My Favorite Summer Shorts Are Men’s Swim Trunks
A few summers ago, I discovered the — pardon the phrase — life hack that is wearing men’s swim trunks as shorts. Looking back, I realize that for most of my life, the world I was living in was black and white — a world where swim trunks and shorts were two distinct categories in my brain, and never the twain shall meet.
It wasn’t until one day during an unsuspecting procrastination walk that I stopped into a Rowing Blazers sample sale and my shorts/trunks POV was changed for good. (Before I go on: Yes, this is the second time a sample-sale pair of shorts has changed my sartorial worldview.) This time, it was a pair of bright-green swim-trunkish things that made me do a double take. Little did I know, these seemingly innocuous bottoms would be the gateway drug to a prolific trunks-as-shorts-wearing career.
It was the superficial qualities of the shorts that intrigued me off the bat: the vaguely sporty look that sits squarely in the center of my preppy-meets-gorpy Venn diagram. But after a few wears in the heat of a New York City summer, I came to the conclusion that swim trunks are actually the ideal summer short. Their waterproof nature makes them humidity and sweat friendly, so you can go about your day without the constant paranoia of sweat stains setting in. Unlike other fabrics like denim and khaki, nylon and nylon-adjacent blends save you from the all-too-common thigh rash from sitting on a bench or a subway seat for too long. Plus, swim trunks usually come in more playful colors than your average pair of shorts, which has been immensely helpful in giving my black-and-white wardrobe a little pop.
So if you’re ready to embark on a swim-trunk journey of your own, allow me to guide you through some of my favorites.
Ease your way in
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These Rowing Blazers shorts aren’t technically trunks since they lack mesh lining, but they’re pretty damn close. Made of 100 percent nylon with an elastic waistband and adjustable drawstring, they’ve got all the essential fixings, making them a great entry-level option for those dipping a toe (I had to) into swim-trunk outfitting. The Rip Stop Draw Shorts aren’t the exact pair that opened my eyes to this styling, but they might be even better thanks to their deep slash pockets.
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Also in the swimmable-shorts category are the Patagonia Baggies, a favorite of podcaster and Strategist columnist Chris Black. They have both men’s and women’s options, which are visually identical, the only difference being the inclusion of lining in the former. Black has gone so far as to call them “the best shorts on the market,” and I can’t really argue with him — there are almost too many color options, the pockets are deep (rare), and they strike an excellent balance of structured and relaxed.
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Nu Swim Moon Shorts
I’ve been seeing a lot of love for NYC-based Nu Swim and its women’s bathing suits lately, but I’m here to sing the praises of its Moon Shorts. Aside from being the perfect lightweight, sweat-friendly short for the most scorching summer days, I love their oversize fit and the reflective hues they come in.
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CDLP Swim Trunks
CDLPmakes another ambiguous short/trunk option that I adore. They’re shorter than most men’s trunks these days, clocking in at a cool 4.5- inch inseam. I love that they’re made from recycled materials, not only for the earth (duh) but because it makes them softer to the touch. I will always pick a dark-olive option if it’s given to me, but its pistachio and lilac colors are definitely tempting.
Level two
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Toronto-based swimwear brand Bather makes some of the comfiest shorts I’ve ever worn — the fact that they’re waterproof is simply an added bonus. I love them for a multitude of reasons, which include but are not limited to: They’re lightweight, they’re breathable, and the back pocket has a zipper. Its patterns are the most original of the bunch, though I’m particularly into its new iridescent-color options. The only issue with Bather’s trunks is that they’re almost always sold out, so if you see them, snag them.
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Barbour’s Logo Shorts might just have my favorite colorways, with preppy pastels like “pale apple” and “pink clay.” I’m partial to its “ocean sky” shade, which I wear a bit oversize for a low-slung homage to my beloved Bermuda jorts.
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J.Crew is my fail-safe for both men’s and women’s swimwear. When it comes to the former, I’d recommend its six-inch stretch swim trunk if you’re looking for a slimmer-fitting leg. I’d recommend my fellow female-identifying trunk wearers cut out the mesh lining for a significantly more comfortable wear.
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If you want to cosplay as a menswear bro, I recommend looking at Todd Snyder. I received more than one confused look when I asked for a fitting room to try on a pair of seersucker trunks, but it was worth it. These are a blend of polyamide and cotton, so unlike other trunks, which are typically nylon, these are a bit softer — though they take longer to dry.
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