The reason Speedos are stigmatised
 

I've noticed an absence of girls wearing bikinis at my local pool for several weeks now. My theory is that bikinis aren't really for swimming - they're for posing in. If women want to swim they wear one-piece swimsuits.

So a place where bikinis are prevalent e.g. a beach, is a place to pose in. And that's where the problem lies. If a man wears a pair of briefs at the beach he is posing, and that's just not the done thing. Far better to wear a pair of long shorts so as not to flaunt yourself.

Conversely, briefs aren't (or shouldn't be) a problem at a swimming pool because it is a place for the purpose of swimming.

In conclusion, I think clothes/sports shops should adopt a two tier strategy. One section should just be for swim briefs and headed FOR SWIMMING ONLY, while the other section selling (swim)shorts should be headed FOR POSING ONLY.

Hotel resort pools however, are an in-between area. Simultaneously used for both swimming and posing in, which is why there are more bikini-clad women present.

A man can still swim in his speedos though, but on the strict understanding that shorts should be worn over his speedos for any time spent out of the pool. I realise I'm getting silly now, but maybe because the 'problem' actually is?

I believe you may be overthinking the whole issue Bede. If you are wearing a speedo or bikini at the beach, wear it in and out of the water; if at a resort pool, do the same. I don't think you need to put shorts on over the speedo when out of the water. Whenever I'm either at the beach or at a hotel resort pool, the only time I'll put on my shorts is if I'm going to buy something and need a pocket for my cash or credit card, or if I'm going into the hotel. I really don't think you need to change what you do just because you choose to wear a speedo. Do what you want, what makes you feel comfortable, all the while being respectful of others.

D67

an additional thought
 

I suspect girls don't wear bikinis swimming because of exactly what you are saying Bede... however, for guys I think it is simply that they don't like them. Maybe it is the tight fit, maybe it is that they hate that they show their equipment so clearly, maybe they just think people will think they are gay (not sure why that would be an issue..lol) Having said that, why do we care. I not more want to have someone tell me what swimsuit to wear than I would want to tell some guy who prefers board shorts that he should wear something else. Choice and variety is nice. I like the diversity of swimsuits. I am with D67, I will wear my swimsuits and be just fine doing so. And the rest of the guys are just fine with whatever they pick out.

Actually I find it is more that women don't speedos them for a plethora of reasons (most of them pretty petty or bad). Girls wear bikinis specifically for posing. Functional bikinis are far and few. Shorts too are for posing but women won't admit that. In fact many women love to see men in speedos (given they are fit) but they dont want the attention off of them or they think they are too feminine (bikiniesque). Look at much of mens current fashion (not just swim) and it is impractical for activity or work but women love it and it evokes the "look" of work more than the practicality of it. It is like the FAA Air traffic controller I knew who had to wear a business suit to work for a few weeks just because they wanted the department to look more professional while they renegotiated the contract with the fed. The additional discomfort did nothing to help the task of directing and managing regional air traffic.

Additionally the media is directed towards women for the most part and if they can poke fun at men or put them down for not conforming, they will.

This is a case of an "Islamist" attitude creeping its way into America (and other countries) and men wearing shorts that expose their upper legs has become a taboo.

I often refer to today's men's down-to-the knee shorts and swim suits as a "Male Burqua" or "Leg Veils".

It's rather frightening how public opinion can be manipulated.

I agree with you CD only up to a point. The media is able to manipulate public opinion very effectively. However, if we buy into that with regard to the covering of our bodies when truly, deep down, we don't want to wear long boardshorts and we really want to wear that speedo, then we have only ourselves to blame if we don't exercise our real preference.

D67

l agree the media have shamed men into wearing boardshorts/baggy shorts to be modest.

At my local gym, I see a few mostly older guys-like me, I guess, wearing speedo styles and have seen a few women in bikinis though. In the Uk people are so conservative when it comes to showing of their bodies so seeing a woman in a bikini is rare at the pool. I was at a hotel spa in England a couple of years ago while on business and wore a very brief black bikini style made by Kiniki, Andre model. I was surprised that no-one really bothered with me or stared. Again on business, this time in Romania, I wore a string side navy bikini to the hotel pool and again no-one minded. I think the eastern europeans are still very open minded about all this as I've seen photos on flickr of russian and black sea beaches with guys in very brief speedo styles.

media influence
 

When it comes to the meeja and the fashion industry I am never sure who needs who - but feeding off each other to keep a non-subject under discussion for reasons of circulation and sales no doubt explains a lot (as it always does with profits to be made).
I do not read east European newspapers but I cannot envisage that any journalist
there would even think speedos and/or bikinis to be worth an article to engage their readers.

Saw my first bikini wearer at the local pool in 2 months. Not that she did any swimming - just stood about at the shallow end.

