Men's Swimwear in Europe (or Outside the US)

[Paragon Fury]

So I have a question about swimwear in Europe (and outside the US in general). I was reading an article about travel in Europe a few days ago, and one of the things it took the time to mention is that traditional US men's swimwear (IE: Swimming Trunks) was not allowed or very sternly frowned upon at many European beaches, pools and parks.

Is this true? Like, if I really wanted to go swimming in Europe I'd have to wear something super embarrassing like a Speedo?

If so, I guess I'll never go swimming if I manage to go to Europe.


For reference, the article was implying that THIS kind of swimwear was not allowed:

Spoiler

 

[Muspelheim]

No, doesn't sound very familiar. If there is a policy like that, I've never seen it before. That model or slightly shorter seems to be the standard.

I think the article might've meant speedoes, but didn't get it across very well. They're rather rare, and I think I've heard of them being banned in some places.

 

[DoPo]

So I have a question about swimwear in Europe (and outside the US in general). I was reading an article about travel in Europe a few days ago, and one of the things it took the time to mention is that traditional US men's swimwear (IE: Swimming Trunks) was not allowed or very sternly frowned upon at many European beaches, pools and parks.

Where did you read that? Also which places in particular? Also, why?

I've never heard of that before, but also I've never been all over Europe to take notes either. From my (admittedly quite limited) experience with beaches/pools/rivers/lakes/(a couple of other places with water in them) I've never ever heard of a "swimsuit restriction". Aside from sometimes "you need to have one on" but that's as long as there is somebody to restrict it.

 

[Batou667]

Yeah, it's true. You can wear a thong if you're prudish, but it's more socially accepted to simply go nude. It makes the compulsory penis inspection at the border go quicker if nothing else.

Spoiler

Just kidding. The swimwear in the OP picture would be completely normal in the UK. We sometimes have a giggle at American swimwear that goes below the knee, but shorts are definitely more common than trunks here in the UK, unless you're a competitive swimmer.

 

[Eleuthera]

The restriction does exist, but it's not very common. There are private swimming pools in at least France and Italy where you're not allowed in wearing shorts, speedo's (or possibly slightly longer tight swimtrunks (like boxer-briefs in shape)) are the only ones allowed. However I've never heard of this restriction being applied to the beach, or public swimming areas. Or at all applied in most countries.

I believe it's supposed to be a hygiene thing, but I might be wrong on that.

 

[Jux]

I've always been partial to something like

Spoiler: this

Seems like an odd restriction though (at least for a public space).

 

[Michel Henzel]

Never heard of anything like that, and aside from really old men I have very rarely seen other men wearing speedo's.

 

[freaper]

I know from experience that, at least, in France and (sometimes) Italy owners enforce the wearing of speedos or short trunks in their hotel pools or camping pools. You should be ok with the normal trunks on most beaches, though.

 

[dragoongfa]

I am Greek (lot's of beaches) there is no restriction, just behind the back ridicule that you are trying to hide your body if you wear something that almost reaches the knee.

What Jux linked is widely acceptable provided you have the body for it (I don't anymore )

EDIT:Stupid typo

 

[Knight Captain Kerr]

I live in Ireland and that's fine here. Swimming trunks is the kind of swimwear I have actually.

 

[TheMightyMeekling]

Naw, I go swimming on a weekly basis, and I see plenty of people with this kind of swimwear. I have never heard of something like that.

 

[lionsprey]

i have only ever encountered such a rule in one place and that was in a bath house

 

[CrystalViolet]

For beaches, swimming shorts are fine. In some Continental European countries you can't wear swimming shorts into some pools and if you do you'll look weird but you can wear the more tightly fitting but longer speedos that just look like tight shorts. In the UK and Ireland you can wear swim shorts into most pools. I have lived almost everywhere and swim a lot so I've seen all sorts of swimwear.

 

[Paragon Fury]

I know from experience that, at least, in France and (sometimes) Italy owners enforce the wearing of speedos or short trunks in their hotel pools or camping pools. You should be ok with the normal trunks on most beaches, though.

Well crap.

Because I only wear the kind of trunks I put in the OP + a white/gray shirt when I go to the pool/beach.

Guess I'll have to find something not involving water if I go to France.

 

[MeatMachine]

If I had to guess, I'd say those restrictions are only in place in public swimming pools, and not the beach.

Only reason I could see for enforcing Speedos or other tight wetsuits is if the rule-setter wanted to ensure that people's long, greasy pubes remain trapped in their body-conforming apparel, rather than escape and float away freely from loose trunks.

Just a guess.

 

[Smooth Operator]

That would probably only be places that enforce dress code, i.e. fancy clubs or hotels. Anyone else really won't give a shit even if you run around naked, just make sure cops don't see you.

 

[BoredRolePlayer]

If I had to guess, I'd say those restrictions are only in place in public swimming pools, and not the beach.

Only reason I could see for enforcing Speedos or other tight wetsuits is if the rule-setter wanted to ensure that people's long, greasy pubes remain trapped in their body-conforming apparel, rather than escape and float away freely from loose trunks.

Just a guess.

Not gonna lie, after life guarding at a US pool pubes is the least of my worries.