Anyone swim with a t-shirt on?(Male)

Depending on how uncomfortable you are with your body, this may or may not help, but there's form fitting "hydrodynamic" shirts you can get which will allow you to wear something on top without having to deal with a stretchy sopping wet t-shirt. I'd imagine a running compression shirt would be fine too. My best advice is get comfortable in your own skin, though I realize this is easier said than done. Just because you want to improve how you look, doesn't mean you can't be comfortable with your current reality. Just also be comfortable with the fact that you're working to change it.

I work as a swimming instructor, and would not recommend using an ordinary t-shirt. It gets very heavy and constraining when wet. Maybe the type of shirts worn by surfers? They are made from a material similar to swimsuits, so they are not as uncomfy in the water. I think these may be marketed as sun-protection.

And, on a side note: When I see someone very overweight in the pool (happens very often) I just think "Good for them, water is fun and great for exercise". Other people will mind their own business (hopefully), so don't worry about going shirtless.

Also: Check the rules! Where I work it is not allowed to wear anything but swimming attire. (This does, however, include full body coverage-suits for muslim women and similar gear, so a surfing-shirt should be okay).

And maybe take some swimming lessons? It could get you comfortable in the water more quickly, and swimming is great exercise.

Wear a dark colored tee shirt and say it's for UV protection.

My husband is super fit but never goes in the water without a swim shirt on - outside it really helps with sunburn but inside, really, he just doesn't feel like running around mostly naked in public - not ashamed, just more modest than most. He got his at a big-box sporting goods store, anywhere that sells athletic equipment should have them, they're not expensive and will be much more comfortable than a cotton T (not to mention legal for even the strictest pool rules).

Size is nothing to be ashamed of, but neither is modesty. Rock what you got, in whatever clothing makes you comfortable!

And totally awesome that you're getting your kid in the water

I did the walk of shame through the pool when I decided to start losing weight. I was certain that everybody was staring at me and that any second I would start hearing whale noises and harpoon impressions.

I discovered 3 things that day.....

1) It is physically impossible to die of shame. Trust me, if it was, I would have keeled over on the spot.

2) Nobody actually gives a monkeys about you. Nobody is looking. Nobody could care less what you look like,

3) There were a lot of people in that pool that looked a lot worse than I did. I didn't stare or care either.

They now sell shirts that are for swimming and have the added protection of sunscreen. I would suggest you look into that for a public pool appearance. I know several in my family that wear these to the beach so that they are not constantly having to chase the kids down and slather them with lotion.

http://www.coolibar.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=155540

I don't wear a shirt in the water but I would recommend something like the above vs. a standard cotton t-shirt. You may also try something like a triathlon suit. One of the advantages of swimming, as I understand it, is that your body isn't so visible when it is in the water anyway. But, yeah, I get that others might want to cover up on the deck. Best of luck.

Most people I think would put it down to religious reasons and not ridicule.

Look up "rash vest" on eBay - these are the elastine/nylon type tops that surfers wear under a wetsuit and usually have logos like Speedo or Gul on them so they look like swimwear.