Staying Fit
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Unlike women who plot, plan and prepare for every body-baring minute spent in a swimsuit, men over 50 often just show up in whatever's available in their dresser drawer. Grownup dudes don't get swimsuit advice from their peers, as my husband, brother and friends can verify. They also never think to ask the women in their lives for any (even me, and I'm a fashion editor!). Well, I'm here to tell all you need to know, so don't be shy. Let's dive in.
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1. Know your body's pros and cons
Check your body — nude or in underwear — in a full-length mirror. Look at all views: rear, side and front. Don't suck in your stomach. Most guys have never done this, so it's a real heads-up. To find your best swimsuit, consider a few things first. What bugs you? A big belly? Wiggly thighs? Man boobs? Back fat? What's your best stuff? A still-trim waist? Toned legs? Broad shoulders? Nice forearms? Cute love handles? Ignore unattainable body images of you at 35, of professional athletes and of movie stars. Do what we women do and gain confidence from the good, even if there's “more of you to love."
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George Men's and Big Men's 6-Inch Americana Ocean Print Swim Trunks in Blue Cove (left); Kohl's Men's Sonoma Goods for Life Flexwear Swim Trunks in Blue Stripe (middle top); Lands’ End Big and Tall 8-Inch Print Volley Swim Trunks in Palm (middle bottom); Speedo Horizon Blend Bondi Swim Trunks in Blue Lemonade (right)
Walmart; Kohl's; Lands' End; Speedo
2. Choose the right size and length
Guys don't have the advantage of a suit top for camouflage or a flattering neckline to help balance lower-body proportions. All they have to work with is that waist-down bit of fabric. In general, nearly every man looks great in mid-thigh-length classic trunks, from 7 to 8 inches at the inseam (the length from crotch to hem at inner thigh). Tall men can look more balanced in a longer suit that ends an inch or two above the knees. An all-around adjustable drawstring elastic waistband, like the Lands’ End Big and Tall 8-Inch Print Volley Swim Trunks in Palm ($45, landsend.com), can help keep love handles (also called muffin tops) from spilling over the waistband, while a half-elastic back band with a drawstring and a faux fly, like the Speedo Horizon Blend Bondi Swim Trunks in Blue Lemonade ($33, kohls.com), can add structure to a wiggly waistline, beefy tummy and hips. Swimsuits with a built-in mesh liner, like the George Men's and Big Men's 6-Inch Americana Ocean Print Swim Trunks in Blue Cove ($10, walmart.com) or Kohl's Men's Sonoma Goods for Life Flexwear Swim Trunks ($22, kohls.com), provide underwear-like support and security. You don't want to be checking and tugging the suit at your crotch or butt in order to prevent a sideshow. Try sitting, squatting down, bending over, and walking fast or jogging beforehand in order to see if it's a good fit.
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