You’ve booked the beach getaway. Or accepted the invite for the pool party. But now what? What are you gonna wear to show up chic? Our ace menswear correspondent is sharing his edit of the best luxury designer fashion brands of swim trunks, swim shorts and swimwear for men, including Vilebrequin, Orlebar Brown and CDLP.
before the beach getaway, perhaps new swimwear is in order?
Here we are in mid-February, otherwise known as peak “get me someplace warm” season. Beaches, poolsides, desert spas, literally anywhere the high temps are above 70 degrees. What is the fastest route to a swim-up bar and a beverage in a coconut?
The best luxury designer fashion brands of swim trunks, swim shorts and swimwear for men, including Vilebrequin, Orlebar Brown and CDLP.
Assuming you’ve got your tickets to a tropical locale booked or have some solid options on deck, you can turn your attention to packing the single most important item of your trip (ok, after your passport): your swimsuit. Ideally, you’ll be wearing it more than anything else. Since your outlook is so sunny at the prospect of escaping both frigid temps and your desk—picturing the chaise on the beach, fresh towels, a plot-driven, but substantial paperback—this is the opportunity to upgrade your swimwear, too.
While there are lots of well-known designers who make great swimsuits (Tom Ford, Thom Browne, Paul Smith, Dries Van Noten, just to name a few), a handful of brands who specialize in swimwear are making waves (sorry). We like to think of it as going to people who focus on engineering the best swim trunks for men, both technically and aesthetically. Prints, solids, all variations of lengths and styles, we’ve pulled together a list of brands that have your vacation at the beach top of mind and our style picks from each one. They take up almost no room in your bag, so why not snag a couple pairs?
the 14 best luxury designer brands for swimwear for men
1. CDLP
Sweden-based CDLP has made it part of its mission to use Econyl, a material manufactured from regenerated landfill and ocean plastic waste, for its swimwear. The fabric also happens to be quick-drying, smooth-but-not-too-silky and takes on saturated colors like Sapphire Blue and Deep Lagoon well. Like several swimwear brands, CDLP started out making underwear so you know the fit and feel is going to be spot-on.
Smooth Satin Twill Swim Trunks in Deep Lagoon
BUY NOW – $185.00.
2. Orlebar Brown
Orlebar Brown changed the swim shorts game with their tailored ‘Bulldog’, offering a tailored, mid-thigh style that worked just as well on shore as it did in the water. Today, they have a whole wardrobe of options and have even outfitted James Bond in his iconic emergence from the waves. We still love their classic, solid styles, but their vintage photo-printed ones also help get in the vacation mindset.
Bulldog Night Iris Tape Mid-Length Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $345.00.
3. Commas
Commas was founded in Sydney in 2017, so they know how to make clothes for a laidback way of living (even if that’s just for a week next to a pool). They craft their swim and resort wear with fabrics from Europe and Japan and create in-house hand-painted prints. Don’t stop at the swim shorts—their perfectly-cut linen shorts and shirts are ideal for getaways, too.
Painted Flower Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $265.00.
4. Atalaye
Let’s hop over to France’s Basque region, specifically the seaside town of Biarritz, where Atalaye resides. The brand’s colorful, sun-faded prints echo the effortless spirit of the town and their shorts are made for those long, easy, sunny days by the sea. We dig their stripes, especially, but you can’t go wrong with any of their prints.
Suertea Short-Length Striped Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $90.00.
5. Solid & Striped
Like the name says, you’ll see mostly solid and striped styles here and some retro colors. Classic, timeless swim trunks with a drawstring waist and easy fit that will look great whether you’re in a hammock or cabana.
The Classic in Seafoam
BUY NOW – $125.00.
6. Bather
Bather’s looking to be a part of your fit on and off the beach. Taking inspiration from streetwear and surfwear, they offer a ton of prints of varying volumes. Hawaiian florals? Yep. Electric cheetah? Mmmhmm. Shibori? Add to cart.
Red Checkerboard Swim Trunks
BUY NOW – $95.00.
7. Frescobol Carioca
Pour me a caipirinha and let me soak up those Rio rays. Frescobol Carioca is very proudly from Rio de Janeiro and you’ll find visual references to the coastal city in their colorful designs, like the mosaic tiling that lines the streets.
Ipanema Sport Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $215.00.
8. Onia
We’ll almost always take more options than less when it comes to swim trunks. Onia delivers with four different inseam lengths plus “hybrid” land-to-water styles and a whole bunch of colors and prints. Damn, now we have to make a decision.
Elastic Calder 6” Swim Trunks in Seersucker
BUY NOW – $150.00.
9. OAS
OAS was born out of a highly relatable desire to escape winter in Sweden. The brand’s founder, Oliver Adam Sebastian (initials: OAS), started out supplying his friends with espadrilles for vacations in Spain and expanded into swimwear for the whole get-the-hell-outta-the-cold kit. We’re really into all of the artful prints.
Rubin Yard Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $90.00.
10. True Tribe
Fortune favors the bold, right? If you’re feeling a swerve and in the market for some slightly out-of-the-box colors and finishes for your shorts, take a look at True Tribe. It is your vacation—go wild.
Moon Royal Active Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $220.00.
11. Meriggi
In case you’re slacking on your Duolingo lessons, “meriggiare” is an Italian expression which means “to rest midday in the shade”. Meriggi starts there and makes swim shorts that would be welcome at the White Lotus, with solids and patterns inspired by classic Neapolitan tie designs.
Paloma Print Swim Short in Burnt Orange
BUY NOW – $110.00.
12. Marané
With deep family roots in Uruguay, Marané makes tailored, but familiar feeling shorts with Latin American culture always in mind. Rich colors and painterly prints set them apart.
Recycled Solid Swim Shorts
BUY NOW – $207.00.
13. Thorsun
When a brand teams up with renowned French tie and shirtmaker, Charvet, they’re doing something right. Check out the ongoing collaboration as well as Thorsun’s own colorful, modernist patterns.
Olive Paisley Shorts
BUY NOW – $395.00.
14. Vilebrequin
For 50+ years, Vilebrequin has been making luxe swimwear with some of the brightest sea creature patterns you can find and a distinctly St. Tropez vibe. Luckily you don’t have to know how to spell it to get their classic designs.
Men’s Short Swim Trunks
BUY NOW – $175.00.
best luxury brands for swimwear for men
That’s our take on the best luxury designer fashion brands of swim trunks, swim shorts and swimwear for men right now, including Vilebrequin, Orlebar Brown and CDLP. What’s your go-to brand?
