American Aversion to Speedos

I found this fashion ‘expert’ listing when logging on today:

http://living.msn.com/style-beauty/celebrity-style/10-things-never-to-wear-to-the-beach#10

10 things never to wear to the beach

Stick to trunks, guys

This last one’s for you, fellas. If you’re on vacation in Europe or competing in a swim meet, you’ll fit right in wearing a Speedo.
Otherwise, give us a break and keep a little more of yourself to yourself with swim trunks that won’t make us blush when we look your way.
Rod Stewart hasn’t exactly been rocking the Speedo look all these years.


Liz Murtaugh Gillespie is a freelance writer in Seattle.
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At least this woman admits to her U.S. bias against Bikini style swimwear,
tho I still don’t know where that comes from other than some puritanical, body-negative mindset.

I have been told by Midwest relatives that my bikini embarrasses them
but they do acknowledge that this is Missouri not Miami Beach.

But guess what? I am old enuf not to care. And, I only wear the Bikini when forced to.
This pic was a foto op at Haulover Clothing Optional beach and afterward the Bikini came off.



Perhaps those of us who wear Speedo style swimwear do it for OUR comfort and don’t care what others think.
Less is more when swimming or wearing wet cloth on our body.

Get over it.

 

I find that people complain not so much about the speedo but the figure of the man wearing it.

It's this odd societal attitude that wearing exposing clothing is a privilege for skinny people only.

 

Mmmmm Hmmmmm, The Shale can still pull it off, Rod Stewart and others not so much

Americans do seem to have to many hangups in general though

 

I wouldn't be seen dead wearing speedos/swim briefs. I imagine my mum had me wearing that type when I was little. But now? Good grief no. I have not been swimming in a while, but I seem to remember most chaps wearing swimming shorts. When they say Europe - I don't think they are including the UK
I don't think you will find many e.g's of average men wearing swim briefs on British beaches...

The main reason why not:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYuTMrXofXw"]Southern Comfort Beach - YouTube

 

If you've got the body to wear Speedos, more power to you. You seem pretty fit for your age. If you were fat, then that's a different story.

Personally, I would not wear Speedos, but that's just me.

 

You're right there, the Brits are often not included when ppl talk of Europe. That is where America got it's Puritanical mindset, the so-called Pilgrims who set up this country. We free body types have been chipping away at this prudery since the '60s.

However, for once I am not alone in my opinion. Just checked out the comments to this article and, like me almost everyone disagrees with this woman’s take on bathing suits:

thomas17
7 hours ago
ever think about how you might be contributing to body image problems? People don't dress for your approval, they dress for the way that is most comfortable for themselves on the beach. Really getting tired of this kind of judgmental behavior.
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nishinariku
6 hours ago
You have to go carrying your Ipad and at least a cup from starbucks!
If Rod had an Ipad in his hand than he would have been KOOL.
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rainbolt
6 hours ago
Men in long swim trunks = THIS year’s fad. Ever see a tan line that stops at the waist and doesn’t begin again until the knees? NOT pretty… or handsome. I notice that it’s not a man writing this; how would you (or any other woman) like to be told that you should wear a swimsuit that covers most of your thighs?
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Alan McCormick (arm72353)
6 hours ago

I would not be caught dead wearing the droopy dorky drawers that most American insecure idiots were. When I go to the beach I want to be comfortable and enjoy the sun on my skin. Why do American's feel its ok for women to wear normal swimwear but expect guys to wear these ridiculous long johns.
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Robin Eichenauer (robinsong)
1 hour ago
So why is it okay for the women to run around half naked but the men shouldnt wear speedos?? Who the heck cares what people wear or what bag they bring to the beach??? Get a life..
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Debra Ernst
1 hour ago

If I look as great as Rod when I'm his age, I would wear a Speedo. And I'm female.
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cpott97613
3 hours ago
Get with the times Liz! Did you ever stop and wonder why the men's swimming team at the Olympics were so popular???
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cacique
1 hour ago
I do not think people follow any of your beach fashion advise. The beach is to feel free and comfortable, and as long as there is some effort to block some sun while showing a lot of skin you are okay.
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M102
1 hour ago
Hey, Liz, if you like trunks, wear them yourself. It's like trying to swim in a parachute. I prefer skinny-dipping myself; but I wouldn't want to make you blush. That's another beach no-no.
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dogsnfrogs
1 hour ago
So Fashion Police really do exist? And I thought it was only religious fanatics (pick any religion) who dictated the clothes to wear. I think the author is on a power trip. If it is not against the law, wear what you want, that is why we live in America. Or are we being ruled by the Kardashians? So sad that "journalism" has sunk so low. So sad to think that there are people out there who will actually follow this advice "religiously".
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Sans Religion
1 hour ago
SHUTUP LIZ GILLESPIE !!!!! (THE "WRITER" WHO WROTE THAT COMMENT ON SPEEDO'S ON MEN)

