Too brief???... Never!

[Drenalin]

I've seen several separate posts that touches on the topic of suit sizes in regards to coverage and begs the question, "what is too brief?". Please keep in mind I'm still somewhat of a speedo newb and the following is my blunt opinion based on my experience wearing my suits in front of a conservative crowd.
Whether you wear a square cut Aussiebum, a Speedo with 3" sides or a Homme Body with 1" sides, you are still wearing a form fitting piece of clothing that's blocking public view of your assets beneath but allowing just enough room for someone's imagination. All the above contour around your manhood enhancing it and compliment your rear end while keeping you legal. I, myself, find all perfectly acceptable and actually prefer a smaller cut, 2" and smaller, over the latter. The only skin you show more of with a smaller cut is the side of the legs extending towards the pelvic region slightly. So I say where one style of suit is acceptable the other is also. Of course the topic of transparency and rear coverage are a different matter.
So, test new waters if you've been hesitant of trying a smaller cut suit. There really isn't much difference. Everyone's eyes are gonna wonder to one specific area anyway. And... Well... Isn't that one of the reasons we enjoy wearing them??

[Bede735]

I think as long as you don't wear a thong at the public pool you can wear very brief suits indeed.

[PSDave]

By all means, If your main goal is to draw attention to yourself and "that one special area", the briefer the better. There are a lot of us that like to play the "Is that really him or is it the product of cock rings and other enhancing or padding?"

[Torchwatch]

Know yourself, know your audience and know your lifeguards. Don't wear anything you feel too self conscious in at the pool, that you suspect will draw the wrong kind of attention to you or will get you asked to leave by the lifeguard.
Little girls and teenage boys can make hurtful comments, parents become protective, gay men may start following you around and the lifeguard may publicly blow his whistle and send you home.
If everyone is wearing knee length shorts in the pool then for your first time in Lycra wearing square cuts isn't a bad idea. If that works out ok then push the envelope and try some 2" classic racing speedos, after all 2 " speedos are sportswear. Until there is a scattering of men wearing 2" speedos in your local pool don't try pushing for a 1" bikini, you'll be on your own, appear to be trying too hard and fingers may begin to point in your direction.
The beach is different, there is space, you can get away from the crowds and set up your own location with your own rules. Strip down to you 1" bikini; swim in the sea, walk about on the sand or sunbathe on your towel. Passers by will see you, most will walk on by but a few will claim their spots close to you, some may choose to wear brief swimsuits too but all have chosen to accept you as you are.

[Minimalist75]

Drenalin
You said " The only skin you show more of with a smaller cut is the side of the legs extending towards the pelvic region slightly." Would you apply that same logic to a suit that had only a waistband (1/4 inch or so) on the side as long as the rear coverage was "adequate"?

[Torchwatch]

Drenalin
You said " The only skin you show more of with a smaller cut is the side of the legs extending towards the pelvic region slightly." Would you apply that same logic to a suit that had only a waistband (1/4 inch or so) on the side as long as the rear coverage was "adequate"?

Using 1/4" waist elastic would produce a swim bikini that would slip off when you dived or were hit by a wave, or the bikini would be so tight it would cut into you like a cheese wire.
The alternative is to use 1/2" waist elastic and a design called a string bikini in which the front and back of the bikini are attached to a waist band in such a way that there is a gap except for the waistband at the sides. In the swim version of this garment the waistband is usually covered in a layer of Lycra, whilst in the underwear version the waistband elastic is visible.
It is hard to find photos of swim string bikinis at the moment so I have had to use an example of the underwear version.
The example below is an underwear version made from bamboo fibre, this is a super soft silky fabric that is less likely to set off allergic reactions than processed cotton or synthetics.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sexy-Mens-...3 51580337760

[Captain.Jammer]

One of my favorite swimwear companies is N2N (Next to Nothing). They have a string bikini, called the Daredevil.

Since it has no drawcord, I do not think it would stay on too well with any kind of real swimming. It IS very minimal, though!

[Torchwatch]

Looks like 1/4" elastic all round, guess it wouldn't stay on in a heavy swell.

[singletlover]

Or swelling

[NE_OH_thonger]

That's very much a tanning, rather than a swimming, swimsuit. I've wanted one for some time, so might break down and buy one this year