Finding the right swimwear isn't always easy. There are those you wear for lack of a better option, and those you choose because you truly feel good in them. The cut plays a very important role. It influences comfort, silhouette, and even how you enjoy your day. Indeed, men's swimwear can be perfectly suitable for daily life at home, an aperitif with friends, or even for sports, not just for the beach or pool!
Shorts, boxers, briefs, long or more fitted, the options are numerous. However, not all models are created equal. The right swimwear is one that accompanies you without constraints, enhances your style without overdoing it, and lasts over time.
At Mahaut Plage, every cut is designed to combine elegance and freedom. Our goal is simple: to offer well-cut, durable pieces with that extra soul that transcends seasons.
So, which cut will suit you best? Here are some guidelines to make an informed choice, based on your body type, your desires, and current trends.
Choosing the right cut for men's swimwear: how to navigate it?
Given the variety of models available, it can be difficult to find your way. Each cut has its specificities, its level of comfort, its visual rendering. To make a relevant choice, it's best to understand the main families of men's swimwear, their shapes, and their particularities.
What is men's swimwear called?
In France, we generally refer to swim shorts, boxers, or briefs depending on the cut. The term men's swimwear remains a generic name, but each brand uses its own appellations.
At Mahaut Plage, it is indeed the swim short that embodies the perfect balance between style, comfort, and elegance. It adapts to all body types, can be worn both by the sea and on a terrace, and accompanies movements discreetly. It is a key piece in the summer wardrobe, designed to last and even be passed down. It is also one of the first essentials you pack in your suitcase, regardless of the season or destination.
What are the different types of men's swimwear? What are the different shapes of swimwear?
Men's swimwear comes in several categories. The most common is the swim short, often mid-thigh, with a more or less fitted cut. It is a versatile, easy-to-wear model that suits most body types.
The swim boxer, more form-fitting, hugs the body more closely. It offers good freedom of movement, especially for swimming, but requires a bit more confidence in terms of silhouette.
The swim brief, very high-cut, remains popular among swimmers or those looking for a minimalist cut. It is rarer in leisure or beach settings in France, but remains appreciated for its technicality.
Finally, the boardshort is distinguished by its length, often below the knee. It is surf-inspired and offers a more casual look, although a bit heavier when wet.
Beyond the type, the shape of a swimsuit plays a decisive role in comfort and appearance. Some models are very short, others cover more. Short or mid-thigh versions are currently the most popular. They lengthen the leg, slim the silhouette, and give a more dynamic look.
The straight cut, more ample, gives a more classic look, while a slightly fitted waist allows for a more modern rendering without clinging to the body. It's all about balance: between ease, personal style, and body type.
At Mahaut Plage, swimsuits are designed to fit just right. Neither too loose nor too tight. These are cuts designed to last, without being trendy, but always in tune with the times.
Which swimsuit cut for which body type?
There are no rigid rules when choosing a swimsuit. The essential thing is to feel good in what you wear. But knowing the general guidelines that link a cut to a body type can help you find the model that will flatter you the most. Without ever trying to hide or transform, the idea is to highlight what makes you unique, with comfort and confidence.
Swim shorts, boxers, or briefs: which one suits me best?
Each cut has its advantages. The swim short remains the most versatile. It suits most body types and offers good freedom of movement. Its straight cut, often slightly fitted, allows for a balanced style between relaxation and elegance.
The swim boxer hugs the body more closely. It is appreciated for its fit and support, especially if you have an athletic physique. It enhances the legs and accentuates the waist. However, it requires a bit more ease to wear.
The swim brief, more minimalist, is often reserved for swimming or for those who like close-fitting cuts. It exposes the leg, lengthens the silhouette, but may be less comfortable for some in a leisure context.
There is no right or wrong option. It all depends on your style, your comfort, and what you expect from your swimsuit.
Which men's swimsuit when you have a belly?
If you're looking for a flattering cut for a silhouette with a bit of a belly, it's best to opt for mid-thigh swim shorts with a straight, fluid cut. This type of model doesn't constrict, doesn't ride up, and doesn't cling to the body.
The slightly elasticated waistband at the back, as found on some Mahaut models, allows for a natural adjustment without marking the waist. Avoid swimsuits that are too long, which shorten the leg, or too tight, which draw attention to the belly area.
