For the majority of human history, swimming was done for enjoyment while naked. (Non-recreational swimming was done in whatever you were wearing when you fell in, because it beat the heck out of drowning.)
Purpose-built swimwear originally served as a modesty-first and primarily a functional-second garment. Early swimwear consisted of long skirts that were weighted down at the hem to prevent them from rising up in the water and were composed of knit wool.
When it was illegal for both men and women to expose their chests in public due to law and tradition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, suits were at their tightest. One-piece outfits with shaved legs and sleeves were popular.
Men held rallies in the 1950s and 1960s to demand the freedom to wear no top. Before the laws were ultimately altered, many people received public obscenity citations. (Women are undergoing a very similar struggle right now.)
Swimsuits started to focus more on functionality than modesty after that.
Modern swimsuits can be used for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Most people aim for both. Swimsuits are often classified according to how long and loosely they are cut.
In North America, trunks are the most popular type of men's swimwear. They resemble shorts used as clothes on land but are constructed from lightweight, quick-drying fabrics (often nylon or polyester) and have an inside lining that is more form-fitting. Those that are longer and extend past the knee are frequently referred to as boardshorts.
The trademarked term "speedos," which has been around for a while, is frequently used to refer to swim trunks. They are thigh-baring swimsuits with a V-shaped front that are snug and body-hugging. An internal lining is generally present in recreational swim briefs.
Body-hugging square-cut shorts envelop the wearer from the waist to the upper thigh. Straight across the thigh, the leg holes provide a boxy appearance that is a little less exposed than angled swim briefs.
Competitive swimmers and other watersports athletes utilize jammers, knee-length, skintight suits, to lessen drag. However, they lack the cushioned crotch and seat of cycling shorts.
Small briefs called thongs are made to show off the buttocks. Thong-style swimwear is customarily worn by males in many cultures, such as the Japanese fundoshi, but in modern Western society, thongs are mostly sold to women. However, men may and do wear them.
If one is prepared to hunt around for a while, almost any color or pattern may be found for all of the aforementioned styles. Solid navy blue, blue and white stripes, floral designs, and Hawaiian-inspired prints are some examples of traditional hues and patterns for males.
