Weird.
In swimming pools there’s an argument about textile fibers, filters and whatever, as ShirleyNot mentioned. But, if the textile does not leave fibers, no argument.
I assume public baths refers to the lake, and here it gets confusing.
Pic #1: woman wearing a burkini, even her ankles and hair are covered. #modernslavery
A number of swimming pools in the UK don’t like Burkinis for safety reasons, it seems because they are not that close fitting (unlike wetsuits) there is a certain amount of drag to the fabric. Some of the outdoor pools in Basel had issues with women coming in from France getting into the water in leggings and t-shirts normally worn as outdoor clothing.
I don’t like the practice in Britain of indoor municipal pools in certain areas having Muslim women only swimming sessions, it’s devisive. When I was still working in London a girl in our office was barred from a gym in the City as she wanted to exercise in shalwar kameez and not change into regular gym clothing for modesty reasons. They gym rightly ruled this was dangerous when using certain equipment where the fabric could become caught.
Yet these styles with all their frills, ties and flounce would probably be permitted:
As has been stated before, I don’t know why pools and bathing areas can’t just put up a notice, if necessary, saying “Only lycra/nylon/polyester swimsuits permitted” rather than some mishmash of specifics.
It’s like seeing a notice in a sports hall saying “No muddy boots, sandals, stilettos or ice skates” instead of “Trainers with non-marking soles only”. No fuss, no drama.
For me, this is a question of hygiene.
I have been in public swimming pools (in various countries), where women (>40Yo) dip in the swimming pool on their clothes as they come. What, in most cases, they were wearing was clearly not a burkini. Fully covered head to toe, black long-sleeve shirts, covering up to the knees, and baggy trousers underneath – looking like cotton, or a mix of cotton with some synthetic fiber.
I do not think that’s by any means hygienic for other people, or even safe for them.
The article to which @cubanpete linked also said that non-stretchy-polyester swimwear (I’m thinking cotton here), will deposit a lot more water on the pool’s surrounding area making it more slippery.
Maybe adding fuel to the fire but let’s not pretend that women enjoy wearing Burkas.
Those who say they wear it out of choice usually don’t live in oppressive regimes where they are forced to wear them by the regime themselves or the men in their family.
brainwashed
The other aspect that should be considered are those people that would prefer to wear a maximum coverage swimsuit because of scarring. Either burns or skin conditions that disfigure the body.
Not everyone is of the “be comfortable in your own skin” motivational Instagram set, and would prefer to keep their skin hidden. Yes, you may get a few looks wearing a neck to ankle swimsuit but probably fewer stares than if you are covered in burns.
I’ve never seen one of those skirted costumes on anyone who wasn’t an old lady and they were sunbathing, not swimming. I haven’t worn a swimsuit since I was 17, purely because I don’t sunbathe or go swimming. I have typical pale Celtic skin that burns very easily and I don’t particularly like being out in very hot weather.
