[Torchwatch]

In 1970's UK the Public and Grammar School boys had to wear school uniform while the Secondary Modern School boys got to choose what they wore to school.

School uniform consisted of a blazer (usually black) with matching black long trousers plus a white or grey shirt and school tie. Home from school boys would change out of their uniforms and wear something more comfortable.

The Secondary modern boys would wear jeans and tee shirts to school but spend a lot on money on their home clothes wishing to appear as skin heads or greasers or punk rockers.

The Public and Grammar School boys played rugby at school while the Secondary Modern boys played football (soccer), playing rugby we wore cotton while the others started to wear nylon, including shiny shorts and a pro footballer started to wear the draw cords of his shorts on the outside and it caught on as a fashion amongst the Secondary modern boys and was therefore regarded as a bit common and shocking.

Swimmers training or competing would always tuck their drawstrings inside their swim briefs until they had finished their session whereupon they would untuck and show their strings. You could tell who had and had not completed their training when 2 groups swapped over poolside.

Swim briefs of 3", 2" and 1" sides intended for serious swimming have drawstrings on the inside. men's swim thongs intended to be swum in seriously have draw strings on the inside.

Less serious "designer" swim briefs have the strings on the outside, they are made for appearance rather than performance.

Thin and skimpy swim briefs and thongs are made without drawstrings, they are great to swim, run and sunbathe in on a quiet beach but diving into a pool would risk diving out of your suit.