I don't see how string sided bikinis could be suitable for swimming in. Wouldn't the string loosen? However, bikini bottoms with a sold side of 1 inch wide, would I imagine be perfect. Assuming the bra top was well secured....

secure top
 

I think the women volleyballers could advise her all about that....

That's another thing. Why don't men's beach volleyball players perform in speedos? So much for sexual equality.

Volleyball
 

I know someone who play competitive beach volleyball and he said that a very few of the men do play in speedos.

This USED to be very popular for men for Beach Volleyball pickup games

Volleyball has become a posing sport. The bikinis the women wear are too small to be practical (but makes for fun watching :) )but the shorts the guys wear seem to be too large to be the optimal choice. Additionally part of this posing sport thing is that companies like Hurley & Nike sponsor these events and put stuff they want to sell on the athletes. The athletes want the sponsorship so they do it. Now if hurley made a bikini or "speedo" for men I'd be first in line to get it tho...

We've said that men wear long shorts because they're uncomfortable with people looking at them.
The truth being, so am I. My ideal situation is turning at the swimming pool, finding there's hardly anyone there, and getting on with my swimming. I only really feel comfortable when in the pool.
The benefits of brief clothing to swim in though, easily outweigh everything else.

So unfortunately walking around a beach with Speedos on isn't something I'm likely to do.

Bede, you've proved the point that many have been making about speedos, jammers, boardshorts, etc. You do what makes you feel comfortable and if wearing speedos while walking around or on the beach when not swimming makes you uncomfortable, then don't do it and know that you don't owe anyone an explanation.

D67

Agreed with the above... Although I am 100% comfortable in a speedo out of the water. Women too are uncomfortable but they do it...

As I've said previously, the trend is changing here in San Francisco and I'm seeing more and more guys (a lot of them in their 20s and 30s) jogging on the waterfront in short running shorts. I even saw a guy on a bike in real shorts - not jammers.

So I guess there are a lot of guys who are defying the stigma and going for the shorter look.

I'm also 100% comfortable in speedos out of the water knikon, maybe because I'm in my 60's and have done it since I was an early teenager? Comfort level is the operative phrase here and if guys who wear long board shorts worn far below the hips (which I find really hot) are comfortable that way, then that's what they should continue to do. I'd prefer that they wear briefs because they would look way hotter, but that's not up to me.

D67

For me in part is also the type of suit. When I wear a speedo (racing breif) I feel like I am A: Wearing something, B: Comfortable & C: Rather Modest. A genuine speedo generally hides the details of a bulge especially when worn down. Much less to see than the" Tent pitching" I did in my wet shorts. Also the fact that the shorts constantly slid down when wet and offered no support made (and still) makes me feel conscious and worried about an incident. Id perfer if they didnt wear boardies as much too but I will say that shorts can both look great and be comfortable on the right guy.

Now My andrew christian suits on the other hand do have a bit of tension when I wear them but unlike the speedo they are designed to put your package on full display in all of its glory...

I'm with you knikon. I don't like suits that emphasize my package. I like them to be low cut in front and low on my hips, but don't show off a bulge. The Nike suit that I just bought last week is exactly that, low cut but not showing a bulge.

D67

I personally don't like the bulge either and when it comes to accentuating your "package", jammers are even worse than a speedo.

Even with the prudish fad of down-to-the-knee coverage, the modesty idea goes out the window.

When I do wear a pair of jammers I've never had the "bulge" problem. I'd always be wishing I had worn my briefs because they gave me more leg movement.

It's a bit difficult avoiding that, on account that swimming demands only one layer of clothing, but why should men be worried about something that's a part of their gender?
Women show off the shape of their breasts, and they certainly like to expose a lot of their posterior.

I understand what you're saying Bede, but there are certain suits that are deliberately made to emphasize and showcase your package. It's those kind that I wouldn't wear; jammers do the same and they just look damn uncomfortable to me.

D67

Know what you mean. I was looking at my Aussiebum Classic again, and a bulge is quite noticeable, especially when wet, as the material is quite thin. Having said that, it's only noticeable close up and not from a distance, and the black colour helps a little.

I am with Shaulis. I bought two pair of jammers several years back to try out. I hated the stragle hold on my legs, and they really looked awful up front. Mostly, my equipment would end up hanging against one leg. I guess I will never understand why some folks get freaked out at a guy showing a bulge. Just like a ladies breasts... it is how we are made. Agree though that it is different if you buy a suit that is made to put you out there....

I just started doing some lap swimming this week at the local Y for the first time in my 67 years. For some reason, maybe the time of day (mid morning), I have been the only male amongst 3 or 4 women. Today, during my swim, a relatively young guy, maybe 22 or 23 started laps wearing a 2" black speedo (Slazenger, I think it read). He was clearly a strong swimmer by what I saw (I also saw that he was very hot!), but it was nice to see another guy in speedos - I was wearing my new red 1.5" Nike and felt a little stirring when I saw that young stud. Means maybe the young guys are going back to briefs.

