SpeedoForum.org

The other day as I was looking around the web, I began to think of how current pop culture tends to “shun” the idea of men and boys wearing brief (“speedo”) style swimwear; or at least that is the generally “accepted” view point – particularly in the United States. As I was thinking, I was in the process of viewing various sites having numerous pictures of men and boys wearing the “socially unacceptable” garments. YouTube has scores of videos of guys in speedo style suits. Bing has a seemingly inexhaustible supply of great pictures of men and boys of all ages wearing speedos; from pre-teen boys, to teens, to college guys and men into their 40’s. There are several others as well. So my question is, if speedos are actually as “unpopular” as conventional wisdom would have us believe, why do these sites post prolific numbers of pictures and videos of guys in speedos? Is it because they hope to offend people who visit their sites? Somehow I strongly doubt it, as the idea is ridiculous on its face. My sneaking suspicion is that although conventional wisdom and current “social propriety” “require” “good people” to shun the idea of guys wearing brief swimwear, there are a hell of a lot of these “good people” who, in reality actually admire and enjoy seeing fit guys in such swimwear, but in the interest of “going along to get along” with the crowd they PRETEND otherwise. And I’ll bet an awful lot of the guys among them secretly wish they had the guts to just go ahead and “color outside of the lines” that societal “norms” have drawn for them. It has been my consistent observation that “conventional wisdom” is more often than not quite long on convention and rather short on wisdom. What is your take?

My take is that the popularity of the Internet has grown exponentially because it has become a vehicle that gives people a window to so many things ... some that could be considered so taboo or vulgar or unacceptable ... and all completely accessible from the privacy of one's computer. Yes, the Internet has many, many good things and has become a staple of life, but there just are so many other things there ... and only because people want it. Speedos are mild in comparison to a lot of things and only the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, I believe many people live through the Internet and dream ... rather than actually standing in the sun ... on a beach ... in a Speedo (or doing lots of other things for that matter)

I think it's just that society has a follow the leader mentality. If someone comes along and made it trendy to wear speedos everyone would be wearing them - assuming they've got the courage to pull it off, not too self conscious.

When I was younger, it was the done thing. And they are hardly that jaw dropping.

Yeah, I think there are more than a few secret fans and owners of speedo/squarecut swim suits, just waiting to be told its ok.

Sometimes it's difficult to see broader trends as they're happening, but it seems more and more fit guys are interested in showing off their bodies. It's becoming a sign of health/fitness/masculinity... (and in a largely unhealthy/overweight world, it can also be a show of superiority). Sports uniforms are getting more trim and form-fitting... can see it all over in basketball, soccer, track&field, etc. Skinny jeans are prevalent. Tank tops are coming back. Suburban joggers are covered in under armor.

And it seems more people equate a man's speedo with a woman's bikini. Makes me think of car wash fundraisers... more male teams out there in speedos, knowingly playing the same game as hot girls in bikinis raising money. And people are ok with it.

A lot of speedo videos seem to be joking around and maybe making fun... but it's also a way those guys can wear a speedo without judgment. Like you say... it's a way to pretend.

We seem to forget one important thing about speedo sightings on the beaches. We live in one of the wealthiest countries (USA) where we have many people with swimming pools in their backyards. I am quite certain that some of those pool owners wear speedos only in the privacy of their yard and not in public.