Are you ready to look awesome? The new men's swimsuit styles are crazy sexy.

The Spectrum (Longest ➜ Smallest)
1) Surf/Board Shorts (Long)

Cut & Rise: Knee-length or just above, mid- to low-rise waist, lace-up fly.

Fabric: Woven polyester or nylon with stretch; quick-dry, abrasion-resistant.

Support: Usually none inside (no liner) unless hybrid; pair with briefs/compression if you want support.

Use case: Surfing, SUP, beach days, modesty-first settings, mixed company.

Pros: Versatile, pocketed, sun protection on thighs.

Cons: Can balloon in water; zero shaping; slowest to dry when heavy.

Body notes: Great if you prefer discretion; not ideal if you want definition/shape.

2) Hybrid Shorts / Amphibious Walkshorts

Cut & Rise: Mid-thigh to above-knee; tailored look.

Fabric: Woven stretch, often with DWR finish; sometimes internal brief.

Support: Varies—many add a separate mesh brief or compression short.

Use case: Travel, coastal cities, “one short all day.”

Pros: Street-legal styling; quick-dry.

Cons: Less hydrodynamic than true swim cuts.

3) Volley Shorts

Cut & Rise: Mid-thigh, elastic waistband, drawcord; typically 14–17" outseam.

Liner: Often mesh brief.

Look & Feel: Casual, cozy, retro-sport vibe.

Pros: Easy fit, forgiving on the waist; more shaping than board shorts.

Cons: Mesh can chafe; not performance-hydro.

4) Classic Swim Trunks

Cut: Short-to-mid thigh, fixed or elastic waist.

Liner: Mesh brief or soft stretch brief; modest shaping.

Pros: Familiar, family-friendly; moderate definition.

Cons: Still baggier than spandex; dries slower than minimal styles.

5) Square-Leg / Aquashort

Cut: Boxer-brief silhouette in swim spandex; short inseam; snug.

Fabric: 15–30% elastane blends (higher elastane = more cling/shape).

Support: Excellent; compressive front; streamlined.

Pros: Athletic; reduces drag; discrete but shaped.

Cons: Shows outline more than trunks; not the most modest.

6) Jammers

Cut: Mid-thigh to above-knee spandex short (think cycling short without pad).

Performance: Designed for lap swimmers and racing.

Pros: Compression, glide, serious training vibe.

Cons: Coverage is large, “techy” look; not fashion-forward beachwear.

7) Swim Briefs (“Speedo” style)

Cut: High-leg brief; varying side widths (2–8 cm).

Support: Good front pouch structure; internal drawcord common.

Pros: Iconic; flattering glutes; hydrodynamic; quick-dry.

Cons: Visible outline; social comfort varies by beach/culture.

8) Bikini Briefs (Micro-Briefs)

Cut: Lower rise than swim briefs, narrower sides; minimal back, full front.

Effect: Accentuates V-line; more fashion than training.

Pros: Bold but wearable; dries super fast.

Cons: Less forgiving on fit; more contouring up front.

9) Tanga / Rio / Half-Back

Cut: Narrow sides/straps; back is “half moon,” more cheek exposure.

Effect: Lifted glutes; playful lines.

Pros: Sexy with some coverage; great for tanning.

Cons: Not accepted everywhere; wedgie risk when moving.

10) Thong

Cut: Minimal back (string/T-back), narrow sides; pouch front.

Effect: Maximum glute exposure; front becomes center stage.

Pros: Tanning, dramatic silhouette, slippery in water.

Cons: Venue-sensitive; fit must be exact to avoid front shifting.

11) G-String / V-String

Cut: Ultra-thin waist/side strings; tiny triangle or micro pouch.

Effect: Almost invisible from behind.

Pros: Extreme minimalism; fastest to dry.

Cons: Demands careful grooming and confident fit; very context-specific.

12) Pouch-Only / Strap-Only

Cut: Tiny contoured front pouch + minimal side/understraps; sometimes “suspensor” style.

Effect: “Floating pouch” look; theatrical.

Pros: Micro coverage, maximum statement.

Cons: For private pools, adults-only resorts, or photoshoots; not for rough water.

13) Ultra-Micro Variants

Cut: Sub-thumbprint pouches, ultra-narrow sides; can be thong or G-string backs.

