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2021's Hottest Swimwear for Men: More Than Meets The Eye!
Is there such a thing as one swimsuit style that fits them all? There are many popular brands and styles of men's shorts but do they all fit your body?
We put together a list of popular brands but also all the different styles of men's swimwear shorts. Pay attention to the details about each style.
All products featured on MenObjects are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
While you have favorites, it's best to include a variety of swimwear styles in your bag for different happenings. No one needs to see you in your speedo if you are going to a pool party where a third of the guests aren't in swim shorts.
Or why would you want to wear long baggy board shorts if you are short and/or super fit? Longboard swim shorts make you look short. They look better on a tall surfer. Go with a length more proportionate to your entire body length. And do show more thigh, catch my drift?
A Few Basics First...
Swimwear Fabrics & Properties
The ideal swimwear fabrics should be composed of man-made fibers. However, the cotton will absorb all the water, feel heavy, and take hours to dry. The quick-dry concepts are usually made of either 100% polyester, a polyester blend, or nylon. Look for a small percentage (10-20%) of Lycra or Spandex for a good stretch feel.
Polyester (best for the sauna, dry the quickest and provide UV protection all the time)
Nylon ( soft lightweight feel, elastic, especially with stretch and lycra blend, absorbs little moisture, strong in tension can be used for running, gym, workouts
Cotton absorbs all the water and takes hours to dry, sticks to your body, and weighs you down.
Elastane is also known as spandex or lycra is high breathability with a high moisture-wicking ability fabric It has low heat retention and stretches very well. It is made in China.
Lycra is also known as spandex or elastane is a polyether-polyurea copolymer fabric with a high breathability factor.
Polyurethane
Rayon
Spandex like lycra is very stretchy
Viscose is also known as rayon is a synthetic substance with a 300-600 thread, very breathable with high moisture-wicking ability. Made in the UK.
Two-Way vs 4-Way Stretch Fabrics in Men's Swimwear
When you're shopping for swimwear, it's important to know the difference between a two-way stretch and a four-way stretch. The two-way stretch will only have stretch from selvage to selvage whereas four-way is a little extra help because not only does it go back and forth but also has some lengthwise stretching as well. The two-way stretch will have some give in the fabric, but four-way is even better since it'll be more flexible and easier to get into at home or when renting a suit from the beach.
Does Chlorine Damage Swim Wear?
Chlorine is a powerful chemical that can affect everything, but synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon) are resilient and polyester has the ability to resist chlorine. Polyester also tolerates chronic full sun / ultraviolet exposure or anything of this sort better than other textiles do because it doesn't fade as quickly with time like nylon does.
Quick Dry Swim Shorts for Men
This is a characteristic determined by the material blend of your swimwear. It can be a 100% polyester or a polyester blend if you are looking for a very strong fabric that is chlorine and UV resistant (when it has PBT fabric which is resistant to saltwater, color fading, and chlorine. PBT is textured polyester with natural stretch similar to Spandex really lightweight and a high-tech feel). It can also be made of a nylon blend with lycra for the stretchy bit. But once you decided this is what you want, you can find quick dry in every style of shorts we discuss in this article.
Polyester Swim Shorts for Men
It's no secret that polyester is the fabric of choice for competitive swimwear, but new advancements have made it even more superior. The hand and feel are now unparalleled by any other materials out there making it the perfect solution! Polyester holds its color better than most fabrics so you're sure to look good in your suit regardless if blended with Lycra® or not. And because chlorine doesn't affect this material like others, be prepared to spend less time at poolside maintenance while still looking great during competitions!
Hurley Dry-Fit Shorts, 98% Polyester | $35 @ Nordstrom
Kanu Surf Long Board UFC 50+ with lining, 100% polyester | $19+ on Amazon
Stripe Texture Swim Trunks by River Island , 100% Polyester | $35 @ Nordstrom
Men Swimwear by Style
The Solid Colors Swim Shorts
It's a good idea to stick with solid colors and small-scale patterns to mix and match more easily. You'll probably only own one or two pairs of swim trunks at any given time, so you might as well go for versatile ones!
