What is it with many Americans’ seeming aversion to swim briefs? They’re comfortable, create less drag when swimming, dry easily, and allows for an even, attractive tan. Certainly they are more practical to wear than those baggy shorts most American men wear.
A lot of people blame it on the stereotypical hairy fat guy often seen in Google image search results. Just because one man was caught looking less than attractive in a pair of speedos, however, does not mean every guy will look that way too.
If you have gone on a trip to Europe or South America and hit the beach, you must have seen a lot of men wearing swim briefs. Did they all look hairy, obese, and decked out in gaudy bling?
Definitely not.
When we went to Sitges, everybody looked great in their racers and swim briefs. Everyone really looked like they were out to have some sunny, splashy summer fun, making the beach look picture perfect.
A blogger once asked around on Twitter why Europeans and most Americans seem to be on opposite sides of the fence on the topic of wearing swim briefs. An overwhelming number of @replies remarked that it was simply because Europeans are more confident in their own skin than Americans.
Perhaps it is due to cultural differences. Prevailing male conservatism has propagated an indirect smear campaign on male bonding camaraderie, which has left many carrying emotional baggage that has translated into an aversion to leg-baring swimwear.
The thing is, we don’t believe American men are any less confident than any other culture. Anyone can rock a pair of speedos. Why else would we offer American-made European-style swimwear?
