The Making of a Classic: The Brief
THE CLASSICS
A true classic stands the test of time, and proudly surfaces everything that makes them different. Our classics are one in the same. These pieces changed the lane when they were released, and framed by you, they take their place as fashion icons, still as timeless as ever.
From the Victorian bathing suits which set the stage to the history of the bikini which flipped the script, dive into our piece of swimsuit history. Discover the designs and uncover what makes Speedo’s Classics truly can’t miss.
THE BRIEF
1956. Across the pond, Elvis might have been making a splash but he wasn’t the only one. At Speedo, we’d enlisted the help of designer, Peter Travis to help transform our range of men’s leisurewear. Well, they say big things come in small packages and *ahem* he came up with the brief. A suit style designed to celebrate the male body as much as it was designed to be comfortable and practical to swim in. Gone were the days of the cumbersome cotton Racerback. Something new was happening. Enter the budgie smuggler...
Our new, shorter cut was all about getting you moving just as much as the King thanks to its shape around the hip. The new Bri-Nylon design was stretchy, more water resistant and sleek enough to send you through the water like a torpedo.
All this extra freedom moved Australia to eight gold medals at that year’s Melbourne Summer Games, and like that, our brief had taken its mark as a classic as soon as it saw action. But when it was released to the public, it wasn’t without its controversy. The liberating design was a huge culture shock
The first to wear them on Bondi were arrested for indecency. They came within a hair’s breadth of jail time, literally. The judge’s ruling declared that as no pubic hair was on show, no harm was done! Ooh-la-la! Celebrating the male physique like this was part of a changing culture, and Travis, a proudly gay man, himself was well aware of the reception in the gay community, but to him, that was “just a bonus”. This controversy and support only fuelled their popularity.
Today, the piece endures as one of our most recognisable. Their high-cut and simple design has moved us from Bondi to Baywatch and their cultural imprint beyond sport has propelled them to different heights. The mark of a true classic.
Shop Briefs
2 for $70
2 for $70
2 for $70
2 for $70
2 for $70
2 for $70
