How to Choose Swimwear for Your Body Type: A Practical Fit Guide

Quick answer

Choose swimwear by matching three things to your body and your swim: waist height, leg length, and lining. If you want coverage and an easy transition to the beach bar, pick a regular-fit short with a mesh lining. If you want freedom of movement and less fabric, pick a brief or a box-cut brief. When in doubt, size down in styles with a short inside leg, because wet fabric relaxes and a loose waist will slide.

Swimwear is one of the few garments where fit changes in the water. Dry, a pair of shorts can feel perfect; soaked, the same pair can sag, ride up, or cling in ways you did not expect. That is why choosing by body type alone is not enough. You also need to think about how you swim, how much coverage you want, and how the fabric behaves when wet.

This guide breaks the decision into waist height, leg length, and lining, then gives you concrete rules for matching those details to your build and your plans. It focuses on men's swim shorts, swim trunks, and briefs, and it uses real product details from the CDLP range so you can see how the choices play out in practice.

Start with waist height, not waist size

Waist height decides where the swimwear sits on your torso, and that changes your proportions more than any other detail. A low waist sits below the hip bone and lengthens the torso, which suits shorter torsos and anyone who wants a modern, close fit. A mid or regular waist sits near the natural waistline and gives more coverage through the lower back, which many people find more comfortable when bending, sitting, or playing in the water. Neither is better; they simply place the horizontal line in a different spot.

Waist size still matters, but it is the second question. If you are between sizes, the fabric and cut tell you which way to go. Styles with a short inside leg and a regular fit, like the CDLP Swim Shorts, tend to feel roomier when wet, so the catalog note suggests sizing down if you are between sizes. Close-cut briefs usually fit true to size, so start with your normal underwear size and adjust only if the leg or pouch feels tight.

• Low waist: lengthens the torso and suits shorter builds or a closer fit.
• Mid or regular waist: more coverage through the back and a classic line.
• Between sizes in a short-leg regular fit? Size down; wet fabric relaxes.

Match leg length to your build and your swim

Leg length controls how much thigh is covered and how freely you can move. A short leg, around a 2.6-inch inside leg in size M on the CDLP Swim Shorts, sits high on the thigh. That gives maximum freedom for swimming and walking, and it visually lengthens the legs. A longer leg, closer to mid-thigh, gives more coverage and a more relaxed, everyday look, but it can cling when you climb out of the water and takes longer to dry around the hem.

For body type, the useful rule is contrast. If your legs are short relative to your torso, a shorter leg length adds visual length. If your legs are long, a slightly longer short balances the silhouette. If you are tall and find that short styles look cropped, look for a regular fit with a slightly longer leg rather than sizing up, because sizing up widens the waist and seat as well as the length. If you are shorter, a short leg with a mid waist keeps the proportion clean.

• Short leg: freedom of movement and a longer-looking leg line.
• Longer leg: more coverage and a relaxed, everyday silhouette.
• Do not size up for length alone; you will loosen the waist too.

Decide on lining and support before you buy

Lining is the detail most people ignore until they are wet. A mesh lining, like the one in the CDLP Swim Shorts, adds comfort and support and reduces cling, which matters if you plan to swim laps, play beach games, or walk a long way in wet shorts. The trade-off is a little more warmth and a little more fabric against the skin. If you run hot or prefer a lighter feel, an unlined short over a separate swim brief gives you the same support with more control over the layers.

For support and minimal coverage, a swim brief or a box-cut brief is the most direct answer. The box-cut version adds a short leg for a bit more coverage while keeping the close fit. The decision rule is simple: choose the amount of support you would want in underwear, then add coverage until you feel comfortable. If you would not wear a brief under your clothes, an unlined short over a brief is a practical middle path.

• Mesh lining: support, less cling, good for active swimming.
• Unlined short plus a separate brief: adjustable support and faster drying.
• Brief or box-cut brief: closest fit and the least fabric in the water.

Read the fabric and care details

Fabric changes how swimwear feels wet and how long it takes to dry. The CDLP Swim Shorts are made of Econyl, a nylon fibre repurposed from landfill and ocean waste, in a smooth satin twill. That gives a soft hand and a quick-drying surface, which is useful if you swim often or travel with one pair. Smooth twills also resist the heavy, waterlogged feel that some cotton-blend shorts develop, so they stay closer to their dry shape.

