It’s hard to pinpoint exactly one reason why swimming trunks are so often an afterthought in a man’s wardrobe. Perhaps it’s because most of us don’t wear them that often, or because the options tend to be solid-colored and boring or wildly flamboyant prints in colors that don’t appear anywhere else in our closets.
So we went in search of a few pairs that split the difference between those two extremes, and we were happy to find that the latest batch of trunks on the market not only offered a stylish middle ground, but also tends to be much smarter than some older cousins. Materials innovations have produced suits that dry faster and look sharper, making it easier to go from beach and pool to bar or cafe. Which means you can put on one of the versatile cuts below and wear them for a dip and a bit beyond.