pool, well, ick. Then there's the thought of putting something dirty, wet and chlorine scented in my luggage with the rest of my clothes - double ick. ;)

I guess there are many different ways to think about clothing, aren't there?

I was just going through my closet and noticed my old peshtemal (http://www.indigotraders.com/pestemals.html). It's a large cotton towel that's woven instead of looped-terry like traditional towels. It's thin, lightweight and very absorbent. It's like a very high-end kitchen towel but huge. My old towel is some sort of off white colour but they now have them in bright colours and different weaves (and weights) and can be used as a travel towel, a nice coverup or as a summer shawl. It's a much more understated look than a bright rayon sarong. Think of them as the towel version of pashminas :)

The best thing is that these don't lint after the first few washes.

I have a couple of dresses similar to this

http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock-Fair-Trade/Womens-Boat-Print-Dress-India/6115672/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

that I use as beach/pool coverups

I just got back from a trip, and I used the hotel bathrobe to go to and from the pool.

It wasn't a huge hotel, and I never ran into anyone in either the hall or elevator on the way. I probably would have felt more self-conscious if it had been a huge hotel where I constantly was running into other people, or if it had had glass elevators...

I love it when hotels have a separate elevator that only goes to the spa/pool/fitness center. It's such a great idea, because then you only run into other people in similar states of undress.

I always pack flip-flops when I know I'm going someplace with a pool. I buy the cheap ones for Old Navy (usually on sale, 2 for $5).

There is a need for travel robes made out of that quick dry material used for travel/camping towels. At least knee length styled more like a beach coverup than a bathrobe with three quarter sleeves and good pockets in basic black.

If there will be no hotel bathrobe, I now bring my waffle weave spa robe. In summer, I will have my sarong, too, and if the trip is long enough I'll also bring yoga pants or capris and loose tee for "room clothes" to change into. If the way to the pool is not too public, or it is a casual place anyway, no qualms about the spa robe or sarong. If I had to cross the lobby of a big city business or luxury hotel, I'd wear my yoga pants and tee with my trusty black Crocs Malindi ballet slingbacks. Don't like to dress for the day first thing so I'll pull on that same outfit to go down for breakfast.

Us guys know when you're walking around with a bikini underneath.

If you don't want us knowing, wear normal clothes.

If you don't mind us knowing, wear a towel or something.

You're going to the pool anyway, we're gonna see you :)

Us guys know when you're walking around with a bikini underneath.

If you don't want us knowing, wear normal clothes.

If you don't mind us knowing, wear a towel or something.

You're going to the pool anyway, we're gonna see you :)

Welcome to FlyerTalk and the Women's Forum, DavenM!
And thanks for the best post of the day. LOL.

Sarong
http://theplanetd.com/the-many-uses-of-the-simple-sarong/

If I don't have yoga pants and a tee shirt, I wear my raincoat. People smiled when they saw me, plus I could pretend to be a flasher.

If I don't have yoga pants and a tee shirt, I wear my raincoat. People smiled when they saw me, plus I could pretend to be a flasher.

Love it!

Many (better) hotels have explicit policies against wearing robes in the common areas. I've seen them enforced.

Regardless, unless I'm staying specifically at spa, count me among those who don't care to walk through those areas in a robe. Probably my upbringing, but always strikes me as tacky.

I always carry one or two lightweight, quick-drying loungers or sundress-type garments, which do triple-duty as a nighty and housedress (to wear in lieu of hotel robes, which are usually too huge and bulky for me to wear comfortably). They can be washed out quickly in the morning and are ready to go by nighttime.

And I never go anywhere without some kind of lightweight sandal or flipflop. Never. Even when living out of a carryon.

If you're not finding a garment that works for you, try looking in the sleepwear department, especially at less expensive stores like Target or Kohl's where they're more likely to have something in a lightweight synthetic fabric. You'd be surprised what's available these days to easily pass as a sundress. Added benefit of synthetic fabric is less likely to fade from chlorine.

ETA: Sarongs are great too. I use a very long, wide one that can be wrapped around my chest like a strapless dress.


~mrs

Odd - wandering through a public area in your robe is tacky, but in your nightie is fine :D :D :D

It's just as well we are not all alike ;)

Another item I have is a cotton tunic 1 or 2 sizes too big. I had a seamstress put a button placket on the front and use it as a travel robe. I also have longer cotton tunics (in the correct size) that I wear as a dress and these are nice enough to be seen in public with and make good coverups for the pool. :)

Good idea... was actually thinking of doing something similar to a long sheath style pullover beach dress...it is a good look but pulling something that long over your head is a hassle.

