Alright, Guys: Time to Level Up Your Swimwear Game



Maybe it’s the gay in me, but every summer I have to buy at least one pair of swim trunks inspired by whatever beach trip I have planned, (this year it’ll probably be Tulum). It’s become a seasoned ritual: last month, CDLP trunks; last year, briefs from a fantastic Mexico City designer, Ocelote's Amoral; the year prior, a trio of Parke & Ronan gay-ssentials. Swimwear, more than any other category in men’s fashion, is especially compelling because of how far designers are pushing boundaries for men’s swim each season. This year, they’ve granted us an assortment of prints, cuts, fabrics, embellishments, and ways to show skin unlike ever before. Some styles, like those from Ludovic de Saint Sernin, even dissolve the gender barrier with bikini bottoms and thongs that are—needless to say–executed incredibly well.

Year after year, I rummage through editor picks online and I’m always disappointed because their curation seems to cater to a type of prehistoric man that shouldn’t be too concerned with how he dresses for the beach. These articles feel like they’re just telling us to cover up our arse and nether regions with water-resistant fabric, and move on with it; leave the beach style to women, they might as well conclude.

Enough! I’m taking matters into my own hands with a list I’ve curated from styles I’ve personally worn and aspire to wear, all starting with board shorts.

Just kidding. Don’t ever wear board shorts. I mean, who wants to swim in a pair of cut-off barrel pants? If you need to wear something while surfing to protect your legs, then wear a wetsuit (if that’s too hot, then wear wetsuit bottoms). More on that later.


Swim Trunks

From solids to prints, these men’s styles are timeless staples year after year.

Straight-Leg Mid-Length Logo-Print Swim Shorts


Celine Straight-Leg Mid-Length Logo-Print Swim Shorts

An instant classic that can be worn as swim trunks or summer shorts, especially when there might be an impromptu sojourn to the beach.

Nylon Boxer Swim Shorts


Bottega Veneta Nylon Boxer Swim Shorts

With a nod to their iconic braid work, these designer shorts are stylishly subtle.

Moon Royal Shorter Swim Shorts


True Tribe Moon Royal Shorter Swim Shorts

This ECONYL fabric, which changes color when wet, is just as incredible as the sustainable brand that makes them. True Tribe implements blockchain technology into their products’ manufacturing process (scan a product’s QR code and you can see every step of its journey from inception to completion).

Le Raphia 'Le Maillot Pingo' Swim Shorts


Jacquemus Le Raphia 'Le Maillot Pingo' Swim Shorts

The whimsical, Fashion Week darling makes no exception for swimwear with a print that makes any time in the sun, well, fun.

Straight-Leg Mid-Length Printed Swim Shorts


Loewe x Paula\u2019s Ibiza Straight-Leg Mid-Length Printed Swim Shorts

High tea anyone?

Swim Short


CDLP Swim Short

Quite possibly one of my favorite sustainable essentials brands out there, CDLP somehow made incredibly comfortable satin-like tiger-striped shorts in burgundy and blue that feel timeless.

Printed Re-Nylon Swim Trunks


Prada Printed Re-Nylon Swim Trunks

I love this triangle print. And I love the classic triangle badge on the back pocket even more.


Swim Briefs

No one asked, but I’ve taken the liberty of organizing this section from the least skimpy to very sexy styles (yes, guys can and should feel sexy by the pool).

Swim Briefs


CDLP Swim Brief

I have these in their inaugural bright orange color, but I’m obsessed with this style in sage that will beautifully compliment any tan.

Latte Kneibler Swim Brief


KVRT Stvff Latte Kneibler Swim Brief

This brand is heavily marketed toward gay men (not complaining), but don’t let that deter any of our straight allies from their newest release that doesn’t have their brand logo embellished everywhere like the rest of their styles do. Made to look like ribbed underwear in a latte color, if these fit anything like their classic briefs (I’m sure they do), then they’re incredibly comfortable.

Swim Briefs With Asymmetrical Opening


Louis Gabriel Nouchi Swim Briefs With Asymmetrical Opening

This up-and-coming French brand is one to watch. We start getting a little sexy here with a peek-a-boo slit under the band (also available in white and red), so I'd put this at a 6/10 on the sexy scale.

Amoral Fierro Swim Brief


Amoral Fierro Swim Brief

Mexico City fashion is severely underrated. One of my favorites is Ocelote and the designer, Cesar Flora, has a complimentary swimwear line that’s pushing boundaries on men’s swim. Metal rings hold the front and back together, and the back band detaches to reveal some lower-lower-LOWER back skin. Sexy scale: 7/10.

Black Hydra Swim Briefs


Rick Owens Black Hydra Swim Briefs

Rick Owens may be one of the most innovative designers out there. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of his goth-chic runways or not, when Rick comes out with a staple, it’s a staple. I feel like he’s done it with these briefs complete with a large Y-shaped metal fastening to the side. Sexy scale: 7/10.

Swim Tanga Briefs


CDLP Swim Tanga Briefs

This season, CDLP introduced a sexier swim brief with a slightly higher cut on the thigh than your go-to Speedo. It’s also very comfortable. Needless to say, I’m here for it. Sexy scale: 8/10.

Lanzarote Lace Up Swim Briefs


LDSS Lanzarote Lace Up Swim Briefs

Point blank: I love Ludovic de Saint Sernin. I bought a pair of his inaugural swim briefs at the beginning of the pandemic, but the size was too small (when I sent them back to Paris for an exchange, the USPS lost it in the mail—argh!). The comfort and empowering feeling of showing a little more skin brings this to a 10/10 on the sexy scale. Sexy scale: 10/10. And for an 11/10, upgrade to a thong.


Wetsuits

This is your answer to surfing attire that doesn’t involve board shorts.

Wetsuit


Dior Vissla Wetsuit

In collaboration with Californian brand Vissla, Dior created this beautiful, eco-friendly wetsuit to elevate your surfing experience.

Maverick Wetsuit


Roka Maverick Wetsuit

Built with extreme performance in mind (think: triathlons), this wetsuit was designed to stand the test of time.


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