Summer 2015's Best Swimwear

Summer 2015’s Best Swimwear

By Tim Yap May 18, 2015

1. Original Penguin
2. COS x Mr Porter
3. Isaora
4. Vilebrequin
5. 2xist
6. KoMocean
7. Onia
8. Mollusk
9. Orlebar Brown
10. Reef
11. Retromarine
12. Sperry
13. Thaddeus O’Neil

Ah, swimwear. We all know it as the one summer staple that’s as indispensable as it easily forgotten when it comes to updating our wardrobe for the warmer months. Lucky for you, brands have made it easier than ever to replace your assortment. Need sophisticated style, stretch, and water-resistance all in one place? You’ve got it. Some even look, feel, and function like tailored, everyday shorts with zippered pockets and other fine details, so you can go from the beach to the city without having to change. How best to approach the widest variety in years? Think about purchasing more than one new piece for the season, for the man about town (or the one who aspires to be him and make an impression) always has an arsenal of great-looking swimwear. Brands too are offering a variety of lengths you can play with, as well as an array of fits that would even look good on dad bods. And while you can’t go wrong with a solid or colorblocked option, what’s true is that the new prints are hard to resist and now designed less to shout than add some dash to your look. Here, our picks for the summer, favored for their originality, impressive versatility, and new streamlined edge.

Main image: Bamboo box swim short with side pockets, shown with matching shirt, Original Penguin, $65.

White-burgundy printed cotton-blend swim short with side slant pockets, COS x Mr Porter, $59.

Redwoods-inspired printed board short in Portuguese polyester with laser-cut back pocket, Isaora, $79.

“Into the Galaxy” printed short with side pockets and water-resistant wallet, shown with matching short for sons, Vilebrequin, $250.

“Palm Print Ibiza” swim short with side and back pockets, 2xist, $75. (Photo courtesy: 2xist.com)

“Rex Cobalt” swim short with on-seam side pockets and concealed zippers, KoMocean, $195.

Pacific stripe “Calder” 7.5” chino-cut short with zip-fly, Onia, $175.

Cotton-nylon “tapestry” trunks with double-needle construction and back thigh pocket, Mollusk, $66.

Alex Maclean “Escapade” aerial print mid-length swim short with side fasteners and zip-fly, Orlebar Brown, $345.

“Reef Norte” short with set-on back pocket and SPF 30 sun protection, Reef, $62.

Peach skin Retro Vans yellow short with elastic waist, Retromarine, $135.

“Ready to Flamingo” board short with side pocket, Sperry, $54.50.

Ultrasuede grey-white board short, Thaddeus O’Neil, $275.

(All photo sources: brands)