Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Summer 2015’s Best Swimwear

By

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Related: Retromarine Gives Men’s Swimwear A Vintage Makeover

(All photo sources: brands)  

Tim Yap
Tim Yap
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Contributing writer Tim Yap was born in Kuala Lumpur and lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vancouver and Toronto prior to moving…
What exactly are limited edition watches?
Know the buzz word before you buy
Citizen watch in ground beans

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why the rare piece of art could ever be worth the obscene amount of money the debonair art thief claims it's worth? It is simple, really. It comes down to the fact that it is rare. A truly original piece of art masterfully created by the very hand who conjured it up in their mind is something that cannot be recreated. The same kind of rare value exists in the watch world, too. There is an entire industry of limited edition watches that claim rarity rivaled only by the masterful artwork of Renaissance artists who can no longer create original pieces.

But what does it really mean to say that a watch is a limited edition? Does it truly mean that there is little chance of you walking into a party or a bar and running into the ever-embarrassing moment when your "rare" watch sits on the wrist of another...in the same room? Or does it mean they just want you to buy it quickly because they have numbers to make before the shareholders' meeting? Both are possible. As usual here at The Manual, we did the legwork to make sure are armed with the information you need before you click the BUY button and invest in a limited edition watch.
The parameters of limited edition

Read more
A day at the races: How to dress for the Kentucky Derby
Let your colors and patterns fly at the Kentucky Derby
Men's Derby Fashion with Bowties

Thanks in no small part to social media, The Kentucky Derby has become more than a horse race, becoming a major annual fashion event. Horse races have historically been social events that encouraged spectators to dawn their most spectacular finery going back to Victorian England. That tradition carried over to the States, and three races of the Triple Crown have been fashion events for America's upper class for well over a century. As a social engagement, the greatest of the three big races is The Kentucky Derby, and the greatest part of the race is the Kentucky Derby outfits. Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the fashion capital of the South for one weekend every May.

The rise of social media and "fit" culture have led to a boom in Kentucky Derby parties across the country over the past ten years. An event that used to be a niche interest to horse racing and gambling enthusiasts, along with the few people wealthy enough to attend the event, has become a national fashion event. People who have no interest in horse racing and will probably not even watch the race (there are a number of races happening all day, culminating in the actual headline race) gather together over their shared love of dressing up and partying. It has become an occasion to be seen, both #IRL and on every social media platform.

Read more
Get up to 50% off Oliver Cabell sneakers, loafers, and more today
oliver cabell sneaker sale april 2024 sneakers on feet

There are some fantastic sneaker deals at Oliver Cabell providing you’re fast enough to snap one up. There’s up to 50% off select styles with something for every taste and desire here. To get the discount, just use the promo code LASTCALL. With 150 products available right now, the best thing to do is take a look for yourself by tapping the button below. Otherwise, if you keep reading, we’ll take you through some highlights that we particularly love in the sale.

What to shop for in the Oliver Cabell sneaker sale
If you love to have the best sneakers in your wardrobe, you’ll love what Oliver Cabell has to offer. We instantly love the which is down to $150 from $199. A distressed twist on the brand’s iconic low-top silhouette, it’s handcrafted and coupled with buttery Italian calfskin leather and custom outsoles. No two pairs are alike and the combination of green and white looks great.

Read more