There was actually a mention of this on Radio 4's Today programme this morning. One of the first things I heard on waking up at 6 o'clock. Must be a slow news day. A quick search of Google News shows that its been picked up by at least 4 of the newspapers.

Now I hope that the Speedo company brings back the thong .

 This is good news! I sure hope the trend toward ever bigger and baggier swimwear has run its course and the world is returning to the sane and skimpy!

This is good news, but it may be partly due to an influx of disgruntled customers from other sellers who've quit making thier own generic versions.

 Recently I was watching a sports channel that had swimming competion. Most
of the male swimmers still were wearing the technical suits that cover from low
on the waist to just above the knee. However, in a couple of the competitions I
did see a couple of the men wearing the "old" standard bikini (aka Speedo)
style swimsuit with about a 3" side.  Maybe there is hope!
 
Max

Isn't it funny how the media goes on about 'skimpy speedos', when everyone here knows they are far from skimpy compared to what is avaliable on the internet!! And as for the Telegraphs claim
'They are an item of clothing no self-respecting Englishman would dare wear in public', are these the Englishmen who've worn the same two legged, washed out grey or pale blue sacks they've had for the last 10years, hanging on their backside, while their huge beer belly tries to make an escape for freedom at the front !! And if you follow the Telegraph fashion shop, mens swimwear, what a surprise, dozens of dork shorts, with a few boring speedos. Not a thong insight, that's for sure.

 This is great news.
In particular I like this comment:
"People are buffing themselves up so they are tanned and smooth from top to toe and are celebrating by looking for the tightest, tiniest and most revealing swimwear out there."

 articles like this come out every summer  but I don't really see it coming with a cultural shift away from board shorts.

One pair of Speedos out of 62 items on the JC Penny site... not quite a trend. But nevertheless it is good to see something.

JayByrd: Yes, and most of the colors are sold out. I suppose I could try to be positive and think it's because the sales of the Speedos are good, but most likely they either are replenishing the stock because the don't think it will be a good seller, or because sales indeed are slow and they'll just let the stock run out. For whatever reason, they do have a good sale price.

JC Penney filed for bankruptcy a few weeks ago. The company isn't expected to go away but they will have inventory issues.

I wonder if Speedo (and others) did this to increase sales? It only seems like the board shorts have run their course with shorts from mid calf or longer to shorts with a 6 inch or so length. They also have run from Hawaiian prints, to blocks of solid colors, to geometric prints, and various fabrics (cotton, nylon, etc.) So if you go to a thrift store or second hand store, you will see all types of board shorts but very few if any Speedos. One issue is that Speedo is spreading themselves thin in a more and more competitive market. They have been pushing the board short look along with others over the last few decades, and now every company that makes cloths seems to make board shorts. Few make Speedo type men's bikinis. Speedo sales have bounced around for at least the last five years, and perhaps a "new look" in a market that they almost had invented might be a solution for their bottom line (pun intended). As far at the Speedo Thong. I have heard, but have no proof that thong swimsuits were added and taken off the production line for a few years, before Speedo finally decided to drop them. They must not have been selling well since I bought some for my male friends for as little as $7.00 each when the going price was in the $25.00 range before the final close-outs. Macy's and similar stores that sold Speedo swimwear for men sold these at outlet stores for a few more years until the supply finally ran out. While I don't thing this had any influence on the sales market, the Speedo thongs were only available in a few colors, and no prints. Even the Solar suits were hardly mentioned online, with the market being serious competition and not casual swimming/sunning. If the traditional Speedo type men's bikinis takes hold, and the trend to criticize men in thongs, then I wouldn't be surprised to see Speedo cautiously go back into the thong business. (People might forget that Speedo also offered women's one-piece suits with thong backs as well, and these also were dropped in favor of the Baywatch look, and other non bun bearing designs.) With regards to Pennys. As part of their reorganization, they have closed down many house brands and picked up more items from outside suppliers. Arizona Jeans I believe are one example, and they were at one time quite popular. Since many such items from outside suppliers are sold on consignment now, Pennys is at less risk financially since they can return things that didn't sell and get most of the money back. What does amaze me is that in the world of retail sales and manufacturing, many items fly off the shelf year after year, yet nobody in the supply chain seems to notice, and materials continue to be sold in small quantities. This applies not only to swimwear, but also appliances, TV sets, car radios, and about everything else you can think of. Of course there is the opposite, things that simply don't sell and they buy more and more each year.

Hey, I bought a Speedo about a month ago, and I love it. Fits great and looks good.

When is the Speedo thong suit coming back?

I never wear speedos. Shocking cut. Much rather wear a small swimsuit from Kiniki in places where I cannt wear g-strings.

MNluvthongs, I have e-mailed the Speedo customer service on two different occasions with the same answer: the thongs are not coming back, at least as it looks atm. I asked them twice just to let them know there is a demand for Speedo thongs out there :) You do it too!

Out of curiosity, why does everyone want the Speedo thong to come back? Is it the brand? Best I remember, they were more of a high rise style, which is the opposite of what I’ve seen most men thongers gravitating to. I feel like there are many other quality swim thong options. One that comes to mind is Skinzwear in Florida. They even have several different styles / cuts. Plus they’re made in the USA, if that matters to anyone.

ATL the answer to your question is brand recognition. The logic (such as it is) is if a mainstream MAJOR BRAND like Speedo makes thongs, they must be acceptable swimwear.

Makes sense. Hopefully more major brands will make them! It would be awesome if they became mainstream and popular.

I want the Speedo thong to come back! Why? Because it has a conservative front, is lined, fits increadibly well with no needed drawstring, and has lasted me about 20 years! Speedo's swimwear is of the highest quality of design, manufacture, fit, and materials. Every swimsuit I've ever had from them fit well, looked good, and lasted a long, long time. This past week, I've worn my 20(?) year old Speedo thong three times to go swimming and it's been great!

