Draft:Clothed swimming


 * Clothed swimming** consists of swimming without "Western" swimwear (bikinis, swim shorts...) but with everyday clothes, those that are not usually designed for swimming: T-shirts, pants...

Swimming in "non-revealing" clothing (i.e., clothes that show "little" skin), whether usual or special (stinger suit, wetsuit...), is a common practice in many countries around the world, a cultural practice with multiple reasons: modesty, religion, health, survival... In Asian or Muslim cultures, swimming partially clothed is a norm.

Asia
Swimming clothed is a common practice in many Asian countries : Vietnam , Thailand , India , Bangladesh ... The reasons are manifold:
 * Modesty,
 * Humility (lack of means to buy specific swimwear and humility not to expose one's body),
 * Asian culture appreciating pale skin (aesthetic criterion),
 * Protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays.

In Indian cinema, scenes of "wet sarees" (at the beach, for example) suggest nudity by implying it, as it is taboo.

Arab-Muslim World
Some women of Muslim religion swim clothed, in veils or niqabs, for example in Morocco.

The reasons are similar to those of Asian peoples: religion, sun protection, humility...

Western World
In Western culture, swimming is generally done in swimsuits as revealing as underwear.

However, Australians and New Zealanders often add UV tops to protect themselves from ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Protection against the sun
Clothes create shade and therefore help to prevent sunburns, which is why:
 * Many parents automatically put a T-shirt on their child at the beach,
 * Lifeguards outdoors wear T-shirts despite the heat,
 * Populations of South Asia (close to the equator) swim clothed (among other reasons).

However, regular clothes do not block all ultraviolet rays, as they are often made of natural fiber such as cotton, which blocks UV rays less effectively than synthetic fibers (Lycra, spandex...). That is why surfers sometimes wear synthetic T-shirts called UV tops, rash vests, or "rashguards"; some models have long sleeves and/or a high collar to protect the forearms, neck, and nape. This type of clothing can of course be used for other water activities, starting with simple leisure swimming.