Why do older men wear Speedos?

[Bede735]

I was off work on Friday and went to my local pool in the afternoon. Much to my astonishment, the majority of the male swimmers were in brief swimwear! However, they were all in their 50s and 60s, and I think this has become a trend.

I have two theories on this:

1. They are past their physical peak, and it would be more exacting to swim in baggy shorts.
2. They are more aware of the temporary nature of existence, and therefore don't give a damn as to what other people think!

[Dooley67]

Originally Posted by Bede735

I was off work on Friday and went to my local pool in the afternoon. Much to my astonishment, the majority of the male swimmers were in brief swimwear! However, they were all in their 50s and 60s, and I think this has become a trend.

I have two theories on this:

1. They are past their physical peak, and it would be more exacting to swim in baggy shorts.
2. They are more aware of the temporary nature of existence, and therefore don't give a damn as to what other people think!

Well, Bede, I'm not sure what #1 means unless it's a typo and you meant to write that it takes more energy (more enervating) to swim in baggy shorts.

As far as #2 is concerned, being among the group of older folks, I don't think about the temporary nature of existence because I'm not really philosophical about it. But the second part of #2 holds for me, that I really don't care what others think. In addition, I wear brief swimwear because I can, simple as that.

Very good question - interested in what other guys in their 50's and 60's think.
D67

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

I wear them because i like them and it is what I grew up wearing. I also do not get hung up on what others think and do not freak out about most guys liking board shorts.

[JamesSwim]

Originally Posted by SwimTeamSpeedo

I wear them because i like them and it is what I grew up wearing. I also do not get hung up on what others think and do not freak out about most guys liking board shorts.

This is an interesting thread with many viewpoints. I agree with SwimTeamSpeedo. If you grew up in an era when briefs were popular, you keep wearing them. Just like how people continue to listen to music (or radio stations) that you grew up with.

So I guess that if you were a teenager in the 1970's or 1980's, you may be wearing briefs today.

The real question (to be answered many years from now) is whether the younger generation that grew up wearing board-shorts will switch to briefs when they get to be older.

[Bede735]

It's a similar thing with football (soccer) shorts. They used to be very long, but from the 1960s up to the 90s they were very short, but now they're very long again. It just seems to be the prevailing fashion, but fashion always changes. So people will change if they think it's in fashion.

[Dooley67]

The other day my wife was talking on the phone with our daughter who lives in another state. She said that she had bought her sons new Jammers as one of their Chanukah gifts because they had outgrown their older ones. They swim on a local team in their community where the boys wear Jammers. My daughter asked my wife what I wear to swim and she replied that I wear speedos. My daughter said they they're so revealing to which my wife replied, "that's what Dad says are most comfortable." It's ironic because when my kids were growing up, they saw me in briefs at the beach all the time but maybe with me as a grandfather, my daughter feels differently about me in speedos now. I think that people's perceptions are governed a lot by context - as a girl growing up seeing her father in a speedo was okay; as a parent with sons wearing Jammers, a father in a speedo might be a bit unnerving. No offense was meant and none was taken.

D67

[Bede735]

Originally Posted by Dooley67

Well, Bede, I'm not sure what #1 means unless it's a typo and you meant to write that it takes more energy (more enervating) to swim in baggy shorts.

Well it does, so I'm not sure how well I could do that at my time of life!

[Bede735]

Originally Posted by Dooley67

As far as #2 is concerned, being among the group of older folks, I don't think about the temporary nature of existence because I'm not really philosophical about it. But the second part of #2 holds for me, that I really don't care what others think.

Well, it was first swim since my father died, so I am currently in that mind-set. So, if I'm to gain anything from the experience, then hopefully that will continue.

[Dooley67]

Originally Posted by Bede735

Well, it was first swim since my father died, so I am currently in that mind-set. So, if I'm to gain anything from the experience, then hopefully that will continue.

Bede,

My sympathy to you on the death of your father. No matter what age you are it's very hard losing a parent, and when that happens, you do begin to think about your own mortality. I believe very much in living in the here and now and not putting off things that you want to do because we never know what tomorrow may bring.

D67

[50 Free]

Because I can. I'm in better shape than most eighteen year olds by far. And I'm a swimmer and swimmers wear brief suits. And the ladies at the club enjoy seeing it, they talk about it and it got back to me through my wife who thinks it's funny. And I catch guys looking at me in jealous admiration, occasionally one will comment, not on my suit but my physical condition which begins conversation about diet and health and exercise- which I promote as a lifelong commitment to one's self and family and community.
If you got it, don't be afraid to show it off. I appreciate viewing a fine physique too.