Updated October 2026
The short version
- If he has a winter-sun trip, a cruise or a spring break planned, swimwear is a gift he'll actually pack.
- Under $50: one Mandate Swim Brief ($39.99) or a Signature Boxer Brief ($29.99). Under $70: the red-and-black Duo. Under $100: the Trio, for a full week away.
- Don't know his size? Measure a brief or pair of underwear he already owns, laid flat, straight across the waistband.
Most holiday gift guides for men are the same list of gadgets, socks and whiskey stones. Here's a different idea for the guy who's already counting down to his next trip: something he'll wear on the first day of vacation and think of you. This guide covers what to give at each budget, how to get his size right without asking, and how to choose between red and black.
Why swimwear makes a good holiday gift
Winter is when a lot of men take their best trip of the year. Palm Springs, Miami and Puerto Vallarta are popular winter getaways, Caribbean cruises sail all winter, and plenty of people book a beach week for New Year's or spring break.
- He'll use it soon. A swim brief bought in December gets worn in January, not stored until July.
- It's small. A swim brief rolls up smaller than a pair of socks, so it fits in a stocking, a carry-on or the corner of a suitcase.
- It feels personal. It says you know where he's going and how he wants to look when he gets there.
- It's easy to pair. Add an open short-sleeve shirt or a beach towel and you have a full gift.
Gifts by budget
Here's the whole guide in one table, then the details.
| Budget | Gift | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Under $30 | Signature Boxer Brief, $29.99 | Everyday underwear, not swimwear |
| Under $40 | Mandate Swim Brief, $39.99 | His first brief, or a second color |
| Under $70 | Swim Brief Duo, 2 for $69.98 | Red and black for a long weekend away |
| Under $100 | Swim Brief Trio, 3 for $99.97 | A full week away or a cruise |
Gifts he'll use
Swim Brief Duo
$69.98 for 2
$10 less than two singles. Red and black, or two of one color, in one size.
Shop the Duo
Swim Brief Trio
$99.97 for 3
$20 less than three singles, in any red and black mix, one size.
Shop the Trio
Signature Boxer Brief
$29.99
Everyday black boxer brief with a flat waistband, sizes S to XL.
Shop the boxer briefShips from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
Under $40: one swim brief
The Mandate Swim Brief is $39.99: a low-rise men's swim brief with a contoured pouch and a flat waistband, in red or black, sizes S, M and L. If it's his first brief, pick black. If he already owns a black one, pick red.
Not a swimmer? The Signature Boxer Brief is $29.99, in black, sizes S to XL. It's everyday underwear, not swimwear. For more underwear ideas, see our holiday underwear gifts for men.
Under $70: the red-and-black Duo
The Swim Brief Duo is two Mandate Swim Briefs for $69.98, $10 less than buying two singles. Red and black is the classic pick: one for the pool, one for the beach club. You choose one size for both briefs.
Under $100: the Trio, for a full week away
The Swim Brief Trio is three Mandate Swim Briefs for $99.97, $20 less than three singles, in any mix of red and black. Three is a sensible number for a week-long trip or a cruise: one to wear, one to rotate, one spare. At full price, with no discount code, it also clears the $99 free shipping threshold on its own.
Torn between the Duo and the Trio? Our single vs Duo vs Trio comparison lays out the cost per brief and the color options.
Swimwear gifts under $50
If your budget is $50, two Mandate gifts fit: the Mandate Swim Brief at $39.99 and the Signature Boxer Brief at $29.99. Both are small, both slip into a stocking, and both get used soon after they're opened. You'll find them side by side, with the sets, on our gifts for him page. For more ideas at this price, including gifts that aren't swimwear, see our list of Christmas gifts for men under $50.
What to pair it with
You don't need to buy everything from one place. These go well with a swim brief and turn it into a full gift:
- An open short-sleeve shirt in white, navy or sand, for the walk from the pool to lunch.
- A good beach towel in white, navy or a simple stripe.
- Slides or leather sandals.
- Sunglasses or a simple cap.
- Sunscreen, because a brief means more skin to cover.
- A small zip bag for carrying a damp swimsuit home.
How to get his size without asking
This is the part most people worry about, and it's easier than it sounds.
- Find a brief or pair of underwear he already wears a lot. The laundry basket counts.
- Lay it flat on a table, front up, without stretching it.
- Measure straight across the waistband, edge to edge. That's the half-waist.
- Match it to the chart: Mandate's half-waist is 33 cm or 13 in (S), 36 cm or 14.25 in (M) and 39 cm or 15.25 in (L). Between two sizes? Go smaller, because swim briefs are meant to fit snug.
Can't get near his drawer? Our advice is to pick his usual underwear size. The full chart is on our swim brief size guide.
Red or black?
- Black is the safe, classic gift. It goes with everything and suits a first-time brief wearer.
- Red is the gift for the guy who likes to be noticed. It stands out against blue water and looks great in vacation photos.
- Both is the easiest answer of all. That's the Duo.
For more on wearing a bold color, see our guide to red swim briefs for men, or read red vs black swim briefs for help choosing by skin tone and setting.
Is a swim brief a weird gift?
For a partner, no. It's one of the more thoughtful things you can give before a trip together. For a friend, it works best if he already wears briefs, or has talked about trying one. For a dad, a coworker or a Secret Santa, a swim brief is probably too personal, so choose the boxer brief or something from the pairing list instead.
Shopping for a boyfriend, husband or friend? Our guide to the best gifts for gay men has ideas by relationship.
If he's never worn a brief and you think he'd like to, include a note pointing him to how to wear swim briefs confidently. Heading to Europe next summer? Our guide to whether men wear Speedos in Europe is a good read for the plane. Still deciding between a brief and shorts? See swim briefs vs board shorts for vacation.
About Mandate
We make one swim brief, in red and black, plus one black boxer brief. Orders ship from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
FAQ
Is swimwear a good gift for a man?
Yes, if he has a beach trip, a cruise or a pool vacation coming up. It's small, it's personal and he'll use it soon. For a coworker or a Secret Santa, a swim brief is usually too personal.
How do I find out his swim brief size without asking?
Measure a brief or pair of underwear he already wears, laid flat, straight across the waistband. Compare that half-waist to the size chart. For the Mandate Swim Brief it's 33 cm (S), 36 cm (M) or 39 cm (L).
What color swim brief should I buy as a gift?
Black is the safe choice and suits a first-time brief wearer. Red suits a man who likes to stand out. If you can't decide, a Duo gives him one of each.
What swimwear gifts are under $50?
The Mandate Swim Brief at $39.99, in red or black, and the Signature Boxer Brief at $29.99, in black. Both are small and useful right away.
Does Mandate offer free shipping?
Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60. Mandate ships from California.