History
For most of human history, recreational swimming was done naked. Purpose-designed swimwear started out as a modesty garment first, and a practical garment very much second - early swimsuits were made from knit wool.
Suits were strictest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when both men and women were prohibited by law and custom from going bare-chested in public. One-piece suits with cutoff sleeves and legs were the common style. In the 50s and 60s, men organized protests arguing for the right to go topless. From that point on, swimsuits were more about function than modesty.
Modern Styles
Contemporary swimsuits can serve both decorative and practical functions. Most strive for both. Swimsuits are usually categorized by the length and looseness of their cut.
Trunks are the most common men’s swimwear in North America. They look similar to shorts worn as clothing on land, but are made from light, fast-drying materials and feature a tighter-fitting lining inside the shorts. Longer versions that come past the knee are sometimes called boardshorts.
Swim briefs are often called “speedos,” a brand that has been popular for many years. They are tight, body-hugging swimsuits with a V-shaped front that bares the thighs.
Square-cut shorts are a body-hugging style that covers the wearer from the waist to the upper thigh. The leg openings are cut straight across the thigh for a boxy look that is slightly less revealing than speedos.
Jammers are knee-length, skintight suits used by competitive swimmers to reduce drag. They resemble bike shorts, but without the padded crotch and seat.
Thongs are small briefs designed to expose the buttocks. Many cultures traditionally use thong-style swimwear for men, such as the Japanese fundoshi, but in contemporary Western culture thongs are predominantly marketed toward women. Men can and do wear them, however.
Remember realistic expectations about who wants to see your naked flesh, and how much of it, go a long way:-)
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