Speedomania! The Swimsuit Gay Men Love

Modesty Prevails — for a Time

While some of the murals at the ruins of Pompeii show people wearing eerily modern-looking swim suits, the first dedicated swimwear since Roman times dates to Victorian England in the 19^th century. Not surprisingly, that swimwear reflected the mores of that very repressed era and kept as much skin covered as was humanly possible. Think Kate Jackson in the original Charlie’s Angels.

Victorian era bathing suit

Fortunately for the world, swimwear has been doing a disappearing act ever since. The name “Speedo” was introduced in 1928 — the company’s slogan was “speed on in your Speedos” — but the swimsuits in question were nothing like the ones for which the company would later become famous. When future-Tarzan Johnny Weissmuller won big at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, he wore the style of the time: form-fitting trunks and accompanying wifebeater-like chest piece.

Future Tarzan Johnny Weissmuller at the 1924 Olympics

In 1936, the Australian Olympic swim team made waves when the entire team wore a “new” trunk design that completely bared the chest.

Men’s swimwear grew increasingly skimpy and soon imitated the famous “brief” underwear that grew wildly in popularity after its introduction in 1935. The turning point came in 1955 when Speedo introduced its first nylon swimwear. At the Melbourne Olympics the following year, all the swimmers were wearing new suits in the classic “Speedo” style.

Suddenly gay and bisexual male spectators everywhere were practicing the Speedo-induced art of phrenology-with-the-eyes.

“It never really impacted me personally during my career, but I know thousands of gay men watched me swim largely for the aesthetic and not for the athletic prowess!” says out Canadian swimmer Mark Tewksbury, a three-time Olympic medalist (including gold, at the 1992 Barcelona games)

Mark Tewksbury

For competitive swimmers, this new suit was a natural choice: nylon was much lighter than previous suits, and the Speedo was tighter, allowing for less drag in the water (more or less important, depending on the goods of the swimmer in question).

But these young, handsome competitive swimmers were starting a trend that would spread to pools and beaches world-wide. Soon there were countless imitators — and regardless of brand, most people referred to these suits by the trademarked name of the product originator: as “Speedos.”

And the angels sang.

Next Page! Mario Lopez's white trunks get wet!