Category: Pánske plavky – trendy, výber a inšpirácia
Category: Pánske plavky – trendy, výber a inšpirácia
May, packing for the first holiday of the season. A man pulls swimwear out of last summer”s trip – dark blue knee-length Bermudas, heavy polyester. He looks in the mirror and something isn”t right. The swimwear covers his thighs, visually shortens his legs, the silhouette feels heavy. Thirteen years ago, these looked completely normal. Today they look outdated. He knows he needs something different. But he doesn”t know exactly what and why.
This is what we have heard from hundreds of men over 19 years of DESSUE expert experience. Long Bermudas turned into short shorts over a decade and this change has a concrete beginning – the year 2012 and the brand Roberto LUCCA. In this article we explain why the trend of short men”s swim shorts is not a seasonal fad but a long-term shift in the beach silhouette, what the ICON collection has brought in the current season and how to recognise quality men”s swimwear that defines this standard.
Fashion works in cycles. A standard works differently. A cyclical trend disappears within one or two seasons – another replaces it. A standard holds for ten years or more because it has a physical and aesthetic justification. Short men”s swim shorts belong to the second category.
For the buyer, the difference is fundamental. Swimwear that follows a short-term trend looks dated after two years. Swimwear that follows a standard lasts exactly as long as the material and the cut last. That is why DESSUE”s offer contains models that have been in the range for years and still sell. The durability of a cut is a quiet quality that is underestimated at the point of purchase, but the difference shows up very quickly – poor swimwear lasts only a few uses, truly quality pieces last for years.
Lasting trends do not happen by accident. They happen when a specific brand brings together a precise cut, material and proportion into a functional whole. That is exactly what happened in 2012.
Before we go into the details, a simple table for a quick overview of the most important differences:
| Feature | Short cut (model 10152) | Long Bermudas below the knee |
|---|---|---|
| Length | High on the thigh, upper third | Below the knee |
| Visual effect on legs | Elongates, balances proportions | Shortens the silhouette |
| Visual weight | Light, clean line | Heavy, bulky |
| Movement at the knee joint | Free while swimming and walking | Restricted, fabric rubs against the knees |
| Quick drying | Fast (less material, Hi-Tech) | Slow (more material) |
| Weight after getting wet | Low | Several hundred grams extra |
| Versatility (sea + pool + sauna) | Yes | Mainly only sea and beach |
| Currency of the silhouette | European standard | Looks outdated |
In 2012 the brand Roberto LUCCA was founded – and with it one of the first truly short cuts of men”s swimwear on the European market. At a time when most brands were offering Bermudas reaching below the knee, Roberto LUCCA introduced a significantly shorter cut that ends high on the thigh. It was not an adaptation to the market, but a deliberate intervention into the existing silhouette.
The foundation of this change was the model 10152 from the ICON collection. A very short shorts ending in the upper third of the thigh, with a balanced ratio of waist and length, shaped the beach silhouette in a way that had not been usual until then. Visual lengthening of the legs, a cleaner line, a lighter visual impression – all of this was brought by precisely this length.
External validation came later. The French editorial team Edgard L´Élégant placed Roberto LUCCA in the prestigious Top 10 best manufacturers of men”s swimwear in 2024, 2025 and 2026 – three years in a row. In the context of such a competitive segment as luxury men”s swimwear, this result is exceptionally hard to achieve. The full Top 10 swimwear brands ranking and who else placed alongside Roberto LUCCA we covered in a separate article.
The short cut did not win because it looks modern. It won because it physically works better than the long one. Three concrete effects decided that it became the standard.
A truly short length ending high on the thigh visually lengthens the legs by several centimetres and balances the proportion of torso and lower limbs. With long Bermudas the visual line breaks at the level of the knees and the leg appears shorter than it actually is. The short cut does not stop this line – the eye flows from the waist to the ankle, a principle photographers have used for decades.
Long Bermudas have an excess of fabric at the knee joint, which rubs against the skin while swimming and creates folds while walking. The short cut ends above the knee, so movement is free, entry into the water smooth and exit from the sea without the "wet brick" effect, when Bermudas absorb several hundred grams of water. Choosing the right cut according to body shape complements this comfort benefit with a visual one – the short cut works on a broad spectrum of body types.
