Brainwashed: Underwear and Swimwear
We’re all brainwashed in many ways really. We’re told what we are suppose to wear and what we shouldn’t wear. There are so many social norms. So called fashion gurus saying what is cool and what is not in. Really who is to say what is for us to wear besides ourselves.
I’ll admit I’ve thought why would that person want to dress that way. Or maybe that is an out there outfit. I’m sure my mind will go there again. We all have views of what we are supposed to be wearing ingrained in us. My guess is someone has thought of my wearing swim briefs odd or not appropriate for guys to wear.
At one point in time it was not odd for guys to wear skimpy underwear and swimwear especially bikinis and swim briefs. Then it became uncool and trunks or maybe more so board shorts became the cool thing to wear (really they’re not cool at all to wear). With underwear it was okay to wear briefs then boxers seemed to dominate. Now it seems maybe the boxer brief is what guys are to wear. Guess they finally figured some support is good. Now how did women’s change? Not really much. Maybe lower rises, but their underwear and swimwear size didn’t grow bigger like men’s. Actually, it seems cheeky is an in thing now, particularly with swimwear. Why the drastic change for men’s, but not women’s?
It comes down to what we see aka brainwashing. So the media and marketing has driven guys to cover up for some reason. I don’t know if it was the skateboarders and surfers that drive the longer shorts and trunks. People use to see them as cool. Maybe it was basketball players driving longer shorts. Whatever made the change the marketing departments jumped on board. Now us guys are stuck fighting the norms in underwear and swimwear. People think very little of the variety women can wear from as small as g-strings to the fuller boyshorts. Well maybe the g-string and thongs for swimwear might get some thought. But like I said cheeky does seem to be in, so thongs aren’t too far out for women’s swimwear options.
Can we reserve the brainwashing for guys underwear and swimwear? Probably not to the extent we would like. Doesn’t seem like any of the mainstream brands are going to promote bikinis and thongs. Speedo had their thong for guys, but they didn’t last long. I’m sure they were promoted very extensively. Jockey and Hanes had their string bikinis in Walmart, but I never saw them promoted anywhere. It seems the way today is influencers on social media or famous people. We need some popular ones that will represent them in a positive way regularly. I do know of one Instagramer with 2.5 million followers who recently became a believer in swim briefs. He’s a fitness guy and a Biggest Loser trainer recently. His name is Steve Cook. This is what he said in his post. “Honestly I wasn’t really sold on the speedo life but After wearing them today I’m a believer. No chafing and amazing dexterity”
Then in a reply to someone that was a bit negative he responded with “it’s all I want to wear now. I’m finally free of my thighs rubbing on wet shorts”
His fiance had posted some photos of him on her Instagram story prior to his post. Was glad to see he has embraced them on his account. His fiance basically lives in skimpy swimwear, so awesome that he is starting to follow her.
When I was writing this post, he ended up posted another swim brief Instagram post. Definitely great to see him posting more on them.
Then one I believe I mentioned before is Kory Biermann. He’s an ex-football (American) player. His wife, Kim, who has 3.1 million followers has posted several pictures of him wearing swim briefs in the past and even bikini underwear. Not always as positive comments on his though.
Don’t think they’ll turn the tides. Both guys are fit and people think that is how you have to be to wear one. You see it stated in the comments. Why are people so hung up on these things? It is not true you have to look like them to wear one. It is a mental struggle because we are brainwashed to follow what is supposed to be the in thing. Unfortunately, I don’t see the in thing becoming skimpy underwear and swimwear.
Be yourself. Wear what you want. People will judge, because that is what they do best. Enjoy life and wear thongs, bikinis, swim briefs, or whatever you like.
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So very true, but I believe some of it has to do with jealousy. Those who oppose, deep down really with they had whatever it takes to to be comfortable enough in their own skin, to not fear being visible to others.
Believe it or not, I used to be ashamed to wear shorts, Of all things I was ashamed to wear shorts LMFAO, wait, let me finish laughing at myself.
Seriously, I used to think shorts were inappropriate, but many years later as I grew up, I overcame my fears and I began wearing shorts, not being ashamed of my legs. Now I’m a beast, on a leash, of I could go out naked I would. But my point is that some are fearful of their own bodies, and they want you to be scared of the human body also. Today so many people fight to cover the body, and act like it doesn’t exist.
