It is an annoying double standard, however I find how the package is presented makes more of a difference than the inseam. As far as I know, all Cocksox swimwear puts a lot of emphasis on the bulge (even the flatter styles). Whenever I’m in a situation where everyone is dressed conservatively (or is very conservative), a simple Black or Navy bikini with a flat front seems to garner no response. In fact I have a simple black thong that keeps everything minimal and hidden and unlike some of my bolder suits, I haven’t gotten a negative response to that either (Although I obviously wouldn’t wear it in your situation).
If you are used to wearing thongs and pouch enhancing swimwear, any brief or full bottom bikini it will seem very modest. Or just get a Budgy Smuggler with a fun pattern, I’ve never gotten a negative response from one of those. Also you could just wear a towel until you get in the water and put it on after your swim. Are women wearing full back bikinis or tangas/thongs at this community pool?
All women and girls are always wearing full back bikinis or full one-piece suits. I have never seen tangas or thongs on any females at this community pool. Let it be known, I was not wearing a thong at this pool, nor would I ever attempt to wear a thong at this pool. I know better.
Please keep in mind, this pool is in a VERY conservative, predominately Catholic, relatively small community. I was wearing a Cocksox swim brief when someone complained and asked a lifeguard to talk to me. I was not walking around, and I was not going in and out of the pool. I was just working on my tan. Coincidently, I was only approached after I had been lying on my stomach for 30 minutes and turned over to tan the front.
The sign at the pool says no inappropriate swimwear. This leaves it open for interpretation. However, because of the general mindset of the community, I feel anything less than board shorts is deemed inappropriate. This is just my opinion based on conversations I have had with many people.
In hindsight, I think I would have been fine wearing the Cocksox swim trunks, but now I am very nervous to go back to this pool wearing anything less than board shorts.
Please allow me to clarify my previous comment. Every picture shows a woman or women wearing a thong. I dare anyone to find a waterpark in the world, that specifically allows thongs on men.
What I find frustrating is most waterparks have explicit posted rules, stating thongs are not permitted. Yet I see women wearing them all the time with no repercussions. Now if a man were to attempt to wear a thong in the same park, the fashion police, the “Karens”, and the park management would immediately ask the person to change or leave the park.
@Bonzo69 the outdoor community pool closest to where I live is essentially a playground for children. During dedicated lap swimming times in the early morning and late afternoon, I wouldn’t hesitate to wear a swim brief from a mainstream brand like Speedo, TYR, etc. However, most of the day is dedicated to public swim programming for families with young kids. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sunbathing there, and the rules explicitly forbid thongs.
My impression of many community pools, especially in the summer, is that residents see them primarily as spaces for recreational swimming—kids playing in the water under adult supervision. From that perspective, solo adults can seem out of place, much like they would at a playground. I suspect unaccompanied teenagers might be viewed in a similar light.
Fortunately, I have other options. It sounds like yours are few and far between. If there’s truly nowhere else nearby and you want to keep using the pool, I’d suggest switching to a swim brief from a well-known brand. It would be unreasonable for anyone to complain about what is widely considered standard swimwear. For added peace of mind, you could politely reach out to the manager, ask for clarification on the dress code, and confirm that swim briefs are permitted.
I did my homework and checked out the Cocksox website per your request. I will say that the pouch design on those suits is at least 80% of your issue, which I suspected when you used the phrase “fit like a glove” to describe them. In my opinion, even the trunks are apt to cause upset in a predominantly family friendly environment, whereas the exact same cut suit without the contouring would be less likely to cause issues. In my opinion, the Cocksox suits are perfectly appropriate for any adults only or clothing optional venue, or even a more party environment like Miami, Vegas, Cancun, etc, but they’re not going to be well received in any average family oriented environment. I kind of think a good rule of thumb is that if it’s unlined or has any sort of accentuating pouch, it’s not meant for wearing among the general public. Order yourself a basic swim brief from Speedo or another more mainstream company, and I really think you’ll experience a lot less opposition
I understand the frustration of wanting to wear your sexy suits and being hundreds of miles from a welcoming beach, but there are likely some opportunities out there if you do some digging. I found a clothing optional men’s group in the Atlanta area where we gather at a member’s pool. Everyone is free to wear whatever they like, or nothing at all. Search for groups on Facebook or other social media outlets. You might also look into clothing optional campgrounds. I’ve found four within driving distance of my house in Georgia. There are other like minded people out there who will welcome you and your swimwear choices.
