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Beachwear/Swimwear Styles for SS10

Since the Victorian era, when swimming as a social pastime became more and more popular, the evolution of men’s swimwear has been slow.we now have a wide selection of styles, cuts, patterns and colours from which to choose. Swimwear used to be all about functionality, but as holidaying abroad and lounging on the beach has become something everybody yearns for at least once a year – what we wear on the beach and at the pool has become a creative, fashion choice – and the wide range of options available mean, even in swimwear, you can inject your own personal sense of style and individuality. When wearing swimwear – you can’t hide behind layers or accessories – so it is important to choose carefully to best suit your body type, and find a swimwear choice in which you feel comfortable. What you wear on the beach or at the pool is just as important to individual style as what you wear day to day, and the same thought-process and respect should be given to choosing swimwear. It is important to be aware that different styles of swimwear suit different body types – and no matter your size, shape or skin tone – the vast choices available mean there is something out there for everybody. Men can be just as body-conscious as women (although they may not vocalise it as much), and often, we men are just as reluctant to strip off. Catwalks and celebrity culture display models and actors with perfectly toned physiques and well-muscled bodies – but these are a result of personal trainers and tough gym training schedules. Most of us average Joes do not have the time or money to devote to sculpting the perfect body – so squeezing yourself into some boxer-style trunks a la Daniel Craig in Casino Royale is unlikely to have quite the same effect as 007. We should play to our strengths more and be more aware of what styles of swimwear best suit our individual body types. Most importantly, you need to feel comfortable and confident in your choice of swimwear.
Another factor to consider when choosing swimwear is the variety of colours, prints and patterns available. No matter what cut or style you decide to go for, they are likely to be available in different shades and with different prints. Many men fall into the trap of getting carried away with the sunny weather and opting for loud, multicoloured shorts when a more muted colour choice could/would be better. Back in 2005, Tony Blair was snapped on his Summer holidays wearing a garish pair of floral print Vilebrequin shorts and the media coverage that followed wasn’t about the 2005 water crisis in the UK or the looming oil and gas shortage – but how our Prime Minister could warrant spending upwards of £80 on a pair of such unflattering, distasteful swim shorts. Unfortunately Mr Blair also failed to consider the age factor when choosing his swimwear which is something which should be considered by all men in all fashion choices. Simply put, bright-coloured, floral-printed Bermuda shorts are best suited to a younger age bracket – or at least a more mature man who has the body to carry off the attention-attracting swimwear with confidence and aplomb. Blair should have opted for a more muted, monochrome choice of swim short with a more flattering cut and avoided the elasticated waistband which only draws attention to the stomach area. Something from the Orlebar Brown range of swimwear would have been perfect as this range offers classic, slim-fitting cuts in simple colours which create an elegant, classy, well-groomed effect, a particularly good choice for the more mature man. This represents a classic example of understanding what styles, colours and patterns suit your body type – and choosing the right sort of swimwear for you. The biggest change occurred in the late 1930s when men going bare-chested was no longer frowned upon and men could finally move on from the full-body, long-sleeved wool garments that had been predominant in this period. Since then, different swimsuit styles have been popular during different decades: in the 1960s and 1970s short shorts ending mid-thigh were popular, the 1980s saw the domination of the Speedo-style swimming briefs, and thanks to the resurgence in popularity of surfing as a sport in the 1990s, board shorts became a staple, both at the beach and the swimming pool. Although the evolution of men’s swimwear has been slow – in the modern day,

Swimwear On The Runways

Last July, the Miami Mercedes Benz Fashion Week featured a selection of shows where brands such as Ed Hardy, Diesel and Red Carter all took to the catwalk to display swimwear picks for S/S 2010. Interestingly, there were four main swimwear styles which have come to the forefront and have now filtered down into the high street; Board Shorts, Short Shorts, Boxer-Style Briefs and Speedos. The wide range can be seen both across the high street collections and designer collections. For example, H&M’s S/S 2010 range features a selection of board shorts available in different lengths and prints with preppy checked patterns proving popular, and Topman are offering a collection of board shorts and short shorts in both plain colours and also geometric and floral prints. Similarly, the Ed Hardy swimwear collection features longer cut board short-styles with a slim taper to the leg in plain colours featuring a bold injection of graffiti-style print, which is the Ed Hardy signature. Other brands such as Butch swimwear, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel and DSquared2 seem to be favouring the Speedo-style briefs and boxer-short style but have added a new dimension to these by moving away from the traditional plain, block colours associated with traditional Speedos and adding different colour choices and prints, and featuring larger brand logos, like in the Diesel ‘Aloha’ shorts. The fact that different brands and designers are all favouring different styles of swimwear this season means that there is more choice out there for us and we are able to choose a pair of trunks which both suit individual body types – but also remain stylish and on trend.

