Agree - it is not about body visibility at the thigh per se . The trouble with the younger generation is that they aspire in fashion to be seen in nothing which may be thought insufficiently macho and it must be acceptable (and preferably admirable) alongside their peers (just like a herd of sheep).
The image must be right and "cool" for what is currently "in" and anything not so conforming frightens them and so must be loudly condemned as unacceptable.
Guys going for short shorts will likely have an image advantage here however as they say "I am a fit guy - I look after myself and I demand maximum freedom of movement to maintain the good running times in my workout program".
The speedo brief however says ......................................(what?
(it may denote athleticism at the pool but on the beach ...... ??)
The impractical boardies may be useless for swimming but their statement is that "I wear the same as those bold and trendy guys who master those big waves you see out there".
There is hope however if tennis may be taken as an example of style evolution. Here is the playing
"uniform" of the early 1900s and what the youth of the period thought about the acceptability and/or inspiration of that we shall doubtless never know.
The subsequently famous Rene Lacoste was however bold enough to bring his
new shirt to the US Open in 1926 - and with SHORT sleeves would you believe! (but the long flannel trousers remained as I guess that a change there also might have been taking a step too far for the time)
http://blog.clothes2order.com/wp-con...1/Capture3.png