Odd - wandering through a public area in your robe is tacky, but in your nightie is fine :D :D :D :D Yeah, I know it sounds odd... the first time I wore my latest nightie/cover-up ~mr asked me if I was going to sleep in my "clothes" :D Certainly bears a closer resemblance to clothes than some of the tops I see young girls wearing these days (looks like lingerie to me), not to mention the pajamas and slippers I see cruising the malls! :eek:

Must say, though... I'd much rather see somebody traversing the lobby of a nice hotel in a robe than the ones I've seen wearing nothing more than a bikini and flip flops.

I guess my preference for a bit of decorum makes me officially old fashioned. Sigh.


~mrs

:D Yeah, I know it sounds odd... the first time I wore my latest nightie/cover-up ~mr asked me if I was going to sleep in my "clothes" :D Certainly bears a closer resemblance to clothes than some of the tops I see young girls wearing these days (looks like lingerie to me), not to mention the pajamas and slippers I see cruising the malls! :eek:

Must say, though... I'd much rather see somebody traversing the lobby of a nice hotel in a robe than the ones I've seen wearing nothing more than a bikini and flip flops.

I guess my preference for a bit of decorum makes me officially old fashioned. Sigh.


~mrs
LOL, not at all. I think we'd be better off if we had a bit more decorum in public. :D

I take a sarong type gauze fabric wrap that works and actually looks nice, or my ultra thin silk kimono which is a robe but which looks (sort of) like a geisha costume. Neither takes up any space in carryon.

I also love the travel shower shoe/slippers I get at Magellan's http://www.magellans.com/store/Clothing___Men___ShoesTS491
which are about as large as an envelope, last a LONG time, and can be worn in the shower or pool if you're skittish about whatever. All it does is bleach them whiter.

I used to wear them through security until some TSA jerk was afraid I could hide a bomb in the paper thin (probably made of paper) soles. An agent in the same airport had congratulated me on my ingenuity on my international arrival flight. Now I wear OR shoe covers.

I guess the ultimate pool wear would be disposable patient gowns...maybe officious hotel staff would prefer robes?

I thought this post on what to wear over your bathing suit where would be a fitting addendum to this thread: http://amidprivilege.com/2012/01/choose-bathing-suit-coverup/

I thought this post on what to wear over your bathing suit where would be a fitting addendum to this thread: http://amidprivilege.com/2012/01/choose-bathing-suit-coverup/

High WASP?? Others?? I just can't with this woman, even if she does have sound advice.

I have a long (almost ankle length) cotton knit Lands End tank dress- I use it as a coverup, nightgown or just relaxing in my room.

High WASP?? Others?? I just can't with this woman, even if she does have sound advice.

Truly hilarious isn't she? :p

Thing is, her style of dressing will never make you look ridiculous in old photos years from now. She's a professional fashionista so taking style seriously is her work and her art. I only found out about her blog from this thread, but I found it entertaining and useful. Not part of that world myself, though. Black stretch jeans and black mockneck tees with different sweaters and jackets, that is all I wear 90% of the time. We have wandered so far from topic here!

Two words: maxi dress.

I generally loathe anything that's shapeless and unflattering, but if I'm just going to the pool then a black knit dress is pretty easy without the appearance of being under dressed.

Well, when 20-35, used an old v. stylish mens white voile cotton shirt, with tails - transparent when wet!
35-50, swapped to an old stylish blue/white candystriped mens cotton shirt - not transparent when wet, and used sarong as skirt for modesty.
Now, almost 60 - and a mastectomy later - use the same formula as when I was 50, but not in a hotel pool, no interest in that any more, but its still great gear when swimming in a private pool, or off a boat - which I much prefer in anycase!

I have a long (almost ankle length) cotton knit Lands End tank dress- I use it as a coverup, nightgown or just relaxing in my room.

That's what I have, a black tank/sheath from Lands End, but pulling the whole ankle length of it over my head at the pool was a hassle. I just put in an 18 inch zipper down the front. One of those gold fashion zippers so it even upped the styling... the thing would be perfect if it just had a pocket for the room key.