Let me stop right there, because I really feel a rant coming on, but I’m sure you all get my point.
Definitely agree black stallion. Same here always grew up skinny. So jokes about legs were always there. Yet I never hated on those who do. I instead thought how do I get to that point of being fearless.
So it is a type of jealousy that they have. Instead of them saying to others. Let this person be, they rather drive negative narrative.
You’ve done quite the turn around! We (men and women) are trained to be ashamed of our bodies or our bodies have to be a certain way to allow people to see them. Just pick up a magazine or watch TV and the ones showing skin are typically not your average person. We’re starting to see more body types being used in advertising especially on the women’s side. Though they have always been encourage and portrayed wearing clothing that shows their curves. Not so much for us guys. Seems our upper body is what we’re suppose to show off. Now in my opinion my legs and rear are much better to look at them my upper body. There is definitely a lack of body positivity out there.
You have said it all. I have no problem wearing my tiny swimsuits when required although nude is better. I am proud of myself and self confident and feel sorry for others who are not. Love your blog.
Thanks for following it and joining in on the conversation.
Hi Nate,
Great perspective and also sad reality. With even great influencers we we will still receive negative comments.
I recently had a conversation with old friend. The conversation got comfortable and we discussed skin routines, grooming etc. It dawned on me, as men we don’t even discuss these things with our friends. How will we break the discussion about bikini’s or thongs.
I had no issues talking to him about it, simply because I get so much great advice and insights on your blog. Yet I felt he said it in a ‘I’m telling you, don’t still question me tone’. Showing too things. 1. He felt safe to tell me but 2. He made his choice so I must think what I want.
Which is good when I asked his underwear preferences. He said normal.
Although as wedding gift I think I’m gifting him a thong for the honeymoon with his wife.
Long winded, apologies.
Have a great one guys.
You are right guys do not typically talk about that stuff. Seems you have to discuss sports, cars, women, or something else that is suppose to be manly.
The skimpier, the better. I wear the smallest swimwear that is legal. Thongs, g-strings and unlined speedos. Wear them confidently and enjoy the sun!
I always thought fashion goes in cycles and we’d eventually come back to small swimwear for men. Especially because, objectively speaking, baggy trunks are ridiculous thing to wear while swimming. If someone wore a hoodie for a dip in the pool, everyone would say he’s crazy. But unfortunately I think we’re still a long ways away. People are still too weird about things.
Unfortunately we give the weak the strength to become the dominant to become the representation of what masculinity really is. We have to stop doing this. A real man will not let those who oppose his view, throw him off track of his goal, which is to blaze trails.
Unfortunately, women are jumping on that same wagon, and they are running up the field with the ball for the goal, and the true masculine team, we can’t let this happen, or we will become, what most women of today and other weak men say we are “Weak”.
I for one am not weak, and I have my regrets about being so weak when I was younger, and having fear about my body image, and if I could go back in time, I’d kick my own ass, for being for body shaming myself. Which is why today, I have no problem wearing thongs, bikinis, leggings, spray on skinny jeans, and other things that even I at one point thought were shameful.
Unfortunately, I’m only one person, and I can’t take on all the weak myself, but if I must, I’m going to my grave fighting.
Anytime you get the chance, spread the knowledge, stop the shame, and help put the fear to rest, In all.
Women aren’t the only one who can dress comfortable.
Just look at women’s fashion compared to men’s fashion, look at how much variation women have in fashion compared to mens, and women themselves are trying to limit men’s fashion, by claiming thongs, bikinis, leggings, etc…
This must stop. Seriously, this nonsense must stop.
We can’t even wear a simple modest bikini, without some mother complaining, using her children as an excuse as to why he or even sometimes she should not enjoy the feeling of the sun, and breeze catching the best of the most important organ of our body. Our skin, yes, our skin is an organ.
And In today’s movements of me too, BLM, freedom of speech, we too should make our voices heard, that things have gone too far in this sense of fashion, masculinity, and sexism.
Yes, even men face sexism.
