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Do These Guys Have What it Takes to be Chubbies’ Next Relatable, Righteous Male Model?

Chubbies

There’s a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking (like drinking brut IPA and eating guacamole). Chubbies, the approachable men’s swim trunk brand, wants their male models to do both.

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Chubbies launched a national 2019 Man Model search to find a new face (and body) for their retro-inspired, nostalgic men’s shorts that now span every category from swim to casual and even sport compression. (Chubbies also has beach blazers, which are towels shaped like blazers. It’s weird.)

For their male models, Chubbies called for “relatable, righteous” guys to represent their brand, instead of chiseled six-packs and defined jawlines. They want the guy who dominates fantasy football but can’t run a 15-yard dash, the young professional that has corn-hole trophies, and the guy who grills steaks that bring other men to tears.

In other words, real, cool men who do more than go to the gym and eat gluten-free.

Chubbies has been pushing for body-inclusive male models since its inception in 2011. After all, the company was founded by college buddies from Stanford who launched the first line by reaching out to frat bros on college campuses.

Chubbies’ former 2017 Swim promo is one example of their success in being body-inclusive. The video features a Chubbies male model with a real, killer belly, running Baywatch-style down the beach while eating an ice cream cone.

Chubbies Shorts Swim Promo 2017

We believe in that shit.

More than 12,000 men of all shapes, sizes, and ages submitted their specs for the 2019 Chubbies Man Model search. Now 20 finalists remain. The public votes on who gets through to the final 10, all of which will be dubbed winners.

So who are the ‘realest’ dudes in the 2019 runnings? For a brand that shouts the praises of ‘real men’ with ‘real bodies’ the bulk of the 2019 model finalists are six-pack pretty boys who look like they jumped out of a Hollister catalog. Boo! Some of these guys even have eight-pack abs, other shredded legs, a deep tan, and perfectly quaffed hair. Where are all the real men!?

Anyone can vote on who wins the 2019 Chubbies Man Model search, by clicking the heart below their photo. We voted, and are happy to report that the masses are picking the realest dude in the roundup. Dan Hughes leads the race with more than 14,000 votes, and all we know about Hughes is that he’s an older gentleman who spends his days on a boat with two pups, a gorgeous older woman, and party-print board shorts.

Dan Hughes for President!

The winners receive a modeling contract and lifetime supply of Chubbies shorts. Plus, they’ll join the ranks of Chubbies Man Model winners— including this dude, Will, who won in 2014/15 – and represent the everyday, awesome men who don’t get Calvin Klein campaigns.

Chubbies started changing the status-quo of male models but now it’s up to us to make sure real guys get their day in the sun. Go vote, then grab a pair of tropical Chubbies shorts for summer. They come in a ton of fun, inventive, and slightly retro patterns. We like the tiger swim trunks.

Jahla Seppanen
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
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