Look Cool, Feel Confident – Picking the Right Men’s Bathing Suit

Here’s a not-so-well-kept secret in our society: Men hate shopping. We don’t like to stand under florescent lighting and endlessly flip through the racks. We don’t care who’s having a sale. Hell, we barely look in the mirror in the morning.

Nevertheless, sometimes it’s essential to clothe oneself, as the loincloth seems to have gone out of style quite some time ago. And when it comes to water recreation, I have to admit that it’s important to get a good suit – especially since it’s all you have on.

Just Do It

Beat your girlfriend to the punch. If she commented on your eight-year-old falling apart bathing suit last summer, chances are this year she’ll buy you a new one, which likely you’ll wear for another eight years, even if you don’t like it that much. So be proactive and look the way you want to look at the beach or in the pool.

Cut to the Chase

You don’t have to cruise through every boutique on the street or shop in the mall. Just head to a reliable department store and ask for men’s bathing suits. It’s better to go earlier than later in the season because they do tend to sell out, but usually even in July you can find something basic.

Uh-oh Speedo

Unless you are a professional athlete or swim laps like a pro, don’t opt for the skin-tight, bulge-busting Speedo. Women aren’t so keen on it, and thanks to Sasha Baron Cohen, none of us will be able to get that picture of Borat in his lime green Speedo out of our heads. And let’s face it, they’re just not that comfy on the junk.

If you absolutely must have a tight suit, then at least opt for the new longer types that are styled more like bike shorts. The advantage to these suits is of course the streamlined technology and the fast-drying fabric. But make no mistake – they don’t look cool unless you’re competing for a gold medal.

The Long & Short of it

So you’ve decided wisely to opt for swim shorts, which these days are usually made from polyester fabrics for quick-drying and a mesh lining for support. Shorts look good and are extremely comfortable – easily the most popular choice among surfers and beach bums alike. Most shorts hit about mid-thigh, but there is tremendous variation these days with length even in the styles that are supposed to be traditionally shorter, like swim trunks.

Swim Trunks

Your basic men’s swim trunks are made from a durable but soft polyester that dries very quickly. They aren’t meant for heavy-duty activities since the material could rip, but if you’re just lounging poolside, why not have the most comfy shorts? Sometimes they will have a Velcro fastener, but usually they employ a drawstring and an elastic waistband. The mesh lining is fairly loose-fitting. A solid summer staple.

Running Swim Trunks

If you’re looking for something a bit shorter for more flexibility running, jumping and swimming, ask for a ‘running’ style, which will end a little bit above mid-thigh.

Board Shorts

Made for surfing, board shorts feature a similar design to swim trunks, but are made from a rougher polyester that won’t rip as easily and has a waxier texture. This is to prevent ripping on rocks and wear and tear from jumping on and off a board repeatedly. The stiffer material means they’re not quite as comfortable as regular swim trunks, but they look good and last a long time. The mesh crotch area is more snug-fitting and higher up on the groin area than swim trunks. They also feature a rigid panel at the waist that will have a Velcro seal, and there’s usually a drawcord to tighten as you see fit.

Be Yourself

If you’re not a loud print type of guy, don’t buy a loud print bathing suit. As simple as this sounds, I once had to watch my conservative father sashay around in a pink and green striped suit all summer because he didn’t give it a second thought at the store. If you’re not flashy, stick to something like basic black, navy blue, or a subdued pattern. On the other hand, if you like to wear ‘look at me’ clothes in your regular life, then by all means go for the Hawaiian knee-length board shorts with the neon drawcord. Just remember that this one piece of material has to reflect your style.

Check It

Before you head to the cash register, give the suit a once-over. I’m not saying you have to turn the thing inside out and get out the magnifying glass, but just look before you buy.Pull on the cord and check out how it’s finished at the ends – if something looks like it’s made cheaply, it probably is. Better to invest an extra ten bucks to get a quality brand, rather than have to go through this whole ordeal before the summer’s even over.

Same with the lining. Just take a moment to examine the stitching and see whether it’s finished well. Most well-made suits will have a double seam to keep the mesh from ripping.

Good luck!