Swimwear Buying Guide: Thongs, Briefs, and More

Quick answer

Start with coverage, not colour. If you want minimal coverage and maximum tan line control, a swim thong is the right pick. If you want more coverage with a clean silhouette, choose a swim brief, and go wide cut when you want extra coverage at the sides. Then match the fabric to how you actually use it: quick-dry blends for swimming and training, bamboo for lounging and everyday comfort.

Most mens swimwear decisions go wrong in the same place: you buy the cut you like in a photo, then discover it does not match how you actually swim, tan, or move. This swimwear buying guide fixes that by working through the decisions in order, starting with the one that matters most.

You will find concrete rules for choosing between a swim thong and a swim brief, what to check on swimwear fit before you commit, and how swimwear fabric changes the way a piece performs. Everything below is built around pieces you can actually buy from TEAMM8 Australia, so the trade-offs are real rather than theoretical.

Rule 1: Choose coverage before you choose a style

Coverage is the single decision that determines whether you will actually wear the piece. A swim thong gives you minimal coverage and the least tan interference, which suits sunbathing, resort pools, and anyone who wants the smallest possible silhouette. A swim brief gives you more coverage across the seat and front while keeping a clean, athletic line. Neither is better; they solve different problems.

The mistake is buying for the look you want on holiday and ignoring the setting you will wear it in. If you spend most of your time in the water or around family, a brief is usually the easier daily choice. If you are chasing an even tan and minimal fabric, a thong earns its place.

• If you hesitate between the two, buy the brief first. It is the safer all-rounder and covers more situations.
• If you already own a brief and want a second piece, add a thong rather than a second brief in a different colour.

Rule 2: Match the cut to the setting, not the trend

Cut width at the hip changes how a brief reads and how it feels. A standard cut sits in the middle: not too thin at the sides and not too wide, which is why it works from the beach to the pool with family or friends. A wide cut adds coverage at the sides and gives a more modest, flattering silhouette without losing shape.

Think about where the piece will be seen. Resort and holiday settings tolerate narrower cuts; mixed company, shared pools, and family trips usually reward a wider cut. If you genuinely split your time between both, own one of each rather than compromising on a single pair.

• Wide cut is the better first brief if you are unsure about coverage.
• Standard cut is the better first brief if you want a balance between classic and minimal.

Rule 3: Read swimwear fabric for performance, not marketing

Swimwear fabric decides how the piece behaves when wet, how quickly it dries, and how it feels on skin. Quick-dry modal blends are built for movement: they stay soft, dry fast, and suit training or long, active days near water. Bamboo is the comfort option, softer than silk against the skin, with anti-bacterial and heat-regulating properties that make it ideal for lounging and warm days.

For underwear worn under swimwear or on its own, the same logic applies. A cotton micro thong with a touch of Spandex keeps its shape without sagging, while a bamboo bikini brief leans into softness and temperature control. Pick the fabric for the job, not for the label.

• Swimming or training: prioritise quick-dry fabrication.
• Lounging, travel, and hot days: prioritise bamboo for softness and heat regulation.

Rule 4: Get swimwear fit right before you judge the cut

A cut that feels wrong is often just the wrong size. Swimwear should sit close without digging, and it should not need constant adjusting when you move. Check the waistband first: a metallic or elasticated waistband should sit flat and stay put, not roll or pinch. Then check the leg opening, which should hold its shape rather than gaping.

If a piece feels loose at the waist but tight at the leg, sizing up will not fix it. That is a cut mismatch, not a size problem. Sizes are the only option type on the swim and underwear pieces here, so getting the size right is the whole game. Measure once, and if you are between sizes, choose based on how you want the waistband to sit.

• Waistband test: it should lie flat and stay in place without rolling.
• Leg test: no gaping, no cutting in. If both happen, change the cut, not the size.

Rule 5: Build a small rotation instead of one perfect piece

One piece cannot cover tanning, swimming, lounging, and everyday wear equally well. A practical rotation is a swim brief for general use, a swim thong for tanning and minimal-coverage days, and a comfortable underwear piece for lounging and travel. That combination covers nearly every situation without overbuying.

If you are building from scratch, start with the brief, add the thong second, and add the comfort piece third. This order matches how most people actually use their swimwear, and it means each purchase solves a problem the previous one did not.

• Buy in order of use: brief, then thong, then lounge or everyday comfort.
• Colour is the last decision. Get the cut and fabric right first.

Decision rules for your next swimwear purchase

• If you want the least coverage: Choose a swim thong. It gives minimal coverage and the least tan interference, and a thin-at-the-hip cut with a touch of Spandex keeps it from sagging. Best for tanning, resort pools, and minimal-silhouette days.
• If you want one piece for everything: Choose a standard-cut swim brief. A cut that is not too thin and not too wide balances classic and minimal, so it works across beach, pool, and family settings. If you only buy one piece, buy this cut.
• If coverage at the sides matters: Choose a wide-cut swim brief. It adds coverage while keeping a clean, flattering silhouette. Best for mixed company and anyone who prefers more coverage.
• If comfort and heat are the priority: Choose bamboo fabrication. It is softer than silk, anti-bacterial, and heat regulating, which suits lounging and warm days better than performance swimming. Comfort piece, not a training piece.
• If you move and sweat a lot: Choose quick-dry fabrication. Quick-dry modal stays soft and dries fast, which suits active days and training. Match fabric to activity, not to colour.

Product facts that affect your decision

• Statement Swim Brief - Gunmetal: Designed with the ideal balance, not too thin at the sides and not too wide, this cut hits the sweet spot between classic and sexy, and is available in Black, Gunmetal, White, Terracotta, and Azure. This is the safest first brief if you want one piece that works at the beach and the pool without committing to a narrow or wide cut.
• Statement Wide Swim Brief - White: The Wide Cut Swim Brief is designed for more coverage without losing the edge, with a super-flattering fit and a clean, modestly sexy silhouette, available in Black, Gunmetal, White, Terracotta, and Azure. Choose this over the standard cut when coverage at the sides matters more to you than a minimal silhouette.
• Body Bamboo Bikini Brief - Cerulean: Bamboo is softer than silk, anti-bacterial, and heat regulating, and this bikini brief is built to take you from the lounge to bed. This is the comfort pick for lounging, travel, and hot days rather than for swimming performance.
• Flirt Cotton Thong - Teal: A thin at the hip cut for more skin, with a touch of Spandex to prevent sagging and a self-elasticated waist without a waistband for a more minimal feel. The no-waistband construction keeps the feel minimal, which matters if you dislike waistbands digging or rolling.

Who this approach is for

Best for

• Anyone buying their first proper swim brief or swim thong and unsure which cut to start with
• Swimmers and holidaymakers who want one piece that works across beach, pool, and travel
• People who want a clear rule for choosing between minimal coverage and wider coverage

Not for

• Shoppers looking for board shorts or loose-fitting swim trunks
• Anyone who wants a single piece to cover swimming, lounging, and everyday wear at the same time

Decide coverage first, then cut, then fabric, then size. That order stops you buying a piece that looks right but never gets worn. If you are starting out, take the standard-cut swim brief, add a swim thong when you want less coverage, and keep one bamboo or cotton comfort piece for lounging and travel.