Versatility is one of the reasons why other brands followed the trend. The short cut suits men with an athletic build (it emphasises the thighs without covering the muscles), men of medium and taller stature (the short length visually lengthens), and also more robust body shapes (it reduces the visual weight of the lower body). A detailed overview of cuts, lengths and styles of men”s swim shorts we covered in a separate guide for those hesitating between specific models.
The ICON collection in the current season expands by six new colour shades of model 10152:
The current leitmotif is pure colour without print. Strong but muted shades. No tropical print, no graphic motif, no geometry. The surface of the swimwear acts like a monolith – colour dominates, the cut stays in the background, the figure stands out.
Thanks to the expansion by six new shades, model 10152 is today available in 44 colour variations in total. In the segment of luxury men”s swimwear, such a range of a single cut is exceptional. Most brands work with ten to fifteen colours per model. Forty-four variations mean that the buyer chooses a shade that truly fits his skin tone, body type and other beach accessories.
The colour of swimwear on the beach does not work the same way as colour in the city. Bright sunlight changes the perception of shades, water acts as a reflector, sand as a bright background. The six new shades in the ICON collection are not a random choice – each colour has precise behaviour in the beach environment.
Melon yellow offers high visibility and dominates on bright sand and in greenish water. It works best for medium-dark to darker skin, where the contrast creates a clean visual effect. On pale skin it can look too strong in direct sunlight.
Pastel pink is a muted shade that gradually replaces the bold coral. It comes across as confident and modern without unnecessarily drawing attention. Suitable for fair and tanned skin.
Lavender is a cool tone that visually lowers the temperature of the silhouette. It works in the Mediterranean context (blue sea, white walls of coastal towns). Universal for fair and medium-toned skin.
Turquoise blends with the colour of tropical water, which is why it is popular in photos from destinations with turquoise seas. It visually elongates the silhouette because it does not break the gaze with sharp contrast. Works best on tanned skin.
Mint is one of the most universal shades of the season. It looks fresh in any type of water, does not compete with the colour of the sea or pool. Works on all skin types – a safe choice for the first purchase from the ICON collection.
Deep burgundy is a dark, reducing shade that visually slims the silhouette. Suitable for men who prefer a more discreet appearance, or for hotel environments where bolder colours feel informal. Works on all skin types.
When combining with beach accessories, a simple rule applies. A saturated swimwear handles a neutral accessory (white T-shirt, beige shirt, natural hat). A muted swimwear creates space for a bolder accessory. Mint and lavender handle both strategies – which is why they sell best as a first piece from the collection.
Once the proportion of a specific model fits you, you do not need to change the cut. It is enough to change the colour. Specifically for the buyer, this means:
Model 10152 offers continuity, not experimentation. This is the exact opposite of how seasonal fashion usually works – and precisely why it is a piece that men buy repeatedly in different colours.
The cut is only half of the equation. The other half is the material. The ICON collection uses Hi-Tech polyamide – a fabric that solves four specific problems of ordinary men”s swimwear.
The swimwear does not stay wet for hours after leaving the water. Thanks to that, you travel comfortably, the swimwear does not stick to the skin and after a short break in the sun it is dry. A detailed technical description of how quick drying really works in practice we covered in a separate article.
The fabric does not retain unnecessary water mass, the swimwear does not gain several hundred grams extra after leaving the water. With long Bermudas made of cheap material, the difference between dry and wet swimwear can represent half a kilogram – a difference you feel with every step.
UV resistance means that 44 shades stay saturated even after several seasons. Cheap swimwear loses colour already after the first intensive holiday – blue shades fade, black turns into grey-brown, red fades to orange.
The difference is significant, especially in thermal pools with higher chlorine concentration. What exactly chlorine does to swimwear and how it affects durability we processed in a separate text. Salt water in turn affects elastane and can decompose it – Hi-Tech polyamide is more resistant to both types of water.
The material is lightweight but strong. It holds the line even after repeated contact with sea and pool – and this resilience in two different environments is a factor often overlooked at purchase. The difference between what swimwear designed for sea vs. pool handles we covered for those who want one swimwear for both environments.
Although the current trend clearly belongs to short shorts, the shorts cut is not the only form of men”s swimwear. Each type has its place and justification. A complete overview of individual types and their differences we processed in a separate guide to types of men”s swimwear. In short:
The short shorts remains the most versatile choice. If you are looking for one pair of swimwear that handles all situations, it is a logical choice – this also follows from the article on how to choose one swimsuit for everything.
