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You are correct about long male swimwear being around, but that is usually for a specific purpose.
This may come as a shock to you, but purpose built goods, regardless of field, generally become the top fashion in that field. Many seem to want to wear similar styles as lifeguards, surfers, body surfers, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemba
If there was nothing else behind the fact that long legged male swimwear is a near cultural requirement in Western society, then why is it just about the only style is available?
Because it sells? This isn't rocket science.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemba
If long-legged swimwear is more functional all around, then why are the majority of women now wearing tiny, tie on the side bikinis
Not happening. In fact, the "monokini" and other more covering suits are becoming more & more common.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemba
Why, if a man chooses to wear something shorter to the beach (or anywhere for that matter), will he likely face some sort of ridicule, and could even find himself on Youtube, placed there in a video taken by young men and women making fun of him.
I'm shocked, Renault, shocked, that teenagers would point a finger (or YouTube today) at someone wearing something different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemba
Why? I'll tell you why. Like I said in a previous post, and I mean no offense, is that to many in Western Society, short shorts on a man equals gayness.
This might be the funniest sentence I've ever read on the interwebs. Ever. Seriously.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemba
That includes swimsuits, with a more particular disdain reserved for Speedos. It is a product of the backlash against the Gay Rights Movement of the 1980s. A lot of information on the internet attests to this.
No, there isn't, and there's a lot of information on the internet. Some of it may even be factual....
Here's a question for you - ever worn a Speedo/tight fit suit on a hot, humid, sandy, & salty day? I have (and modestly claim to be able to pull it off, so to speak) - and it's uncomfortable. Plain and simple, nothing more.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemba
You are correct about long male swimwear being around, but that is usually for a specific purpose. If there was nothing else behind the fact that long legged male swimwear is a near cultural requirement in Western society, then why is it just about the only style is available? If long-legged swimwear is more functional all around, then why are the majority of women now wearing tiny, tie on the side bikinis while men practically wear long pants? Why, if a man chooses to wear something shorter to the beach (or anywhere for that matter), will he likely face some sort of ridicule, and could even find himself on Youtube, placed there in a video taken by young men and women making fun of him. Why? I'll tell you why. Like I said in a previous post, and I mean no offense, is that to many in Western Society, short shorts on a man equals gayness. That includes swimsuits, with a more particular disdain reserved for Speedos. It is a product of the backlash against the Gay Rights Movement of the 1980s. A lot of information on the internet attests to this.
I agree. There definitely is more to it than just fashion. I think it's related to the potential sexualization of the male body. My theory on why only male torsos seem to be shown is that, they are as much representations of power to women (notice why only buff, ripped guys are seen as 'sexy'?) rather than genuine objects of desire. I think the studies by Chivers related to female arousal might shed light on this subject. Decades ago, ironically, I think men's bodies were actually appreciated more by women. There weren't as many 'ewww, he's showing too much!' type comments from women.
Since these shorter styles aren't available I don't even see any gay men sporting them...in fact most of the men wearing speedos just seem to be older men. I think the deep reason why speedos are disdained is because men being sexy is subtlety made to look ridiculous. If you're straight i don't know why you should be so insecure, unless you're afraid of finding the male form erotic.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayess1
No, the "point" is that, after many pages, someone's trying to make some sort of strange point.
The fact remains that longer legged male swimwear has been around for decades, especially among the salt water sports crowd - watch the all time surf classic "The Endless Summer" from 1966 and you'll find any number of pictured surfers w/what later became the famed "jams" or "board shorts": longer legged shorts that protect the mid & upper thigh. You'll also note that longer legged shorts came into widespread use among boaters worldwide not long after WWII as a comfort issue - sun & dried salt water is far better dealt w/by having some sort of cover...
Having spent some time on beaches around the world I can say w/some confidence that 1) the longer legged style is now universally favored for water activities regardless of continent, and 2) that Americans tend to be the most "active" salt water beachgoers (with Aussies just about tied).
Some beachgoers, of course, will also favor styles from celebrities, and it should go w/o saying that the longer short is highly favored by NBA players (popularized w/Jordan & Ewing).
In short (heh) longer legged shorts can be more comfortable for (seemingly) more people.
Oh, and sometimes a cigar is just a cigar
The shorts in the Endless Summer were still generally short shorts, of course.
I don't think it's so universal. In Latin America and Southern Europe shorter styles are just as if not more common than long boardshorts.
The shorts in the Endless Summer were still generally short shorts, of course.
Know how I know you've never watched the film? FWIW, a few seconds googling will find one of the iconic pics - emerging from the jungle, board firmly in hand, with black knee length shorts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trimac20
I don't think it's so universal. In Latin America and Southern Europe shorter styles are just as if not more common than long boardshorts.
Yep. So what? Fashions vary around the globe & from time to time. Pretending there's some sort of sexist/homophobic spin is just....
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,060,466 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayess1
Know how I know you've never watched the film? FWIW, a few seconds googling will find one of the iconic pics - emerging from the jungle, board firmly in hand, with black knee length shorts...
Yep. So what? Fashions vary around the globe & from time to time. Pretending there's some sort of sexist/homophobic spin is just....
I own the film on DVD smart-ass...
That's what it's become, though. Just see some of the comments about it.
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