A quiet splash

The men's swimwear market is almost as crowded as North Bondi beach on a summer's Saturday but writer, entrepreneur and sports fanatic Jake Smith believes that Smithers has what it takes to stand out from the bird-smuggling competition.

With classic cuts in a cooling palette, Smithers is ready to elegantly dive into the market.

There are a lot of swimwear brands out there, what makes Smithers different?
For me, it was important to create a brand that’s simple and classic, with a strong emphasis on quality in the style and the construction of the garment. The origins of production reflect this, with everything designed and manufactured right here in Sydney. Our range consists of six different styles in two colour ways that are available in both a classic brief and trunks. Our purpose is to refine men’s swimwear rather than re-defining it.

The campaigns are incredible- what was the inspiration for the mood?
The narrative of our campaigns are a direct reflection of the traits of the brand itself. A man who is confident and sophisticated but allows his natural masculinity to shine through and his swimwear is a reflection of that.

What body type does the cut suit best?
It's important to choose a style that complements your body shape - the classic briefs are versatile and appeal to all shapes and sizes while the trunks provide a little more coverage with added length on the hip and around the thighs.

The trunks reflect trends in Europe and often favour the taller man. At the end of the day, it's all about feeling comfortable and wearing your swimwear with confidence.

What should people take into account with swimwear selection?
Consider the fabric, cut and where the swimwear is made. We played around with a number of textiles during our sample phase and settled on a fabric that is slightly heavier on the body than a typical polyester or nylon.

It's similar to active wear meaning it's moisture absorbent, quick-drying and performance-enhancing for those who enjoy lap swimming and the open water. 

Ultimately, pick something that you can have fun with. Fashion, including swimwear is an opportunity to express who you are without having to say anything which is why we have named each style after personality traits that reflect the modern man and we encourage you to take your personality and values to the beach with you.

How should you care for your bathers?
We recommend rinsing your bathers after every use and either washing by hand or gentle machine washing in cool water and let them dry in the shade. Avoid things like dry cleaning, tumble drying, ironing and bleaching. Every pair of Smithers comes with a special cotton bag for the safekeeping and protection of your swimwear.

Do you ever wear board shorts?
Never in the water. I find them to be restrictive. My go-to piece in the water is the Loyal Classic Brief ($80).

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