How can a woman wear leggings in a gym, but a man is told to change, or put on longer shorts of her wear leggings.
Think about that foolishness, yes utter foolishness and ignorance.
It pisses me Off to the highest. And on that note, I will stop here, because just this thought irks my nerves.
ahhh the what I call the “soccer Mom” Syndrome. Your comment “We can’t even wear a simple modest bikini, without some mother complaining, using her children as an excuse as to why he or even sometimes she should not enjoy the feeling of the sun, and breeze catching the best of the most important organ of our body.” is spot on. They evidently do not like being visually reminded that men are an intergral part of their children and have major hang ups about it.
My gym has some women in leggings that expose very intimate details of their bodies and no one bats an eyelash, and so far the males who have worn similar attire have not been required to add additional clothes. Yes, they are very fit and a lot are bodybuilders who are used to being even more exposed.
You are right when you say the weak have all the power. That is because they are the majority. As said in a post most men are weak and only a few are leaders. Guys we are those leaders. I get the same comments from people about kids in the neighborhood seeing me in a thong. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. It shows that men have Bodies not baggies.
I’m am sitting by a camp fire in a state park wearing a black thong while typing this post. It’s the same thong I just wore to the beach to swim and cool off.
Maybe someday men will enjoy small swim suits without ridicule.
That is what I’ve heard too, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Doesn’t seem like the men’s swimwear fashion will be. Maybe women’s fashion repeats over men’s or short intervals. We’re seeing high waisted swimsuits and pants, which I think is a come back. I’m not up on my fashion though to know if that is true for sure..
Too many women enjoy being able to utilize their sex appeal as leverage in relationships. (Not all women of course, but many certainly do).
If the man becomes too attractive, they fear losing leverage and power.
It may not be a conscious doing. But a lot of this is deeply rooted in female insecurity and body image, IMO.
In my 60s, I remember shorts from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I tend to wear shorts shorter than usual these days, but longer than the glory days of men’s legs (and swimwear bulges). My wife likes to see my legs when wearing them, but is concerned about what other people may think or having a wardrobe malfunction. Last weekend we watched Cocoon, a movie from 1985. My shorts are conservative compared to what the younger guys were wearing in the movie.
As a teenager in the 90’s, I used to wear speedos at my grandparents’ cottage on the lake. They wouldn’t even blink. Their friends and other people on the beach didn’t say anything either. They just assumed that was what young people wore.
It was only when my cousins or siblings were around that I was made fun of for it. And not until 2000 or so that I remember being snickered at by a stranger.
Well don’t let them intimidate you. You continue to be strong, and stand your ground. And congratulations on coming into, at such an early age. I wish I would have matured earlier in life.
Thank you. I did start young. But I also wasted a lot of my 20’s and 30’s being afraid of being laughed at and made fun of and usually wore speedos when friends and family weren’t around. I can count on one hand (maybe two) the number of times I wore a speedo openly in front of people I knew. It was awesome! And I wish I had done it much much more
Yes, I understand I wasted time worrying about what others would say, or think, and I let other intimidate me. I ended up paying a hefty cost, because that was time wasted, and it can’t, and will never be refunded. So I broke mine bikini out the other day to go swimming which I haven’t been in a while. All I can say is Covid go away. I went to a hotel pool, not quite appropriate for a thong, but I was able to break out the 1/4 back bikini. Yeah, I noticed people noticing, I didn’t have that weird tan. And the guys are now swimming in tee shirts. This has got to stop. Why don’t we all, men and women go swimming in pant suits? 😒
LOL right? We wear something practically for swimming and we’re treated like we’re crazy.
You are right when you say the weak have all the power. That is because they are the majority. As said in a post most men are weak and only a few are leaders. Guys we are those leaders. I get the same comments from people about kids in the neighborhood seeing me in a thong. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. It shows that men have Bodies not baggies.
I’m am sitting by a camp fire in a state park wearing a black thong while typing this post. It’s the same thong I just wore to the beach to swim and cool off.
Maybe someday men will enjoy small swim suits without ridicule.
I’m surprised that with it being National Nude Day on the 14thJuly, you were even wearing a thong at the campsite(lol).
