Very interesting comments – I fully agree men should be allowed to wear sexier clothing they can relax and feel good in – maybe though I have gone to the opposite angle – I love men’s leggings wear them with or without shorts – I garden and walk in them and find comfortable and practical – maybe I should try these beautiful clothing items too – although I’m attracted to the new bodysuits – there is also the important factor of well being and confidence clothes can introduce which helps in daily life. I look back in horror at the frumpy clothes of yesteryear, maybe helps encourage for me anyway a heathier body image and encourages a greater level of fitness – a tonic maybe against obesity. I garden for my clients in leggings without objections – I wonder about wearing thongs though ! One gentleman mentioned naturist – now that’s a nice idea but will I ever be confident enough ? We need to be comfortable within our bodies and enjoy them too, it’s healthy and natural.

I think what needs to happen is that more men need to have the confidence to wear bikinis, have fun, and also be seriously adamant about wearing them. As men, We also need to take the wearing of these items more seriously by not mocking or fashion not wearing a ridiculous looking novelty items.
That means correcting your silly friends when they mock people who do wear bikinis and thongs. And also supporting the women too.

I typically reserve the shorter, tighter swimsuits for when I travel for work. They take up less space in the suitcase and allow me to flaunt a little bit more with a bit more confidence since I don’t really know anybody at the hotel pool or hot tub. The Patriot Trunk is a favorite but recently I have tried the Rip Stop material, despite is being kind of see through. I have received a lot of compliments on the Patriot Trunk and a few intriguing looks with eh Rip Stop. We should all be proud of our bodies, men and women alike, and celebrate our beauty outside and in. I am developing the confidence to wear them around my hometown beach but I may keep my kinky swim side to the work travel!

Great topic.

I have often wondered why men had to be ashamed of their bodies. Covered up – for what? Why? You are who you are.
I cast off the dork shorts ten years ago while working overseas and I haven’t looked back. Bikinis and thongs are my go to. Quick drying, flattering and great tan lines. My wife loves me in them – she likes a confident guy. I’ve noted more tolerance on California, Florida and Hawaii for non-dork wear. There is still a stigma, but – hey – I’m not the one wearing wet pantaloons on the beach. Keep calm…thong on.

Great topic that compelled me to respond, Brian. I’m a 45-year old triathlete with an athletic build but definitely not the perceived body shape people would think. I only wear swim briefs to the beach or pool and haven’t worn hideous board shorts in over 10 years. I don’t plan to ever again as they are not practical attire. Briefs make beach activity much easier and better tan lines.

I have found that the awkwardness has lessened over the years and that it mainly was between my ears. My wife warmed up to it too and now appreciates the fact that I’m that confident enough to wear what I want and take care of myself.

I get complimented by men and women often and I haven’t ever heard anything negative said directly to me. If there was an issue, it’s on their end and they probably moved on. This means more beach for me and even better social distancing. Right?

Be happy, wear what you want!😃

Of course all the guys that raced at top level before the introduction of fast suits all wore speedo like briefs that were 2 sizes down to get the same low rise effect. Thats probably why the more senior generation still go for a brief.
There is a drive from some in the Ocean Swims competions in Australia that only briefs should be accepted as against fast suits.
As a boy our cozzies were cotton and baggy. Thank goodness for lightweight nylon and later spandex etc

I find the discussion of shorts lengths fascinating. I recently watched the special features on Mary Poppins movie with my kids and that shows the male dancers rehearsing the chimney sweep scene wearing very short gym shorts. I looked up the date of the movie – 1964, 56 years ago! I wonder what drove the change in men’s shorts length since then. Were women’s shorts always short, and if so why did the styles diverge so much between the sexes? It would be an interesting subject to research, the change in style of men’s and women’s shorts over the years.

It is interesting to see the generational divide on this issue. I’m 67 and only wear speedos except when staying in resorts or high end resorts when decorum suggests high end, European short swim trunks. In the 1970s and 1960s, men had nylon trunks to swim in. The surfer board short was a fringe style. Basketball teams wore shorts with 3-inch inseams, so did track teams. when playing sports we had to wear jocks. Along with Vietnam and the civil rights movement and it seems the feminist movement, men started hiding their bodies. By 2000 Basketball shorts were knee length, swim shorts were bigger than boxers. And, no, you can’t really swim in them; if you believe otherwise go join a masters swim team!!!.

Thanks for that. I agree one hundred percent! I’m a naturist so the no-clothes option has always been my preference but, when you gotta wear something it should make you look and feel as good about yourself as possible. Peace and thank you!

I’m glad to see so many other men in their 70’s choosing to wear what they want, not what current style dictates! I am 74 years old and still wear skimpy Speedos to the beach and even while tanning on my patio in my apartment complex. I love the snug fit and the sexy tan line they create, As for underwear, give me a sexy thong, g-string, or backless brief and I am happy! Silk, satin, nylon, spandex…they are all good! I may not have the swimmer’s build I once had, but I don’t let that stop me from feeling great about myself. Men are more interested in seeing, feeling, and touching than you might think. Been flirted with and propositioned numerous times even at my age. Have changed attitudes of several men who now wear skimpy underwear and swimwear and I still drool when I see them!