UNTIL YOU AND ALL OTHER REALLY UGLY OUT OF SHAPE WOMEN START WEARING "TRUNKS" FOR BOTTOMS WHEN YOU SWIM (WHICH BY THE WAY MAKES ME WANT TO VOMIT INSTEAD OF "BLUSH") THEN KEEP YOUR STUPID MOUTH SHUT. MEN WILL WEAR WHAT THEY WANT AND WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL COMFORTABLE.
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Everyday I Decay
24 minutes ago
Anyone who doesn't like men is speedos are just jealous. We should be able to rate these fashion stories, so that we don't have to see them if there poorly rated. Authors should have a rating also. In this case I'd give it a half a star out of 5 if that even. It's obvious Liz has problems of her own with how she looks writing something like that.
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Clive Ocnacuwenga
19 minutes ago

Whatever happened to freedom. People go to the beach to enjoy themselves not to look at you. If you are so caught in looking at people go to the mall.

Its called freedom of choice and there is no such thing as a beach no no. I didnt com e to the beach for you so whyn't you just mind your own damned business and go enjoy yourself and leave me alone- heels, boots whatever.

You should go live in IRAN!
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loco113
30 minutes ago
YOU GO ROD!!!!!!!!!!!
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I don't think it is fair to say that the British have a Puritanical mindset.
Imho, it's mostly just what is in fashion, and what isn't.
The swimming briefs were worn quite a lot here in the 70s and 80's - and then people prefered shorts, instead.
It's a bit like football shorts.





I don't think you find many if any European footballers wearing the first e.g anymore.

To me, the briefs are a very 70s thing. Maybe an 80s thing too.
It isn't like British men don't go shirtless on the beach.
It isn't like they are prudes.
It's vanity.
It's a little unfair to be so harsh all for approx 12 inches of material.
I just think most men here think it isn't a very good look to wear briefs.
It's as simple as that.
We are not all David Beckham

 

even if i was fit i wouldnt wear them

id rather not show my penis to strangers

 

I have worn a speedo to the beach. Even a thong, once.

 

I've gotten speedos as a joke gift, but the joke was on the jokee as I wore them out when we went to the beach. I've always been 160 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal... I'm a little white though. I'm sure ghost stories have been a staple at the pool since I went.

 

i am willing to bet he was talking about queen victoria's rules 'which have stuck' and not fashion trends 'which havnt stuck'.

 

Pics or it didn't happen

 

Fashion? Plus a time and a place.







Are not most men happy at around this length?



Not too short. Not too long. Just right.

 

Victorian rules, such as?

 

Ball-hugging man thongs are not for the faint of heart!

 

I'm actually kind of surprised that you're not aware of the English prude stereotype. British comedians have been mocking it for ages.

 

I am. Well, I was. I don't think comics rely on that so much these days.
I'm also aware of the dirty cards, too.



So are we all prudes or do we all have filthy minds?



We are supposed to be talking about real life, not stereotypes.
There might be a bit of a prudish nature of some men to wear the board shorts. But I do think most men - here and in America - would probably go for the middle size. Shale is a nudist, so he isn't as concerned about showing more off. He might be at one end of the spectrum, and the board shorts are at the other. Most men probably fall in between.

 

On a beach, not sure why it should matter. That goes for both genders.

Off the beach, perhaps a little more thought could be applied.

Considering the age of Rod, he is not doing too badly.

 

Did someone say Beckham?

 

The original writer gave exemption to swimmers, who are usually young men in the “underwear model” physique anyhow.





And yeah, guys got junk down there that shows thru the spandex - but for some reason young, toned swimmers get a pass - apparently no one complains about it.

But, I noticed while on a cruise ship that almost all North Americans wore the baggy pants on the pool deck. The Europeans/South Americans and I were the minority of men who wore Bikini style swimwear. In fact it is why I was chosen for one of those silly pool deck games as a “Hairy Man” contestant, even tho I am not all that hairy (you shoulda seen the bears in the competition). But they even mentioned my briefs were the reason they dragged me out of the hot tub.