Jon Solin, 25
bioengineering-firm CEO
Photo: Scott Schuman
GQ: How to Buy a Swimsuit
Shorter Is Better
When you’re wearing a swimsuit, you’re damn near naked. In public. So the last thing you want is a pair of knee-length board shorts that make you look like a pudgy tween. This summer, go shorter. A suit that fits will make you look trim, confident, and manly—and even let your thighs get some sun.
Go for a Fly
Swimsuits always cling to you as you rise out of the surf or the pool. But the seams and construction of a fly add a little armor to keep your package private.
Keep the Front Flat
A flat front sits comfortably on even the softest waist, while a grabbing elastic band often emphasizes the fat you’re trying to conceal.
Know Your Brand
Everyone under the sun looks good in this pocketed, lined, triple-stitched high-quality nylon suit (it comes in more than twenty-five colors) by the decades-old Parisian brand Hartford.
Got Confidence? Go for a Suit that Grabs Attention
There are right and wrong ways to get noticed. Wrong way: shin-length board shorts with cargo pockets and a tattoo print of a fire-breathing dragon. Right way: classic, surf-inspired graphics in a variety of bright—but not obnoxious—colors. Just remember, you’ll be calling attention to yourself, so at least have something
Carrying Extra Weight? Learn to Make Less of a Splash
If you’re soft in the middle, bet on black and don’t hedge. Colors and patterns will draw attention to your heft, while black helps hide your size without sacrificing cool points. Resist the urge to over compensate for your girth by hiding it under a huge suit—the leg openings should still be modest (comfortably so) and the shorts should hit a couple of inches above your knee.
Get Active in a Simple Athletic Suit
A little nervous about going shorter? Make the transition smooth with racing stripes. They come across as athletic, not flashy or fashiony, and—in the case of vertical stripes—the visual effect makes even a truncated suit look longer. With racing stripes, stick to the same primary colors that Formula One drivers use: black, white, red, and yellow.
Rethink Those Board Shorts, Man! Buy ‘Em Short but Not Tight
Surf trunks haven’t disappeared, they’ve simply been brought up to date. While certain characteristics have never changed—you should still look for flat-front trunks with a Velcro fly and a lace tie—the cut is now more Dr. J and less Dwayne Wade.
Simple Solutions for Skinny Guys
•First of all, if you’re a bit scrawny, quit whining—you’ve got it easy. All you have to do is make sure you don’t have too much swimsuit (an oversize suit will make you look even smaller).
•What you want are short trunks with narrow leg openings: if the suit’s too long you’ll look like you’re in hand-me-down Bermudas, and if the leg openings are too wide, you’ll look like you’re in a hand-me-down cheerleading skirt.
•So keep your trunks trim as you can, and feel free to experiment with vivid patterns and colors—something most of the big guys on the beach can’t get away with.
GQ: How to buy a swim suit
