5 Rules for Wearing Swim Trunks This Summer

Your suits are custom tailored, those eyeglass frames hug your face, and that CEO-impressing watch took days of research to find. So why do your swim trunks look like spring break 1997? Sure, they cover the territory, but a style slipup at the beach is like kicking sand in your own face. (Remember, those vacation snapshots live forever on Facebook!) So find the right trunks for your body and share those photos with pride. 

Show Some Thigh 
Who wears short shorts? Until the '90s, everyone did. (Clyde Frazier's '70s court shorts were probably shorter than the boxers you're wearing now.) And anytime you're shirtless, short shorts still look best. Trunks should stop at least a couple of inches above the knee, says Faherty Brand swimwear designer Mike Faherty. "Any longer and you start to shrink." 

DON'T: Wear Them Baggy
A slim guy in oversized clothing, whether it's a suit or a swimsuit, looks emaciated. If you can fit more than a bottle of sunscreen between your shorts and your leg, they're too wide. Plus, you risk giving your junk an unfortunate cameo when you sit. 

Gain an Edge

If you're swimming laps, you'll move more efficiently through the water in Speedo-style "jammers," or briefs, says Jonathan Skow, the designer for Mr Turk. But yes, they're a bit daring for some beaches or public pools, so wear them only if you're confident that you can pull them off. "The first rule is that you need to feel great in whatever you're wearing," says Skow.

DON'T: Stay Wet
Soggy shorts are a chafing nightmare. Opt for nylon or polyester, or a blend of the two. "Fabrics that are at least 75 percent synthetic dry faster," says Faherty.

Make a Statement

Pools and beaches are among the few style venues where you can still look respectable while wearing bold graphics and bright colors. "A floral blazer might not always work for you, but at the beach you can get away with almost anything," says Skow.

DO: Go Retro
This is going to be the summer of '50s prints, says Skow, so look for shorts with vintage florals or geometric patterns. But be warned: A loud and abrasive design will draw attention to your midsection. If your abs are still emerging, go with a softer color palette

Skip the Stretch

Picture a rubber band wrapped around a water balloon: That's what an elastic waistband looks like around any extra flab you might be carrying. "Elastic can make belly fat look worse than it really is," says Faherty. Look for flat-front, board-short-style trunks with laces or a drawstring to flatter (read: flatten) your torso.

DO: Simplify to Slim
Big patterns are great, but again, they draw eyes down toward your belly. If that's a problem, opt for small prints. And consider shorts with a wide waistband and adjustable tabs, which allow you to loosen the squeeze on your gut. 

Head for Dry Land

Designers are finally making quick-drying trunks that can pass as shorts; just look for pockets and snap-front closures. "Throw on a collared shirt and you can wear them straight to dinner," says Faherty.

DO: Hide Your Package
If you want shorts that evolve onto dry land, choose a pair with a fly closure. Even though there's no real zipper underneath, the added layer presents a more finished look. And if clinginess is a particular concern of yours, choose trunks made from sturdier cotton blends—not lightweight microfiber. 

Maide Berwick Polo And Highland Pants

Maide keeps you looking as cool over an 8-foot putt as you do over a beer in the clubhouse. With a wicking shirt to battle sweat, pants with waistband grip strips to keep you tucked, and modern tailoring on both garments, you'll play it off naturally when your buddy catches you improving a lie. Not that you'd ever do that, of course.