I realize it’s a strange time of the year to discuss swimwear, but I’m off to Key West, Florida for the Christmas holiday, my first Christmas that won’t require coats, gloves and scarves. Instead of sledding, snowball fights and boots, there will be swimming, boating and flip-flops.

I’m all good with gear for the trip, including a terrific pair of orange John Bartlett swim trunks. But I can’t help having a chuckle at this vintage ad for Catalinas I just found during an image search. I’ve never been one for a skin-tight bikini cut swimsuit. I much prefer trunks like regular shorts or longer surfer cuts that rest low on the waist. In terms of design, though, I’m digging the first pair in the ad (with the fish shapes) and the longer aqua pair in the middle of the second row.

Notice how all of the suits are worn so high on the waist, practically covering the navel. Though not much has really changed in the basics of menswear over the last fifty years, how high we sport our trou is definitely an exception.

Comments are closed.