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With heatwaves on the horizon and international travel finally possible, it’s high time to invest in your swimsuit (or suits) for the season. Going outside for a dip, surf or simply to catch some sun is no excuse for letting your otherwise impeccable taste falter.
What does a swim trunk upgrade mean now? Well, we’re looking at those pairs that are so thoughtfully designed and well-cut, they can seamlessly double as shorts—ideal for the pool but looking just as good with a Thom Sweeney linen shirt or one of Scott Fraser’s knit polos. The best swim trunks are both easygoing and considered—and crafted with technical precision, durability and quick-dry utility in mind.
Here are 14 of our favorites to sport in or out of the water.
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Saturdays Timothy Seersucker Swim Short
Image Credit: Saturdays Saturdays has been a favorite of downtown surfers and cool kids since 2009, which might explain why it’s take on seersucker—a preppy summer staple—feels so fresh. The 6-inch inseam design is understated enough to wear around town or just add an Oxford shirt and boat shoes and you’ve got Ivy style nailed.
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Loro Piana Mid-Length Swim Shorts
Image Credit: Mr Porter The textile whizzes at Loro Piana have, of course, a technical shell fabric that looks and feels like a million bucks—particularly in this refined shade of chocolate brown. They’re a pair of trunks that you can reach for whether you’re taking a dip or running errands on a scorching weekend.
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Le Sirenuse x Tombolo Limoncello Swim Trunks
Image Credit: Le Sirenuse Le Sirenuse, the fashion pack’s preferred Amalfi Coast hideaway, produces a range of beachwear befitting its stylish clientele. It recently collaborated with Tombolo on a range of fuss-free resort attire, including this exceptionally soft swimsuit made from recycled plastic and emblazoned with the hotel’s signature sirens in a zesty shade of limoncello yellow.
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Frescobol Carioca Sport Swim Shorts
Image Credit: Frescobol Carioca Want something fun, not too serious, but still restrained and elegant? Look no further than Frescobol Carioca’s Rio de Janeiro-inspired swim shorts. Team with a linen shirt and espadrilles to double down on the tropicalia vibe.
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Dries Van Noten Swim Shorts
Image Credit: MyTheresa Many floral prints can be cloying but Dries Van Noten’s is decidedly cool. The abstracted pattern and sunset hues will look great on a beach and even better at cocktail hour with the addition of a white shirt and loafers.
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Birdwell x Todd Snyder Board Short
Image Credit: Todd Snyder If you are looking for a true surfer board short, Birdwell’s are a classic. Featuring a hardy design the company produced in the 1960s, this pair is made in Santa Ana, California using nylon that’s been washed to achieve the sun-faded look and softness of well-worn chinos.
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Derek Rose Maui Swim Shorts
Image Credit: Derek Rose Swimwear is one of the few areas of a man’s wardrobe where cheekiness is welcomed. Derek Rose strikes just the right note of wink-wink with this all-over pattern of cherries. Thoughtful details like a seamless mesh lining and a welted zip pocket deliver comfort and polish.
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Orlebar Brown ‘Bulldog’ Shorts
Image Credit: Orlebar Brown Orlebar Brown has developed a reputation for the definitive swim trunks (James Bond is a fan). The Bulldog is the British brand’s signature cut, with adjustable side tabs modeled off suit trousers for an ideal fit. Choose the red for a look that is equal parts confident and classic.
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Anderson & Sheppard Ikat Swimming Trunks
Image Credit: Anderson & Sheppard Savile Row swim trunks? Yes, indeed. Royal warrant holder Anderson & Sheppard can help you suit up for your next dip in its expertly tailored trunks, like this pair in a quick-drying fabric featuring an artful ikat print.
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CDLP Core Econyl Swim Shorts
Image Credit: Browns These black swim shorts—clean, precise, the ultimate option for minimalists—are no-fuss and simply stylish. A bonus? They are sustainably crafted from Econyl, a premium regenerated nylon fiber made from fishing nets and nylon waste.
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Vilebrequin Flat Belt Stretch Swim Trunks
Image Credit: Vilbrequin French line Vilebrequin is known for its extremely high-quality swimwear. The yarn is sourced from Italy and woven in Spain; they’ll even replace the mesh liner if it rips. These bold tricolor swim shorts combine traditional red, white and blue with a sleek flat buckle.
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Connolly Rosette Swimming Trunks
Image Credit: Connolly British brand Connolly may be best known for its sumptuous leathers, but it also loans its luxurious touch to more beach-friendly wares. Its shell pink swim trunks are made in Naples, featuring an elegant foulard print and brass-tipped drawstrings.
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Fox Clipper Swim Shorts in Prince of Wales Check
Image Credit: The Merchant Fox Normally, anything with a Prince of Wales check spends summertime in storage. But not these gloriously patterned swim trunks from The Merchant Fox, which are further distinguished by tailored details including side adjusters and a six-piece waistband.
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Riz Blythe Drawstring Shorts
Image Credit: Riz Given the state of the world, there is a very strong argument to be made that, if you have the means, there is no reason not to seek out sustainable alternatives. Riz Buckler’s swim trunks are just that: made from 100 percent recycled fabric derived from plastic bottles. You can even send your own swim shorts in for them to recycle for a 25 percent discount.
