Difference between Briefs and Bikinis

[Swimmboy]

Minimalist75 said:I believe competitive male swimmers are required to wear a swimsuit with at least a 10 cm or 2.5 inch side seam.

As a former U.S. college swimming official, here is what the NCAA rule book states: "Competitor's uniforms and swimsuits should be characterized by conformity to recognized standards of propriety." The book defines propriety as "conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners. Decency, modesty"

There is no rule about the width of side seams, etc. - only rules about fabrics i.e., must be textile, not a 'rubber' material that aids in flotation. There are also rules about the size of logos and trademarks on the suit.

It would be difficult to make a specific rule about the size of side seams - many swimmers 'downsize' their suits, so that a guy who normally wears a 30" waist suit in practice might squeeze into a 26" suit for a meet so that his suit is tight and sleek and not loose which creates drag. But those 26" suits are obviously made smaller, so the side seams are often smaller.