Are Speedos Over? The Gay Community Debates Whether to Swap Skimpy Briefs for Baggy Shorts

A heated debate about the future of beachwear has erupted on social media. It was sparked by a viral post from X (formerly Twitter) user Cesar, who “regretfully reported” that Speedos are gradually being replaced by swim trunks. The post garnered more than 345,000 views, sparking both panic and excitement. “Doberman Media” presents both sides of the argument.

What's going on?

For a long time, Speedos were considered practically the official vacation uniform of the gay community. This summer, however, there has been a shift toward looser fits. Designers and fashion critics note that queer fashion as a whole is becoming baggier: short shorts are giving way to baggy denim shorts (“jorts”), cargo pants, and loose-fitting T-shirts.

This style has already been dubbed “Heartland Drag” (which can be translated as “rural drag”). The idea is that as straight men begin wearing shorter, tighter-fitting clothes, gay men are opting for hypermasculine, rugged looks in an effort to preserve their countercultural identity.

Are Speedos really disappearing?

Visitors to popular gay vacation spots such as Fire Island or Provincetown say the beaches are still “packed” with men in Speedos. On gay beaches in Chicago and Michigan, micro briefs (thongs) are still seen more often than regular shorts.

However, the trend toward a more natural look is working against skintight synthetics. In a world of “AI slop,” a return to a natural look—for example, not removing hair from the bikini area —is seen as an expression of humanity. But wearing extremely skimpy briefs with an “untrimmed lawn” is not something everyone would dare to do: hair can simply poke out. Shorts are much more practical in this regard.

Why do so many people hate Speedos?

Critics of swim briefs point out that they often fit poorly and can look like a diaper, which is unlikely to make anyone look more attractive by the pool. They are also considered less comfortable.

Modern swim shorts are suggested as an alternative (not to be confused with baggy, below-the-knee Bermuda shorts). The right shorts should fit snugly around the thighs and flatter the figure while still looking more understated.

So which should you choose?

Despite the rise of shorts, Speedos remain the most effective way to attract attention and highlight your best features. As beach regulars point out, those “tiny, tight swim briefs” still turn heads.

For now, the shorts trend seems more like an interesting experiment than a decisive victory. Even those who have already swapped short shorts for baggier styles admit that their Speedos are still sitting on the shelf, waiting for their moment.