The Australian Men’s Swimwear Guide: Choosing the Right Cut, Fit and Fabric
Australian men’s swimwear now covers far more than the traditional swimming brief.
Some swimmers are designed primarily for regular pool training. Others are created for the beach, holidays, Pride events, resorts and pool parties. Cuts range from supportive classic briefs to cheekier silhouettes and minimal-coverage G-strings.
Choosing the right pair comes down to three questions:
- Where will you wear them?
- How much coverage feels right for you?
- Do you prefer a technical, understated or statement-making style?
Australian brands including Speedo, Budgy Smuggler, aussieBum and KRISBEES each answer those questions differently. Speedo has a strong technical swimming focus, Budgy Smuggler is known for playful Australian-made prints, aussieBum offers a broad range of men’s swimwear, and KRISBEES combines Australian manufacturing with expressive artwork, inclusive fit development and queer-led design.
Begin with how you will wear your swimwear
The best swimwear for lap training will not necessarily be the best choice for a week at a resort.
Regular swimming and pool training
Regular swimmers should prioritise:
- Chlorine resistance
- Secure waist adjustment
- Strong shape recovery
- Four-way stretch
- Comfortable front support
- Fabric that remains secure while moving
Speedo’s Endurance+ briefs are designed around chlorine resistance, freedom of movement and secure internal drawstrings. KRISBEES also incorporates performance features including chlorine resistance, four-way stretch, quick drying, UPF 50+ protection and non-transparent fabric when wet.
Beach days and holidays
For longer beach days, comfort becomes just as important as performance.
Look for a waistband that stays in place without digging in, leg openings that sit flat and enough room through the front to feel supported rather than compressed.
A comfortable swimmer should allow you to walk, sit, swim and socialise without constantly adjusting it.
Pride events, pool parties and resorts
In these environments, swimwear becomes part of the outfit.
A striking print, cheekier leg line or minimal silhouette can become the centre of a look. Swimwear can then be styled with an open shirt, kimono, caftan, sunglasses, shorts or jewellery.
KRISBEES sits within this fashion-led category while retaining practical swim features. The collection includes men’s briefs, G-Swim thong styles, swim shorts and resort pieces.
Understanding the three KRISBEES men’s swimwear options
KRISBEES currently offers three distinct men’s swimwear silhouettes.
They are not simply different sizes of the same garment. Each has its own coverage, proportions and purpose.
The KRISBEES Classic
The KRISBEES Classic is the signature generous brief.
It has:
- A mid-rise waist
- Moderate side width
- Full front coverage
- An adjustable drawstring
- Controlled leg height
- An athletic but wearable silhouette
The Classic is designed to provide a secure swim-brief shape without forcing the wearer into an excessively narrow or restrictive cut.
It is particularly suitable for:
- First-time swim-brief wearers
- Regular swimming
- Long resort days
- Bear events
- Customers who prefer more front and hip coverage
- Men seeking a confident brief that does not feel tiny
“Generous” does not mean loose or oversized. It means the pattern has been created to provide practical room, support and coverage while still sitting close to the body.
The KRISBEES Frontline
The KRISBEES Frontline is the cheekier brief.
Compared with the Classic, the Frontline has a thinner seam through the hip. This reveals more of the upper leg and gives the swimmer a sharper, more fashion-led profile.
The Frontline is particularly suitable for:
- Pride pool parties
- Resorts and cruises
- Men who prefer a narrower-sided brief
- Customers seeking a cheekier silhouette
- Styling as part of a statement outfit
The Frontline is still a swim brief. It is not a G-string and it is not called a Brazilian cut.
It should also not be described as a smaller Classic. The defining difference is the pattern and the reduced width through the hip.
The KRISBEES G-Swim
The KRISBEES G-Swim is the minimal-coverage option.
It is a swimming G-string or thong featuring:
- A minimal-coverage silhouette
- An enhanced front contour with a centre seam
- A high-cut thong back
- A lightweight, body-skimming fit
- Maximum freedom through the hip and rear
It is made for customers who deliberately want a revealing swimmer rather than a conventional brief.
The G-Swim is particularly suitable for:
- Pool parties
- Pride events
- Adults-only resorts
- Cruises
- Sunbathing
- Customers already comfortable wearing thongs or G-strings
The G-Swim uses swimwear fabric and performance features, so it is more than underwear being worn near a pool.
