Men's swimwear, swim shorts and trunks

Which men's swimwear to choose?

Each men's swimwear has its own place.

• Swim shorts, with an elastic waist and inner mesh, are the ones for the beach and holidays.
• Boardshorts, longer and without elastic, fasten with a tie: they stay in place in the waves.
• Swim boxers, fitted, are suitable for swimming and aquagym.
• Swim briefs, the lightest option, are worn by regular swimmers.

Short or long swim shorts?

A short swim short, above the knee, makes your legs look longer and dries faster. A long model, to the knee, provides more coverage and is suitable for surfing and water sports. Length is often indicated in inches: a 15-inch short is shorter than a 19-inch one.

Which swimwear for the pool?

Many public swimming pools only allow fitted swimwear, boxers or briefs, and refuse loose swim shorts: check the rules before you go. A boxer swim made from chlorine-resistant fabric keeps its colours longer.

How to maintain swimwear?

Rinse it in fresh water after every swim, whether in the sea or a pool, then let it dry in the shade, lying flat. Avoid high-temperature washing and spinning, which can damage elastane and the inner mesh.

What size of swimwear to choose?

Your usual size for swim shorts, with the cord adjusting the waistband. A boxer or swim brief should fit snugly: it loosens a bit in the water. For a boardshort, sizes are often given in waist size, in inches.

Which swimwear brands to choose?

These swimwear brands cover everything from the pool to the surf.

• Born in Torquay, Australia, Quiksilver is famous for surf boardshorts.
• Created by Horst Dassler for competitive swimming, Arena also designs swim shorts.
• Founded in the Netherlands by snowboarders, Protest brings snow to the beach with its swim shorts.
• Project X Paris prints its swim shorts with gradients and streetwear patterns.
• Scottish brand with the golden eagle, Lyle & Scott also has its swim shorts.

What other summer clothing?

To leave the beach, men's shorts and men's t-shirts take over from the swimwear. Two other summer clothing items.

When to find discounted swimwear?

Summer sales coincide with the bathing season: it's the perfect time for a discounted men's swimwear. A sunny getaway in the middle of winter? Black Friday and the January sales allow you to buy your swimwear in advance.

Look for marked-down swimwear on the Black Friday page, on the men's clothing sales page, or, year-round, on the Promotions page. Fast shipping and best price guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Why are swim shorts not allowed in pools?

For hygiene reasons: a loose short can be worn outside the water and bring in impurities. Many pools require a fitted swimwear, boxer or brief.

What is the mesh inside a swim short for?

It replaces underwear and keeps everything in place without hindering swimming. If it irritates, a swim short without mesh worn with a boxer swim works fine.

Does chlorine damage swimwear?

Yes, it dulls colours and relaxes elastane. Rinse the swimwear right after swimming; chlorine-resistant fabric lasts longer.

Boardshort or swim short?

The boardshort, long and without elastic, stays put in the waves and protects the thigh from rubbing against the board. For the beach and swimming, a swim short with an elastic waist is more practical.

How to prevent swimwear from fading in the sun?

Let it dry in the shade, lying flat, after rinsing in fresh water. Direct sunlight and salt dull bright colours.