Effect: Hyper-minimal front with extreme contouring or flattening variants.

Pros: Boldest possible swim aesthetic.

Cons: Use judgment—venue rules, local norms, and wardrobe malfunctions.

Special Function Categories
A) Gender-Neutral & Androgynous Swim

Silhouettes: Square-legs, high-rise brief shorts, minimal crop tanks, one-shoulder tops, racerback crop rashguards, swim leggings with sports tops.

Fabrics & Colors: Matte rib, earthy tones, monochrome blacks/olives/tans for neutrality; simple hardware.

Fit Tips:

Choose compressive but breathable fabrics (180–240 gsm for bottoms; 15–25% elastane).

Avoid overt pouch darts if you want a smoother front.

Consider high-waist brief shorts with built-in lining for flatter front aesthetics.

Styling: Pair leggings with a rashguard or boxy swim top for a de-gendered silhouette.

B) MTF & AMAB Tucking / Bulge-Cancelling

Goals: Reduce/flatten front profile; present smoothly in briefs/bikinis/thongs or one-piece styles.

Options:

Gaff / Tucking Panty: Specialized compressive panel; wear under your swim bottom. Look for swim-safe gaffs with chlorine-tolerant fibers.

Built-in Flattening Panels: Some swim bottoms include double-layer power-mesh in the front.

High-Rise / Wider Front: Bikini or square-leg styles with taller front rise make smoother lines and anchor better.

Dark/Matte Fabrics: Matte black, ribbed knits, or prints disperse highlights to visually minimize.

Safety & Comfort:

Start with moderate compression; avoid pain or numbness.

Practice at home: sit, squat, and walk to test stability.

Rinse promptly after swimming; rotate suits to prolong elastic life.

C) Bulge-Enhancement & Micro-Bulge Looks

Patterning Details that Enhance:

Anatomical Pouch / 3D Darting: Curved center seam, vertical dart, or sculpted panel creates projection.

Center Seam + Contour Binding: Raises and centralizes the shape.

Fabric: Higher elastane (20–30%), slicker surfaces highlight contours; thin, dense knits show more than thick matte.

Rise: Lower front rise frames the pouch; narrow side-straps amplify contrast.

Micro-Bulge Aesthetic:

Choose small, defined pouch with gentle lift (not maximal projection).

Use slightly thicker fabric or double-front to keep lines compact and tidy.

Practicalities:

Drawcords inside micro styles prevent slip.

Consider modesty liners if you want shape without translucency when wet.

D) Bulge-Cancelling Without Tucking

Techniques:

Double-Front Panel: Two layers (outer + power mesh) flatten; matte fabric reduces specular highlights.

Wider, Taller Front: A slightly higher rise contains everything with fewer outlines.

Seam Placement: Avoid pronounced center seams; choose flat front or offset seams.

Color & Print: Dark solids, dense patterns, ribs or pique knit = less visibility.

Cuts that Work: Square-leg, jammers, high-rise briefs, gender-neutral shorties.

E) One-Pieces & Monokinis for Men / Gender-Fluid

Designs: Racerback singlets, low-scoop “wrestling” cuts, side-cut monokinis paired with male-fit pouches, high-waist suspender-brief hybrids.

Function: Great for surf clubs, photoshoots, pool parties; anchors tops for a smoother line if you’re tucking.

Note: Check torso length; tall torsos may need long-torso patterns or extra stretch percentage.

Fabric, Fit, and Construction—What Actually Matters

Fiber & Handfeel:

Nylon/Elastane (Polyamide/Elastane): Softer, stretchier, luxurious hand; slightly less chlorine-tolerant than polyester blends.

Polyester/Elastane: Better chlorine/sun resistance; slightly firmer compression feel.

Elastane %: 15–30% is typical for spandex swim. Higher % = more cling/support, more contour.

GSM (Fabric Weight):

170–190 gsm = light, sleek, shows more detail.

200–230 gsm = balanced support/opacity.

240+ gsm = firmer shaping, better bulge-cancelling when paired with matte surface.

Liners: Power-mesh or double-front panels = either flattening or extra support. Mesh brief liners in trunks prevent cling but add bulk.

Seams:

Center Front Seam: Enhances and defines.

No Center Seam / Bonded: Smoother front; good for bulge-cancelling.