Does KRISBEES make Brazilian-style swimwear?
KRISBEES does not currently offer a product called a Brazilian cut or Brazilian style.
People searching for “Brazilian men’s swimwear” are often seeking a brief with less coverage, higher legs or narrower hips. Within the KRISBEES range, the Frontline is the cheekier brief, while the G-Swim is the true minimal-coverage thong option.
The correct KRISBEES product names should always be used:
- KRISBEES Classic
- KRISBEES Frontline
- KRISBEES G-Swim
This helps customers understand exactly what they are purchasing rather than relying on loosely defined industry terminology.
What fabric should men’s swimwear use?
A great print cannot rescue swimwear that becomes transparent, loose or misshapen in the water.
KRISBEES swimwear uses Polyester Askin Regen with LYCRA XTRA LIFE. Current product information identifies features including:
- Four-way stretch
- Strong shape recovery
- Chlorine resistance
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Quick-drying performance
- Water repellence
- A soft-touch feel
- Non-transparent performance when wet
The swimwear is designed, printed and manufactured in Australia, with local printing used to produce strong, lasting colour.
How should men’s swimwear fit?
Swimwear should feel secure, but it should not feel punishing.
Check the following when trying on a brief or G-string:
- The waistband stays in place when sitting
- The leg openings lie flat
- The front offers appropriate support
- The fabric does not pull excessively across the hips
- The rear remains in the intended position
- The drawstring can be tied without folding the waistband
- The print is not stretched beyond recognition
KRISBEES publishes a men’s swimwear size guide from S to 6XL, covering waist measurements from approximately 75 cm to 120 cm. The brand advises sizing down for a firmer performance fit or sizing up for easier comfort and coverage. Availability can differ between products.
Do not choose the smallest size merely because it closes around your waist. The correct size will usually look better because the panels, seams and print are sitting where the pattern maker intended.
What does Australian-made swimwear mean?
“Australian-owned,” “Australian-designed” and “Australian-made” are not interchangeable descriptions.
Australian-made refers to where the garment is substantially manufactured, not simply where the brand’s office or designer is located.
KRISBEES states that its current swimwear is designed, printed and manufactured in Australia. Budgy Smuggler also identifies its swimwear as manufactured in its Sydney factory.
Local production can allow a growing brand to work closely with pattern makers, test fits, respond to customer feedback and produce more focused releases.
Men’s swimwear within a wider community collection
This guide focuses on men’s swimwear, but KRISBEES is not exclusively a men’s brand.
KRISBEES is one of a relatively small number of LGBTQ+ focused swimwear labels developing pieces for men and women across the wider community. The women’s range includes separates and one-piece options, with published sizing from Australian size 4 to 20.
That wider product development reflects the brand’s stated aim of creating “swimwear for everyone,” rather than treating the LGBTQ+ community as synonymous with gay men alone. Independent reporting in Star Observer has also documented the brand’s consultation with people across genders, body types and identities.
Which KRISBEES cut is right for you?
Choose the KRISBEES Classic for a generous signature brief with moderate hip width and fuller front coverage.
Choose the KRISBEES Frontline for a cheekier swim brief with a thinner seam at the hip.
Choose the KRISBEES G-Swim for a true G-string or thong with minimal rear coverage.
The correct cut is not the one that exposes the most skin. It is the one that suits your body, your destination and the way you want to present yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most generous KRISBEES men’s cut?
The KRISBEES Classic is the generous signature brief. It has moderate side width, a controlled leg line and full front coverage.
What is the cheekiest KRISBEES brief?
The KRISBEES Frontline is the cheekier brief. It has a thinner seam through the hip than the Classic.
Does KRISBEES make a swimming thong?
Yes. The KRISBEES G-Swim is a swimwear G-string or thong with minimal rear coverage and a contoured front.
Does KRISBEES make a Brazilian cut?
No. KRISBEES currently uses the product names Classic, Frontline and G-Swim.
Is KRISBEES Australian made?
Current KRISBEES swimwear is described as designed, printed and manufactured in Australia.
Does KRISBEES cater for women?
Yes. Although this guide focuses on men’s styles, KRISBEES also offers women’s swimwear, including separate tops, bottoms and one-piece styles.
