Millennials had a very specific view of what poolside dressing looked like, and it came from the sunny beaches of Malibu.
Week after week, they watched David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, and company running down the sand in slow motion in their neon-red swimwear. It was one of the most iconic parts of the show. It’s hard to say if anyone remembers anything else from the show, but this will be at the top of their minds.
That’s what 90s swimwear was like. It was meant to be worn for a swim and then changed immediately. At its most aspirational, men’s swimwear was high-octane rescue gear. But you weren’t meant to wear it anywhere but at the poolside or at the beach.
And that image from pop culture endured for many years. Pool clothes were either hyper-athletic professional gear or the baggy, knee-grazing boardshorts worn by teenagers in shows like The O.C.
It’s surprising, then, how poolside looks for men have slowly but surely undergone such a dramatic turn. Just put on HBO’s The White Lotus to get an idea.
There’s no sprinting and no rescuing involved. The characters are lounging by the poolside at luxury resorts, nursing negronis, and showcasing some top-tier family drama. They might as well be models preparing for the next calendar shoot.
Modern Swim Shorts aren’t bright, eye-catching emergency gear. The fitting has a purpose, so do the texture and colours. Instead of bare chests, they’re now paired with open linen shirts, vintage sunglasses, and comfortable pool slippers.
Modern pop culture has completely changed what dressing for the pool means.
The Evolution of Swimwear on Screen
Cinema and television have continually reshaped our holiday expectations, and that extends to the clothes we choose for our next escape.
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Mid-Century Cinema: Long before Baywatch, screen legends like Sean Connery’s James Bond in Thunderball and Amitabh Bachchan in Don established the original blueprint for poolside elegance. Their swim trunks were short, low-rise, and worn with easy confidence. They looked just as natural romancing their love interest in the pool as they did having a dry martini by the water.
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The Lifeguard Era: With more and more television sets reaching Indian households, swimming wear went from a style statement to pure athletics. Baywatch treated beach bottoms as functional gear that needed to fit right and not get in the way of a rescue. Audiences loved the aesthetics, but they worked only if you planned to run through breaking waves with a buoy by your arm.
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Moving to The High-End: Modern OTT platforms have brought shows that showcase luxury and replaced the idea of purely functional trunks. Shows like The White Lotus and movies like Dostana turned the pool deck and beach into a high-fashion runway. There’s very little swimming involved. Instead, swimwear became a part of your holiday persona.
What Pop Culture Taught Us About Fit and Fabric
When television shifted its gaze toward modern resort aesthetics, real-world swimwear followed suit. Viewers realised that the long boardshorts of the 2000s weren’t ideal for clicking those aspirational wanderlust photos.
The modern standard demanded something smarter.
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Athletic But Bold: Today's television icons don't hide their knees or their abs. That’s why modern men’s swim shorts adopt a mid-length inseam. It flatters natural proportions, elongates the frame on camera, and feels at home in the water and by the poolside.
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Texture Over Shine: Modern Swim Shorts prioritise rich textures like seersucker that naturally lift off the skin, and photograph beautifully over high-shine, crinkly nylon trunks.
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Prints with Personality: Instead of those tacky, oversized cartoon palm trees from yesteryear, today's swim shorts feature subtle patterns and motifs that look classy.
Steal the Script
You don’t need an HBO production budget or a five-star suite in Sicily to dress as if you belong on a luxury sun deck. You just need to style your shorts intentionally.
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The Mediterranean Look: For the full White Lotus luxury aesthetic, slip into the XYXX Seersucker Swim Shorts with an open shirt. Their chlorine resistance keeps them protected in the water, and the casual beach-shorts look makes them ideal for a boozy brunch by the pool.
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The Statement Look: If getting snapped by the poolside is your main aim, then opt for high-definition XYXX printed swim shorts. They add instant cinematic presence even when worn with a simple white tee.
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The Easy Comfort look: XYXX regular fit Swim Shorts in solid colours have an ultra-soft, mesh liner, fade-resistant colours, and UPF 50+ sun protection for a more neutral look that completely eclipses traditional men’s swimming underwear.
Dress For The Shot
Swim Shorts have gone through quite a journey in pop culture, from glorified beachside running shorts to stylish low-rise pieces that only looked good on screen. But television and cinema have finally caught up with what men want. They’re finally showcasing luxury aesthetics that are within reach.
Maybe it’s time for you to retire your old swim trunks as well, and step into frame as the leading man in your own little series.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How did The White Lotus influence modern men's holiday style?
The White Lotus popularised refined resort wear, demonstrating how well-made swim shorts are an important part of vacation essentials for creating a sophisticated, fashion-forward look around pools and coastal venues.
2. Can you wear modern swim shorts outside of a resort setting?
Yes. Contemporary swim shorts have minimalist designs, smart pockets, and subtle but interesting fabrics. They double effortlessly as casual day shorts when styled right.
3. What makes seersucker swim shorts better for lounging by the poolside?
Seersucker has a puckered texture that keeps the fabric raised slightly off the skin. Besides adding visual interest, this prevents wet clinging, speeds up drying time, and gives the shorts a three-dimensional look even when they’re wet.
4. Do men still need to wear underwear under modern swim trunks?
No. XYXX swim shorts feature built-in, anti-chafing, soft mesh liners that keep everything securely in place while preventing the friction and discomfort caused by itchy and rough netting.
5. What is the ideal Swim Short length for men?
A 5- to 7-inch inseam that finishes at mid-thigh is considered the gold standard for men’s swim shorts. It offers athletic mobility in the water while keeping body proportions lean in holiday photos.