Leg Elastic Width: Wider elastics reduce cutting-in and keep thongs stable.

Choosing by Intent
If you want mainstream-friendly + functional:

Pick: Square-leg or classic swim brief (mid side-width).

Fabric: 200–220 gsm, matte nylon/elastane.

Liner: Single to double-front (depending on discretion level).

If you want performance swimming:

Pick: Jammers (training) or classic brief (sprint sets).

Fabric: Chlorine-resistant polyester/elastane; internal drawcord.

If you want gender-neutral lines:

Pick: Short square-leg or high-waist brief short; matte rib; darker tones.

Trick: Avoid center-front seam; add double-front panel.

If you want micro-bulge (defined but compact):

Pick: Low-rise micro-brief or narrow-side bikini with small anatomical pouch.

Fabric: 200–220 gsm, smooth knit; optional thin liner.

If you want bold enhancement:

Pick: Narrow-side bikini, tanga, or thong with 3D pouch + center seam.

Fabric: High-stretch nylon/elastane (20–30% elastane).

If you want maximum flattening (no tuck):

Pick: Square-leg/jammer; high-rise brief with double-front power-mesh.

Fabric: Matte, heavier gsm; darker color or dense print; no front seam.

If you’re MTF and tucking:

Pick: Swim-safe gaff under square-leg or high-rise bikini; or one-piece singlet.

Fit: Test movement at home; check for roll-down; choose generous waist elastic.

If you want ultra-minimal:

Pick: Thong ➜ G-string ➜ pouch-only/ultra-micro.

Caution: Know venue rules; ensure tight, comfortable anchor at the waist.

Sizing & Fitting Like a Pro

Measure honestly: Waist (at navel), low-waist (where the suit sits), hips, and the fullest glute point.

Front depth matters: If you need space, look for “anatomical” or “ergonomic” pouch. For flattening, choose double-front and avoid front darts.

Elastic tension: You should be able to slip two fingers under the waistband without digging.

Movement test: Squat, lunge, step up, and simulate a dive. Check for roll, shift, or “peek.”

Wet test: Fabric reveals more detail when wet. If you need discretion, choose matte, thicker, and/or lined fronts.

Care & Longevity

Rinse ASAP after chlorine or salt.

Hand-wash cool with gentle detergent; avoid fabric softener (kills elastane).

Air-dry flat, shade only. High heat = elastic death.

Rotate suits so the same one isn’t constantly stressed.

Venue & Etiquette

Check local norms & rules: Some beaches and pools restrict thongs, G-strings, or ultra-micro cuts.

Bring a cover-up: A light sarong, rashguard, or oversized shirt helps when moving between spaces.

Think activity: Diving, surfing, and body-surfing require secure cuts and drawcords. Save ultra-micro for lounging or private pools.

Quick Reference Matrix

Goal Recommended Cuts Fabric Notes Front Build Color/Finish
Modest, all-round Volley / Trunk / Square-leg 190–220 gsm Brief liner or single-front Matte mid/dark
Training Jammer / Brief Chlorine-resistant Drawcord Any solid
Gender-neutral Square-leg / High-waist brief short 200–240 gsm No CF seam; double-front Matte black/earth
Micro-bulge Micro-brief / Bikini 200–220 gsm Center seam + small pouch Smooth, not shiny
Enhancement Bikini / Tanga / Thong 20–30% elastane 3D pouch + seam Smooth or subtle shine
Bulge-cancelling Square-leg / High-rise brief 220–250 gsm Double-front power-mesh Matte dark or dense print
MTF tucking Square-leg / High-rise bikini / One-piece Compressive, chlorine-tough Swim-safe gaff + double front Matte dark
Ultra-minimal Thong / G-string / Pouch-only High stretch Secure waistband Any (check venue)

Starter Shortlists (by vibe)

Classic & sporty: Swim brief (mid side), square-leg, navy or black, drawcord.

Stylish but wearable: Micro-brief in matte rib, earth tone; tanga for tanning days.

Gender-neutral basics: High-waist short brief, boxy crop rashguard, matte black.

MTF smooth silhouette: Swim-safe gaff + high-rise square-leg, double-front, dark matte.

Bold beach statement: Narrow-side bikini with anatomical pouch; thong for sun decks.

Private resort / photos: G-string, pouch-only, or ultra-micro—fit-tested at home.