Men's Swimwear: Boardshorts and Trunks You Can Wear All Day

A flannel company making swim shorts sounds backwards until you hear where we're from. Tempe summers can hold at 110°F for weeks, and the guys working through them spend their days off on a lake, a boat, or anywhere they can get near the water. Swimwear really wasn't much of a leap for us.

So our men's swimwear gets the same treatment as the rest of the brand. Every pattern is drawn in-house, and every run is limited, so you aren't showing up in the same navy swim trunks as the other six guys on the boat. The fit gets the same attention, too, sitting where you want it whether you're in the water or three hours past it.

What's Built Into Our Men's Boarshorts and Trunks?

Whatever pattern you pick, every pair gets the same construction:

• Two lengths: Our 21-inch boardshorts hit at or just above the knee, while the 7-inch swim shorts sit higher on the thigh. Neither is designed to ride up or hang awkwardly past the knee.

• Quick-dry, four-way stretch fabric: Lightweight, flexible, and made to move with you without staying waterlogged once you're back on land.

• Net stretch fly with a laced front closure: Set the drawstring where you want it through the Dixxon-branded eyelets and aglets, and it stays there. Between sizes? Check the size guide for exact measurements.

• Secure storage: A rear Velcro pocket with a key keeper gives you a place for the small stuff, while a heat-seamed side zipper pocket keeps keys and cards where they belong.

• Patterns from our flannel design work: Most swim patterns look like they were designed for a beach towel. Ours come out of the same studio as our flannels, so you'll see the same plaids, colors, and attitude you'd expect from us in October.

Which Boardshorts Length Should You Get?

Both lengths are built to swim. The difference is how much coverage you want and where you like your shorts to sit.

Either pair of men's swimwear shorts handles the swim and everything that comes after it so you can pick based on your preference. The easiest rule? Go with the length you already reach for in your regular shorts.

Men's Swimwear That Matches the Rest of the Day

Nobody wants to be the guy changing four times before a pool party.

Pair your swim trunks with a party shirt or a bamboo button-up and you're ready for the grill without another trip to the car. Bamboo is especially good in the heat, which is why it shows up on plenty of our boat-day outfits. Add sandals or slides and a straw hat, and you've pretty much got the weekend covered.

The same goes for whoever you're spending the day with. Bikinis, one-pieces, and cover-ups are available in women's swim, and many of the patterns carry across both collections. Matching without looking like you planned to match? That's the idea.

Made Once, Then Gone

Our swimwear follows the same rule as our flannel drops: a colorway gets made once.

When it sells out, we don't run it again. So if the guy at the sandbar is wearing a pattern you like, there's a decent chance he can't tell you where to get it anymore.

That's the point. You get something made with a little more personality than the standard swim trunks you'll see everywhere else, and you don't have to worry about half the boat wearing the same pair.

Keeping Your Swim Shorts Looking New

Chlorine and salt water are hard on swim fabric, and neither one rinses itself out.

Give your men's swimwear shorts a rinse in cool water when you're done, then hang them somewhere with good airflow. That helps keep the fabric and print looking sharp.

When it's time for a deeper clean, follow the care instructions rather than tossing your swim shorts in with your work jeans. Zippers, heavy denim, and lightweight swim fabric aren't exactly a dream combination.

Give them a little attention and a good pair of swim trunks can stay in the rotation for years.

A Note on Sizing and Returns

Sizing matters a little more with swimwear. Your shorts need to stay put while you're moving through the water but still feel right once you're back on land.

Start with the waist size you normally wear, then check the size guide if you're between sizes or unsure. It's worth checking before you order, too: swimwear must come back with the hygienic liner in place to qualify for a return or exchange within the 60-day window.

If you need to try them on, wear something underneath.

Get Sorted Before the Weekend

Summer tends to move faster than anybody plans for, and the good patterns usually don't sit around for long.

Pick your length, pick your pattern, and you're set for the water, the boat, the lake, and everything that happens after you get out.