When it comes to men’s swimwear, the beach can be the backdrop for all sorts of questionable choices. Chief among them isn’t the revelation of too much thigh flesh–instead, it’s the over-the-top coverage from waist to mid-calf, which makes board shorts look more like capri pants.
Enter British label Orlebar Brown, whose designs are an upgrade on standard swim shorts—looking more like shorts that you can swim in. Our favorite—a tailored style that’s forgiving to most body types—is the Bulldog ($240; orlebarbrown.com), below. This mid-length design is cut from a traditional 17-piece men’s trouser pattern and features sleek, masculine touches like side fasteners and angled front pockets. Importantly, of course, it does all the things a regular swimsuit is meant to, thanks to a mesh lining and quick-drying polyamide fabric.
If you find the Bulldog’s 6-inch inseam just slightly too short for your taste, try menswear brand Bonobos’s limited-edition 7-inch Amalfi Collection boardshort ($150; bonobos.com), above. Like Oberland Brown’s designs, these shorts are made of high quality fabric (this time sourced in Italy) and feature a neat zipper fly and snap-button enclosure.
Whichever label you choose, be assured that the shorter cut won’t overwhelm legs like midi-length board shorts, but also won’t scandalize fellow beachgoers, as a Speedo might. The style is appropriate for lounging seaside, at a pool club—or even, if the opportunity arises, paired with a button-up for sipping margaritas at a resort bar.
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