15 Best Swimwear for Plus Size Men That Photograph Well
Finding the right swimwear takes work when you carry extra weight. Fit matters. Fabric matters. Cut matters most of all.
Plus size men often struggle to find trunks or shorts that flatter their build and hold up under water and sun.
This guide looks at swimwear styles that photograph well on bigger frames, so beach photos and pool snapshots feel good to look at instead of dreaded.
Each pick below focuses on real visual results: how fabric drapes, how a waistband sits, and how a silhouette reads in a photo. Ready to find styles that work with your body, not against it? Let’s get started.
1. Sleeveless Tank and Linen Shorts Combo
This look pairs a loose white tank top with light beige drawstring shorts, styled for a poolside setting rather than swimming itself.
The relaxed fit skims over the midsection instead of clinging, which keeps the silhouette comfortable in photos. Soft folds in the fabric catch natural light well, giving the shot a casual, easy feel.
Neutral tones like white and cream tend to photograph better than dark colors under bright sun.
They reflect light instead of absorbing it, so details stay visible rather than turning into a flat, dark shape. Sandals and a backpack round out the outfit for a laid back resort vibe.
Light tones don’t just look clean — they physically reflect sunlight, keeping fabric texture and outfit details visible in photos instead of flattening into a dark silhouette.
2. Printed Button Shirt with Solid Swim Shorts
Two friends pose beside a bright blue pool, each pairing a short sleeve shirt with swim shorts underneath.
The man on the left wears navy floral print shorts under a lavender linen shirt, while his friend wears solid red shorts beneath a patterned navy shirt left open at the chest.
Both shirts sit loose through the body, which softens the frame without hiding it.
Pairing a shirt with swim shorts gives photos more visual layers than shorts alone.
Bold shorts colors, like the red pair shown here, stand out nicely against blue water. Matching sandals and sunglasses complete both looks and tie the whole outfit together for the camera.
3. Turtle Print Swim Trunks with Rash Guard
A man stands on a boat deck wearing bright blue swim trunks covered in a pink turtle print, paired with a sage green long sleeve rash guard.
Deep blue ocean and clear sky fill the background, making the trunks the focal point of the shot. A short, above the knee length keeps his legs visible and the outfit sporty rather than baggy.
Playful prints like this turtle pattern add personality without needing bold colors elsewhere.
Sun hats and sunglasses shield the face while keeping attention on the outfit below. Flip flops finish the look, suited for boat trips and casual days on the water.
4. Open Knit Shirt with Navy Swim Shorts
A man walks along a rocky shoreline in navy swim shorts, worn with an open cream knit shirt that hangs loose at his sides.
The pale color of the shirt frames his chest and shoulders without pulling focus, so the dark shorts anchor the outfit lower down.
Textured knit fabric adds visual interest to the shot without extra pattern or print.
Solid navy shorts remain a safe choice for photos, since they pair with almost any shirt color.
Neutral suede sandals tie into the shirt’s tone and keep the palette cohesive from top to bottom. A towel slung over one arm suggests a beach day just getting started.
5. White Linen Shirt with Grey Swim Shorts
A man kneels in shallow surf, letting foamy waves wash around him while sea spray dampens the hem of his white linen shirt.
Light grey swim shorts sit beneath the shirt, blending softly with the pale sand and water tones around him.
Loose linen fabric moves with the wind, adding motion and texture to an otherwise still pose.
White shirts reflect sunlight in a way that brightens the whole frame, making them a strong choice for beach photography.
Grey shorts stay understated here, letting the shirt and setting carry the shot instead. Sunglasses add a sharp finishing touch against the soft, sun-washed backdrop.
| Trait | Light Tones | Dark Tones |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Reflection | Bounces light, brightens the frame | Absorbs light, can look flat |
| Detail Visibility | Texture and folds stay visible | Details often disappear |
| Best Setting | Bright sun, sandy beaches | Overcast or shaded scenes |
6. Matching Tropical Print Shirt and Shorts Set
A man stands on a boat deck in a coordinated set, featuring a tropical print shirt worn open over bare skin and matching shorts below.
Palm leaves, parrots, and floral details spread across both pieces in blue, green, and coral tones, tying the whole outfit together.
Water and sky behind him stay calm, so the busy print becomes the main point of interest.
Matching sets create a clean, put together look without needing extra styling. This choice suits confident poses, since the shirt stays fully open and puts the outfit itself on display.
Gold jewelry and a watch add small metallic accents that catch light nicely in photos.
7. Graphic Tank Top with Palm Print Shorts
A man sits on a wooden ledge near a sandy beach, wearing a white tank top with a teal palm leaf graphic across the chest.
Below, his shorts break out into a vivid island scene of palm trees and a beach sunset, rendered in blue, orange, and pink tones.
The tank keeps his shoulders and arms fully visible, giving the outfit a strong, athletic frame.
Sleeveless tops draw attention to the shoulders and arms, which works well for a bold, confident photo.
Scenic prints, like the island sunset on these shorts, give the eye plenty to explore in a single shot.
