It’s swimsuit season once again, and many men will find themselves lounging at backyard pool parties and hanging out at the beach.
Walking around wearing only a swimsuit may make some people feel embarrassed for obvious reasons. You don’t have the usual clothes and layers that you can use to hide or accentuate certain aspects of your body, and you essentially stand out in public wearing the minimum amount of clothing accepted by society.
Even though hanging out in a swimsuit doesn’t make you actively self-conscious, you still want to feel as confident as possible when you wear a swimsuit.
No matter which category you fall into, today we’ll give you some tips on how to look your best at the pool or beach. Luckily, looking curvy in a swimsuit doesn’t require the physique of an Olympic swimmer or a Marvel superhero; The impression you make can be greatly improved by choosing the right trunks for your particular features and wearing them with style and confidence.
Choosing the right suit for you
Match your suit to your body
What swimsuit you’ll look best in depends partly on your body type.
If you have an athletic body, almost every style will look good on you, and suits in solid colors that fit together without clinging will look especially attractive.
But if you’re on the thinner or heavier side, you’ll want to keep a few specific things in mind:
if you are thin
If you have a slim body, you may want to add a little bit of substance to your swimsuit.
Unless you’re deliberately picking on a European water polo player, avoid wearing extremely thin or small swim briefs.
Instead, choose tailored trunks with some visual interest:
- horizontal stripes
- bold pattern
- bright colors
- side pocket
Patterns and details add visual weight and help create the impression of a more filled frame.
If you are carrying extra weight
Many men respond to a thicker midsection by dramatically increasing the size. But this is the wrong way.
An oversized swimsuit doesn’t hide weight. It just adds bulk.
Choose a suit that fits comfortably at the waist and falls clearly from the hips.
Solid colors usually work better than busy patterns. Dark colors can create a slimming effect, although there is no need to limit yourself to black only.
The main thing is structure. A suit that fits properly will almost always look better than one that is several sizes too big.
Choose colors that match your complexion
In addition to matching your body type to a swimsuit, you’ll also want to make sure it matches your skin tone.
fair skin
If you’re pale and burn easily, avoid colors that wash you out. So skip light pastels that match your skin tone and colors like light beige, pale yellow and white.
Instead, try:
- navy
- green forest
- burgundy
- medium blue
These colors provide enough contrast to create visual definition.
medium or olive skin
Medium and olive skin tones have the most flexibility when it comes to color. Some colors are off limits, but medium and olive skin tones look especially good in earthy tones and rich colors that complement the natural warmth of the complexion.
For example:
- teal
- olive green
- Coral
- turquoise
- burgundy
- War
This is a skin color that can often show off bright colors without looking overbearing.
dark skin
Deep, saturated colors look especially good against dark colors.
Consider:
- Emerald green
- bright blue
- white
- orange
- Yellow
- Red
Those with darker complexions should feel more free to experiment with darker colors.
guidelines for all
Skip the extra-long board shorts
Many men are attracted to long board shorts that reach or extend below the knees. This is understandable. If you came of age in the ’90s or early 2000s, length is just the thing when it comes to swim shorts – and everyday shorts.
The hemline of shorts has increased for both casualwear and swimwear over the past decade, and that’s something worth embracing.
Long trunks aren’t inherently bad, but they can throw off your proportions. Because they cover too much of the leg, they make your legs appear shorter and your body appear heavier than it actually is.
The long shorts of the 90s/00s were truly an anomaly in the history of male swimsuits; For most of the time men have been wearing swimsuits, they have been small – sometimes quite small!
For most men, the sweet spot is a swimsuit with an inseam between 5 and 7 inches. This means that the hem lands several inches above the knee, somewhere in the middle of the thigh. This length creates a more balanced and attractive silhouette.
If you’re under 5’10”, lean toward the shorter end of the range. Showing more legs creates the illusion of height.
If you’re tall, you can comfortably wear 7-inch trunks without looking disproportionate.
But unless you need long board shorts for some functional purpose, most men shouldn’t wear suits that fall below the knee.
leave novelty print
Swimsuits sometimes come in “fun” novelty prints – cartoon sharks, pineapples wearing sunglasses. But he reads as a jokey frat guy on spring break rather than a sharp, mature man – a poolside smooth operator.
Stick to solid colors and classic patterns and prints.
take care of waistband
Most men will look best in traditional swim trunks with an elastic waistband and drawstring. It’s comfortable, forgiving and works on a variety of body types.
The lace-up board-short waistband popularized by surf brands has its place, especially for surfing and other watersports. But for everyday swimming and beach outings, a classic elastic waistband is usually a simpler and more dressy option.
You’ll want the waistband to sit comfortably at or slightly below your natural waist rather than halfway down your hips; Wearing trunks too low is one of the easiest ways to look sloppy in swimwear. When tights run too low, they shorten the legs and emphasize the stomach.
A properly placed waistband creates clean proportions and flatters almost every body type.
Drawstrings should be functional, not decorative. If the suit can’t help but tie up like a sailor’s knot, it’s probably the wrong size.
Don’t forget what’s above (and below) the waist
A swimsuit doesn’t have to be your perfect beach outfit.
The man who looks best poolside is often not the man with the best body, but the man who understands the value of accessories.
Consider adding:
- a well-fitting linen shirt
- lightweight polo
- classic sunglasses
- leather sandals
These items provide structure and style while giving you something to wear when you’re relaxing around the water and not actively in the water.
They also help shift attention away from your body and onto your overall presentation.
Secret Benefit: Good Posture
If there’s one free upgrade available to every guy, it’s Asana.
stand tall.
Pull your shoulders back slightly.
Keep your chest open.
Don’t cross your arms defensively over your stomach.
Most men on the beach unconsciously adopt a posture that communicates embarrassment. They crouch, crouch and try to disappear.
Ironically, these habits make them less attractive.
Confidence changes how clothes – and swimwear – hang on the body.
A person with average genetics and good posture often looks better than a person with excellent genetics and poor posture.
When it comes to looking great in a swimsuit, the right pair of trunks helps, but the secret sauce is simply instilling confidence and being comfortable in your skin.