Board shorts, trunks or bathers? What you call your swimwear won’t affect your summer style, but the brand you choose will. These days, only a few designers have mastered swim short style cues—print, fit and fabrication—and will see you bathing like a European sun god rather than hiding the dad-bod in the splash pool. Mixing luxury with a tasteful amount of fun, here are the ten best swimwear brands for men this summer. Dive in.
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Orlebar Brown

Orlebar Brown

Orlebar Brown is one of the most respected brands in men’s beachwear. The ‘Bulldog’ short is the very first model ever made by the British label; tailored to fit like a regular men’s trouser with adjustable side tabs and rear darts. In a dreamy ‘Paradise’ sunset print, the quick-dry pair is perfect for the refined gent who’s confident enough to pull off pink by the pool.

Available at orlebarbrown.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Browns Fashion

Okun

For the swim short head-turner, there’s Okun. The Japanese label’s signature Ali Shwe Shwe print calls to West African art, with navy and lime circles on a textured blue backdrop. The drawstring waist makes the short a comfortable fit, while two side pockets and a secure-flap back pocket are functional add-ons.

Available at brownsfashion.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Frescobol Carioca

Frescobol Carioca

Brazilians do bathers best, and Rio de Janeiro swimwear brand Frescobol Carioca has take inspiration from the cocoa tree with its slate blue and coconut green, multi-coloured ‘Cacau’ short. Made from a bespoke polyamide textile that’s light and quick-drying, the shorts feature a micro-cubic print that’ll bring on that summer-night fever in no time.

Available at frescobolcarioca.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Mazu

Mazu

Resortwear brand Mazu is your taste of couture in swim shorts. Each pair from the local brand uses double-needle stitching and a point d'arrêt finish for excellence in construction. Artist Marc Allante was tapped to design this classic Fuzhou mosaic print, with the navy, red and white geometric tiles representing junk boats built to deter the enemy. But for you, they’re more style attractors, really.

Available at mazuresortwear.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Onia

Onia

Shimmying in the seventies, Onia’s ‘Charles’ model swim shorts come spliced in a two-tone butchers stripe. The dark orange and green print is designed to look even more retro with a spandex-nylon fabric for a quick-dry, flexy fit—and in a 5-inch length, these shorts are shorter than most. You definitely need sculpted pins to pull these off.

Available at onia.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Matches Fashion

Commas

These Baroque swimmers from Commas are for the gent who wants to wade the waters in sophisticated style. The black shorts bloom in a floral blue, purple and cream tableau. And while the print is what makes this pair so prestige, the Sydney brand knows comfort, too, in the form of an elasticated waistband with drawstring to neaten the fit.

Available at matchesfashion.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Retromarine

Retromarine

Bringing the past back to the future, the Retromarine swim short is a contemporary reinvention of '60s style.  Made from ‘peach skin’ polyester, the short is swathed in a nostalgic tile print, which is designed digitally over intelligent fabrics that are both hypoallergenic and SPF 50+. The New York label adopts the anchor and antique copper finishings for added retro details. 

Available at retromarine.nyc

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Double Rainbouu

Double Rainbouu 

Double Rainbouu has a knack for making the garish and gaudy incredibly cool. The street-meets-surf Australian label goes all out with its Moon Safari print; combining colours pink, blue, green for a psychedelic Japanese landscape print. Style points are the shorts’ extra-long drawstring in black and a back patch pocket, with an added eyelet for water drainage.

Available at Double Rainbouu

 

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Matches Fashion

Solid & Striped

The ‘Classic’ collection from U.S. swimwear brand Solid & Striped cuts an effortlessly cool look for summer. The cream colourway, with red and navy dual stripe details around the waist, pays homage to vintage America. Happy Fourth of July.

Available at matchesfashion.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Bather

Bather

Simple in name, ample is aesthetics. The Bather brand’s 'Bird of Paradise' prints will have you dressed for the white sand beaches of Thailand before you’ve even left the urban jungle. Made in Canada, the white colourway is our favourite, cut in the Bather swim trunk silhouette with an elasticised waist band and ultra-light stretch mesh lining for support and comfort.

Available at bather.com

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