For those who move through the world with an unbridled lust for adventure and insatiable appetite for life’s decadent detours, summer is not a fleeting reverie to be squandered poolside. No, the summer season demands to be indulged with the same passionate intensity as a grand Mediterranean love affair—chasing that wild-eyed fervor from dawn until the beachside bonfire flickers its final embers.

Newsflash for the intrepid souls who crave more from their warm weather dalliances than a pedestrian array of colorblocked prints and banal patterns—only the most distinctive and masterfully-designed men’s swimwear will do, whether your summer constitutes boho soirees in Positano, new wave happenings in Hydra, or rum-drenched sybaritism in off-season St. Barth. 

There’s an art to picking the right swimwear—especially if your summer plans involve more than just parking it poolside. Whether you’re diving off a catamaran in the Cyclades, sneaking in a tan on your Brooklyn rooftop, or grabbing ceviche after a surf session, the best men’s swimwear this season is designed to function and flex. And not just trunks—we’re talking tailored Bermudas, sport-influenced briefs and shorts that blur the line between swim and resortwear.

This is a summer style guide tailored for those who prefer their hair inflected with ocean spray and Persols permanently balanced on the bridge of their nose—chasing the shimmering fantasy of endless sun-drenched escapades, always cutting a debonair figure whether sauntering from cabana to beachside trattoria or executing ungodly underwater breath holds.

Designers are dialing in on fit and fabric: think Econyl made from ocean waste, quick-dry Merino blends and nylon poplins that look more Savile Row than surf shop. There’s a push toward formality—fly fronts, side tab adjusters, tonal hardware—without sacrificing performance. Some cuts are compact and Riviera-ready, others hit mid-thigh with a crisp silhouette and a few go long for the Bermuda loyalists. The common thread? Every pair here is built to impress, wet or dry.

And then there’s the print direction: you’ll find starry palms, Deco geometrics and even cocktail motifs that go full kitsch. But you’ll also see minimalist bathing suit takes for guys who’d rather blend in than broadcast. No matter your lean—graphic or clean, structured or swim-brief bold—this list covers every category. Ahead, Observer’s edit of the best swimwear to wear this summer, from high-design briefs to resort-polished shorts that can hold their own at a pool bar or private villa.