The short cut works broadly, but there are three profiles of men for whom the choice is entirely unambiguous:
For those whom none of these categories classifies, it is good to consult the expert guide how to choose men”s swimwear according to body shape. It contains detailed recommendations for slim, more robust, taller and shorter builds.
For those buying short men”s shorts for the first time, the following procedure minimises the risk of a wrong purchase:
Step 1: Measure yourself with a tailor”s tape. You need two dimensions – waist circumference (at the narrowest point) and hip circumference (at the widest point). Write them down. The size chart of model 10152 in centimetres is available for each colour variation.
Step 2: Choose colour according to skin tone and destination. For fair skin start with lavender or pastel pink. For tanned skin with turquoise or melon yellow. Mint and deep burgundy are universal. A detailed overview is in the section Colour psychology above.
Step 3: Check the material. In the ICON collection it is Hi-Tech polyamide – modern, quick-drying, resistant to chlorine, salt and UV. Common polyester in cheaper models is less durable.
Step 4: Order in advance. A week before the planned holiday is the ideal time – you have space for an exchange if the size does not fit. DESSUE”s offer includes 14 days for return and 30 days for exchange, with a return form enclosed in the shipment.
Step 5: Try on at home. In front of the mirror in natural light, not in a cramped fitting room. If it doesn”t fit, you exchange it for another size – in DESSUE”s practice we usually process exchanges on the same day the shipment arrives.
If you are looking for quality men”s swimwear that is not a product of seasonal marketing but the result of long-term development of cut and material, the ICON collection offers a model that does not follow the trend – but shaped it. A short cut ending high on the thigh, pure colour, functional Hi-Tech polyamide. No compromise on proportion, no compromise on durability.
The trend of short men”s swimwear did not start a few seasons ago. It started in 2012 and in the current offer it arrives in its most mature form – in 44 colour variations of a single proven cut. What was a bold shortening in 2012 is today a European standard. Model 10152 was not a reaction to the market – it was the vision of one brand that later became a reference for the entire segment.
The full selection of men”s swimwear and short swim shorts can be found in the current DESSUE offer – a selection for discerning men without compromise.
The content of this article has been prepared by DESSUE practitioners based on more than 19 years of experience in selling men”s swimwear and collaboration with premium Italian and French manufacturers, including the brand Roberto LUCCA – three times in a row in the Top 10 of the Edgard L´Élégant editorial team (2024, 2025, 2026).
The current trend is clearly a short cut ending high on the thigh, pure saturated colour without print and functional material of the Hi-Tech polyamide type. The model representative of this direction is 10152 from the ICON collection, which comes in 44 colour variations. Detailed context of the current trend can also be found in the overview Top 10 men”s swimwear brands.
For most men the optimal choice is a short cut that ends in the upper third of the thigh – exactly such is model 10152 from the ICON collection. It works universally for leaner, athletic and more robust builds. A detailed guide by specific body type can be found in the guide on men”s swim shorts cuts.
Because it combines three elements that are not tied to seasonal fashion: a precise short length ending high on the thigh, a balanced ratio of waist to lower part, and functional Hi-Tech polyamide. These factors make the swimwear both universal and durable. A detailed breakdown of what determines the quality of men”s swimwear explains the background of this principle.
The choice of colour depends on the environment and skin type. Turquoise and deep burgundy work in destinations with turquoise water. Lavender and pastel pink are natural for the Mediterranean coast with blue water and white walls. Mint is a universal safe choice for the first purchase from the collection. Detailed recommendations by shade and skin can be found in the section Colour psychology above.
The short cut ends high on the thigh, long Bermudas below the knee. The difference is not only in length but also in the optical effect (the short cut elongates the legs, the long one shortens them), in weight after getting wet (Bermudas absorb significantly more water), in drying speed and in versatility of use. A detailed comparison is in the table in the section Quick comparison at the beginning of the article.
Yes – with quality Hi-Tech polyamide and proper care, swimwear lasts three to five seasons under intensive use. This is precisely the difference between poor swimwear, which lasts only a few uses, and quality models from the ICON collection. Why some swimwear loses shape and others don”t we covered in a separate article.
You can find the ICON Collection in the current offer of DESSUE men”s swimwear – an e-shop specialising in men”s swimwear, in business for 19 years and offering the complete Roberto LUCCA range including all 44 colour variations of model 10152.
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