Probably a better response for me, too, than what I said originally.Because I can't swim naked at public pools.
I used to succumb to " mob rule" and wear board shorts or at least mid-thigh swim shorts on US beaches. Now I wear a speedo unless I am with a family member who would be uncomfortable if I did. My wife is fine with me wearing a speedo on the beach, so the only time I wear shorts is on the rare occasions I am withSwimming laps in a regular bathing suit is akin to riding a bike (for longer than a couple miles) in jeans. There's a reason why we don't play basketball in Chuck Taylor Converse high tops anymore. Design, thank goodness, is not all about marketing. It's about comfort and speed and sometimes (in the case of bike shorts) preserving your jewels.
Having said that, I will wear a speedo at a beach in Italy or Spain but regular board shorts to a beach in America. So I guess I am guilty of succumbing to what the current president calls "mob rule" in that regard.
I kept an old suit from the 70's, 100% nylon, and still looks great. The leg elastic is shot but tight enough to still use in the pool. Back in those days, a suit was between $5-10, and the quality was excellent. As long as one rinsed the suit in water, it was good to go for the next swim. Those were the days before lycra.I was given mine by my dad. He had two pairs but only needed one. The legs are a bit stretched out and they’re old (from the 70s/80s), but they’re comfortable.
I kept an old suit from the 70's, 100% nylon, and still looks great. The leg elastic is shot but tight enough to still use in the pool. Back in those days, a suit was between $5-10, and the quality was excellent. As long as one rinsed the suit in water, it was good to go for the next swim. Those were the days before lycra.