ALPHA MALE: Getting the Right Bathing Suit

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Thursday, April 05, 2012

Marc Streisand, GoLocal Men's Style Expert

Spring is around the corner, and bathing suits are already starting to hit the shelves.  Those men that spent the winter sweating it out in the gym are excited to show off their work, and those that took the winter off dread the day.  This week, we’re going to provide our readers with a little bit of bathing suit advice.

In the early Twentieth-Century, male swimwear covered a man’s body from head-to-toe.  Today, bathing suits are a few very slight steps from one’s birthday suit, and accordingly, it is important to find apparel that

complements one’s build.  Make sure you wear something that fits your body; no one wants to see the big guy in the small suit.  A part of ensuring your suit is fashionable is wearing something functional; comfort is king and you’ll look better in something that fits you. 

Speedo or no Speedo?

If you’re Michael Phelps or a competitive swimmer, skip this paragraph, otherwise, we’re going to review the pros and cons of the infamous Speedo for the non-competitive swimmer.  In some countries, sporting your classic trunks would be seen as a distasteful choice.  Speedos are a function of location; if you’re in South America or the Mediterranean, dress to the crowd.  There are advantages to Speedos including better range of motion while swimming, sleeker tan lines, and faster drying.  It’s all about time and place; if you’re on a foreign vacation, sport a hammock.  However, if you’re headed to Newport or the Cape for the weekend, there are smarter choices. 

Board shorts

For the average masculine American man vacationing on US soil, leave the Speedo at home and bring a pair of classic board shorts or trunks.  If you’re carrying a few extra winter pounds, a baggier pair of board shorts will hide the bulge.  Additionally, a well-fitting, high-end material pair of board shorts will be the most comfortable option for you on the beach.  We recommend something that comes a few inches above your knees (not the long jammers kids are wearing these days) and something that dries fast.  Finally and more important than your own comfort is the comfort of those around you.  Just because men like to see women in small bathing suits, it doesn’t mean women (or even men) like seeing men in the same.  A well-fitting, not too bright pair of trunks will keep the attention of beach goers on the water, instead of on you.

Marc Streisand is president and owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers, and takes the custom clothing business very personally. Having enjoyed a successful career in the clothing industry since 1985, Marc brings his clients extensive specialized experience in menswear. Prior to taking over the Marc Allen store in March 2005, he cultivated his knowledge of luxury male attire in New York and his home state of New Jersey, where he began his vocation at Wallach's Specialty Stores. Nothing gives him greater pleasure, he says, than seeing raw cloth transformed into a custom outfit that can directly impact his customer's lifestyle.

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