Torchwatch, I could not have put it better myself.
We do have another factor, and that it a section of the medical profession, especially some of the Dermatologists, who suggest that all exposure to sun is bad. We now have youngsters who appear on the beach, or by the pool, in head to toe suits (not just Muslims) due to parental fear of melanoma some time in the future. OK, melanoma skin cancer is a serious risk following unregulated sun exposure and sunburn. Vitamin D is produced in the skin by action of sunlight, and I have personally experienced (I am a health professional) a number of youngsters suffering from Rickets - a disease that was thought to have been eliminated in London in the 19th Century.

I remembered the melanoma factor only after posting my last piece and being lazy hoped that no one would notice. Well done in spotting my omission.
The media tried to apply the Slip, Slap, Slop Campaign from Australia to Britain and caused fear among parents in a country that rarely saw the sun.
Slip on a tee shirt, slap on some factor 50 and slop on a hat.

Well too many factros as far as why today's men's swimwear has gone backwords. The rationale behind "protecting children" is just stupid! Women can be predators as well. As far as skin cancer, then women should cover up as well. We need to start a "Swim Brief Revolution"...lol.

Christian

Of course most of the reasons are just stupid, but that is the way it happened.
America also had drug gangs wanting to hide drugs in weapons in their clothing without obvious bulges. They favoured long and loose fitting clothing especially "shorts".
Kids wanted to look like the gangsters rather than the sportsmen.