Most men leave swim shorts as an afterthought and it shows. A plain navy pair grabbed at the airport, worn with whatever t-shirt was closest, and suddenly a week in the sun looks considerably less considered than it should. The right printed short does something that solid colours rarely manage. It carries the outfit on its own. You can wear a washed out tee, nothing on your feet, and the shorts do the work.

We’ve been selective about what counts here. Length matters enormously. Too long and you lose the leg entirely. Fabric needs to dry fast and move properly, not cling or crease the moment it gets wet. And the print itself has to be the kind that looks deliberate rather than busy, the difference between resort style and fancy dress being finer than most people realise.

These are the ones that reward a second look. Pack one. You will not regret the luggage space.