Swim suits

[TMJ]

We only wear them when we have company, not often, but enough. My question is, how to keep your suits from stretching and fading? When we use them, we rinse them out really well, I think, in clear water, but they still are faded and badly stretched.  It is not a big expense, but for me, and I think, most women, picking out the right suit can be a traumatic event.... ANy thoughts or advise? Thanks in advance.

[Tatooed_Lady]

Wash after use, use an extra rinse cycle, and air dry if possible....I've always used Tide.....I think my mom used to use Woolite on suits....Neither of us has had any issue, leastwise not immediately.....eventually, however, it all goes to pot.
Good luck!

[Snowbird]

Wash after use, use an extra rinse cycle, and air dry if possible....I've always used Tide.....I think my mom used to use Woolite on suits....Neither of us has had any issue, leastwise not immediately.....eventually, however, it all goes to pot.
Good luck!

Most experienced soakers say NOT to wash your suits with any kind of soap as it will turn your tub into a giant mound of foam, even if you rinse well.

We bought new suits for the tub and ran them thru the rinse cycle before wearing them.  They only get used in the tub (when we do use suits).  We always shower afterwards to keep the itchies away and we rinse the suits in the shower (no soap tho) and air dry.

If they do go bad, we will buy another suit.  Wait till they go on sale at the end of the summer.

[wmccall]

We don't use our suits often either, so we buy several really cheap ones during after season sales. Who cares what they look like? We have nice suits for pools and traveling.

[Bonibelle]

I hope you have invested in some nice suits for your upcoming cruise! I am jealous just thinking about it.
The shows, the food, the ports, the food, the beautiful sunsets, the food, the pools, the food! did I mention they have wonderful food? Might want to get those suits about 1 size larger!  

[anne]

It is not a big expense, but for me, and I think, most women, picking out the right suit can be a traumatic event.... ANy thoughts or advise? Thanks in advance.

There is almost nothing worse that shopping for a swimsuit.

I always hand wash mine, and only in lukewarm water and a little Woolite. The stretching and fading is inevitable, but can be slowed down. Also, wash as soon as possible after use. I have a great suit that has lasted me 5-6 years that way. Granted, it is only used 5-15 times per year.

[drewstar]

We  don't use suits in the pool and tub, unless we have company over.   I think bathing suits are the biggest reason for my foam issues.  

My wife hand washes the suits.  We think it makes a big difference in keeping the suits as new as possible. I too have heard that machine washing is a "no-no"

I think they are fading due to chlorine and good rinsing may help, but  it wont negate the fact that you just soaked your suits in a chlorinated tub for 1/2 hour or so.

You may want to ensure you sanitizes level are not excessivlely high, and perhaps invest in some inexpesive suits to wear when you are not trying to impress folks (Everyday suits, and Suits we wear when company comes over?)

Also , don't "wash" after each use, but a good rinsing should suffice.

[wmccall]

I have noticed that my 2nd suit lasted much longer than my first. I attribute that to better chemical management.

[wmccall]

I hope you have invested in some nice suits for your upcoming cruise! I am jealous just thinking about it.
The shows, the food, the ports, the food, the beautiful sunsets, the food, the pools, the food! did I mention they have wonderful food? Might want to get those suits about 1 size larger!  

When we made the reservation, I put up a counter on my website (billmccall.com) and it read 542 days. Now it is down to 23!   I am pulling the old blue boxer style suit out of the dresser and packing it this week!.  I had to buy a new suit and it is violating one my main rules of life, don't wear a tie on vacation)

[Bonibelle]

I have real good luck finding bargain suits at Kohls after the season. I picked up several pair for my hubby and kids last fall for less than $5.00, maybe more like $3.00.They were the same brand (speedo) that I paid $45 for early in the season.  We typically rinse them well and I have strong suction hooks in the shower stall that we dry them on overnight. ..

[drewstar]

When we made the reservation, I put up a counter on my website (billmccall.com) and it read 542 days. Now it is down to 23!   I am pulling the old blue boxer style suit out of the dresser and packing it this week!.  I had to buy a new suit and it is violating one my main rules of life, don't wear a tie on vacation)

Yes bring a tie!  Not sure If I mentioned it before, but have you looked into the Tux rentals most cruises offer?  They'll give you a great tux to wear in the evening with several nice clean shirts. You'll look like a million bucks for a fialry small price.  Plus, it's vacation! SPLURGE  

[Bonibelle]

We went on our last cruise with a friend who insisted that her son would not under any circumstances wear a suit or tie for that matter. I said fine but he will be excuded from main dining on the nights when the best food is served...She must have packed a tie and jacket for him anyway and boy were they glad. I think it is part of the magic of the cruise to abandon our normal routines and enjoy a night out from a different perspective. I live in blue jeans and tee shirts but my boys took me shopping for two fancy suits to wear on the cruise to surprise their father (it was actually their idea). We got such a kick out of me modeling all these dresses and fancy crapola while they gave me the thumbs up or down. We did surprise my hubby and it only added to the fun of the whole experience!

[wmccall]

Yes bring a tie!  Not sure If I mentioned it before, but have you looked into the Tux rentals most cruises offer?  They'll give you a great tux to wear in the evening with several nice clean shirts. You'll look like a million bucks for a fialry small price.  Plus, it's vacation! SPLURGE  

Yes, you did mention it. The rental is like $75 or something.  I'll probably just go with the black suit. That is as formal as I get. I wore a tux to the prom and my wedding.  If anyone looks down on me and my suit, well, I'll just go Terminator on their @##!   Its a long swim and the railings aren't that high.

[wmccall]

I have real good luck finding bargain suits at Kohls after the season.

I agree, they have lots of great end of season, and other specials that generally unadvertised.

[drewstar]

Yes, you did mention it. The rental is like $75 or something.  I'll probably just go with the black suit. That is as formal as I get. I wore a tux to the prom and my wedding.  If anyone looks down on me and my suit, well, I'll just go Terminator on their @##!   Its a long swim and the railings aren't that high.

Please dont' drink any absinthe.