The swimwear colour that suits you best is the one that contrasts with your skin tone without washing it out: deep navy, bottle green and rich red flatter most men, while pale skin looks fresher in mid-tones than in white, and darker skin carries bright and light shades especially well. For prints, match the scale of the pattern to how bold you want to look and to how much fabric the cut has.
Start with contrast, not with the trend
A pair of swim briefs or trunks sits right next to a lot of bare skin, so its colour changes how your whole look reads. The simplest rule is contrast: a shade that is clearly different from your skin tone frames the body, while a shade too close to it blurs the outline.
- Fair or easily pinked skin: deep blue, navy, forest green and burgundy-style reds add definition. Very pale yellow or white can make you look paler than you are, at least until you have some colour.
- Olive or medium skin: almost everything works. Sky blue, green, orange and pink look bright and summery, and black looks sharp.
- Deep skin: white, yellow, light blue, pink and metallic gold give strong contrast and pop in sunlight. Very dark navy can blend in at a distance, which some men like for a low-key look.
Your tan changes over a holiday, so it can pay to pack one darker and one lighter pair and rotate them as the days go on.
Solid colours: the easy, versatile choice
A solid shade is the swimwear equivalent of a plain white T-shirt. It works at a hotel pool, a lake, a family beach and a lap lane, and it is easy to combine with whatever towel, shirt or shorts you already have.
Our Solid Square Leg Swim Trunks are a good example: a minimalist solid-colour cut in 82% polyamide and 18% spandex with an adjustable drawstring, offered in navy, green, black and sky blue in sizes S to XXL. If you prefer a brief with a practical twist, the Quick Dry Swim Briefs come in green, black, red, navy blue and light blue and have a zippered pocket for a key.
How to choose a print that fits your style
Prints add personality, but they also draw the eye. Before picking one, think about two things: the scale of the pattern and how busy it is.
| Print type | The effect | Works well for |
|---|---|---|
| Small, dense pattern | Reads almost like a texture from a distance | First-time print wearers, city pools, smaller cuts |
| Large tropical or floral print | Relaxed, holiday look | Beach clubs, resort trips, boat days |
| Graphic or graffiti print | Bold and playful | Pool parties, festivals, summer weekends |
| Animal print (e.g. leopard) | Confident, fashion-forward | Men who like to stand out |
On a small cut like swim briefs, a large print shows only part of the motif, which often looks more abstract than it does on a product photo. On longer trunks you see more of the pattern, so large prints feel louder there.
Our Printed Swim Briefs cover several of these moods in one style, with options called Crystal, Graffiti, Flowers, Leopard and Leopard Print alongside plain red, blue and green. They have a low-rise cut, an adjustable drawstring, a tagless design and a pouch with soft lining, in sizes S to XL. For more pattern ideas off the beach, our guide to printed underwear for men uses the same scale logic.
Mixing prints with the rest of your beach outfit
A simple rule keeps things looking intentional: one loud piece per outfit.
- With printed swimwear, wear a plain shirt, tank top or towel in one of the colours from the print.
- With solid swimwear, you can add a patterned shirt or bold sunglasses instead.
- Pick up the darkest shade in a print for your sandals or bag; it ties everything together without effort.
- Avoid two different busy prints next to each other unless you are dressing for a themed party.
The Pattern Swim Briefs with Lined Pouch make this easy: the prints come in black, sky blue and deep blue colourways, so a plain navy or white shirt matches them straight away. They are made of 82% polyamide and 18% spandex, with a double-layer front pouch, a tagless finish and an adjustable drawstring, in sizes S to XXL.
Bright colours and bold prints: when to go loud
Holidays are the time many men try something louder than they would wear at home, and swimwear is a low-risk place to experiment. Bright yellow, pink and sky blue look especially good with a tan and against blue water.
The Bold Print Bikini Swim Briefs are designed for exactly that: vibrant prints in colourways named deep blue, pink, sky blue, yellow, green and blue, made of 90% polyester and 10% spandex with a low-rise brief cut and a drawstring waist, in sizes S to XXL. They are machine washable in cold water.
Metallic finishes for parties and festivals
Metallic swimwear sits between swimwear and party wear. In sunlight the fabric reflects light, so it is best for pool parties, rave weekends and beach events rather than a quiet morning swim. Keep everything else plain and let the shine do the work.
Our Metallic Swim Briefs are made of a reflective metallic, quick-drying fabric with an elastic waistband and drawstring, in rose, golden, royal blue, silvery and black, sizes S to XXL. Black is the most subtle way to try the look. For full party outfits, see the rave outfits collection.
Keep colours bright for longer
Chlorine, salt and strong sun are the main reasons bright swimwear fades. Rinse your swimwear in cool fresh water after every swim, wash it gently, and dry it flat in the shade instead of on a hot sun lounger. Our swimwear care guide covers each step in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What colour swimwear looks best on pale skin?
Deeper shades such as navy, deep blue, forest green and rich red give pale skin the most definition. Very light yellow or white can wash you out until you have a little colour.
Are printed swim briefs a good first pair?
Yes, if you choose a small, dense print or a print with a dark base colour. It looks interesting up close but calm from a distance.
Is black swimwear boring?
Not at all. Black is the most versatile option, flatters every skin tone and works anywhere from a lap pool to a beach club. It is also a good base for a bright towel or shirt.
Can I wear a metallic swimsuit for normal swimming?
You can, but metallic finishes are made to be noticed. For everyday swims, a solid colour or a calm print is usually the more relaxed choice.
Find your colour
The best approach is a small rotation: one dark solid, one print that matches your style and, if you like a party, one bold or metallic pair. Browse every colour and pattern in our men's swimwear collection and, if you are still deciding on the cut, read our guide to choosing swimwear for your body type. Every order ships in discreet packaging.
