Butch Wonders
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It's Aqua-Dyke!  Butch Swim Shorts and More

7/31/2012

9 Comments

 
After a year, my Butch at the Beach post is still one of my most popular, but I wanted to write a couple follow-up posts to answer some great questions I've gotten from readers.  Here are a few you've been asking:
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  • I'm a bigger butch and most of the shorts only go up to a 38" or 40" waist.  And it doesn't help that board shorts run small so they won't fall off while you're surfing.  It takes some looking, but you can find bigger shorts.  These basic blue ones from Chaps by Ralph Lauren come in a 3x, 4x, and 5x.  The red Hurleys (pictured left, top) come in a 42, and the navy blue Alki'i ones (pictured left, bottom) go up to a 4x (in addition to being a rare bargain at under $20).  These Hurley Puerto Rico boardshorts go up to a 42" waist (and the white ones go up to 44"), as do these good-looking Fishworks Clipperton blue plaid shorts.  These Aftco "Player" boardshorts and these Aftco "Wahoo" boardshorts also go up to a 44" waist. 
  • Do I need to wear anything under my shorts?  Nah, not really.  Personally, I like wearing a swimsuit, some tight shorts, or even plain black underwear, if my shorts are baggy.  It just feels more "secure" or something.  Maybe I'm an especially modest butch...
  • I look stupid in shorts that go past my knees, and it seems like boardshorts are all really long.  If you're not very tall and are on the slim side as well, I recommend boys' boardshorts (like these Quiksilver shorts, which go all the way down to a 22" waist!).  If you're not tiny-waisted, but dislike super-long shorts (I fall into this category), I recommend Quiksilver shorts, because they tend to be an inch or two shorter than brands like Hurley and Billabong.  Personally, I swim in the Quiksilver men's Rocky boardshorts (pictured right, top).  Parke & Ronen is kind of a high end brand that has stylish but not-too-long boardshorts.  I especially like these striped ones (right, middle), which happen to be 40% off right now.  A couple other good bets include Onia (right, bottom) and Bjorn Borg boardshorts.
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  • The place I swim won't let us wear T-shirts in the pool.  Talk to the people who run the pool.  Usually the problem has to do with the material most T-shirts are made of.  A basic rash guard (like the O'Neill one pictured below, which I really like) is made of nylon and spandex and doesn't contain any cotton.
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  • My shirt keeps sliding up when I swim, even if I tuck it into my shorts.  This, too, is a place where rash guards can help, since most of these have a little loop to let them attach to your boardshorts! 
What other swimming-related questions have come up for you this summer?  (I'll probably be writing another swimwear post soon and will answer as many as I can.)  What tips and tricks would you give to other butches about swimwear and beachwear? 
9 Comments
Linda
7/31/2012 05:33:45 am

Shorts are not the problem when swimming, they can be found in any department store, the problem is what to wear on top? Sports bra? With tee shirt?

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Butch Wonders link
7/31/2012 05:46:41 am

Thanks for the comment! Did you already read Component #2 and Component #3 on the previous post? http://www.butchwonders.com/1/post/2011/7/butch-at-the-beach.html

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DEnise Lowe
7/31/2012 05:49:42 am

Thanks for sharing! My wife and I have shoped and spent a lot of money looking for comfortable swim trunks for her !

Alison
7/31/2012 07:26:10 am

About finding a butch swim top, it's very easy (well, kind of easy) to find a sports-bra style swim top, esp. online, by companies like Speedo. A genuine swim top like that would not stretch out in the water like a sports bra would. Personally, I like to wear one of those sports swim tops plus a rash guard shirt.

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Elliot
7/31/2012 12:22:09 pm

Re: tops, I've had some luck shopping online for training or competition swimsuits. Just got a very basic TYR 2 piece that has a lot more coverage and support on top than most suits. It feels and looks a lot like a sports bra but the fabric is better designed for water, chlorine, etc. I plan on wearing it with board shorts.

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maddox link
7/31/2012 12:54:40 pm

Quiksilver tends to be very narrow (esp for boys). I wear H&M Boys, and those are the lightest, fastest drying board shorts I own (plus they come with an inner net, so I don't need to wear a speedo underneath).

They also now make women's long board shorts, (for the longest time the teeny tiny ones were the only available) and if you are willing to go up a size or two you get extra length that way. Also the colors are starting to get more neutral, so you could potentially find one that looks unisex but fits your body better.

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Kat
8/6/2012 01:01:29 am

Thanks for the notes on components for the beach for those of us who are both butch and...built to last.

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Kat
8/13/2012 01:08:40 am

I found this rash guard on Amazon, and it is a bit baggier so it is more forgiving than some of the other rash guards.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HTAZHM/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

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Heather Lee
10/7/2015 06:59:34 pm

I teach swimming so I am in the water a lot.. I am so not wearing a bikini or even a one piece. Too much boob. I wear a well fitting synthetic bra under a rash vest and beach shorts. Usually mens cause they come in larger sizes with an elastic waist for comfort and ease of movement. The chlorine means I have to replace the bra every few months. It is comfortable and my boobs don't go floating around or escaping. Anything cotton is a terrible idea as the chlorine will destroy it fast. It is a drowning hazard too. Wet fabric pulls you under. Lycra is great. The most important thing is to wear something safe and comfortable that you can have fun in.

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