Men’s Swimwear Style Guide: From Patterns to Inseams

Cormac Newman June 29, 2023

Swimwear options have multiplied since the days of bright red Baywatch trunks — with the explosion of online micro-trends, the monoculture of years past has fallen to the wayside. In its place, a new crop of designers, retailers, and online ateliers have bloomed; their staggering variety practically mandates that consumers develop a personal style. This isn’t without its own set of drawbacks, however. From below-the-knee board shorts to nylon briefs, the surf shop rack can be a dizzying affair. Ergo, we’ve put together a definitive guide to beachwear trends — accompanied by a few standout selections — curated to infuse your beachside look with confidence.

Swim Trunks

We’ll start with the trendy option: trunks! Or, as the Brits call them, simply “shorts.” They’re shorter in length than a typical pair of board shorts, but far from a Speedo’s high cut. While they’ve been around since the 1940s, trunks steadily gained popularity throughout the twentieth century, becoming the default swimwear for men by the end of the millennium. They’re usually fashioned from nylon or polyester, the latter of which is increasingly made from recycled material. A 3 to 4″ inseam offers a more youthful look, whereas other men tend to prefer 5 to 6″ trunks that rest just above the knee.

Traditionally, swimsuits bore flashy neons designed to catch a lifeguard’s eye. This trend has stuck around — unlike their on-land counterparts, men’s swimsuits don’t shy away from fluorescent colours and floral prints. The Swim Shorts in Coral Dust from CDLP provide a breezy, pastel-adjacent look fashioned from 100% Econyl® — a nylon fibre spun from repurposed landfill and ocean debris. If it’s patterns that you’re after, know that vertical stripes tend to add height to their wearer; meanwhile camo-inspired tricolours ensure that trunks make the most of their space. For a neutral palette, check out Frescobol Carioca’s Jacquard Copacabana Print.

A general rule of thumb for patterns: the busier the print, the more bulk it adds. Whether that’s a pro or a con depends on your personal style — think about which shirts and tanks you’d pair your shorts with before making the purchase.

Wet-Dry Swim Shorts

While not a style, per-se, the functionality of wet-dry shorts (also known as hybrid swimwear) has garnered enough attention to warrant a category of its own. Essentially, a swimsuit qualifies as wet-dry when it’s stylish enough to wear alongside a t-shirt or polo before you hit the beach, but still durably water-resistant for use as trunks or swim shorts. For weekend excursions to the cottage, wet-dry swimsuits help keep suitcase strain to a minimum.

Pictured above, Solid Swim Shorts from Tom Ford offer the elegance of formal shorts, with a shiny side buckle and zipper that pairs well with typical streetwear. With a trendy 5-inch inseam, there’s no need to compromise style for function. Just in case the deep-green finish isn’t the right pick for you, Harry Rosen carries three other colour options.

Meanwhile, Gucci’s GG Nylon Swim Shorts lie on the other end of the wet-dry spectrum. They’re lightweight and versatile, suited for workouts and beach trips alike. With a white drawstring to contrast the dark nylon pattern, the GG Swim Shorts are a timeless casual staple.

Board Shorts

For surfers, water-skiers, and wakeboarders, board shorts make the best fit. Originally evolved from trunks, board shorts are swim garments best suited for aquatic sports (aside from competitive swimming; more on that later). They typically extend to the knee, or just past it.

Culturally, board shorts are the cousins of skater-style denim cutoffs — they favour an athletic audience, sporting graphic patterns and textures. Given the length of board shorts, they’re best worn with tank tops and smaller t-shirts when off the beach — go too baggy, and you might be swimming in fabric rather than water.

For a sleek style, look to Fendi’s Nylon Swim Shorts, available in black and yellow or bright orange variants. The shorts capture a laid-back and beachy vibe with a bold yellow stripe against a slick black nylon. Accompanied by Fendi’s signature pattern, these shorts are equal parts luxury and leisure.

Dior’s Oblique Swim Shorts take an earthy tone, with beige flap pockets decorated by the Dior Oblique motif. As part of their Beachwear Capsule with Parley for the Oceans, the shorts are constructed from an upcycled technical plastic. Luckily, sustainability and style don’t come at the cost of comfort: the drawstring waistband offers an adjustable fit.

Swim Briefs and Square-Cuts

Before we finish, there’s two love-them-or-hate-them forms left to tackle: briefs and square-cuts. Established as the swimsuit of choice for racers, briefs are ideal for serious swimmers (and/or those looking for a full body tan). Recently, square-cut swim briefs have cropped up alongside their traditional counterparts, offering a slightly more conservative cut while still being much shorter than trunks or board shorts. Given their limited fabric, it’s usually best to opt for a simple pattern or solid colour and save intricate details for the waistband.

The black Diesel Bmbx-Brad Swim Boxer Briefs are an example of the square-cut swim briefs that have taken off in recent years, with bold sharp lines and a red lining. If you’re looking for a classic cut with a staple pattern, check out Burberry’s EKD Monogram Drawcord Swim Briefs in blue.