D67

Now that there are 2 of you swimming in briefs it becomes safe, watch for others to join you.
Someone, perhaps a woman, feigning disapproval will tell a friend, word will get around and more speedo guys will come out of the woodwork.

I never thought of that Torchwatch - you could be right. But I don't want too many guys swimming, though - I don't want to lose my slow lane. By the way, the Nike Scatter Brain brief is absolutely the best one I've ever worn for comfort, looks, maintaining shape, etc. It feels very sleek and even a bit sexy in the water. Even when I sized down to 30, there is still no obvious bulge. My second one arrived yesterday and I wore it today.

D67

Getting people over their stigma
 

I get people over their stigma of men wearing cute little Speedos by looking like this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/94117107@N06/14400062796/

And also this :eek:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/941171...7644646065850/

I think most people like looking at a decent looking body, man or woman, in a small swimsuit. I know I sure do! It's human nature, people.

I see girls at the lap pool wearing two piece bikinis meant for exercising. (The top is larger than the fashion bikinis.) It avoids having their boobs pop-out while diving or making flip turns. On the other hand, you see girl surfers wearing tiny bikinis, so go figure! They talk about how it's important to tie the straps well so it won't fall off when they wipe out. I think the fashion dictates what you wear.

But in general -- I rarely see girls wearing tiny bikinis at the lap pool. Guys give too much attention and the girls would rather just exercise. Even when wearing one-piece suits, lots of girls wrap towels around their waist like a skirt too, when walking back to the locker room.

to be honest, I'm a bit of an exhibitionist and don't mind if my suit shows of my package. This became more obvious when I first started wearing 'speedos' in the mid 70s. My school swimsuit was made of a thick stretchy type material until I borrowed a speedo swims hit which was made of a light weight clingy fabric. I remember the first time wearing them, pulling them on over my package and feeling how flimsy the suit was. There was a certain amount of bounce also as I walked which was quite erotic. Then when wet, the bulge became more accentuated and felt like there was no fabric there. When dry and depending how you bulge was sitting it gave that 'tent' appearance which I found quite erotic. I recall being on a school trip to the west coast of Scotland and doing some sea kayaking wearing just the speedo and a life vest. With the suit being low cut and wet, my bulge, even as a teenager was quite prominent. My first encounter with seeing a bulging speedo was years earlier when on a hot summers day- yes we get them in scotland! I saw a guy at the local beach lying on his back with a brief red speedo and displaying quite a protruding tent, pointing skyward! No-on seemed to care! I think that displaying a bulge is part of the whole speedo wearing experience and perhaps why current thinking is against them. My wife is dead against anything speedo related though I stand firm (no pun intended!) and keep wearing them. Interestingly enough on a recent trip to Italy she packed my swimwear and on getting changed for the beach found that she hd brought a very, very brief light blue speedo for me to wear!! And being Italy, no-one bothered about my attire!

So a guy has a choice of paying money to swim, and viewing girls in one-pieces or modest bikinis;

or strolling along the beach and seeing girls with breasts and bottoms exposed.

If I really wanted to gawp it's the beach every time!

Young guys are totally going back to briefs! My son stopped wearing speedos around 13 years old but started again when he was 16 or so.

I could tell he was testing the waters by wearing them for swimming in the lake and pool then putting on shorts for ganging out. Gradually he's worn the shorts less and less and now rocks the speeds all the time.

Even a couple of his friends have em and wear then with their girl friends around.

It's an encouraging sign.

encouraging signs
 

They certainly are - but would it be indelicate to get the girl friends to say whether they are with or against the "swim shorts" preference of the great majority, as apparently uncovered in the travel company's survey?

Encouraging signs
 

This kind of discussion has occurred so many times and there are no right or wrong conclusions to be drawn because it is all based on opinion. I think the best thing to do is to wear what you like, and accept that the article that Byron posted for us to read is narrow minded and probably written by someone who has no idea what kind of suits are out there. Let the guys who wear boardies and jammers wear what they want, and maybe just put the discussion to bed. We'll never get agreement or consensus, and frankly who needs agreement. I'll continue to wear my low cut 1.5 brief wherever I want with no apology or justification and if someone doesn't like it, so be it.

D67

quite right......
 

......but Turbofan did say young guys are totally going back to briefs.

I fear that still does not apply in so many locations and bits of such ignorant journalism as that which appeared do not help change the beach and pool
scene for the better (as we would wish ??). It is unfortunately often such "trendy" rubbish that is read and followed by the younger generation and it does after all sell on the newsstands.