URL: http://www.arthurchappell.clara.net/wetlookdefence.htm
TITLE: In Defense of the Wetlook
Fetish
Author: MAIL
arthur@chappell7300.freeserve.co.uk
DATE: Unknwon - found on
Saturday May 20th, 2006
Wetlook has come under some criticism. People who indulge in this
fetish, as a one off experiment, or on a regular basis, are criticized
for swimming in their clothes in public place, such as swimming pools.
Many pools will in fact impose a ban on non-bathing costumes.
While it makes sense to insist that clothes, and especially shoes and
boots should be clean, and not made of dyes and colours that will run
if immersed in water, in general, most clothing lends itself very well
to the swimmer. In the open air, fair skinned people will get sunburn
easily and so wearing a long shirt and trousers/skirts, will help to
provide some protection. In an age when the harmful effects of UV rays
are well known, others should also consider wearing clothes rather than
bikinis. This applies especially in water, which often reflects
sunlight more intensely.
Clothing is remarkably buoyant. Life-saving classes teach us to swim in
jeans and long jumpers or pajamas that can actually be turned into
floats. A poor swimmer would actually be more lifted by their
clothing than they would in swimwear.
Many
Muslim people and those of other religions wear clothes that cover
their bodies at all times in the company of others. This includes when
they are going swimming, but the ban on clothing at many pools can
amount to a ban on a strict religious principle for many. Others
may well use clothes to cover skin blemishes, cellulite, fat, and scars
that they might otherwise be very self-conscious about.
For
many, swimming in clothes is just plain old-fashioned fun.
Interestingly, the authors of articles dissing wetlook fans also
frequently denounce those who wear skimpy bathing outfits. There is a
very puritanical stance being taken here. To some, it is a chance to
rebel against the .you must keep your clothes clean and tidy. brigade,
to get clothes soaked and even muddy. For many, including myself, wet
clothing actually accentuates the human form, in the way that it floats
out under water, and clings alluringly above the surface. The patterns
of sheen and soak-through are fascinating. Generally I am more
impressed by a dark outfit than a white one that goes more transparent.
Shoes and boots are useful if on a beach or even at some pools. I once
witnessed the bloodbath when someone in a public park tipped broken
glass into a concrete paddling pool. Many people, especially
children gashed their bare feet open on the debris before the pool was
closed. Generally heavy boots will slow down swimming, while lighter
ones like sandals or trainers, as long as they are clean, let the feet
get wet and don't stop the swimmer being able to move more freely.
With
public pools, some basic guidelines on what is and isn.t acceptable
clothing to wear should be posted. Normally I would not go to a pub or
club that had a dress code, (with a few exceptions, i.e., football team
shirts), if I did the same with swimming pools, I would have few places
in which I could swim at all. Some pools could organize days on which
clothed swimming is approved, or even encouraged. Clothes that
are mucky, sweaty, or straight out of work should be disallowed, along
with things like heavy donkey jackets that would weigh a swimmer down,
but few would be daft enough to swim in such anyhow. There is
clearly a strong and growing interest in wetlook so it would be good to
capitalize on it and make it make money. Swimming is healthy and good
for us. Swimming in clothes is good exercise. If we can.t swim, we just
become couch potatoes, dressed or undressed. People will swim in what
they want to wear, nit what someone dictates to hem that they must
wear. I would sooner swim in jeans and tee shirt than
trunks. If they see
me, most people would also appreciate me covered up more than exposed.