When summer arrives, everybody starts getting ready to vacation at the beach. After all, this is the quintessential summertime activity, lounging in the sun with a cold beverage by your side and only breaking this relaxation in order to take a dip in the water to cool off. But apart from a hat, books, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle, your beach essentials must include a few pairs of swim shorts. If you need to add a few new pairs to your wardrobe but haven’t started shopping yet, here are some of the considerations you should make before taking your credit card out.
What is the best fabric for swimwear?
The sweltering summer temperatures can make you feel like no fabric fits quite well on your body. You don’t want to feel like you’re boiling in your clothes, but it’s also essential to protect your skin against the harmful effects of the sun. Polyester and nylon are some of the most popular choices nowadays due to their durability and capacity to dry fast, something that ensures the fabric doesn’t feel uncomfortable on your body. However, there are some who correlate these fabrics to clothing items of poorer quality. That is a stereotypical belief, and the truth is that you can find premium-quality designer swim shorts in a variety of colours and prints, such as tape stripes, florals, photographic prints, textured fabrics and plain, solid shades like navy blue and brown.
Retro-inspired swimwear can be made from natural materials such as bamboo or cotton. Some can even be knitted, but these options are no longer commonplace nowadays, as they were largely replaced by elastane during the 1960s. It only makes sense since you want to feel comfortable at the beach.
What is the best length for swim trunks?
The swimwear market has grown and expanded over the past few years, which naturally means more variety. You are now much more likely to find designs that fit your personal style than a decade ago. Sizing has also improved, and there are now more diverse options for people regardless of body size. However, one question still remains: What is the best length for swim trunks? The answer is that there’s no one single answer. There are three main lengths: short, mid-length and long. The short option comes with an inseam between 4” and 5”. For most men, this fit will fall somewhere around the mid-thigh.
It is the perfect style for a European getaway, spending time on the beach or on a boat. The mid-length option has a 6 “-7” inseam, making it the preferred choice for most men. It is comfortable and ideal if you don’t feel confident donning the shorter option. The mid-length will typically hit right above the knee, making it a flattering option for all body types. It is also the most fitting choice for more active tasks such as playing beach volleyball, surfing or grilling. The long inseam is at least 8” but can go as low as 9” and is perfect for taller people. You can choose between board shorts that lace up at the waist or go for a no-fuss elastic waist. If the latter option sounds better for you, make sure they don’t look too baggy, as the fit can make you look somewhat awkward.
How are swim shorts manufactured?
The manufacturing process involved in making swimwear is a complex process that involves analysing trends and conducting fashion forecasts, as well as gathering industry insights to be informed about the latest improvements and come up with the best styles. Then, it is time for sketching and creativity, the time during which the rough sketches of the design are settled, and it is determined if they work for the collection or not and whether there’s a need to add, remove or change detailing prints or colouring. Materials are chosen based on how resilient and stretchy they are to create swim trunks that are resilient and durable.
Polyester, nylon and elastane are the most common options for swimming clothes, as they fit snugly on the body and are comfortable at the beach. Polyester and nylon are also good at disrupting UV light, which can become harmful between 10 am and 4 pm when many people tend to be outside during their summer holiday. You should naturally wear sunscreen and try to stay in the shade as much as possible, but wearing fabrics that protect you from sunlight won’t hurt either. Recently, customers have been looking for more sustainable materials, and so hemp, econyl (nylon created from waste products such as fishing nets and industrial plastics) and repreve, another type of fabric mostly made from recycled plastic bottles, have become more commonplace.
When it comes to pricing, many people are likely to gravitate towards something cheaper since they believe it’ll be more of a bargain. But getting swimwear that comes at a reasonably higher price usually means you’re purchasing something that is higher quality and will last longer. It also typically means that the workers involved in the manufacturing process are treated fairly and ethically, a crucial factor since you don’t want to support companies that treat their employees poorly.
Which are the best swim shorts?
The most straightforward answer to this question is that the best swim shorts are the ones that will allow you to carry out the activities you want to perform while remaining perfectly comfortable all throughout. A classic Bulldog short will fit perfectly if you want to spend your days lying on a towel or beach lounge chair. Some of the shorts are tailored and include additional detailing such as gold-effect side fasteners, concealed snap closures, and elegant prints so that they are more elevated. You can wear them to a family dinner or a gathering with friends without looking too casual.
If you are looking for something that can support athletic endeavours such as swimming, kayaking or surfing, you’ll want to pick a more technical item. You should go for polyester in this case, as it will absorb less water than nylon and dry much faster, keeping you more comfortable. Most of these designs come with two layers so that the one on the outside stays off the skin when wet, providing extra comfort.
Getting the right pair of swim shorts might be more difficult than it would seem. There are several things you should keep in mind, such as the length you’re comfortable with, the prints or colours you’d like, and what kind of activities you expect to do in your shorts. You must also remember that it’s better to invest in something more high-quality, made from good materials and which has a nice fit, instead of getting a cheaper option that will fall apart after a handful of wears.
