Men's swimsuits and swimwear - boardshorts or briefs?

Men’s swimsuits were once made of wool and covered the entire body. Luckily for guys, swimwear has progressed enough that the modern day suit proclaims comfort and attractiveness just a little bit more than wet wool.

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Going into the twentieth century men’s swimsuits could weigh upwards of nine pounds when wet - not ideal for a day at the beach. These suits were knee length or full length one piece trunks which covered most of the body, modesty being the order of the day back then.

By the 1930s men’s swimsuits were evolving, although those baring their chests at the beach were very much frowned upon. Several men were arrested for indecent exposure in the United States in the thirties until ‘chest liberators’ won the right to go swimming topless.

Lifestyle demanded the changes which have advanced modern men’s swimwear. Suits got tighter, lighter and more comfortable, ideal for swimming or the rapidly increasing range of water sports emerging in the fifties and sixties. Surfers required light, flexible trunks which would move with them in the water and so boardshorts were born.

Classic high-waisted trunks progressed into the iconic Speedo suit, as well as shorts-style briefs. Boardies have got longer and more lurid, and almost anything is the go on the beach today when it comes to swimsuit colors and patterns.

Historically ancient man wore thongs thousands of years ago, and the revealing little piece of cloth has now made it back onto our beaches with a vengeance. Whether you choose to flaunt your butt cheeks is another matter entirely!

Cabana sets matched tropical shirts with swimming trunks and were popularised by stars like Elvis Presley in the fifties. As the James Bond of the sixties Sean Connery boasted a classic trunk with plenty of coverage.

There’s such a wide variety of swimsuits for men now that comfort can exist side by side with fashion.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Men's Swimsuits

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