Had to wait until it got dark.
Nah, bruh, don’t wait til’ dark. Go hard in the paint, go during the day.
Have no fear. Fear not any mortal man.
Just for the record I took off my skinz M77 black thong that I wore around the camp site all day.
Unfortunately nudity is still illegal in Michigan..So I wait until dark when only the glow of a campfire will show my body.
I agree with everything Black Stallion says about have no fear. If we want to get our skin on at the pool, beach or just around the yard. We need a revolution and I think we are starting it now with or post and stories. Just show up like you own the place, hold your head up high and strut!
I knew you wouldn’t let us down, Randy! Lol. Toasted buns by the campfire sounds perfect!
I didn’t consider myself brainwashed, but the victim of great marketing. I grew up seeing ads from Jockey showing Jim Palmer and other athletes in their small bikinis and movies with Jean Claude Van Damm in his. I thought they were cool and wanted to wear them. Sometime in the mid 90s Calvin Klein started doing ads with “Marky Mark” in their trunks and they looked cool, so I added them to the mix. This was also the time of Prevail Sport and Undergear catalogs, but to make purchases I had to write a check and wait what felt like forever (didn’t get my first credit card until late 90s). While some of them don’t give the support of bikinis/thongs, I will admit some of my boxer briefs are comfortable, like Tommy John. I’ve always been shy and modest so if my underwear was going to be seen I chose to wear my boxer briefs. Which is what lead me to wearing them 80% of the time for many years. This blog helped me last year to stop wearing boxer briefs and start wearing my bikinis and thongs more. I’ve only worn boxer briefs a few times since, either because of the activity I was doing or they were more appropriate. I may never wear a swim brief in public, due to my own anxiety, I’ll proudly wear my bikinis and thongs under my cloths any day of the week.
Wearing a swim brief in public for the first time is pretty nerve wracking. That said if you choose to go to a beach or pool during a less busy time and just act the same way you would if you were wearing swim trunks you will be fine. I admittedly still wear shorts or trunks if I go to the beach/pool with family or friends just so I don’t make them feel awkward or uncomfortable. However, if I’m going by myself to catch some rays (which is 99% of the time) I wear my swim bikini and it feels great.
I look at it like this, and this is the approach I took.
Is like figuratively going into the pool, from the heat.
Farther than just waste time easing into the chilling water, which could be refreshing, just grit your teeth, man up, and walk right into the water full power ahead, or you can dive right in.
When you ease into something like this, it’s too easy to bitch or chicken out, or second guess yourself. That’s why a lot of times in these comments, I say “just do it” you’ll feel much more at ease, and in much more control.
I’ve been wearing swim briefs/bikinis to the pool for about 4 years now. The only time I make an exception and wear shorts instead is when going with friends or family which is kind of a shame but I just don’t want to make them feel awkward or uncomfortable. That said normally I just go lay by the pool solo. I’m sure some people think I’m weird or that I’m wearing something inappropriate but I honestly don’t care. Also, I have a hunch that a decent number of people probably don’t really care or maybe even think it’s cool, sexy, or just admire that I have the courage to wear what most guys won’t as swimwear. If women can wear skimpy bikinis that show most of their butt cheeks there’s absolutely no reason guys can’t wear swim briefs and bikinis too.
Is it awkward that you feel that you make them? Or is it that they make you feel awkward because you’re not really being who you are. This all goes back to political correctness. And if you think about it. Political correctness is being somebody that’s not really you, for the sake of others.
Now think about this, where, when do you get to be who you are?
Note ask yourself, who are you?
Who are you pretending to be, and for who?
I get tired of political correctness, because what I see going on in society today, and the reason for so many “Mental Breakdowns“, is for people not being themselves, and actually losing themselves, aka losing their mind.
Part of why I like going to lay out in my bikini is to feel sexy and work on my tan lines. It is very much a solo activity. When I’m around family that really isn’t what I’m going for I guess. Maybe it’s something I’ll feel comfortable doing one day. Maybe not. I guess I just feel differently about who I choose to reveal certain parts of who I am to. In this case it’s swimwear so no need to get too stressed out.
