Since prehistoric times men have been swimming, wearing only their birthday suits. Nude swimming was popular in single-gender groups well into the twentieth century. However, mixed groups were required to cover up even in the water. The knitted costumes covered the entire body, including the chest. Wool was water-absorbing, so they were heavy and saggy when wet. Swimming wear is made from water-resistant materials and often includes elastane to give it a stretchy feel.
Choose a Style of Swimwear
Men have many options when choosing what to wear for swimming. Many men choose between shorts that look baggy and briefs that are more fitted. Your choice of swimwear will depend on the purpose for which you plan to use it. Most of us wear swimwear only on holidays when they are not used for more than sunbathing or splashing in the shallows. If this is the case, you may be more concerned with color, pattern, and how they appear on your body. Choose more streamlined swimming shorts if you regularly swim in lengths.
SWIMMING SHORTS
They come in many different colors, sizes and patterns. They may be elasticated, buttoned, or have a drawstring waist. Since many years, swimming shorts have been popular because they have a relaxed, casual style that fits the surfer vibe. Many men find this appealing. Swimming shorts are also forgiving of excess weight, which may have been gained from holiday foods and drinks. You can buy swim shorts with a dropped crotch to match the latest fashion in trousers with dropped crotches. Board shorts are usually called such because they extend past the knee. Surfboard enthusiasts first wore them.
SWIMMING BRIEFS
Swim shorts with less material are popular among athletes who may find the extra drag of the excess material slows them down. In some European countries, this swimwear are known as Speedos, named after the famous brand that produces many of them. It is also mandatory for swimming lessons at many schools. This information can be useful when buying swimwear for a boy of school age. Swimming trunks and swimming briefs can be used interchangeably, but this is a generic term for male swimwear. There are better ways to differentiate between the two types of swimwear. Swimming shorts are usually made from elastic material and have a lining so they don’t cling. Briefs are usually plain or have a side stripe. If you prefer a more colourful, but tighter fitting, look, there are also less sober options. Hipster-style swimming trunks are also worth looking at. They will be slightly longer than regular briefs but still have the same tight fitting style. These are ideal for swimmers. Aquashorts are shorts that cover the tops of the legs and are tight-fitting.
High-Tech SWIMWEAR
You may have seen the Olympic swimming events where the top swimmers wore an all-in-one suit. This suit was designed to reduce drag and save precious split seconds. The Speedo Fastskin suit, which was popular in the early 2000s, claimed to reduce drag up to 4%. Many swimming records were set by swimmers who wore the suits. The high-tech swimsuits used nylon composite fabrics, which the manufacturers claimed would reduce the tension caused by the skin’s contact with the water. The International Swimming Federation banned these fabrics in 2010. Recent guidelines for competitive swimming states that swimsuits “must be permeable to the water and contain no rubber, polyurethane or metal”.
SWIMWEAR CURRENTLY COMPETITIVE
jammers are tight-fitting shorts that extend from the waistline to the knees. Fashion swimwear also includes these, because we all want to look like those heroes on TV. Competitive swimmers also wear aquashorts as they offer a performance similar to jammers.
SWIMWEAR FOR OUTDOOR
Rash guards are a great option for men who enjoy outdoor water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding or surfing. The rash guard covers the man’s chest, upper arms and legs. Rash guards are a great way to protect your skin from sun damage and repel harmful UV rays. The top-only version of the rash guard is the swim shirt or rash shirt. It’s ideal for adding to your swimming shorts to prevent sun damage. A wetsuit is a great choice for cold water activities. Wetsuits can be expensive but are worth it for those who like to swim outdoors in rivers, lakes, or pools. Wetsuits are great for swimming in mid-temperature water. They allow you to maintain body heat all year long and they let some water through. Drysuits are ideal for really cold water. They keep the water out and also insulate the wearer. They are only for the most serious divers as they are more expensive than wetsuits.
SWIMWEAR RESISTANT TO CHLORINE
If you spend most of your time swimming in public pools, then it is a good idea to invest in chlorine-resistant swimwear. The water in the swimming pool is cleaned with chlorine, which is good for your health but bad for your swimwear. Fabrics that are exposed to chlorine will fade, wear out, and degrade quickly. Chlorine can be corrosive. Chlorine-resistant swimwear will last longer and won’t fade as fast as other swimwear. If you have exposed your swimwear to chlorine, washing them as soon as possible is essential. Otherwise, the damage could be done. Wash your swimwear in the washing machine immediately after wearing it. However, if that is not an option, give the clothes a thorough rinse in water without chlorine to remove the harmful chemicals and chlorine found in swimming pool.