Nudity and transparent or mesh-style material attempting to cover “private” areas is prohibited. Due to current trends and visitors from around the world, bikini bottoms and swimsuits that do not cover the entire buttocks are acceptable.
However, it’s not typical for facilities to state what is allowed; they usually list what isn’t permitted and leave the rest up to staff discretion.
Like community pools, most water parks cater to families. Their primary concern is to minimize complaints, which often means asking guests to wear more modest swimwear. If you’re looking for private facilities where thongs are accepted, you’ll have better luck in countries with more relaxed views on nudity or at adult-oriented venues like spas. Hotels that offer day passes might also be an option. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a hotel forbid children, but they’re rarer at boutique hotels that only put one bed in the rooms.
Public places are usually a safer bet, as they’re governed by laws that must be clear and enforceable. I’m much more cautious about wearing thong swimwear at private facilities than I am in public ones.
To err on the side of caution, I think the rule you mentioned will only allow for brazilian/rio style swimsuits and not true thongs. I will call the park to confirm this specific rule.
Below are the full dress code rules at Mt. Olympus. I made bold the words where I think management could turn away a male for wearing a true thong. I say this because I think society in general views thongs, especially on males, as offensive, sexual, and one step away from being nude. Most people do not consider thongs as appropriate attire.
Management reserves the right to have guests change or cover any clothing or tattoos that are deemed by management to be offensive, obscene, foul, vulgar, profane, discriminatory, illegal, violent, sexual, nudity or hateful in nature.
Nudity and transparent or mesh-style material attempting to cover “private” areas is prohibited. Due to current trends and visitors from around the world, bikini bottoms and swimsuits that do not cover the entire buttocks are acceptable.
Wearing proper footwear is required when not in the water.
Swimwear is required to participate in the aquatic attractions.
Children in diapers and those being toilet trained must wear approved swim diapers in the water.
No clothing with rivets, spikes, fasteners, buckles, belts or metal ornaments.
No long pants or cut-off shorts.
Dress for Safety. No loose/oversized/baggy clothing or accessories that are not thoroughly secured to your person, or any carried items, on any ride or attraction which may pose a hazard to yourself or other guest(s). Prohibited items may include, without limitation (depending on the specific ride), any form of headwear, scarves, long belts, fringed materials, high heels, loose footwear, wigs, purses, backpacks, or any dangling fabric. If you choose to wear unstable, loose, or ill-fitting shoes to Mt. Olympus (e.g., high heels, flip-flops, clogs, loose sandals or Crocs or slip-ons, etc.), realize that you are creating a hazard for yourself in a crowded Mt. Olympus, and you may not be able to partake in certain attractions. We urge you to wear secure, comfortable footwear.
If your clothing or swimwear does not comply with these regulations, appropriate attire is available for purchase at any of our gift stores.
Full face masks, costumes, or disguises that conceal identity, horror, or Halloween-style attire is not permitted.
Trying to find a private facility that explicitly allows thong swimwear in their rules is a fool’s errand. They almost always leave room to moderate attire based on their own discretion or other guests’ complaints. Facilities that cater primarily to families will usually err on the side of modesty. And unfortunately, a single adult male in a thong is likely to draw more scrutiny than a teenager or an adult accompanied by their family.
You can call or email as much as you’d like—they might say thongs are allowed, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect how the rules will be enforced when you actually visit. In my experience, most places won’t give you a clear yes or no. They’ll usually say something like “appropriate swimwear is required” or just refer you back to their posted rules.
Would you be comfortable sharing what city you’re in? Someone here might be able to recommend a few venues in your area to check out.
I agree with you 100%. I just called the waterpark in Wisconsin. The rule is somewhat vague, and they clarified my suspicion. They are a family-oriented park, like all waterparks I know of, and customer service said management would ask anyone (female or male) wearing a true thong to change into something more modest.
The rule you mentioned I think allows for Brazilian/Rio style swimsuits where the buttocks are not fully covered or for suits that have a tendency to ride up to look like Brazilian/Rio style swimsuit. I think any female, regardless, if she is alone, with a group of friends, or with her family, will have much more acceptance than any male in any of the aforementioned settings. I have seen this firsthand at venues where the buttocks must be fully covered, and the women were wearing Brazilian/Rio style swimsuits.