on November 14 | in Fashion | by Leila Korn | with 4 Comments

While at the beach and at the pool this past summer, I have realized that many men are clueless when it comes to wearing bathing suits that actually flatter them. It seems like the biggest mistake most men make, when shopping for swimsuits, is not shopping for swimsuits! And yet there have never been so many acceptable swimwear options for men: Speedos now mingle alongside board shorts and sporty retro styles on the beach. So many choices, but they don’t fit all body shapes! The key is to know what you can get away with and what would be a big “oh no, he didn’t!”

A guy’s swimwear choices say a lot about his style and level of confidence, but please do not be too confident! If you are a speedo lover, keep in mind that Olympians like Michael Phelps and Kenrick Monk make a splash when they hit the pool, but if you’re the kind of guy who doesn’t know the butterfly stroke from that winged insect that flutters around the garden, stay away from speedos. You can still make a statement when you suit up for a day at the beach or at the pool. Looking hot can be as easy as a walk in the park.

Whether your body type reflects months of hot-weather preparation at the gym or a little winter-induced hibernation, buying a trunk that is too long will make you look shorter and stockier than you really are.

The most common mistake men make is buying the wrong size. Here are some perfect examples—don’t be these guys at the beach!

 

On the flip side, guys should avoid anything too tight or revealing at the beach. Leave a little something for the imagination and pick a pair that flatters your body type without showing off too much.

Again, here are examples of showing off too much and wearing a too-tight bathing suit. Not pretty, and the beach jewelry makes it worse! Apparently, when men buy a speedo, they automatically throw in a gold chain. Holy accessory, booster gold, just say, “Speed-NO”! And under no circumstances, unless you are actually David Beckham, should you ever wear white swimmers, particularly tight ones. Aside from the obvious see-through factor, there is something too flashy about wearing anything tight and white on a beach.

Also, if you insist on going tight, at least make sure that you cut off the label! Most people don’t want to look at that situation.

Here is some final advice: Make sure to go shopping for a bathing suit before hitting the water and always keep your body shape in mind—If you are not European and not shaped like Adonis, stay away from speedos and do not wear white or jewelry. A swim trunk always looks good. If you are hesitant, here are few tips to know which one will fit your body type:

Short

If you are under 5’8″: Keep your swimsuit length above the knee to make your legs appear longer. Remember, the longer your shorts are, the shorter you look.

 

Tall

If you are tall, just reverse the short guy’s strategy: Even out your proportions with longer shorts that hit at the top or bottom of the knee.

Slim

If you’re a skinny guy, fill out your profile with more volume in the suit. Wear bold patterns and color blocking (pairing prominent solids) to add substance to your size.

Heavy

Guys on the bigger side should try a classic fit, neither baggy nor skin-tight, for a flattering look. Also: Darker colors, denser print patterns, and vertical stripes will help make you appear leaner.

 

Tall and Buff

If you are 6′ or taller, with broad shoulders and chest, and you like to work out with weights, then you fall into the tall and buff category, meaning you can wear anything you like because chances are it will always look good on you. You can even wear trunk shorts—they contain relatively little material and are designed to show off your body to its fullest. Tighter swim briefs and trunk shorts have had a certain stigma attached to them in the past, but designers such as Versace and Michael Bastian, along with silver screen icons such as Daniel Craig, have turned them into a viable option for style-conscious gents, both young and old. This trending swimwear style is set to become popular, most likely with athletic men who want to show off the results of their hard work in the gym and dedication to a clean diet.

Again, confidence and a relatively athletic body is key to wearing trunk shorts successfully. Once again, all types of swimwear are suitable for tall and athletic body shapes. Just pick a color that compliments your skin tone.

Have a safe splash and don’t forget your sun lotion!

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