Men’s worst swimsuit mistakes

Olympians like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte make a splash when they hit the pool — literally.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Olympians like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte make a splash when they hit the pool — literally.But if you’re the kind of guy who doesn’t know the butterfly stroke from that winged insect that flutters around the garden, you can still make a gold medal-worthy statement when you suit up for a day of swimwear-mandatory activity. And looking hot can be as easy as a lap around the kiddie pool — if you avoid these mistakes that fizzle with the bikini-rocking ladies you may be trying to impress."A guy’s swimwear choices say a lot about his style and level of confidence,”"The biggest mistake men make when shopping for swimsuits is not shopping for swimsuits,” Bloomingdale’s Men’s Fashion Director Josh Peskowitz explains. "Guys tend to not plan it out in advance and only when it’s necessary. Just the other day I was at the beach, and a friend said, ‘I need swim trunks.’ But we were at the beach!”Cue the lifeguard: Yahoo! Shopping is breaking down the other fashion fails otherwise hunky dudes make when they come close to baring it all. Summer may be winding down, after all, but you still have plenty of time — and beach days — before you have to trade in your swim trunks for your warmer winter wardrobe.Forget the Summer Olympics. We’re talking about an original fairy-tale: the saga of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a slick intruder strives for porridge perfection."The most common mistake men make is buying the wrong size,” says Joshua Carter, Target spokesperson. "Find one that fits your body best.”Taking a cue from Miss Goldilocks, you’ll need a suit that’s just right, like this Diesel "Dolphin” medium-fit trunk (Above; $40, Piperlime.com). Avoid a baggy silhouette, cautions Kojitani. "Oversized shorts tend to make you look like a teenager,” she says.But that’s not an excuse to size down."On the flip side, guys should avoid anything too tight or revealing at the beach,” Kojitani explains. "Leave a little something for the imagination, and pick a pair that flatters your body type without showing off too much.”It’s your last chance to show some skin before you have to bundle up again, so embrace the less-is-more mantra (much like you encourage female beach-goers to do).Whether your body type reflects months of hot-weather prep at the gym, or a little snowstorm-induced hibernation, "buying a trunk that is too long will make you look shorter and stockier than you really are,” Kojitani says.Agencies