Islamic Swimwear

I've never been a fan of Islamic swimwear, or the "burkini" if you will.  I've contemplated purchasing one on many different occasions, however, regardless of my feelings on their look, but always talked myself out of it.

The things I couldn't get around were:

a) cost

and

b) attached hood.


Islamic swimsuits are EXPENSIVE.  At least to frugal ol' me.  Any piece of clothing I purchase is within the $5-$30 range with very few exceptions for special occasions or outerwear (coats).  I had a bikini back in high school that actually cost $80.  My mom bought it for me for Easter though.  Even she was upset with the cost but it was literally the only one that fit me right and covered enough for us both (me and my mother) to be comfortable.  After that experience, bikini buying fell to me, and I probably never spent over $40 myself. 

My first summer as a Muslim I was not fully covering yet so I bought board shorts and a short sleeved rash guard (think surfing) to wear swimming.  The two combined were probably close to $50, and I wore it about twice, both times being uncomfortable. It's strange because you feel "too covered" when with your family (cousins, etc.) all in their bikinis, but yet not covered enough as a Muslim who knows you need to actually cover much more.  So you're uncomfortable on two fronts!

Next you have the attached hood.  Ooooh this hood has been the deterrent for dozens of swimwear purchases.  I just think it's the goofiest looking thing.  I wear hijab and feel pretty.  I wear an attached swimhood and feel like a conehead. 

So, a number of factors with the upcoming summer caused me to 'dive' back into the search for Islamic swimwear.  The first is my son's age.  At 3.5 he knows what swimming is, knows he wants to do it, and knows he wants Mommy to do it with him.  The second is my husband's internship...in Louisiana.  We'll be an hour from the beach, the apartment has a pool and 'whirlpool' and I have no desire to just sit on the sidelines.

Ignoring the cost aspect and telling myself the next article I edit will almost pay for the suit (which is true), I ordered a two piece hoodless suit from Splashgear. 

It was this suit only with no hood (the hood is a third piece for an additional $15) and flowered pants instead of the plain black (about $102 USD including shipping).  Well, using the size chart I ordered small bottoms and a medium top.  It was huge!  The bottoms were ridiculously baggy and the sleeves of the top were too long and it just looked sloppy.  I planned on exchanging it for a smaller size in navy blue (with navy blue flowered pants).  I would be out return shipping but I knew with the current fit of the suit I would never wear it.

Well, suddenly, my husband decides he does not like this suit at all.  He says he thinks the flowered pants look goofy.  I counterargued that the plain pants did not look like me at all, which he agreed, so the decision was made to simply return the suit and continue the search. 

The very next day I was excited to find a hoodless option at Modestly Active.  Without even receiving the $90+ back for the former suit (which is still pending, insha'Allah soon!) I ordered the suit shown right for about $110 USD.  It shipped from the UK super fast arriving today.

Much to my dismay, however, they did not send the right suit!  They sent the exact same suit, but with a hood! 

I promptly e-mailed the company as to how to remedy the situation without having to pay return shipping to the UK.  While waiting for their response, I decided to try the suit on.

The hood is just as ridiculous as feared.  HOWEVER, after ordering the hoodless option (with the intention of wearing a normal shayla hijab with it) I started to worry that I would not be allowed to swim with a hijab in public pools and water parks, etc.  (making my purchase not so useful).  I played around with the hood and no, could not make it look good to me or my husband, but was happy with a shayla wrapped around it.  Also, the hood can be pulled down without looking too silly if you're with women, family, etc. 

How I hope to wear it dependent upon pool policies.

A necessary evil.

I had convinced myself that the hood was a good mistake, when I received an e-mail from the company saying they'd send out the hoodless asap and transfer return shipping $$ to my paypal account to send back the hooded suit. 

So now I'm waiting to hear if they received my e-mail saying "No!  Please don't fix your mistake!  I like the hood!"  lol.  So yes, the hood looks funny, but if swimming at a public pool or park with regulations, there's a good chance hijabs will be seen as dangerous/unhygenic/not allowed, so the hood is a necessary option.  However, at the beach, private pools, etc.  I will take advantage of the option to wrap a shayla around it making it more feminine and less alien. I apologize for the poor quality photos!  I was using my phone and the lighting is bad, etc.  I just wanted to give you a visual of the hood and the hood w/hijab (how I hope to wear it!)