They say fashion comes full circle, but let’s hope that board shorts – the seriously unflattering and uncool staple of the 90s – never see the light of day again.
They can be resigned to the bargain bin forever and a day, please.
Thankfully, men’s swimwear has come on leaps and bounds, from the briefest of briefs to tailored shorts, and discerning gentlemen now have more choice than ever when deciding on a holiday wardrobe.
These days, the suitability of shorts for a lap in the pool or lounge on the sunbed aren’t the only considerations. Today’s shoppers include sustainable materials, expert craftsmanship, trending colours and statement prints on the shopping checklist.
The perfect pair should make you look and feel good without killing yourself in the gym, despite what the likes of Jonathan Bailey in the latest ad campaign for British swimwear brand Orlebar Brown would have you think.
Simon Long, design and collections director at Orlebar Brown, says: “At the heart of swimwear, consumers care most about quality and durability, which is something that has become ever more prevalent in recent years.
As such, we’re seeing more of an investment trend rather than visual, with people buying once or twice a season, looking for high-quality, stylish designs that incorporate innovative fabrics or interesting prints. Our Bulldog short is a great example of this – created from 60 technical parts, our design process has progressed over the years, with graphic prints, jacquard and seersucker being the latest design features to be incorporated.”
Here, we’ve rounded up the best swim shorts for the season ahead – from designer splurges to budget buys – to make you a hunk-in-trunks.
Let’s dive in
Ripa Ripa Il Borgo
A splash of pattern is always a welcome thing in men's swimwear, especially when the selection is so often block prints. Made in Italy, this Ripa Ripa pair is crafted from quick-drying brushed cotton and finished with a colourful illustrated print of the Italian riviera.
Buy now £107.00, Ripa Ripa
Vilebrequin Men Stretch Swim Shorts Tortues Multicolores in Flax Flower/Blue
Founded in 1970s Saint-Tropez – is there anywhere or place more glam? – Vilebrequin has become synonymous with long, hot, lazy summers abroad – and this fresh turtle illustration will make a statement on the French Riviera or anywhere else.
They’re famed for their bold, graphic prints – think everything from starfish to sharks – with their famous label emblazoned across the back of their signature thick waistband. The father-and-son prints are now iconic: matching pairs of shorts designed to bring families together.
Buy now £230.00, Vilebrequin
Frescobol Carioca Copa Camada Sport Swim Shorts in Sky Light & Perennial Blue
Named after the beach-bat game invented in Copacabana, Frescobol Carioca is all about the spirit of Rio de Janeiro, with a louche but luxurious aesthetic.
Its silhouettes draw on the sculpted physiques of Cariocas – the athletic inhabitants of this sizzling city – while its prints are inspired by the mosaic boardwalks along its beaches. It’s safe to say founders Harry and Max have knocked it out of the park: the Copa Camada Sport Swim Shorts are as comfortable as they are charismatic with a cut to show off golden thighs and a fit to flex for Frescobol.
The best bit? A stretchy waist to accommodate one too many caipirinhas.
Buy now £115.00, Frescobol Carioca
Ron Dorff Swim Shorts Vertical Stripes
Ron Dorff – the Portuguese-made brand that fuses Swedish functionality with French aesthetics – is singlehandedly putting sexy back into men’s swimwear.
Glistening hunks-in-trunks advertising aside, all bronzed skin and bulging muscles, their quality is second-to-none with everything made in quick-dry, high-tech fabrics.
The Swim Shorts Vertical Stripes are classic RD, featuring a tailored fit with side slits and breathable mesh lining, plus an elasticated waistband for those who prioritise the good life over punishing themselves.
What’s more, the recycled polyester materials add sustainable creds, while the short length harks back to the golden era of the Med. A camp classic.
Buy now £150.00, Ron Dorff
Orlebar Brown Bulldog Mid-Length Textured Stripe Swim Shorts in White/Light Island Sky
Orlebar Brown was one of the first labels to bring tailoring to swimwear with a tapered waist finally smart enough for poolside soirées.
Founded by photographer Adam Brown, the London-based label has evolved since it launched in 2007, now offering a whole line of 1960s-inspired resort wear. When it comes to their swimmers, the Bulldog Mid-Length Textured Stripe Swim Shorts are a timeless classic with a cut to suit all body sizes and shapes.
Plus, they feature their signature side-fasteners, perfect for minor adjustments post-lunch.
Buy now £245.00
Love Brand Men’s Elephant Palace Coral Staniel Swim Shorts
Who doesn’t adore a love story? The founders behind summer lifestyle brand LOVE BRAND & Co. have been chasing the sun since they first met in 2010. With family ties to the Bahamas, everything they design, from swimwear to shirts, is infused with island flavour.
