Breathable light weight shell suits are popular with both men and women in Asia. They cost very little, avoid sunburn and feel pleasant as they dry in the breeze after you've been in the water.

Matching tops and pants make this a practical outfit on land or in the water for less than €20. The advantage of this outfit is that you can also wear it when you're not swimming. You can fold it into the build-in stuff bag and take it anywhere.

Reader Story

It was a warm but rainy day when I came past the local swimming pool and saw my friends playing around in there. Then I realised that I didn't bring my swim shirt and shorts, or a change of clothes so I could have jumped in as I were. Too bad.

"Why don't you swim in your rain suit?" one of them asked. Great idea. I took off my clothes, put on just my unlined rain suit, and jumped into the pool. To my surprise the suit was comfortable and easy to swim in.

Afterwards, I changed into my dry clothes, shook the water off my rain suit and put it back on. What a simple and practical idea. Why didn't I think of that earlier? Now many of my friends do the same when we go swimming, instead of carrying around extra swimwear.

Jeroen (16) from Holland