Sunspel Swim Shorts Budget Alternative
Westward_Drift
Posts: 3,091MI6 Agent
Recently I was searching for some new swim shorts. Of course, as a Bond fan I looked at the Orelebar Brown trunks but they were too expensive and too low cut for my tastes. I liked the vintage look of the Sunspel, but again there was the price. I just can't see spending $200 or more for swim trunks.
Recently I saw that J Crew has some tab swim trunks in various fabrics and colors. The one that caught my eye was the "oxford cloth" in ocean blue. While it is currently listed at $75 retail it's J. Crew so you almost always have a 30% or 40% off promo going on.
https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/swim/65tabswimshorts/PRDOVR~A5861/A5861.jsp
I just received my shorts and am very pleased with them. To my eye it is very similar looking to the Sunspel and the old Jantzen shorts. The cotton/nylon cloth is very soft and does feel a bit like shirting fabric. The 6.5" inseam is 2 inches longer than Sunspel's, but I'm okay with that. Although I am tempted to ask a tailor if the legs can be shortened a couple inches and if the excess fabric can be made into button down belt loops like Connery's Thunderball trunks.
Recently I saw that J Crew has some tab swim trunks in various fabrics and colors. The one that caught my eye was the "oxford cloth" in ocean blue. While it is currently listed at $75 retail it's J. Crew so you almost always have a 30% or 40% off promo going on.
https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/swim/65tabswimshorts/PRDOVR~A5861/A5861.jsp
I just received my shorts and am very pleased with them. To my eye it is very similar looking to the Sunspel and the old Jantzen shorts. The cotton/nylon cloth is very soft and does feel a bit like shirting fabric. The 6.5" inseam is 2 inches longer than Sunspel's, but I'm okay with that. Although I am tempted to ask a tailor if the legs can be shortened a couple inches and if the excess fabric can be made into button down belt loops like Connery's Thunderball trunks.
Comments
These are great.
You guys seen these? http://www.clothestopose.co.uk/james-bond-style-swim-trunks-2-p.asp
Oh I do
It's Daniel Craig's
Yeah I own a pair. Quite nice, especially for the price. I wear them for lane swimming. Despite how the photos look, the lighter blue isn't an exact match for the original La Perla though.
I took my normal waist size. That they are available in one inch size differences is a plus.
Agreed. Always nice when I can find a 31!
Overall they're very nice. a little longer and wider than I would have liked, but a great deal for what they are - especially with how well made they are.
I had to order online since the J. Crew near me has a pitiful men's department. I got my usual 34. I thought about exchanging for a 33, but I think an extra inch off the waist may be a bit tight. I've tried on a couple Swim-Ology trunks with side adjusters like the Orlebar Brown. Unfortunately the large is too tight and the extra large is too big. I did just buy one of J. Crew's other tab swim shorts for $15 on clearance. It will be interesting to compare the fabrics when it arrives.
http://www.next.co.uk/X54486s3#773941X54
They are not swimwear but are a very inexpensive alternative to the Sean Connery 'Woman Of Straw' shorts that Sunspel modeled their swim shorts on. They have belt loops and side button adjusters (which i prefer to a drawstring) and also has a money pocket. I did take a size down as my usual size was too large but the smaller size is not a bad fit at all.
The inseam is 5.5 inches.
My size 30 Next shorts have inseam of 5.25 inches
If you go to next clearance site and search swim wear they have a swimshort version. I bought the ones you guys did and took them back as the swimwear version are reduced to £9.00
Riviera swim short not available through the US Next site.
And now they're 40% off (code: SALENEWS) so at $14.99 plus tax and $5 shipping they're a no-brainer as long as you can live without the Thunderball belt loops.