Made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, the label’s Elephant Palace Swim Shorts don’t only look the part in a bold coral print, but they’re designed to shine a light on Elephant Family to conserve Asian elephants and other endangered species. They’re quick-dry and chlorine-tested, meaning they won’t lose their punch after a week in the pool.
Buy now £150.00, Love Brand
Derek Rose Men’s Maui 54 Navy Short Swim Shorts
With happiness at the heart of their ethos, including the priceless value of leisure time, London-based Derek Rose is very much a brand we can get on board with. Their shorts are simply joyful, emblazoned with a teal geometric print inspired by Greek mythology, and are crafted from a quick-drying polyester fabric with a super-soft finish.
These short shorts are perfect for young and old alike looking to flash the flesh. Because, why the hell not?
Buy now £180.00, Derek Rose
Pink House Mustique Men’s Swim Shorts Monkey and Palms in Green/Pink
Inspired by the Caribbean playground of the rich and famous, Pink House Mustique is a tropical label to covet.
Founder Lotty has called the isle home since relocating in the 90s, when her husband became its resident doctor, after which she started designing silk sarongs. The men’s swim shorts all feature a mid-length cut, as favoured by Europeans, with everything made from sustainable fabrics. As the name suggests, Monkey and Palms come with a colourful print and pattern inspired by the island of Barbados, teamed with drawstring waist and handy pockets.
Exotic and elegant, now all that’s left to do is book somewhere befitting.
Buy now £149.00, Pink House Mustique
Reef Knots Red Octopus Classic Swim Shorts
From tees to hats, we adore everything Reef Knots, a British label inspired by the summer and ocean, makes and sells.
Its Red Octopus Classic Swim Shorts are crafted from upcycled ocean plastic in a brushed fabric finish and feature an elasticated waist, side and back pockets and comfy net lining for your bits and pieces.
The look-at-me print goes without saying and will ensure you have plenty of fun in the sun.
Buy now £89.00, Reef Knots
MC2 Saint Barth Men’s Comfort Light Swim Shorts with Crabs Print
Inspired by its namesake Caribbean island, MC2 Saint Barth offers everything you need for a colourful and joyful summer wardrobe, including swim shorts with statements prints. These are particularly fun: Comfort Light Swim Shorts with Crabs Prints featuring a relaxed fit in a fabric that’s quick-drying and stretchy. Perfect for taking you from beach to bar.
Buy now £99.93, MC2 Saint Barth
&SONS Crown Swim Short
Crafted from Sequal Yarn, a high-quality post-consumer recycled polyester containing marine plastic by Sequal Initiative, these shorts combine sustainability and style. Looks-wise, they feature a graphic print design, while their design offers a coin pocket with zip fastening for valuables and a drawstring waist so they sit comfortably on your hips
Buy now £140.00, &SONS
OAS Triangle Jungle Swim Shorts
Launched in Sweden by Oliver Adam Sebastian, OAS – geddit? – is a resort wear brand inspired by his holidays to Spain. The line soon expanded from espadrilles to other essentials, and the swimwear is second-to-none, both for guys and gals. Tailored shorts come in all kinds of colourful prints and patterns – all with a boho edge – but we’re taken by the Triangle Jungle Swim Shorts. Boasting a two-tone green and off white pattern, they’re cool but understated, made from fast-drying materials for ultimate comfort post-dip.
Buy now £80.00, OAS
Mr Marvis The Seersucker Swims Cruisers
Originally just a shorts brand – designing ‘the perfect fit because nobody else did’ – Amsterdam-based Mr Marvis have since expanded into the likes of trousers and even a limited-edition sweater. Striped and stretchy, their Seersucker Swims boast just as much attention to detail, and the fit is everything. The Cruisers come in a lemony yellow, and look more Mediterranean in style than Dutch, made from sustainable fabric that’s quick-dry and super-comfy. Better still, they’re smart enough to enjoy a long lunch in the sunshine, which is the most important bit.
Buy now £99.00, Mr Marvis
Swim Shorts Poppy Red
Sleek, stylish and just about short enough, these swim shorts by CLDP are crafted from a smooth satin twill for a weightless feel. Equipped with a zip back pocket and mesh lining, they’re available in an array of neutral hues, but we’re partial to this vintage-style poppy hue.
Buy now £85.00, CDLP
Originals Adicolour 3-Stripes Swim Shorts
A versatile pair of shorts for sporting all summer long, these classic Adicolour trunks are an easy, breezy option for wearing to the beach and beyond. They’re made using a lightweight, quick-dry fabric and have been peached for extra softness.
Buy now £28.00, Adidas
