By Steve Salter

I grew up by the Kentish seaside and only had the shortest of excited strolls to the beach so you would think that I am something of an expert on perfect swimwear but in all honesty I do not own a single item that could be classed as swimwear anymore. The sweet memories of my idyllic summers spent playing on the beach are somewhat distant
because I've not been swimming for years now. No doubt there is a swimwear graveyard ranging from the tightest of Speedos to the baggiest of board shorts in a drawer somewhere but none of them have seen the sun for some time now and thankfully so. If I venture to the seaside these days I just roll up my seersucker trousers and have a good ol' fashioned British paddle before complaining about how cold it
was and then retreat to the sun drenched sand so I have not had a need to own any swimwear. However, with a number of escapes to the sun planned for the coming months I am on the hunt to rectify this wardrobe deficiency.

My ideal beach attire however, of an Aitor Throup designed all in one inspired by the 1920's is not yet available (I can but dream) but there is plenty out there to choose from. In the battle of the sexes us guys have a distinct advantage when it comes to swimwear shopping but the holiday scenes at home and abroad seem to contradict this belief. Despite the venerable sea of possibilities, though, we've all seen enough horror stories to put us off going to the beach in the first place. The sight of hairy, overhanging, pasty-white bellies on
board shorts long enough to trip up stomach turned passers by is the stuff of nightmares but will no doubt be witnessed from the beaches of Margate to Malibu. As I'm still on a Mad Men style high I am currently inspired by throwback sixties trunks which offer a classic piece of California surf culture. My vision of dependable beachwear includes a simple swim trunk worn with a wrinkled oxford and a pair of Sperry's for a really casual summer outfit.

It is clear that we won't all be able to make the hearts of fellow beach goers skip a few beats like Daniel Craig did in that scene in Casino Royal with his tight La Perla trunks. Any unsightly bulges are relatively easily disguised beneath adjustable waistbands, and a pair of just above the knee shorts and are way more likely to inspire a boost of confidence than say, a skimpy two-piece which offers little place to hide for the opposite sex. If you are brave enough to strip down and dive in to the blue stuff then please put down those too tight Speedos or baggy board shorts with palm tree motif - if you are print inclined why not reach for a pair of Makin Jan Ma Galaxy print trunks (available at Far Fetch). Let's all try and make an effort to raise our beach style profile at home and abroad. Remember, the key to sartorial success by the sea is a delicate layering of soft, lightweight and even sheer fabrics and simple, elegant trunks.