To find more choices in modest swimwear, check out my
modest swimwear specialty page which is a conglomeration page listing all the stores in this entire directory that sell modest swimwear. Of course it’s not all modest enough to keep a Muslimah in complete hijab, but we don’t always need to be in complete hijab when swimming either if we’re lucky enough to have access to women’s only swimming. The Muslim Student Association at the U of MN, for example, set up swimming for Muslimahs that allowed us to be completely screened from men, so I was able to put on my lap suit to swim laps. Not all Muslimahs keep complete hijab though either, so they could find some modest swimwear that isn’t necessarily Islamic swimwear.
My experiences: I put together a water-friendly outfit for myself last summer so I could take my toddler into the water at the ‘Little Mates’ session at the city water park. I wore a long-sleeved water shirt from Coolibar® and quick-dry pants that I bought so long ago I don’t remember where—probably JCPenney. They are marketed as convertible hiking pants, zip-off nylon pants, etc. As long as they are nylon with no cotton lining, they will dry quickly. I wore my modest lap swimsuit underneath so I could take off my outer clothes for showering afterwards in the ladies’ locker room, and so I would be supported without having to wear a water-logging bra.
For laps (at ladies only swim times), I wear something I bought at H₂O Wear with a high cut on top and long legs. I was also looking for board pants to wear instead of the utility pants. That would have worked as well, but I couldn’t find anything long enough for me. Search for board pants and nylon pants online if you want a swim bottom that’s looser than the full-length, tight-fitting swim pants at sun protective sites.
UPDATE: Since I wrote my original tips for swimwear, a new site has popped up that solves most ladies’ swim pant issues. They sell exactly what I was trying to find regarding a board pant design, although I’ll have to wait ’til they offer tall sizes to order. It’s Splashgear™.