A Victor Maritime Blue short, with its elegant cut and fluid material, offers a beautiful alternative here. It structures the silhouette while allowing the body to breathe.
What is the ideal length for men's swimwear? Short above the knee or longer?
The ideal length is often above the knee. This cut leaves the leg visible, creates a more elongated line, and gives a dynamic look. It suits both tall and shorter men.
Short swimsuits, with this length, offer a more modern look. They allow for leg exposure without overdoing it, while visually slimming the silhouette.
This type of cut is also more comfortable for walking, sitting, or swimming. It doesn't hinder movement and dries faster than a long model. It's a choice of style as much as a practical choice.
This is the length favored by Mahaut Plage collections, designed to enhance all body types with sobriety. It allows you to stay chic while being perfectly free in your movements.
Note that a swimsuit that is too long will weigh down the silhouette, especially if it goes past the knee. Conversely, a cut that is too short can be less flattering if not well adjusted. The right balance remains in a well-tailored mid-thigh, neither too loose nor too tight.
Which swimsuit flatters men the most?
A flattering swimsuit is first and foremost about a well-designed cut. It's not about following fashion, but about finding the shape that balances the silhouette. As you'll have understood, a mid-rise waist, a length above the knee, and a slightly fitted straight cut. This trio often works best.
The material also plays an important role. A fluid fabric that hugs without clinging provides an elegant look. The chic-cut swim short, like those offered by Mahaut, flatters without stiffness, with a sober style that transcends seasons.
Elegance does not come from complexity, but from precision. And that's what the best cuts offer.
Materials, comfort and trends: what makes the difference in 2026
The choice of swimwear should also be guided by its material. It directly influences comfort, durability, and style. Some fabrics move better with the body, dry faster, or last longer. And beyond the technical aspect, trends evolve. In 2026, men are looking for quality, modernity, and a certain timelessness.
What is the best material for men's swimwear?
Compositions vary depending on brands and ranges. We often find blends of polyester, polyamide, and elastane. Polyester, more common in entry-level products, is less flexible and slower to dry. Polyamide, on the other hand, stands out for its more advanced technical properties.
The benefit of a technical material is also measured by its behavior over time. A good fabric does not stretch, does not fade too quickly, and does not become heavy when wet.
The Victor Aquarelle short, for example, is made of 100% high-quality polyamide. For a lighter structure and a perfect fit without a stretch effect. It includes an ultra-soft inner brief, much more pleasant than classic mesh linings. Its waistband is also equipped with a four-snap tab, ensuring precise, comfortable, and durable support, whatever the activity.
Polyamide is one of the best performing fabrics in the swimwear world. It stands out for its softness, strength, and quick-drying ability...
Polyamide is one of the best performing fabrics in the swimwear world. It stands out for its softness, strength, and quick-drying ability. It retains its shape over time, even after several washes or exposures to sun and salt water.
Combined with elastane, it gains elasticity, allowing the swimsuit to move with the body without ever compressing.
What are the trends for men's swimwear in 2026?
Trends for 2026 confirm a return to basics. Men are looking for well-cut, technical, and versatile pieces. The style is meant to be elegant but discreet, without visual overload. Short cuts, just above the knee, remain the most popular.
Natural colors inspired by the south, such as deep blue, coral, or watercolor tones, are appealing for their freshness and sobriety. The focus is also on durable pieces, designed to be worn for several seasons in a row.
This is precisely the direction taken by Mahaut Plage, since the beginning of its history. Each model combines timeless design, exceptional materials, and meticulous European craftsmanship. The swimsuit becomes a trusted piece that you rediscover year after year with the same pleasure.
Finding the ideal cut for men's swimwear
Choosing a swimsuit is a bit like choosing a shirt or a pair of pants. It's not about following a rule, but about feeling good in what you wear. The cut, the material, the finishes... Everything plays a role in comfort and elegance.
What matters is balance. A cut adapted to your silhouette. A material that lets you breathe. A style that you can wear without thinking about it, from morning to night.
At Mahaut Plage, each pair of swim shorts is designed to accompany your travels, your summer, or your seasonal getaways with simplicity and allure. Well-cut, well-made, it stands the test of time. And perhaps that's the real luxury: a garment that suits you, that follows you, and that reflects who you are.