The classic Speedo swimsuit is barely 50 years old, evolving from nylon for the 1956 Olympics, to composite nylon/lycra blends in the 60s - this design and composition, with adjustments, is still with us. What is also still with us is a cyclical derision or fear of this style (aka banana hammock, budgie smuggler, pickle pincher, salami sling, et al). The style is not evil, obscene nor inherently "gay". It's just a piece of fabric, and wearing it just a matter of taste.
(Note that Speedo is actually a trade mark, but like Kleenex for tissues and Xerox for photocopying, Speedo has come to be a generic descriptor of brief men's swimwear.)
An appreciation of this classic swimsuit does not make a guy gay any more than Jockey brand undershorts do, but mainstream society seems to be on a real mad-on about Speedos. Men can (or should be able to) appreciate a slim fit that offers flexible movement, is sporty, and doesn't hide the male torso under reams of sodden material. A Speedo has most, if not all of the attributes important to swimming or sunbathing:
- coverage for decency's sake
- quick-drying
- light but pliable for swimming and diving, and in many cases,
- attractiveness - depending on body type and age
- and good tan lines - if you go in for that
There is a kind of dichotomy happening these days. Other than cut-offs or gym shorts, Speedo was the swimsuit of choice for many guys in the 60s and 70s. Despite other changes in fashion, such as the searing popularity of tattoos and metal studs and rods, Speedos are positively innocent. Yet these days, the Speedo seems to induce a kind of audible smirk - Speedo as punch line. Men use many ploys to be noticed, but many seem to settle for baggy swimwear that does for the male figure what the burka does for the female figure - diminish physical attributes and essentially de-sexualize the male body. Many current men's casual wear visually neuters the male (it's not that long ago when Capri pants (3/4 length) were called peddle-pushers and worn only by women) or infantilizes him (baggy shorts or pants hanging off inches of visible underwear). While all of this is happening, Speedos are infrequently seen but women's bikinis have only gotten skimpier as the bosoms got larger.
Speedos are the male swimwear of choice in Europe and South America regardless of physical conditioning. This approach is more laizzez faire than exhibitionist. The men with youthful or taut bodies may very well flaunt their brief swimsuits, but the out-of-shape or older men just wear the suit rather than the suit wearing them. What is wrong with that - it's the beach or a swimming pool, not High Mass at the Vatican.
Photo by blickwinkel/Alamy from guardian.co.uk
12 Aug 2009
When I was a much younger lad, say... in my 20s and 30s, I swam and tanned at public pools or beaches, wearing a Speedo - zero embarrassment. My view is that context has a place in deciding what is appropriate clothing, whether at the beach or at the shopping centre. Whenever I was away from the pool or sunning spot (canteen trip or short walk) I always wore a t-shirt that offered more coverage, as I didnt' want to feel naked when veering from a swimming or tanning context. My body hadn't changed, but my surroundings had. I accept that a Speedo can connote a cheesy aura if worn out of context, but the suit itself is not to blame. Context is king.
Speedos are the male swimwear of choice in Europe and South America regardless of physical conditioning. This approach is more laizzez faire than exhibitionist. The men with youthful or taut bodies may very well flaunt their brief swimsuits, but the out-of-shape or older men just wear the suit rather than the suit wearing them. What is wrong with that - it's the beach or a swimming pool, not High Mass at the Vatican.
Photo by blickwinkel/Alamy from guardian.co.uk
12 Aug 2009
When I was a much younger lad, say... in my 20s and 30s, I swam and tanned at public pools or beaches, wearing a Speedo - zero embarrassment. My view is that context has a place in deciding what is appropriate clothing, whether at the beach or at the shopping centre. Whenever I was away from the pool or sunning spot (canteen trip or short walk) I always wore a t-shirt that offered more coverage, as I didnt' want to feel naked when veering from a swimming or tanning context. My body hadn't changed, but my surroundings had. I accept that a Speedo can connote a cheesy aura if worn out of context, but the suit itself is not to blame. Context is king.
It's true that not all guys (nor their partners) feel comfortable with the scant coverage provided by a Speedo. I don't think that strange in any way. But the emotional, visceral and nasty reactions from some quarters is really out of scale to the presumed societal infraction. Some people actually interpret Speedo-wearers as harbingers of evil, gay, and perverted (or all rolled into one). Yes, Speedos can be eye-catching, but why concentrate disdain on the brevity of the male swimsuit and not the lady's bikini. Brevity should not indicate a moral lapse. The following comment is one lady's response to the topic Are men's speedos a sin? (christianblogs/christianet.com):
The goal is to focus people on God and Christ as Savior and Lord. We are the only hands, face, body, and action of God that most people see. If it detracts from loving people to Christ and the Father, we need to not do it. Be, say, and do what will draw others to God through what we be, say, and do. If it is about "you", it is probably not good for you because life is about our relationship with God not getting attention from humans.
