Fat Men in Speedos: Why on Earth?

I don't care what others wear... okay, except maybe concern at overtly sexual clothing on young girls/teenagers.
People who do really need to step aside and wonder why they feel the need to judge. It doesn't effect them.

I do have fashion rules for myself, however, that involve covering important areas of my body... But that's only for personal comfort, not really out of some arbitrary rule of fashion.

I could care less what other people wear most of the time, but sometimes I just have to wonder: why do clothing manufacturers even MAKE certain clothes in some sizes? I've seen plus sized micromini skirts, size 12 thong undies, shorts that are twice as wide as they are long, etc. I guess if someone wants to be embarrassed by bulging out of spandex Speedos, it's their problem, but I know that when I was fat, I tried to blend in as much as possible. That meant wearing decent-length shorts, tee shirts that covered my belly, and swimsuits that were fairly modest.

If it's covering the guy up, whatever. But I've seen one too many fat men in speedos that don't cover *anything* and that's just unnecessary when I'm at the beach!

Haha! this is really funny!!
who would walk around like this, half nakes?

I think most of us agree that its not a great look. But if people feel good wearing it then I say go for it. I don't think we should take it too seriously, at worst its just a good laugh.

I come from Eastern Europe, although I've lived in the US and Canada for some time. The "speedos" issue is all about cultural perceptions! In Europe and Asia 'speedos' is the swim suit of choice for men, and people there quite often laugh at those wearing shorts: "Why shorts! Why don't you just swim in your jeans then?!"

Some European tourists in the States may not even be aware of this issue! Go to Florida water parks and you'll see lots of Europeans (I could hear German, Scandinavian, and Polish languages), some Asians - all wearing speedos -- and feeling totally comfortable about it (or oblivious -- depends how you look at it :))

In my fist year in the US, I myself almost walked out to the beach in Coeur d'Alene lake in Idaho in my speedos that I brought from home. Luckily, my university classmates explained me the "sensitivity" of this issue, so I got myself a pair of swim shorts, in order not to offend anybody's feelings (read: perceptions) :) As the saying goes: 'When in Rome, do what Romans do' - i.e. respect or tolerate cultural differences.

I live on the coast and i must admit that it isnt the best look! I guess if it makes you feel good then why not.

I agree, it's definitely a cultural thing - Europeans from certain countries generally wear speedos, North Americans generally don't. (Englishmen don't seem to either). I really notice this when I am in Cuba, as there are droves of Europeans vacationing there. I had pretty much forgotten all about speedos til I went there.

The nudity-on-the beach thing is more accepted in Europe than puritanical North America, so maybe for some European fellows speedos seem like a lot of coverage, relatively speaking.

It is a matter of what you're used to but for me speedos on some people just provide more personal information than I care to know about them. Same with some gals in bikinis. I do think one should take an objective look in the mirror before purchasing the swimsuit and decide if it's really the way you want to present yourself to the world.

Another branch on cultural perceptions. In Australia Speedos tend to be worn for practical purposes, by men who are actually swimming as appose to just playing in the water. As a result, the fat man in speedos look is not as common as it could be considering the Australian beach culture. Tourists bring there own culture into play of course.

My personal unwritten rule is, "Don't judge." Why should I decide what people of certain sizes can wear? And furthermore, why should I waste my time thinking about their fashion choices, good or bad? I hate this notion that we (where "we" is average sized to skinny people) feel we have a right to decide what others are wearing!

I agree that we shouldn't concern ourselves with what other people wear - especially to the point of judging them because of their weight. But, as one of those "puritanical Americans" raised in this culture, any speedo is bound to raise an eyebrow for me. When our European foreign exchange student strolled through the living room in nothing but his BVDs, I admit I was in shock, but is there anything wrong with it? No. Would I prefer something a little more covering for myself? Absolutely!

There are definitely numerous unwritten rules, but there will always be the people who don't care.

I would never wear one.

I'm still trying to find the logic how it would make you feel good? I wouldn't wear anything that makes me look heavier than I am.

there's nothing wrong with a pair of budgie smugglers ;-)

I think people with pierced/tattooed eyebrows, noses, tongues and crazy red/blue Mohawk hairdos or whatever else they choose to adorn their bodies with are far more controversial than what a chubby man or woman wears to the beach. However I still believe that we should just live and let live and not judge others for how they choose to display their bodies and faces. There are far more important issues to worry about in our world today.