The best men's swimwear for your body type is the cut whose leg line and rise flatter the proportions you want to show off: square leg trunks suit most builds and add balance to slim frames, swim briefs suit lean or athletic legs and taller men, and slightly longer trunks with a drawstring suit anyone who wants more coverage around the thighs and waist. Fit matters more than the label, so measure your waist and choose a fabric with stretch.
Nobody needs a "beach body" to wear good swimwear. What helps is understanding how a few design details, such as where the leg opening ends, how high the waistband sits and how bold the colour is, change the way a cut looks on you. Here is how to read those details and match them to your build.
Three details that change how swimwear looks on you
Before you think about body shape at all, look at these three design choices. They do most of the work.
- Leg line. A high-cut brief shows more thigh and makes legs look longer. A square leg ends a little lower and squares off the hips. Longer trunks cover the upper thigh.
- Rise. Low-rise styles sit below the navel and draw attention to the hips. A mid rise sits closer to the natural waist and feels more covered.
- Colour placement. Solid dark colours look streamlined. Colour-block panels and prints catch the eye, so put them where you want attention.
Slim or lean builds
If you have a narrow frame, you usually want swimwear that adds a little visual width rather than hanging loose. Square leg trunks are a strong choice here: their straight leg opening creates a horizontal line across the thigh, which makes hips look broader. Colour-block side panels help even more.
Briefs also work well on a lean frame, especially in a bright print. Avoid anything baggy, because loose fabric on a slim body tends to look borrowed rather than chosen.
Athletic and muscular builds
With strong thighs and glutes, the main issue is room, not style. A cut that is too tight across the legs will ride up or dig in. Look for four-way stretch, an adjustable drawstring and a leg opening that does not cut into the thigh.
- Square leg trunks in polyamide and spandex move with you and stay in place during swimming and beach games.
- Classic swim briefs show off the legs and leave the thighs completely free.
- If you have muscular legs and prefer a looser feel, the product notes for our quick dry swim briefs with a zip pocket suggest trying one size up.
Taller men
Long legs can make short trunks look even shorter, and long trunks look stubby on a short torso. Taller men usually look best in either a confident brief that embraces the leg length, or a square leg trunk with a contrasting waistband that breaks up the line. Check the size chart carefully: if you are tall and slim, your waist measurement, not your height, decides the size.
Fuller midsections and bigger builds
If you prefer to feel more covered around the tummy, the rise is your friend. Choose a style that sits closer to the natural waist, and use the drawstring so the waistband stays flat instead of rolling. Dark solid colours such as black, navy or deep blue look streamlined, and a slightly longer trunk gives more coverage on the thighs.
Some men also like a smoothing layer under a shirt for the beach bar or the walk back to the hotel. Our men's shapewear is designed for that: it changes how clothes sit and look, nothing more.
Quick comparison: which cut suits which build
| Build | Cuts that tend to flatter | Details to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Slim or lean | Square leg trunks, printed briefs | Colour-block panels, snug fit |
| Athletic or muscular | Swim briefs, stretch square leg | Four-way stretch, roomy leg, drawstring |
| Tall | Briefs or square leg with contrast waistband | Size by waist, not height |
| Fuller midsection | Trunks with a higher rise | Dark solids, flat waistband, drawstring |
Getting the size right
Swimwear is sized by waist. Measure around your waist where the waistband will sit, then compare with the chart on the product page. Our square leg trunks, for example, list waist ranges for S to XXL. A few practical tips:
- Between sizes? Choose the smaller size for briefs (they should feel snug when dry) and the larger one for trunks if you have strong thighs.
- Use the drawstring to fine-tune the fit before you get in the water.
- For a deeper look at sizing, read our guide Between Sizes? How to Size Men's Underwear Up or Down.
Still deciding between cuts in general? Our comparison Swim Trunks vs Swim Briefs vs Board Shorts covers which style suits which occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
What swimwear is most flattering for most men?
Square leg swim trunks. They sit between a brief and a longer short, suit most builds and look neat both in and out of the water.
Can bigger men wear swim briefs?
Yes. Confidence and fit matter more than size. Choose a brief with a drawstring, a comfortable rise and a darker colour if you want a streamlined look.
Should swimwear be tight or loose?
Briefs and square leg trunks should feel snug but not pinch. A fit that already feels loose when dry is more likely to slip once you dive in or swim.
Do prints make you look bigger?
Large, bright prints draw the eye to where they are, so they can make that area look fuller. Use prints on lean frames and solids where you want a quieter look.
Find your cut
Start with the leg line and rise that suit your build, then pick the colour that makes you want to wear it. Browse the full men's swimwear collection or check what other customers love in our best sellers. Every order ships in discreet packaging.
