Catch a Wave
You can tell a lot about a guy simply by analyzing his preferred swimwear. Rather than examining the flesh under the swimwear, we suggest taking a closer look at the trunks or bikinis or board shorts covering that bod. His swim trunks alone can tell you if he’s shy, a borderline athlete, fashion conscious, European or even a bit ditzy. You may discover something more than a beer belly or killer calves could ever tell you.
TEENY WEENY
It takes a brave man to shimmy into these Hugo Boss bikini bottoms ($35, Hugo Boss). It isn’t out of sheer boldness that this guy wears the tiniest of swimwear: he may hail from Europe (we can only hope); he needs a full coverage tan for his upcoming Mr. Olympia competition; or he’s clueless and missed the memo that suggested only svelte swimmers should don this look.
SHAPE UP
They go by the name "square cut," but the guy who can rock these — and do it well — is far from square. Case in point, David Beckham. The soccer superstar favors this style and, yes, it also favors him. Look for the athlete type in these Tulio lace-up shorts ($39, www.undergear.com).
SLAM TRUNK
The guy who sports scarves in the winter and pink in the summer will be right at home in these Burberry swim trunks ($110, Burberry). He leans toward clean cut looks with a dash of flair — and his wallet is healthy enough to support his fashion fetish.
PLAIN BOARD
Board shorts speak well to those who sport beach hair even when there’s no beach in sight. These Mossimo Volley board shorts ($19.99, Target) fit perfectly into the beach bag of the guy whose vernacular boasts such impressive terms as "dude," "awesome" and "gnarly."
GOING LONG
This guy detests exposing his body in public but his love for a killer wave or the eye candy at Rehab always makes him surrender. These Juicy Couture Graffiti board shorts ($98, Saks Fifth Avenue) give this shy kid enough coverage to make him feel secure but show enough to let him blend in.
