Swim briefs are trending this summer. Here’s why it’s time to get over British queasiness around them
Last week, I was advocating for men to wear shorts whatever the occasion. This week, I intend to argue that budgie smugglers are back. If you’re wondering whether this column has devolved into an excuse for me to encourage men to wear as little as possible, the answer is: probably. But hear me out.
First, a disclaimer. The cardinal rule of dressing is not to wear anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, which perhaps rules out Speedos for 70% of British men. It’s a very different story in France, where swimming briefs are deemed a civic requirement, with swimming shorts banned in public pools. (Because they can be worn outside the pool, they are seen as unhygienic, with the potential to carry sand, dust and whatever unthinkable germs lurk on bus seats into the water.)