Solid Washed Nylon Swim Trunks by Vintage Summer, 100% Nylon | $39 at Nordstrom
Naples IslandActive by Tommy Bahama, 100% polyester | $89.50 @ Nordstrom
Turnberry Swim Trunks Sorbet, cotton & polyamide | $80 @ Nordstrom
The Pattern Swimwear Look
The pattern tends to be associated with the current style and fashion trends. As fashion changes every season, this one is harder to follow so you might want to check online with the large retailers for the most popular styles of the season (Lululemon, ASOS, Nordstrom, Macy's).
Quick-dry with jacquard-woven floral pattern by BOSS, Polyester blend | $118 @ BOSS
Eco Daisy Floral Swim Shorts, 100% recycled polyester | $36.95 @ Nordstrom
Chubbies Thigh Napples 51/2", 92% polyester, 8% spandex | $79.50 @ Nordstrom
The Bold Logo-Print Swim Short in Technical Fabric
The bold logo will obviously be associated with popular brands like Lacoste, BOSS, CK, O'Neil, Gymshark, Hurley, etc. otherwise, what's the point in printing an unknown knockoff like anyone of those Aliexpress or Alibaba swimwear?
BOSS logo-print swim shorts | $118 @ BOSS
The Vintage Short's Look
The 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s produced a lot of popular swimwear styles. From retro, speedo, topper, board shorts, swim-walk shorts, to swim away wool, sleeveless tank, and Patagonia trunk. Today's designers are able to incorporate these vintage looks into their contemporary collection.
Solid washed nylon swim shorts by Vintage Summer, 100% Nylon | $39 @ Nordstrom
Flamingo Print Trunks by Vintage Summer, 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex | $49 @ Norstrom
Vintage 1946 Print Hybrid Flat Front Shorts, polyester & spandex | $69.50 @ Nordstrom
The Modern Classy Swim Trunks for Men
This style will play with solid colors and classic or daring patterns. They will take advantage of the new blended fabrics like the polyamide that makes the quick-dry shorts.
Lacoste Colorblock Swim Trunk, 100% polyester | $75 @ Nordstrom
BOSS Rainbowfish Swin Trunks, 100% Polyamide | $88 @ Nordstrom
Brunello Cucinelli Stripe Swim Trunk, 70% polyamide, 30% polyester | $495 @ Nordstrom
Tom & Teddy Gingham Print Snap Swim Trunk | $99.95 @ Nordstrom
Long Board Sports Shorts
Boardshorts are a type of swimwear that can be worn by both men and women. They're called boardshorts because the term "short" sounds less gentle if you will? Though these garments originally derived their name from being used for surfing purposes (the word 'board' refers to one's feet), later on, people started wearing them while swimming in lakes or rivers too! These days they come in many different styles--from relaxed waistbands with pockets at your sides all the way down past ankles... These are for guys of all shapes and perfect for all the tall men out there.
Phantom One and only Board shorts by Hurley, polyester & spandex | 58 @ Nordstrom
Kanu Surf Men's Miles Swim Trunks, quick-dry material, knee-length | $18+ on Amazon
Quicksilver Manic 22"L Cargo Pocket Board Short | $30+ on Amazon
Southern Tide Patterned Board Shorts, 92% polyester, 8% spandex | $89.50 @ Nordstrom
Men's Sexy Swimwear
In the collection of men's sexy swimwear, you will find it as wild and carefree as your mind wanders... There is a wide selection on Etsy, Aliexpress, and Amazon.
Sterlet Colorblock Swim Briefs by BOSS, 78% Nylon & 22% elastane | $68 @ Nordstrom
Coofandy Swim Trunk with zipper pocket, Quick-Dry | $12-$19 on Amazon
Speedo Square Leg Endurance+, 50% polyester, 50% PBT | $25+ on Amazon
Nike Logo Square Leg Swim Trunk, 81% polyamide, 19% elastane | $30 @ Nordstrom
The Hybrid Short for the Unexpected!
