Bright colors, prints soak trunk styles

They're more than just something to swim in.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
When it comes to men's swimwear, function overrides form.
"It's not just about something to swim in," said Jack Herschlag, executive director of the National Association of Men's Sportswear Buyers. "It's surf wear. It's loungewear."
Whether they are taking waves or taking it easy, guys have a variety of trunk styles from which to choose.
Brightening the beach
As in women's swimwear, color has soaked the trunks. Electric shades of green, yellow, blue and orange are making powerful impressions. However, it's not only about the brights. Black looks sophisticated, and shades of brown offer richness.
The colors provide backdrops for fun prints. Say "aloha" to Hawaiian-flavored bold florals. Tropical scenes are in the picture, as are novelty designs, such as surfboards. Also, stripes and plaids are important.
As for silhouettes, "your typical swim trunk is medium-length with pockets," said Herschlag, adding that this design is popular with the older wearers while longer board shorts are hot with the younger crowd.
From designers
In high fashion, designers offer these styles and more. For instance, Anna Sui did the ubiquitous board short but also included a version of a pedal pusher in her spring men's collection.
Others advocated less coverage. Michael Kors presented a graphic-print brief at his show, as did the folks at Bally. The fitted square-cut trunk, a la Burt Lancaster in "From Here to Eternity," has shaped up as a favorite with designers the past few seasons.
On Mainstream Street in Middle America, the skimpier styles don't hold much water. However, on Madison Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, they create traffic at designer shops.
"These are for people who want to look different," Herschlag said. "They want to be seen. This is what you see at South Beach (in Miami) and Fire Island (in New York) and fancy resorts."
Nostalgic
If being this fashion-forward doesn't appeal to a guy, he can look back. The cabana sets of the '60s have re-emerged. Dillard's carries the matching shirts and trunks.
"It's a bit of a nostalgia trip," Herschlag said. "Back then, it was like they were dressing for some grand party, when all they were doing was going to the beach."
Another throwback is the terry-cloth zippered shirt as a cover-up. Tanks, muscle shirts and logo tees can also be paired with trunks.