Board Shorts

As a Westcountry lad, born and bred, I was lucky enough to grow up at the seaside which meant long Summer days spent on the beach as standard – so the staple Summer wardrobe item for me was board shorts. Popularised by surfers and other water sports fanatics in the local area – board shorts were rife and were available in many different colours and patterns. Even today, board shorts remain the most popular choice of swimwear here in the UK and in North America. They offer both style and comfort and can be worn simply as shorts even when not on the beach (whereas walking around your local town in simply a t-shirt and Speedos might not be the best idea!) Board shorts are a pretty safe choice for men of all body types – although there is always the risk of going too big and baggy. Overweight men should avoid wearing over-large shorts as this will only result in making them look bigger. A better option for portly men would be a board short which comes to around knee length with a taper to the legmore flattering position rather than falling below the gut. Also – it is best to avoid garish, bright colours and horizontal stripes as darker colours are slimming. However, this doesn’t mean larger men need to be restricted to ‘black’ and only black. Other darker colours can also be slimming, and there are several brands out there which feature darker monotone colours with a splash of colour with a logo or small pattern rather than all over prints – for example, the Diesel BMBX Shorts. Similarly, very skinny men should avoid overly baggy shorts as these will swamp the skinny frame and you may end up looking like an 11 year old boy dressing up in your Dad’s clothes. The best option for a skinnier man would be a narrow-legged board short which isn’t over-baggy and doesn’t ‘drown’ the wearer. Different colours, patterns and textures will add the illusion of bulk, and opting for a pair which feature cargo-style pockets which will add a sense of shape to the frame. A perfect choice would be the Blue Checked Swim Shorts from Topman which feature pockets on the thighs, and also support the preppy check trend which is very popular this season. following the body line.

Short Shorts

Short shorts are inspired by tennis-style shorts which were worn by the likes of John McEnroe in his Wimbledon heyday, and they also draw inspiration from 1950s Europe as seen on Jude Law’s character, Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley. These types of shorts are very versatile as they come in a range of cuts and lengths (normally ending mid-thigh) – from close-fitting, like the HOM Block Striped Swim Shorts, to slightly baggier – but no less short! – like the Bronze Dolce & Gabbana Shorts in the product picks below. Short shorts are particularly popular at the moment due to the retro feel – and they often look much smarter and more tailored than standard beachwear, making them an elegant, high-class choice. These types of shorts take a lot of courage to be worn – but if worn with confidence on the right body type – they can make you stand out on the beach from the more common choice of board shorts. Short shorts are particularly well-suited for shorter men as the shorter length of the cut means more leg is on show and this makes legs appear longer.

Speedos/Boxer-style Shorts

During the 1980s, the popularity of Speedos and swimming briefs exploded following the increased use of Speedos in competitive swimming at high-profile competitions such as the Olympics. For this reason, Speedos scream functionality rather than fashion style and are perfect if you are an Australian lifeguard or Olympic swimmer – but are less popular amongst your average British holidaymaker. Speedos have developed a stigma over the years and Speedos at the beach are associated more with big-bellied old men pouring themselves unashamedly into tiny strips of lycra than a fashionable swimwear choice. However, the tide is turning as designers are introducing more swimming briefs on the catwalks and last year, Japanese fashion house Comme Des Garcons collaborated with Speedo themselves for their fourth designer swimwear collection. Despite the stigma – Speedos and boxer-style trunks are fighting back, and in fact have several positive aspects. There is less fabric – which means they dry quickly and also reduce the number of tan lines whilst sunbathing. They also offer versatility as they can be worn beneath other items of clothing for travelling to, and from the beach or the pool. If you are serious about swimming then swimming briefs also create less drag in the water which improves speed and mobility.

In fact, the popularity of Speedos have a geographical aspect too. It is only here in Britain and in the USA that the snobbery and stigma towards them applies. Go to mainland Europe or South America and Speedos and other types of tighter swimming briefs will be all over the beaches and in the pools. In fact – in some European countries such as France, swimming briefs are the only types of swimwear permitted in swimming pools. It is important to remember, however, that not everybody can get away with wearing the ‘banana hammock.’ Muscled and well-toned men are lucky as they can get away with wearing literally any sort of swimwear and still look good. Speedo and Boxer-style swimsuits are perfect as they are small and accentuate the athletic frame. But remember that tight shorts and Speedo briefs leave very little to the imagination, and whatever the body type – the man wearing them needs to feel confident and comfortable.

New Season Styles

Board Shorts

Short Shorts

Boxer Short Style

Swimming Briefs/Speedo-style

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