Looking for Speedos This Summer. Here’s Where to Find the Best Speedo Swimsuits
Looking for Speedos This Summer. Here’s Where to Find the Best Speedo Swimsuits
What Exactly is a Speedo Swimsuit?
As summer approaches and beaches start to fill up, you may find yourself in need of a new swimsuit. When it comes to men’s swimwear, one of the most iconic brands is Speedo. But what exactly is a Speedo swimsuit?
Speedo is a company that specializes in swimwear and aquatic accessories. They are best known for their form-fitting, performance-focused men’s swim briefs, commonly referred to as “Speedos.” The signature Speedo swimsuit is a snug, low-cut swimsuit that provides minimal coverage and is designed to reduce drag in the water. Originating as far back as the 1920s, Speedos rose to popularity in the 1970s when competitive swimmers began wearing them.
While the classic Speedo style remains popular among competitive swimmers and lifeguards, the company has expanded its selection over the years to include more styles, such as board shorts, swim trunks, jammers, and briefs in various cuts. However, the term “Speedo” is still widely used to refer specifically to the standard racing-style men’s swimsuit.
Speedos are made from lightweight, quick-drying materials like nylon or Lycra spandex. They are designed to cling close to the body and limit water resistance, making them ideal for lap swimming, water polo, diving, and other aquatic sports. The minimal coverage also allows for ease of movement and flexibilty in the water.
For recreational swimmers, Speedos offer both function and style. While they certainly provide performance benefits, some wear them simply as a fashion statement or because they prefer minimal tan lines. Speedos have become ingrained in popular culture as iconic beachwear.
While often stigmatized in the past as overly revealing, Speedos and other form-fitting men’s swimwear have become more widely accepted and commonly worn today. Public pools and waterparks nowadays rarely have any modesty policies banning them.
So in summary, Speedos are swim briefs made by the brand Speedo that are designed for athletic performance and comfort in the water, characterized by their snug fit, low-cut leg openings, and minimal coverage. They are regarded as a classic swimsuit style, popular among competitive swimmers and lifeguards, but also worn recreationally by many men at beaches and pools today.
Looking for Speedos This Summer? Here’s Where to Find the Best Speedo Swimsuits
Summer is on the horizon, which means it’s time to start thinking about swimsuit shopping. For men looking for a performance swim brief, Speedo is the go-to brand. Speedo offers high-quality swimwear perfect for laps in the pool or making waves at the beach. But where are the best places to buy Speedos?
If you’re looking for the widest selection of Speedo styles and designs, check out the Speedo website itself. As the original maker of the swimsuits, Speedo offers tons of options directly from the source. Browse through categories like lifestyle, performance, and competition to find the right fit. The website also frequently has special deals and discounts on Speedo swimwear.
For convenience, check out Speedo suits at major retailers that carry sporting goods and swim accessories. Stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, and Walmart all carry Speedo merchandise. Try them on in-store to ensure you get the right size. You can also find great deals on Speedos during seasonal sales or clearance events at these major retailers.
Don’t forget to check out your local swim shops as well. Specialty swim retailers like SwimOutlet.com have large Speedo selections and sizes. The benefit of shops like these is you can often get expert advice from staff familiar with aquatic sports and swimsuit fittings. Local stores may also occasionally have sales or promotions on Speedos that you won’t find online.
If you’ll be wearing your Speedo for laps and training, visit a specialty fitness store. Stores focused on running, cycling, swimming, and general athletics like Road Runner Sports often carry technical swimsuits from Speedo and can help you find the perfect racing suit. You may also get perks like student discounts at some local specialty sports shops.
For a wider range of styles, try a department store like Macy’s which carries Speedo alongside other swimsuit brands. The variety can be great if you want to mix and match different suit tops and bottoms rather than just a standard Speedo brief. And if you have a favorite clothing catalog or online retailer, check there too – many carry Speedo swimwear on their sites or in catalogs.
Wherever you buy, look out for current deals. Speedo suits can be expensive, so take advantage of any sales, promotions, or coupon codes before purchasing. Retailers often discount Speedos during holiday weekends or as part of sitewide sales events, so shopping at the right time can save you money.
With iconic style and championship performance, Speedos are the pinnacle of men’s swimwear. Follow these tips to pick out the perfect Speedo for maximal laps in the pool or beach lounging this summer. Just be sure to select the right size and style to show off your swimming prowess.
The History and Origins of Speedo
Speedo is one of the most iconic and recognizable brands when it comes to swimwear. But where did Speedo come from and how did it evolve into the legendary swimwear company we know today?
Speedo’s origins actually date back to the 1920s in Australia. A young Scottish immigrant named Alexander MacRae established MacRae Knitting Mills in Sydney in 1914 to produce underwear and other knitwear. In 1928, MacRae began experimenting with more athletic designs and developed a close-fitting men’s swim suit made from silk that enabled greater movement and speed in the water.
Impressed by the new design’s performance advantages, some local swimmers began requesting suits to wear during competition. This led MacRae to officially establish the “Speedo” brand in 1929, named by combining “speed” and “go” to reflect the fast pace the new swimsuits enabled in the water.
The earliest Speedo swimsuits were made from silk and featured a racerback tank-suit design. By the 1930s, new suits made from cotton had been introduced to improve comfort and wearability. In 1936, Speedo debuted its first revealing brief-style swimsuit, featuring higher-cut leg openings designed specifically for racing and sporting performance.
The company gained wider attention when Speedo sponsored the 1938 British Empire Games in Australia. After seeing the Australian swim team sporting Speedos and dominating in the pool, international demand grew dramatically. By 1955, an estimated 90 percent of all swimsuits worn in international swimming competitions were Speedos.
In the 1960s, Speedo began working with nylon fabrics and shifted away from cotton. Nylon allowed suits to better retain their shape and dry more quickly. It was during this decade that Speedo famously sponsored American swimmer Mark Spitz through several Olympic Games, providing custom racing suits.
By the 1970s, Speedo was the world’s leading swimwear brand. New fabrics like Lycra were incorporated to add stretch and further reduce drag. Iconic print ads featured sports stars and celebrities modeling Speedos, cementing them in popular culture. Speedo also remained dedicated to working with Olympic teams worldwide.
In the 1980s and 90s, Speedo expanded into new styles like board shorts, triathlon wetsuits, and leisure suits while still retaining its identity with performance swim briefs. Licensing deals made Speedo a household name beyond just swimming and aquatic sports.
Today, Speedo continues leading the industry in technical innovation, aerodynamic design, and competitive excellence. From its modest beginnings knitting swimsuits in Australia, Speedo now dominates swimwear worldwide. Its briefs and racing suits have become ubiquitous at beaches, pools, and competitions across the globe.
Speedo has come to represent both athletic performance and iconic fashion. The company maintains its ties to professional swimming and instructional programs, while also capturing the public’s imagination with its sleek, minimalist suits. For nearly a century, Speedo has impacted swimwear history and remains synonymous with aquatic sports.
So next time you slip on a pair of Speedos for a swim, reflect on the brand’s rich origins! From Australian knitwear to sponsoring Olympic legends, Speedo created one of the most influential and recognizable brands in swimwear.