In UK and Europe generally, bikini style swimsuits are still quite common on the beaches, although perhaps not as much as 10 years ago. The ugly baggy shorts common in USA are unfortunately taking over here now. It interesting that shorts in Europe and Australia tend to be much shorter than in USA, where only expensive designer brands offer anything less than 7 inch inseam, Why is it that women all wear short shorts, and look great, yet some men for some reason think they have to cover up their legs to their knees? Men can look as good and sexy as women in shorts shorts and abbreviated swimwear. What do other Brits think?

In Brazil men wear skimpy swim suits all the time. Those log legged baggy ones are frowned on and if you wearvrgem, people make you feel very uncomfortable. I am 76 and would wear skimpy tight fitting Swimwear if it wasn’t for my protruding belly. I do wear skimpy tight fitting underwear.

Many thanks for another fantastic blog. I can relate to your struggles. I have started to wear Speedo type swimwear on the beach, and I love it. But I do feel a bit like the only male there wearing them, and that can certainly leave me feeling very self conscious. On another note about being body positive. Most men I know don’t look like the models on the body-aware website, is this not pandering to the stereotype of an ideal male body? Surely this can leave some of us feeling very body negative?

I agree with all of the above. I’m in my early 60s and still wear a bikini when I go swimming and, frankly, no one cares. If someone is there to enjoy the male body, they’ll look. If they don’t care, they don’t care. In my neighborhood where it’s very hot, I jog/walk in short nylon running shorts and have for years. I’ve begun noticing more and more often men are wearing shorter shorts instead of the knee length basketball “things.” Even on the local college team that I support, I’ve noticed for the past couple of seasons some of the player’s short are getting shorter. I say “great” to all that. Men’s legs are gorgeous and I think we should show them off (as well as a few other things).

A speedo is the best for tanning and swimming. Board shorts aren’t.

I have always worn skimpy, snug, sheer thongs and g-strings everywhere, especially in secluded areas like Orchard Beach in the Bronx, the Ramble in Central Park and also in the locker room of my gym, where I work out religiously five times a week. I like the pleasurable feeling they give me and the attention I get from other men, who often approach me to compliment me on what I am wearing. The conversation often continues in my apartment, where I love to show my new buddies my extensive collection of sexy items, before inviting them to try on what they like. We always end up having a lot of fun together. When I wear sexy underwear or swimwear, I love the fact that my large front is gently compressed and protruding in a very visible way, while my muscular butt is exposed and the elastic string creates an enjoyable pull in my most sensitive area.

Pleased to hear other > 70s still happy in their Speedos or budgy smugglers as they are called here in Aussie land. I cannot see how you can swim and be comfortable in boxers etc. Better to feel comfortable in low rise brief. Also as a 75 yo still enjoy a thong etc

Ive worn these types of underwear,swimsuits,for many years and now in my early 60’s.I wouldn’t change a thing.I love all the new designs,styles and colors available today.I wear it everyday as well as sleep and just lounging.You never know whats under my clothes.I Love it all and the hot guys modeling it! Keep it up folks!!!

I, too, am in my late 70’s and am still a lap swimmer. Like Donald, I couldn’t care less what people think. I still have a good body and am not afraid to wear speedos and trim square cuts occasionally. I’m too old, and too confident to care anymore. Thongs? I wear them under my shorts all the time.

I wear what I like, whatever is comfortable for me, I wear speedo type, or other snug boxer style swim wear, I do not have a swimmers body anymore, and if someone doesn’t like it, well that’s their baggage to carry, at the end of the day, as long as I’m happy, and have lived my life, and not hurt anybody, it’s all good.

Why should only women get to experience the pleasure of exposing themselves to the warmth of the sun in minimal swimwear?

Amen to that. It’s taken me all my life to find exactly what you said to be oh so true. I’ve found that I live wearing skimpy awesome fitting thongs and nice swim briefs. The whole thing of ugly boxers in high school and college are true. I hated wearing them they never got right to me and just wore them because it was the “normal” thing to do. I don’t have the 6 pack bod but I have learned to live my body and I’m proud to wear my swim briefs to the beach. If people don’t like it don’t look I’m me.

I agree. I am 72 years old and still wear speedo swim suit. I am proud of my body and do not care about people looking at my package. I feel good only wish I got the nerve to wear a thong to the beach. I do wear thongs under my shorts and pants they feel great and hold everything in place.

Thanks Brian, that post really pushed me in the right direction. I also grew tired of the way I was supposed to look, and I still waiver but I’m in a much better mindset to keep pushing for me and let people look at me as I FEEL not sticking to a stereo type.

I love BA and it styles it makes me feel unique especially when I’m wearing your thong underwear to a high pressure board meeting with a bunch of stuffy people. If they only knew.