What that says about Speedos may not be clear, but I believe the subtext equates brief clothes or Speedos with a lack of piety or Christian values. My view is that a visible ankle, elbow, torso, buttocks or male attributes do not imperil purity or religious faith. The hypocrisy is laughable. American Christian schools worship their swim teams (often sponsored by Speedo), track and field, and of course, the juggernaut that is football. Second-skin lycra plays a part in these and most other athletics.
Now, as alluded to earlier, what has superseded the Speedo to a great extent (except in competition) is the board short. If not too long or baggy, they can be attractive and sporty short pants, especially among the young. But they make for a poor swimsuit. Wearing any extraneous material in the water adds weight, and weight impairs performance and can snag and even fall off. What is funny is that guys now often wear the Speedo underneath under their billowing shorts to provide some support.
To return to the issue of appropriateness as dependent on context, some people (not just fundamentalists) have argued that it is not appropriate for women and/or children to see a man in a Speedo. The fear is that some psychological damage will be done and sensibilities forever impaired. But there is no hue and cry that the multitude of barely contained breasts (perhaps better known as boobs, knockers or rack) may affront the uninterested male. I've not heard of any damage to men or children from seeing a woman's butt-floss bikini. If everyone is so fragile, why haven't any gay man gone straight because of all that female flesh and minimal coverage? Ergo, seeing or wearing a Speedo will not drive any straight man gay. And I believe research has suggested that children are fascinated by differences in gender, and more likely to be damaged by having such differences characterized as evil.
Now, as alluded to earlier, what has superseded the Speedo to a great extent (except in competition) is the board short. If not too long or baggy, they can be attractive and sporty short pants, especially among the young. But they make for a poor swimsuit. Wearing any extraneous material in the water adds weight, and weight impairs performance and can snag and even fall off. What is funny is that guys now often wear the Speedo underneath under their billowing shorts to provide some support.
To return to the issue of appropriateness as dependent on context, some people (not just fundamentalists) have argued that it is not appropriate for women and/or children to see a man in a Speedo. The fear is that some psychological damage will be done and sensibilities forever impaired. But there is no hue and cry that the multitude of barely contained breasts (perhaps better known as boobs, knockers or rack) may affront the uninterested male. I've not heard of any damage to men or children from seeing a woman's butt-floss bikini. If everyone is so fragile, why haven't any gay man gone straight because of all that female flesh and minimal coverage? Ergo, seeing or wearing a Speedo will not drive any straight man gay. And I believe research has suggested that children are fascinated by differences in gender, and more likely to be damaged by having such differences characterized as evil.
In closing, I'd like to add that to me there are two other garments that can be more disturbing than a man in a Speedo. A man wearing baggy sweat pants without needed support ends up flaunting their packages. And what can one really say about girls (teens, tweens and sometimes their mothers) with fat hanging over too-low jeans but revealing a thong stretched near breaking point. I've personally seen that several times in restaurants - no self-awareness at all. Now, that is scary, and surely an affront to decency but no indictments from the pulpit are pending.
Whether wet or dry, cotton or lycra, Speedo or sweatpants, ultimately it's all a matter of taste, a matter of degree, and a matter of choice. And if you think I advocate everyone wear Speedos, you can relax. Consider the context. It's a matter of choice and appropriateness. But please consider that if I choose to don a Speedo in public, it does not automatically mean that I'm:
Whether wet or dry, cotton or lycra, Speedo or sweatpants, ultimately it's all a matter of taste, a matter of degree, and a matter of choice. And if you think I advocate everyone wear Speedos, you can relax. Consider the context. It's a matter of choice and appropriateness. But please consider that if I choose to don a Speedo in public, it does not automatically mean that I'm:
A) delusional as to my appearance
B) an exhibitionist
C) an anarchist, nor
D) the spawn of the Devil.
That's it for now... enjoy the summer regardless of what you wear and let's give the Speedo snarkiness a rest.
1 comment:
I think with any swimwear, you have to select a good one for your body type. A slim, trim fit guy looks great in a speedo type bathing suit. Board short look ridiculous
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