hrvarts, Men’s fashion is embracing bold confidence this season with a skyrocketing demand for short shorts and Speedos. Industry trends, celebrity influence, and changing cultural attitudes are reshaping men’s swimwear and summer wardrobe essentials.
Across the UK and beyond, men are showing more thigh than ever. The rise of short inseams ranging from 5 inches down to a bold 3 inches is reshaping both casual wear and swimwear choices. According to Google Trends, UK searches for Speedos have surged by 41% over the past year, signaling a cultural shift in men’s fashion preferences.
Swimwear Reflects the Shift Toward Confidence and Health
Luke Day, a prominent fashion stylist known for his extensive collection of over 50 swim briefs, sees this trend as a natural evolution. “Shorts have become so short that swimwear feels like the next logical step,” Day says. He credits the change not only to fashion cycles but also to the increasing focus on fitness and body confidence.
“In 2025, the ultimate status symbol isn’t a designer label it’s your body,” he explains. “People want to show off the results of their gym routines. Wearing short shorts or briefs is a way to celebrate that.”
Celebrity Endorsements and the Rise of “Thigh Guy Summer”
Public figures and celebrities have played a major role in normalizing shorter shorts for men. Recently, actor Alexander Skarsgård appeared on the Lorraine show sporting designer 5-inch inseam shorts by S.S. Daley, cheekily saying, “I wanted to be sexy today.”
Meanwhile, Cultured magazine featured 53-year-old White Lotus star Walton Goggins on its cover in a bold pair of yellow Speedos further signaling that age is no barrier to thigh-bearing confidence.
Many credit this new wave of short-shorts culture to the “Mescal effect.” Actor Paul Mescal’s iconic appearance in micro shorts outside an east London supermarket years ago helped push shorter cuts into the mainstream, making it fashionable rather than niche.
High Fashion to High Street: A Mainstream Movement
This year’s fashion runways at Gucci, Hermès, and Dior spotlighted ultra-short styles, and celebrities like Harry Styles, Donald Glover, Jeremy Allen White, and Pharrell Williams have been spotted showing serious leg recalling John Travolta’s iconic Pulp Fiction aesthetic.
Major retailers are catching on. Marks & Spencer’s new summer campaign promotes 3-inch banana print swim shorts as must-have items. At John Lewis, 5-inch inseams from Under Armour are top-sellers, while micro-length styles from brands like Paul Smith and Lacoste are trending fast.
Orlebar Brown, known for upscale resort wear, offers four inseam options from 6 inches down to their most daring 3-inch “Springer” model. CMO Trevor Hardy confirms the growing demand: “Even men who typically avoid fashion are now exploring bolder choices. Confidence is in.”
Practical Trends Meet Style
It’s not just fashion it’s functionality. Brief-style swimwear is mandatory at many French pools and commonly seen on Italian beaches. With the rise in cold-water swimming and sauna culture in the UK, tighter-fitting briefs are gaining traction. They absorb less water, fit better under wetsuits, and provide more mobility between saunas and plunge pools.
In Australia, vibrant Speedos especially yellow and pink ones from AussieBum remain a beach staple. Speedo itself is riding the wave with its Jetstream collection, featuring 3.5-inch drawcord briefs inspired by the retro flair of the 1980s.
Tips for First-Time Brief Wearers
For those making their debut in swim briefs, Day offers advice: choose a thicker fabric and consider sizing up. “You don’t want them tight like compression shorts. You want comfort and movement.” More importantly, he suggests wearing them confidently. “Don’t make it a spectacle. It’s just swimwear.”
He adds, “I cringe when someone walks into the room and everyone reacts like it’s a novelty. We’re in 2025 let’s stop acting like this is shocking.”
Whether it’s for fashion, fitness, or just plain fun, men around the world are embracing shorter inseams with pride. With industry momentum, celebrity backing, and a collective shift toward wellness and body positivity, “Thigh Guy Summer” isn’t just a trend it’s a cultural reset.