I know a young woman dressmaker who also makes swimwear for the ladies. I ran into her at the beach, and her husband/SO was wearing a Speedo thong. After exchanging some hellos, I ask where he got the Speedo Thong. He said his wife made it from two Speedo Solar suits. She told me that two suits were required to get the thong back with the logo and for blank material for where the regular Solar logo is placed. She says she "reversed engineered" it buy undoing every seam on the Speedo Thong and then cutting the Solar suits to provide the same material pieces. The only thing then needed was to sew everything back together (using a Serger like the original, not a sewing machine.) She does not know the legality of doing this, but assumes that since she used a real, purchased product from Speedo to make the thong, that it would be a home-made modification, not unlike a person taking pages from a book purchased from a book store, or a person who adds aftermarket items to a car. Using fabric from another source, then applying a Speedo logo by any means without paying Speedo for the use of their name could result in fines or other penalties. She has only done the XL size so far, but indicates that if there is a demand, maybe someone could do other sizes. I am thinking of getting her to make one for me to give a friend who wants a Speedo Thong but can not afford the prices they now demand.

Speedo thongs are very expensive now ! They are collector's item because they are no longer manufactured. I have several speedo thongs (some never worn). I like them for the logo, for the comfort, and because they are chlorine resistant (like others speedo swimsuit). The fabric is PBT (almost indestructible with chlorine). However, if i let my wife know how much they value now, i 'm sure she will sell them on ebay immediately without asking me. So i prefer she doesn't know it.

Hey everyone! I also had an original Speedo thong. It was blue in color, but unfortunately it had finally worn to a point where I could no longer wear it. I went shopping to replace it only to find that the size I needed was already unavailable. I did see a yellow thong one size up at a clearance price, but as of yet, I have not worn it other than to try on at home. Maybe I should sell it and make some money. It still has the tag hanging on it! Now, here's my opinion. The Speedo thong really isn't the best fit for me. I have several Desmiit thongs of different colors that I honestly like better. And so far, the quality seems to be holding up very well. I realize that it's not a Speedo, but it's made with similar fabric and just as conservative as the Speedo. Now, if you want to wear something with a logo that jumps out Like Speedo, try the more expensive swim thong from Charlie. I was lucky and found a $100 thong at a special price. Someone had bought it one size too small, which fit me perfectly. Again, not much different from the Speedo brand, but it too fits me better. These are just a couple of other options similar to the Speedo brand as far as style goes, all of which has the extra interior lining. Now, if you just want a swim thong that is of good quality without the inside lining, I would suggest something along the lines of Skinz. I find it to be an awesome thong and there are different cuts and styles available. And let's not forget Joe Snyder thongs. I only mention these particular brands, because that's what I have and wear to the beach. Again, this is just an opinion based on my personal preference. Happy Thongin' and Stay Safe!

I have take to buying swimwear exclusively online, as the selection in stores always seems to be terrible. Occasionally I have bought a "bad fit" tat I cannot wear, but since te online prices are usually less, its not that big a deal.

There's a large market for men's bikini beachwear and dozens, if not hundreds of manufacturers. Many men tend to wear them in more private places as opposed to busy beaches where women would think nothing of wearing a bikini. In other words, many men are "closet" bikini wearers.

bmillerw: Sadly, I think you are correct when you say that "many men are 'closet' bikini wearers. Somehow, this culture has given full permission for women to wear whatever type of underwear or swimwear that they want, while anything other than "boxer style" or *maybe* briefs--even then briefs are called, in a somewhat negative tone of voice "tighty whities"--as "not for a guy" or effeminate. Women have bought into this stereotype too. In years past in social discussions (before I was married) when a woman learned I didn't like boxers or big baggy swimwear it was not unusual for a woman to say something like "oh, you're one of *those* people who wear Speedos". Thankfully, my wife is on board with my underwear choice. In a past discussion with some of her girlfriends the subject of boxers or briefs came up she said briefs, and added ...and he looks GREAT in them! :-)

I would love it if speedo brought back the men's thong bikini.👍😃💯

Another article about speedos and mens bikinis in fashion shows- from Britain! https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/budgie-smugglers-back-speedos-skimpy-23631894

Too bad we can't get past the negative view of men in bikinis. The article feature a picture of a guy with oversized glasses and a weird expression on his face. Several negative statements from the article: "Beaches may remain off-limits when lockdown is lifted – because budgie-smugglers are back." "Budgie smugglers are so called because the 'lump in the front' resembles a budgie stuffed down the front of someone's shorts - apparently" (nothing like body shaming) And a closing negative: "The briefs are the latest freaky fashion style to make a comeback during the pandemic, including mullets, bell-bottoms and socks in sandals." Sigh - it never ends. SMH

After reading the article I was left with a sour taste. While it is good the have the press talk about more minimal swimwear choices for men the context was over all unflattering. I find it very interesting that in the public eye we are all supposed to accept all shapes and sizes of women’s bodies ant their right of wear as much or as little as they choose. Yet there continues to be a narrative of shame around men’s bodies and their ability to were more minimal styles of clothing. It’s freely sad that there is not the cross over to acceptance of men and the elimination of shaming just because someone like to wear a bikini, Speedo, or thong.

People will always complain about other people not following the "norm". So many are so very sensitive when others do something they are not comfortable doing themselves. It seems some people want everyone to wear overalls all the time.

I totally agree, but remember even though articles like these may have a negative impact on some people on the view of men's bikinis, it's still an article from the Daily Star. They want to sell. And since it's easier to make fun of people and mock them rather than to encourage groundbreaking, brave people who go their own way, they do so in order to appeal to the masses.