Solid Swim Suits and Circular Sunglasses for Summer
Classic pairings with modern, eccentric touches for men
We’re well into summer on the northern half of the globe, but it’s never too late to refresh your outdoor activewear. In the midst of a wild graphic patterns blitz (particularly for ladies), we’ve chosen some of our favorite solid suits, differentiated by color, cut and fit. For sunglasses, circular shapes really round out the look of block color shorts. The following pairings represent many of our seasonal favorites—new, vibrant and slightly out of the ordinary. There’s also a range of prices for those who don’t want to break the bank in the face of a summer on the shore.
A.P.C. x Tooshie
Sometimes white is the boldest color in swimwear, and with the A.P.C. x Tooshie Swim Shorts collaboration, a classic cut turns into something special. This pair carries an adjustable waist and button fly, as well as a back pocket. But altogether, they’re bold in the purest sense while maintaing a refined, traditional look. This SS14 offering retails for £185.
Saturdays Mitsu
Few brands do surf and sun as well as Saturdays, and the Mitsu sunglasses in amber are a testament to such a claim. The rich jewel tone delivers a lot of flavor, but keeps things balanced. These sunnies are handmade in Japan, rock an anti-reflective coating and polarized lenses. They’re on the market for $295.
Parke & Ronen Corcovado Swim Brief
Perennial favorite Parke & Ronen‘s latest Corcovado Swim Brief rocks in teal. It’s a more snug alternative with a drawstring waist, square-cut and low-rise. It’s fully lined for comfort and the polyester components allow for flexibility. This suit is made in the US and sells for $95.
Illesteva Leonard Round-Frame Matte Acetate Mirrored Sunglasses
The Leonard, Illesteva’s round frame offering, has received a black matte update that really packs a punch. The semi-translucent lenses are silver mirrored for a nice flourish. It’s a new, modernized version of a staple piece for the brand—and handmade in Italy. The Leonard sells for $180.
Orlebar Brown Dane
For a surf short option, we looked at another CH favorite, Orlebar Brown. The Riviera Longer Length Swim Short in their Dane series is a stylish, tailored classic. It’s also quick-drying, allowing to go from the water to the boardwalk with ease. The Dane line sells for $240.
Teawood Vintage by Waiting For The Sun
Vintage-inspired and crafted from bamboo and rosewood, Waiting For The Sun’s latest circular lenses make the most of raw, natural materials. Found on Monocle Order, these are statement sunglasses, but they’re not overdone. They’re lightweight, chic and retail for $194.
Moncler Swimming Trunks
Known primarily for their high-end, luxurious skiwear, French-Italian clothing brand Moncler also represents in the summer. Their classic Swimming Trunks appear in the basic boxer cut, but a nice side trim representing the French flag adds a little extra touch. There’s a richness to the trunk, most notable in the high end materials. This suit sells for $185.
Epokhe Anteka 2.0
An update to Epokhe’s celebrated Anteka range, the Anteka 2.0, crafted from industrial titanium and acetate, returns to form in a range of new colorways—including the powerful Oxblood iteration. Designed in Italy, these sunglasses feature Carl Zeiss lenses for top tier optical quality. They also happen to be scratch resistant. All of that, and they’re only $139.
Sauvage Retro Lycra Short
Snug and sexy, yet clearly classic, the Retro Lycra Short from Sauvage is an ideal option for the more confident man. It’s not too short and allows for plenty of stretch for active usage. And perhaps the best part, it’s only $55 despite being a new, high-end make.
Costalots The 83’s Green Sanded
With a double bridge, and a rare shade of green, Costalots’ The 83’s Green Sanded are a contemporary update on their classic styling. While nicely rounded, there’s also a little rectangular influence on the Carl Zeiss logo-engraved lenses. Functionality is of equal importance, with crisp vision being offered. And it’s all assembled in the USA. A pair sells for $238.
Paul Smith Slim-Fit Acid Green Swim Shorts
This year’s Acid Green Swim Shorts from Paul Smith are not for everyone. The color is polarizing, but if you love it, there’s no looking away. It’s celebratory but not over-the-top. And with a press stud waist and zip fly, in addition to a drawstring, it’s also comfortable. It’s also got some pockets for added functionality and at $150, it’s a lot of personality for an inexpensive option.
Rigards RG 0008 Sanjuro
From 100% buffalo horn, Rigards’ magnificent Sanjuro shades epitomize classy summer cool. They’re an elegant option, with declaratory circular lenses and they’re just as functional as they are beautiful. At the highest end of our selections, this pair clocks in at $665.
Bluemint Arthur Cascade Swim Shorts
Versatility serves as the most comprehensive descriptor for Bluemint’s Arthur Cascade Swim Shorts. The mid-length provides plenty of coverage for lounging, but the elasticized waistband, side pockets and velcro flop back pocket lend themselves nicely to active usage. The fabric is also quick dry and delightfully soft to the touch. One pair runs for about £77.
Autodromo Stelvio
After sharing our interest in Autodromo’s watches, we quickly took to their Stelvio sunglasses, in tortoise green. Each pair is handmade in Japan from high quality acetates—with a total of 130 operations from tumbling to polishing. The lenses are polarized. Stainless steel detail work yields ultra-refinement. And even though they’ve got a vintage style, they are very clearly present day. The Stelvio sells for $349.
Loro Piana Mid-Length Swim Shorts
This masterful offering from Italy’s Loro Piana balances style and function perfectly. The sleek Mid-Length Short, composed of quick dry nylon, allows comfort to be defined by an elasticated drawstring waistband. It’s also rocking a locker loop and four pockets. The deep blue basically goes with anything, but maintains a unique potency. These shorts sell for $365.
Gianfranco Ferré 235 A44
Sophisticated and classy, but with a visionary edge, the Gianfranco Ferré 235 A44 take vintage to the next level. These are certainly rose colored glasses, designed to make summers bright. They’re luxe, unisex and sassy—but in limited supply. A pair retails for $300.
Makaha Drowner Classic
The Makaha Drowner Classic represents the most laid back surf style—pre-sundrenched with a light fade. With a lace up waist and a button fly closer, it’s also customizable in fit; including slits at the side seam hem. Made in the USA, a pair will run you for $165.
Cutler and Gross 0734 Lime
A keyhole bridge and cintage circular pins make British brand Cutler and Gross’s frames something remarkable. And in lime green, they’re loud and proud while still offering 100% UV protection and high end hand-polished finish. These are the the iconic style from a company producing since the early 80s, but the color is new and the style is timeless. A pair retails for £310 pounds.
Swim-Ology Runner Swimsuit with Contrast Piping
50s and 60s French Riviera-inspired label Swim-Ology are born of light-weight, quick drying fabrics. They’re also ultra-adjustable with a zipper fly, side waist tabs and a hidden button enclosure. The Runner Swimsuit offers a modern, mid-length fit with all that nostalgic beauty that makes the brand special. It sells for $140.
Dom Vetro
Dom Vetro’s Italian-made sunglasses are handcrafted from fine, meticulously sourced materials, and hand finished by makers at the top of the game—hailing from families who have been involved in making frames and lenses for centuries. On top of that the Lupetto is stylish and relevant but elegant. These are luxury wares and the tortoise shell re-envisions something iconic at $295.
Images courtesy of respective brands