Care is part of the buying decision. Rinse swimwear in fresh water after every swim to remove salt and chlorine, then dry it in the shade rather than on a hot radiator. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, because that stresses the fibres and the waistband. If you rotate two pairs, each one has time to dry fully and the elastic recovers, which extends the life of the garment far more than any special detergent.

• Quick-drying synthetics suit frequent swimmers and travel.
• Rinse after every swim; dry in shade, not on direct heat.
• Rotate two pairs to let elastic recover and fabric dry fully.

Fit checks to do before you commit

Try swimwear the way you will wear it: over your usual underwear or swim brief, standing, sitting, and squatting. Check three points. First, the waistband should stay put when you bend forward; if it gapes at the back, you likely need a smaller size or a different waist height. Second, the leg opening should not cut into the thigh when you squat; if it does, a looser fit or a longer leg will help. Third, the lining should sit smoothly without twisting.

If you are between sizes and the style has a short leg and regular fit, the catalog guidance is to consider sizing down. If the style is close-cut, stay true to size. Remember that wet fabric relaxes, so a slightly snug dry fit usually becomes a comfortable wet fit, while a loose dry fit often becomes a sliding wet fit. When you cannot try before you buy, check the return policy and order two sizes if the brand allows it.

• Bend, sit, and squat to test the waistband and leg opening.
• Snug dry usually equals comfortable wet; loose dry usually slides.
• Order two sizes when you cannot try in store, then return one.

Decision rules: pick your swimwear in three steps

• If you want coverage and an easy transition to the beach bar: Choose a regular-fit swim short with a mid or regular waist and a mesh lining. The CDLP Swim Shorts use a short leg, around 2.6 inches in size M, and a mesh lining for support without extra bulk. Best all-round choice for swimming, walking, and casual wear.
• If you want maximum freedom and minimal fabric: Choose a swim brief or a box-cut brief with a low or mid waist. Use your usual underwear size as the starting point, because close-cut styles generally fit true to size. Best for lap swimming and hot climates; less coverage on land.
• If you are between sizes or unsure about length: In a short-leg regular fit, size down; wet fabric relaxes and a loose waist will slide. In a close-cut style, stay true to size. If you cannot try before buying, order two sizes and return one. Snug dry becomes comfortable wet; loose dry becomes a sliding wet fit.

Product facts that inform the choice

• Swim Shorts: Regular fit with a short leg, an inside leg length of 6.5 cm (2.6 inches) in size M, and a mesh lining for comfort and support. Made of Econyl, a nylon fibre repurposed from landfill and ocean waste, in smooth satin twill. The catalog note advises sizing down if you are between sizes. The short leg and regular fit suit swimmers who want freedom of movement and a longer-looking leg line, while the mesh lining adds support for active use. Sizing down keeps the waist secure when the fabric relaxes in water.
• 6 × Boxer Brief: Mid waist with a regular leg and the original signature waistband. Made of Tencel lyocell, a fibre derived from certified renewable wood sources, with silk-like softness, breathability, and natural moisture wicking. Fits true to size. This is the reference fit for anyone choosing a close-cut swim brief or box-cut brief. If you already like this mid-waist, regular-leg shape in underwear, a similar cut in swimwear will feel familiar and predictable.
• 3 × Y-Brief: Low waist with the original signature waistband, made of Tencel lyocell with silk-like softness, breathability, and natural moisture wicking. Fits true to size. The low waist is the key detail for shorter torsos or anyone who wants a modern line. Use it as a fit reference when deciding between a low-waist brief and a mid-waist short.

Who each style is for

Best for

• Swimmers who want coverage and a short that works on the beach and at the bar
• Anyone with a shorter torso who wants a low-waist brief or box-cut brief
• Frequent swimmers who value quick-drying fabric and mesh support

Not for

• Swimmers who want the least fabric in the water; choose a brief instead
• Anyone who prefers a long, loose board-short silhouette
• Buyers who cannot try on and will not use the return policy

Choose swimwear by waist height, leg length, and lining, then confirm the fit with a bend, sit, and squat test. If you are between sizes in a short-leg regular fit, size down; in a close-cut style, stay true to size. That single rule prevents most of the sliding, sagging, and clinging that make swimwear frustrating.