The 1.5 inch swim brief

[Bede735]

The swim brief with 1.5 inch (4 cm) sides. Who would dare to wear one?
Normally Speedo have manufactured briefs with 2 inch sides, but more recently they've widened them. But according to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swim_briefs

'The most common racing suit styles are 1.5 inch to 3 inch paneled briefs (as measured by the height and length of the suit's side panel).'

And it's not that they're difficult to find. In the Swim Brief section of Figleaves, for example, nearly half of the suits are that width.

http://www.figleaves.com/uk/men/swim...SP3_swimbriefs

Of course, if you trawl the internet you can find much briefer suits, but who wears these? It's possible you might see this at a beach resort, but not a public indoor pool where the dress code is stricter.

It would seem that the 1.5 inch swim brief is the minimum you can wear while still maintaining respectability.

[Dooley67]

Originally Posted by Bede735

The swim brief with 1.5 inch (4 cm) sides. Who would dare to wear one?
Normally Speedo have manufactured briefs with 2 inch sides, but more recently they've widened them. But according to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swim_briefs

'The most common racing suit styles are 1.5 inch to 3 inch paneled briefs (as measured by the height and length of the suit's side panel).'

And it's not that they're difficult to find. In the Swim Brief section of Figleaves, for example, nearly half of the suits are that width.

http://www.figleaves.com/uk/men/swim...SP3_swimbriefs

Of course, if you trawl the internet you can find much briefer suits, but who wears these? It's possible you might see this at a beach resort, but not a public indoor pool where the dress code is stricter.

It would seem that the 1.5 inch swim brief is the minimum you can wear while still maintaining respectability.

Thanks for the post Bede - I had never been to the Figleaves website. There's really a good selection of styles and colors. I fully agree that 1.5 is the minimum to wear at a public pool and that may be pushing it a bit.

D67

[dorcas3]

If you want to be comfortable in your own skin doing laps at a public pool you WILL get looks if you wear less that 2.5 sides. My Caussies are about that and maybe a smitchen less. (an old Vermont) word! But only just a "smitchen"

[Dooley67]

Dorcas3,

That hasn't been my experience at all at my Y in Maine. I only wear suits which have 2" sides (Sportis, Nikes, Tyrs, Turbos) which I am very comfortable in, and I get no disparaging looks from anyone. But I wouldn't wear anything less than 2". I have noticed a couple of older women who are waiting for their swim class in the pool lobby have smiled at this old guy as I pass through on my way to the locker room.

D67

[Bede735]

I've always worn suits with 2" sides and didn't have any problems. During the last 6 months my suits have been 1.7" and slightly lower rise, but there have been no issues there either. A year ago I had a few outings in Aussiebum 1.5 Classic and was really surprised that there were no problems.

There again, I've only worn the really brief suits at my local pool. I feel that as they allow women to wear tiny bikinis there, then they can't object to men with brief suits. Anyway, away from my local pool I tend to stick to the 2" ones. I wore them on a recent holiday to Turkey, for example.

[dorcas3]

I take it all back! Wore my flag Sportis today I'll settle for 1 1/2!

[vega1210]

Originally Posted by Dooley67

Dorcas3,

That hasn't been my experience at all at my Y in Maine. I only wear suits which have 2" sides (Sportis, Nikes, Tyrs, Turbos) which I am very comfortable in, and I get no disparaging looks from anyone. But I wouldn't wear anything less than 2". I have noticed a couple of older women who are waiting for their swim class in the pool lobby have smiled at this old guy as I pass through on my way to the locker room.

D67

i wear nothing but seobean swimsuits usually which have about 1inch side with no issues at my local Y

[PSDave]

Can't see the big difference between 2 inches and 1.5 inches. I have my own pool so don't go to local public pools but whenever I travel I have a one inch side suit I wear. The only comment I ever got was from the bartender that said it was good to see a guy in a skimpy suit that actually had the body to wear one. He said it was usually guys that were out of shape or wore a suit so tight it looked like sausage casing

[Dooley67]

I think you inspired me to take the plunge Bede. Yesterday I ordered a classic Aussiebum 1.5" nylon suit. I haven't worn a nylon suit in years and decided to get one, and, what the hell, go for the 1.5 rather than the 2". I'll let you know how it is when it arrives.

D67

[Schoolspeedo]

Originally Posted by vega1210

i wear nothing but seobean swimsuits usually which have about 1inch side with no issues at my local Y

I've never heard of these and I'm always looking for 1 inch briefs yo wear. I was recently at a spa hotel with my wife and wore a 'Waveline' suit with 3/4 inch sides; very brief with no comments or looks. Considering the other men were in swim shorts, I did stick out (not literally of course) considerably! My wife was more conservative though in a one piece where normally to the beach she wears the skimpiest of bikinis.
I generally wear HOM micro chic swimsuits to the pool and they are quite narrow though my yellow one has quite a full back which I think is way too much fabric. A few months ago I wore a Kiniki tan through micro which did draw quite a few looks. I haven't worn it again, not because I was looked at but because there is no front in the flat front and it feels very constrained.