Harry’s Guide to Orlebar Brown

When one pictures swimwear for men, drawstrings and vibrant designs often come to mind before side adjusters and sartorial details. As far as their vacation wardrobes, these used to revolve around fanny packs and bucket hats; that is, before Adam Brown had anything to say about it.

On the back of a successful career in photography, the well-travelled, well-appointed British designer decided to change the standards of we consider “well-dressed” while out-of-office.

In 2007, the world was introduced to Orlebar Brown, now perhaps the leading label in luxury swim and resortwear for men. Backed by James Bond himself (alongside other notable film and television placements), it’s hard to argue with that idea.

Now available at Harry Rosen – while inventory lasts, at least – here’s everything you need to know about Orlebar Brown, the brand every man should have in his travel trunk.

Orlebar Brown made its name by revolutionizing the men’s swimwear industry. During the age of billowy boardshorts featuring tired tribal tattoo-esq motifs and tacky slogans, Adam Brown wanted to guide swim shorts towards a decidedly refined future.

As one might imagine a tailor on Savile Row would, he trimmed the then-ubiquitous knee-length trunks to a shorter, slimmer fit creating a sharper, more modern silhouette designed to seamlessly transition from beachwear to casualwear. No more feeling like a fish out of water when walking up to grab a drink at the cabana bar in your bathers.

What’s more, Brown gave his shorts a luxury appeal, using premium materials like Italian nylon and quick-drying fabrics (so you don’t stay soggy after a splash in the ocean) and metal hardware on zipper flies, at the end of drawstrings, and iconically on the side adjusters featured on certain models. Classic and sophisticated colouring, prints, and designs only helped in the versatility department.

Orlebar Brown swimwear looks equally at home paired with a polo shirt or casual button-up as they do below sea level. Minimize your packing, maximize your appeal – that's the idea behind these handsome, effortlessly wearable swimmers.