A thin gold chain adds a subtle detail near the collar that catches the camera’s light.
8. Multicolor Print Shirt with Denim Shorts
A man leans against a wooden fence at the beach, grinning in a shirt covered edge to edge with bold shapes, colors, and abstract patterns.
Light denim shorts, cuffed at the hem, sit below the shirt and offer a calm contrast to all that color up top.
Bright turquoise water fills the background, matching the shirt’s cool tones and keeping the whole scene lively.
A busy print shirt like this works best against a simple backdrop, and open water fits that role perfectly.
Denim shorts ground the outfit and stop the look from feeling too loud overall. Navy sandals pick up hints of blue from both the shirt and the sea behind him.
9. Greek Key Trim Shirt and Shorts Set
A man gazes out over a pool and beach from a balcony, dressed in a royal blue matching set trimmed with a white Greek key pattern.
The shirt hangs open over a plain white tank, while the shorts below carry the same bold border design at the hem.
Solid blue fabric across both pieces creates a strong, unified block of color against the bright sky.
Matching trim details, like the pattern seen here, add structure to an outfit without relying on busy prints.
Deep blue tones photograph cleanly against ocean views, since the shades naturally complement each other.
A relaxed side profile pose lets the outfit’s clean lines show fully in the frame.
“Deep blue tones photograph cleanly against ocean views, since the shades naturally complement each other.”
10. Novelty Donut Print Swim Shorts
A shirtless man stands on the beach, waves and swimmers visible behind him, wearing bright pink and blue swim shorts covered in a cartoon donut print.
Bare skin above the shorts keeps the outfit simple, so the print carries the entire visual weight of the photo. A straw hat and thin necklace add small extra details without competing with the shorts.
Novelty prints like this one bring humor and color into a beach photo instantly.
Pink and blue together create strong contrast, which helps the shorts stand out even from a distance. Going shirtless here puts full focus on the shorts as the outfit’s main statement piece.
11. Coral Floral Shirt with Teal Swim Shorts
A smiling man stands with hands on hips at a tropical resort, wearing an open orange shirt covered in pink and yellow hibiscus flowers.
Solid teal swim shorts sit beneath, drawstring tied at the front, offering a cool break from the shirt’s warm colors.
Palm trees and a clear pool stretch out behind him, matching the shorts almost exactly in shade.
Warm and cool colors placed side by side, like orange and teal here, create strong contrast that reads well in photos.
This combination works especially well at tropical resorts, where palm trees and pools already share that teal tone. Sunglasses and a relaxed stance round out a confident, sunny beach look.
12. Textured Sky Blue Shirt and Shorts Set
A man stands on a driftwood strewn beach, wearing a light blue textured shirt buttoned partway, paired with matching shorts of the same soft shade.
Fine vertical lines run through the fabric, adding subtle texture that reads clearly even from a distance. Palm trees rise behind him on one side, while calm turquoise water stretches out on the other.
Head to toe color matching, like this pale blue set, gives a photo a clean and pulled together feel.
Hazy sky and soft sand tones complement light colors particularly well, so the outfit never fights the scene around it.
Striped sandals and a gold chain add just enough contrast to keep the eye moving.
13. Sage Crochet Shirt with Wide Leg Pants
A man leans against a wooden railing at a resort, wearing an open weave sage green shirt with khaki pants rolled at the ankle.
Small holes throughout the crochet fabric let light pass through, adding depth to what would otherwise be a flat green surface.
Palm trees and a distant pool spread across the background, framing him within a full resort setting.
Longer pants like these offer an alternative to shorts while still fitting a warm weather look.
Loose, wide legs balance the fitted feel of the crochet shirt above them. Layered gold necklaces and sunglasses tucked into the collar add small finishing touches to the outfit.
14. Beige Crochet Shirt with White Shorts
A smiling man crosses his ankles while posing on a sandy beach, sailboats dotting the water behind him.
His beige crochet shirt hangs open at the collar, sleeves cuffed above the elbow, paired with plain white shorts that sit well above the knee.
Bright sand beneath his feet nearly matches the shirt’s tone, creating a soft, sun bleached color story.
Cuffed sleeves add a small styling detail that keeps a casual shirt looking intentional.
White shorts brighten the lower half of an outfit and photograph cleanly against sand. A crossed leg stance gives the pose a relaxed, easy feel suited to candid beach shots.
15. Navy Tank with Cream Shorts
A man stands beside a wooden boardwalk leading toward the ocean, wearing a fitted navy tank top with a small logo patch near the chest.
Cream colored shorts fall just above the knee, sitting cleanly against the tank’s dark, solid color.
Sea oats and sandy dunes stretch out to one side, while the boardwalk cuts a straight line toward the distant water.
Dark tanks paired with light shorts create a simple, balanced look that suits most body types well.
This two tone approach photographs cleanly against natural backdrops full of texture, like dunes and grass. A gold cross necklace adds a personal touch that stands out clearly against the navy fabric.