That's right. You're looking at a hybrid short that combines the best qualities of two styles: board shorts (and/or Bermuda style) and regular cut-offs in case you weren't necessarily planning to end up in the pool! Better always be prepared when you are surrounded by bodies of water.
Mid-Length Swim Trunks
One of the most important aspects to consider when buying swimwear is that it suits your body type. It's no good purchasing a bikini if you have short legs, for example! You should also be mindful about not having any fabric hanging below mid-thigh - this will make them appear shorter than they are and can look unflattering in some ways. For men with long legs, however, going up to knee level or higher on shorts (above) might work better as then their leg looks longer!
5.5" Swim Trunks by Chubbies, 92% Polyester, 8% spandex | $69.50 @ Nordstrom
Prince & Bond Sail Away Boat Print Hybrid, 100% nylon | $175 @ Nordstrom
Fair Harbor Sextant Stripe Swim Trunk, polyester & spandex | $88 @ Nordstrom
The Spring Break Loud, Daring Swim Shorts
Looking for a way to break the ice? This collection has it all. Funny pattern bathing suits, novelty prints, and vintage styles that'll get you laughing any time of day or night!
Tom & Teddy Lobster Print Swim Trunks, 100% polyester | $94.95 @ Nordstrom
Visefunny Beach Shorts, polyester | $18-21 on Amazon
Sara Nell Merica Eagle America Beach Shorts | $26 on Amazon
Quick-Dry with Mesh Lining Khaki-Leopard | $20-$25 on Amazon
American Flag Double Swim Trunks, Quick-Dry | $20-25 on Amazon
Should I Still Get a Liner in my swimming trunks or not?
The net inside a pair of swim trunks is there to keep your genitals safe and sound while you're swimming. It's like a pair of briefs. Do you know how sometimes people go for a run without any underwear on? Imagine that but in the water! There is a wide variety of stretchy fabrics below that will provide enough support and discretion to avoid the lining.
The Most Popular Swimwear Brands
Chubbies | Hurley | Polo Ralph Lauren | Rhone | Billabong | Kanu Surf | Prince & Bond | Speedo | MaaMgic Slim Fit | Nike | O'Neil | Psycho Bunny | Tom & Teddy | Tommy Bahama | Nonwe
The Classy James Bond Collection of Swimwear
The James Bond Heritage @ Orlebar Brown is a vintage yet classy style of men's trunks worth checking out. The West London company was founded by photographer Adam Brown after he identified a gap in the market for smart men's swimwear, and was launched in March 2007.
Our Favorite Choice among the emerging Brands of America
BANG! of Miami
Bang! is a Miami-based designer of menswear who features premium men's swimwear, underwear, and activewear. We like the fact that it embodies all the details we expect: quality, sex appeal, elegance, and functionality.
Images from BANG! Miami - Beachwear collection.
Capture the Mediterranean essence with the Bene Cape European Collection
Swim trunks are an essential item in any guy’s wardrobe. You should have a few pairs for different occasions and activities, like longboard swim shorts for playing volleyball on the beach or classy trunks to wear at your boss mansion during BBQ time. Polyester is great if you plan to jog near a body of water because it dries faster than other fabrics but it can be uncomfortable when worn against the skin. Whatever style you choose, you shouldn't hesitate to invest in 2-3 pairs. This should cover all-purpose for this summer. After all, you wouldn't wear the same pair of black loafers you wear at work to a pool party, so why would you keep on your short briefs to a restaurant terrace or in a mall when you can slip into a mid-length or longer short.
All products featured on MenObjects are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
External Links:
The different fabrics characteristics - Sewport
Orlebar Brown - Modern, classy, and sophisticated Swim Shorts
SSENSE Swimwear for men - Many designers for all ages and budget