Swim cover up for boys?

[Nina1]

I am in search of a new swim cover up/robe for my son. I bought one from Garnet Hill a few years ago and the sleeves are just now getting a bit short. It wore beautifully and still looks like new. I checked their site and they only have cover ups for girls at this time. And, I have checked all of my go-to sites (i.e. Land's End, LL Bean, Mini Boden) to no avail. I haven't had any luck in local stores either. I can't believe how difficult this search has been. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good place to look? Our son is 7, if that helps. Thank you!

 

[My3Princez]

Are you looking for something like a robe, or more of a rash-guard swim shirt?
My boys use the rash-guards with their swim trunks, and those are pretty easy to come by.

 

[mhsjax]

I am in search of a new swim cover up/robe for my son. I bought one from Garnet Hill a few years ago and the sleeves are just now getting a bit short. It wore beautifully and still looks like new. I checked their site and they only have cover ups for girls at this time. And, I have checked all of my go-to sites (i.e. Land's End, LL Bean, Mini Boden) to no avail. I haven't had any luck in local stores either. I can't believe how difficult this search has been. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good place to look? Our son is 7, if that helps. Thank you!

All the boys here in Florida just put on a t shirt over their bathing suits. Never have seen a designated "cover up" for boys. Or as the above poster stated, a rash guard.

 

[KayV]

Gap has hooded towels for boys that might work. Here in Texas, most boys wear t-shirts or rash guards at the pool. Good luck with your search.

 

[taitai]

Maybe it is a regional thing but there isn't a 7 year old boy here who would be caught dead in a swim cover-up/robe. They wear rash guards and that is it. You can find rash guards pretty much anywhere...Target, Gap, etc.

 

[brookmey]

I agree with taitai. Other than hooded towels geared towards younger kids, I've never seen anything like a coverup for boys. I've only seen boys wear t-shirts or rash guards. My son is almost 7 and he wears a rash guard. He would never agree to wearing a robe to the pool or beach nor would any of his friends.

 

[crisi]

Rash guards or t-shirts. Its sad that they grow up so fast.....

 

[writersblock42]

My son and dh wear a t-shirt as well. It works to even get in restaurants because swim suits look like shorts. In fact sometimes, they will wear them swimming because they don't want to burn or they they think they look chubby.

 

[luvmy3]

My dses wear rash guards too. I like them because they dry quick and they can keep them on if we have to run somewhere quick.

OP, if your ds likes his cover-up, what about a light weight summer robe. You can probably find those easier than an actual bathing suit cover-up for boys.

 

[trinchick]

At the Carters store I saw a terry cloth zip-front hoodie that is intended as a beach cover-up. I think that the Carters store goes to size 6X, so not sure if that will work for your 7yo ds.

I tried to find it online and they seem to be out of stock, but maybe if you have a store near you they could wrangle something up.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I have a feeling that cover ups like that have gone the way of the dinosaur with the surgence of rashguards. My father has been looking for a terrycloth jacket to go with this bathingsuit for two years and everyone says they don't make them anymore.

 

[trinchick]

Do you sew? Here's a tutorial using beach towels to make one.


http://www.thepinterestproject.com/2012/05/beach-robe-ready-for-water.html

When I was a kid my mom used to make us coverups using a beach towel and a hand towel. They weren't too girly, especially if you chose the colors/prints carefully. I tried to find a pattern online just now and struck out, but if you have more time to hunt, I'd bet you could find something pretty easily.

 

[NotUrsula]

There are robes available, but are probably not what you are looking for. They are called swim parkas, and they are designed for competitive swimmers to keep them from becoming chilled between races. (Indoor swim season is in fall/winter, and the pool deck can get pretty cold in many venues.) They are made in two layers, windbreaker on the outside, and fleece on the inside. My DS16 swims, and this site has the best prices that I have found on competitive swimwear; this is a link to their lowest-priced youth swim parka: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/41002.htm

If what you want is for sun coverage and ordinary outdoor warmth (presuming that you live somewhere where beaches can be cold at night, or if you just want to be able to go to a casual restaurant while at the beach), then a rashguard and/or a cotton knit hoodie are, as PP' have said, a much better bet for the average kid. Target and Old Navy have a wide selection of affordable rashguards, or you can go with Land's End if you want one with long sleeves.

As for terrycloth on men for après-swim, remember Sean Connery's infamous baby-blue terry jumpsuit from Goldfinger? ;-) http://thesuitsofjamesbond.com/?p=1271

 

[amylevan]

My DS4 usually wears rash guards as well, however, I did just buy him a hooded towel from Target that came in super hero styles - i.e. his is batman, so the bottom is cut to a bat shape.

 

[crisi]

My dses wear rash guards too. I like them because they dry quick and they can keep them on if we have to run somewhere quick.

OP, if your ds likes his cover-up, what about a light weight summer robe. You can probably find those easier than an actual bathing suit cover-up for boys.

Even those are hard to find for boys. We spent a long time looking for a simple robe.

 

[Nina1]

My son wears a rash guard. I was talking about a robe or pullover to put on to come in from the beach at night when he is cold and wet. Ended up getting one from mini boden. Thanks to those who provided constructive responses!

 

[Nina1]

Maybe it is a regional thing but there isn't a 7 year old boy here who would be caught dead in a swim cover-up/robe. They wear rash guards and that is it. You can find rash guards pretty much anywhere...Target, Gap, etc.

Thank God you don't live here, then. The 7 year olds in your area would be pretty cold at night on the beach with just their wet rash guards. Those don't protect from cold.

 

[pocomom]

Just wanted to mention, if you live somewhere cold it is not always a fashion thing, sometimes you need more of a cover-up because the kids can freeze when they get out, we have that problem during swim team, evening outdoor meets can be brutal especially if a storm blows in. Most of the moms have the boys in robes, or towels they sew up the sides on. We have swim parkas you can find those at Swimoutlet.com if that's what you are looking for.

 

[Poohforyou]

Thank God you don't live here, then. The 7 year olds in your area would be pretty cold at night on the beach with just their wet rash guards. Those don't protect from cold.

If we're planning on still being on the beach when the sun goes down I just throw sweatshirts into the beach bag.

 

[Nina1]

Just wanted to mention, if you live somewhere cold it is not always a fashion thing, sometimes you need more of a cover-up because the kids can freeze when they get out, we have that problem during swim team, evening outdoor meets can be brutal especially if a storm blows in. Most of the moms have the boys in robes, or towels they sew up the sides on. We have swim parkas you can find those at Swimoutlet.com if that's what you are looking for.

True that, pocomom! I will check out the swim parkas. I ordered a pullover, hooded robe, but the parkas sound interesting. Thanks!