I feel like a lot of the guys on here are older than me but I remember when I was in 5th grade in the early 2000s that boys decided briefs were bad and all started wearing boxers and showing them off to each other.
The first year in middle school we had to change for gym the first time and only two boys wore briefs and since I didn’t change I saw the other boy in briefs get bullied terribly to the point they took his briefs off and threw them up on a pipe hanging from the ceiling… for a long time after I was ashamed of my preference.
Hope younger guys will at least be accepting of briefs and guys in skimpy underwear.
That poor guy must have felt humiliated by that experience. I’m guessing he didn’t complain to any of the teachers or the head of the school, but even if he had, I wonder what the outcome would have been?
Briefs(y-fronts) were commonplace during my school years(many, many moons ago)lol, and I don’t remember any teasing about someone’s underwear. I also have a vivid memory of one of the guys proudly swanning about in a new expensive looking black speedo before a swimming lesson, and everyone was admiring it. Changed days indeed!
Hard to see attitudes changing for today’s young men with the lack of bikinis and briefs in the high street stores, although I suppose with more guys attending gyms and taking pride in their bodies, one can only hope that they will be more open to showing off the fruits of their labours in more revealing attire.
That happened when I was 11 and I never forgot how vicious they were to him that he changed class.
I was so scared I didn’t change for gym class.
People seem to be much more polite I hope they are more tolerant of others underwear choices
J
Wow that must have been such a set back in terms of confidence. As kids we really are assholes.
I think we are in the same age group. Thinking back I realize how I also only wanted to fit in.
If mom bought anything I would want to see it first. Mostly she bought what the budget permitted but if I was in the shop. I’d make a sad face.
On my side. Our public schools phased out PT and there wasn’t much of changing in front of others. Yet briefs were considered ‘dad underwear’.
So stupid to think some us remain in that space.
Just glad this forum helps us diminish those fears, doubts and actually gives us the space to share experiences.
Also I’m seeing the briefs wearers and speedo wearers are becoming younger. Even met a guy on Instagram who is a thong fanatic. On his honeymoon he wore thongs to the beach and pool daily.
He is 22 and his wife supports him. So thinks are changing.
It was and it didn’t happen to me… I figured if they did all that to him for wearing regular briefs what would they do to me in my bikini briefs.
Kids are worse than adults sometimes…
That’s why so many conformed to what was popular.
I’m happy to have found this community!
It all seems to be the fashion buyers that are behind this. For example I don’t often shop at Kohl’s but a few months back I found myself in their men’s underwear section. They have a lot of underwear but I only found one package of non-boxer’s and it was grandpa white briefs that might as well be boxers. It’s weird. I started looking at all stores and find that it’s impossible to find bikini or even low rise briefs. To pile on the swimsuits are all board shorts and to make matters worse they don’t even have old-school liners in them. What do people wear under these since speedos and such are hard to find as well. It’s just weird. I assume that the fashion tide will turn in a few years and you won’t be able to buy boxers.
I was born in the late 90’s…funny enough the kind of underwear we had as boys from the beginning were bikini briefs…mostly bright shades of blue, green, yellow, red or fancy prints…thighty whities were for dads and grandpa’s … People even wore briefs till high sch which was around the early 2010’s till boxer briefs were introduced and we all seemed to abandon briefs…however bikini briefs were still popular among athletes as they were functional to training. These days guys prefer baggy boxers and boxer briefs…it’s become a social norm
I remember when I was first introduced to bikini. Underwear. I laughed, and I figured “I sure as hell am not going to wear these girls underwear.”
But yes they were for men, and yes I was ignorant.
So yes if I could go back in time, and meet my younger self, I would change my own one way or the other.
Your example shows how people’s attitudes can change for the better over time, but I would love to know how that change came about? Did you try a bikini brief for a laugh and realised how good they made you feel, or was it something else?
Just matured. And explained my knowledge. Discovered that they were practical. Basically just growing up and maturing.
I’ve been wearing bikini swimwear since I was a kid in the 1950’s. As I got older and hairier, and my legs got bigger from bike riding, I wore the skimpiest flat-front bikinis & thongs on the beach, male or female styles. Don’t shave! Manly bears rule, no one ever picked on me for living life colorfully.