Facts and acceptance

[PSDave]

I personally don't think that when everyone looks up when a guy in a speedo walks on the beach it is a look that implies disapproval. I think that is perceived only by the person wearing the speedo. The fact is that when anyone walks across the beach everyone looks at them -- not because of what they are wearing. It is just the fact that another person has entered. It is the same as when entering a restaurant or theatre -- people look out of curiosity. Could be they wonder if the know the person or are just bored and it is something else to look at. People may make note that you are wearing a speedo, just as they would make note of your board shorts. Disapproval -- highly unlikely. Think of it as what it is - a swim suit. One of many styles worn, but still just a swim suit and appropriate attire for the beach or pool. Chances are there are many other people there and their fascination with your arrival is momentary, they will be back in their own world having forgotten you before you get to your chaise.

One thing though. If you arrive on the beach in a pink see thru bikini prancing around like you are in a Pride parade - then yes. The looks you get are disapproval and not only from conservatives but even from gays that hate your adding to the stereotype of speedos=gay.

[California Dolphin]

Interestingly, when I was in the local supermarket last week, I noticed a couple of guys wearing what appear to be "cut offs" made from what were formerly long & baggy Nike shorts.

I've also noticed several other cases of guys wearing cut off jeans that were at least 1/2 way up from the knee and I've been wearing short cut offs for about 6 months now. However I don't get any looks or comments.

As I've said before, just wear what you like (speedos to the pool or short shorts for casual) and eventually diversity will take it's course and that will ultimately set the style.

CD

[bostonspdo]

We are in a chicken and egg situation where most people want to fit in so they buy long baggy shorts so that is all that stores sell. I think that I am seeing more guys in speedos on the beach and short shorts on the street in the past couple of years but it is still rare. I wear short shorts as much as possible, like now for instance, because the more the more they are seen the more acceptable they will become and maybe more available. What is really necessary is for some popular clothing brand to make a fashion statement about speedos and shorts. It can be expensive to do so if you misjudge the market though. This is not a commercial endorsement but one brand that I think is headed the right direction is American Apparel. I've bought their (slightly expensive) products but the important thing is that they appeal to younger, fashion conscious people and are promoting at least moderately more revealing clothing.

[Byron]

Yes, the fashion industry is notoriously fickle and the relationship with the customer is of one bunch of sheep leading another bunch of sheep.

The truth of a particular product situation is obscured because the retailer sheep are frightened of having a stockroom full of unsold merchandise "for which there is no demand". On the other hand the "demand" from the customer sheep only comes about because somebody or something has told them that they must buy xxx this year because to be seen wearing xxx from last year would be deeply unfashionable.
There is a phenomenon in food purchases which illustrates this rather well and results from the proliferation of cookery programs on tv in recent years.
"Celebrity chefs" now abound and the presentation of a recipe somewhat outside the norm will result in supermarkets immediately selling out of stocks of a particular fruit or vegetable on which previous sales have been minimal
(or some supermarkets not able to sell out because they had never stocked the product in the first place).

How many times have we been told by store clerks "We're sorry Sir but we don't stock those - there's just no demand for them any more" ?
It is right for CD to say that all customers should make their wishes known on the purchases they expect to make from the big retail chains but I am afraid it would need millions of Emails to bring about even a slight reassessment of policies in some buying departments.

[dorcas3]

I grew up in 501 cutoffs. I usually made them from old worn jeans that the knees had given out. After the cut they begin to frey and you would end up with 2 inches of fuzz. When you make the cut don't go too high our yu'll cut the bottom off the side pockets which Iiked to have. If you took sandpaper to the crotch and over the buttons you could really thin out the material to be more comfortable. If you went commando your dick and nuts were apt to hang out so I wore a swimmer jock. They became easily waterlogged so not good for swimming unless you were desperate to cool off which often happened. I don't see why some company does'nt make them up for a fashion statement-sew all kinds of designs on them and sell for 100.00.

[Torchwatch]

the Japanese do .........

[Byron]

Yes they do, but so tiny there would not be much opportunity to sew a design on them.
The guy on roller skates in Paris had probably cut a bit too high as suggested
(but his fashion statement no doubt)

http://shop.pacsun.com/home.jsp
Interesting to see here that men's shorts appear long but look at women's and you find the cut-offs (and there is the Roxy brand, which brings us full circle to the thread about bikini bottoms)

[NJHunkguy]

Not sure is this the right thread to pose this...

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A few days ago, I went to a vacation beach town in New Jersey.... I was wearing that Chssiebum. I don't understand what's up here. People are so conservative (or whatever you call them)

The suit was a square cut, not even small coverage. When I was walking the beach by myself, I over heard people saying things about it, giggles. "gay slur" in Spanish, "maricon". I mean, my view their culture are pretty wild. Why do they look at swimsuit so conservative. Something's wrong with the people in here. Don't understand why will it be funny to wear speedo type. Do I have to also wear big trunk to the beach and pool too....

But I did found that, if I wear a speedo type with company of ladies, then they would just look and usually not making comments!

[Byron]

What a refreshing post NJH ! You are making comments in relation to nationalities and swimwear. You must immediately delete the letters US of course (and did you say the slang was Spanish??) - hope STS is reading this !

[NJHunkguy]

Originally Posted by Byron

What a refreshing post NJH ! You are making comments in relation to nationalities and swimwear. You must immediately delete the letters US of course (and did you say the slang was Spanish??) - hope STS is reading this !

You were referring to the discussions in the thread "Sauna Etiquette".

I was not doing any bashing. I was the one who was being hurt, being laughed at. Many times many places in this country... I have feelings too!