SpeedoForum.org

If you haven't seen this, it's worth watching. Here's the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ZX5Z50rTo

Great documentary on the male underwear and swimwear catalog from the 70s mid-2000s that was likely many men's first glimpse into erotic and sexy clothing for men at a time when being gay was mostly on the down-low. I definitely remember picking this up a few times, and I ordered a few things too... long before online shopping was a thing.

Curious if anyone ever bought anything from them, love to hear about your experiences with International Male...

The movie is titled "All Man: The International Male Story" You can rent it on Tubi for free, or rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube Video and other places.

Never bought anything from them that I recall, but I do remember seeing the catalogs when I was a grad student at Kent State in 1977-1978. Thanks for sharing the movie link.

I got a lot of my first swim briefs from them. My favorite was the Bunz swim brief. Countoured rear panel to show off your ass mounds. Looking back, I don't know how I got the bravery to wear it to my gym pool.

The documentary is interesting. A lot of it focuses on the business end of things. They do talk about the models some too. For example, there was a rule for a while, no black models.

I used to wear their French cotton contour underwear all the time. I bought some other types for "special occasions" as well.

I ordered just about every color of their Greek bikini swim brief. They were about the best cut bikini I've ever had. I also ordered a few thongs from them, and some shorts. Still have some of them.

speedostud wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:09 am

male.png

If you haven't seen this, it's worth watching. Here's the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ZX5Z50rTo

Great documentary on the male underwear and swimwear catalog from the 70s mid-2000s that was likely many men's first glimpse into erotic and sexy clothing for men at a time when being gay was mostly on the down-low. I definitely remember picking this up a few times, and I ordered a few things too... long before online shopping was a thing.

Curious if anyone ever bought anything from them, love to hear about your experiences with International Male...

Interesting trailer.

I had a catalog. Not sure how I got it. Were they on news stands? Never bought from them. It was easy to buy speedos from a local sporting goods store.

There were several, similar companies. One was "Parr of Arizona." Another was "Ah Men." They advertised in the back of magazines like Better Homes and Gardens. I guess they figured gay men had a domestic side.

Here's an Ah Men/Houston ad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ah_Men#/m ... a_1975.jpg

I visited the Ah Men store in West Hollywood in the early seventies.

Here's a Parr of Arizona ad. They're gone, but you can buy their stuff as vintage.

https://img.newspapers.com/img/img?user ... rotation=0

You can buy a vintage Parr catalog on ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116167818493?v ... 98e475e9a0

International Male lives on as Undergear.

Yes, I remember seeing them on magazine racks...

speedostud wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:56 pm

Yes, I remember seeing them on magazine racks...

As I'm thinking back, I probably bought it at a news stand in Harvard Square that had everything. It was next to the entrance to the Red Line subway.

I also sent to France for a catalog. HOM I think.

There was a sporting goods store in Harvard Square that sold Speedo and other brands (Dolphin, Kiefer). When I was learning to row, I bought a pair of rowing shorts that were really short, sunga-ish, and made of a sort of pre-lycra knit material. Gave a good sense of your manhood in front. I left mine in the locker room, and they were gone when I went back to get them. The cleaning crew likely just threw them away.

I will confess to having some self pleasure moments, reading those catalogues, imagining being on a beach surrounded by guys in strings etc.

Thom wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 8:15 pm

speedostud wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:56 pm

Yes, I remember seeing them on magazine racks...

I also sent to France for a catalog. HOM I think.

I wonder if HOM was the same as this site... they make the most comfy underwear, and I have bought a few of their swimsuits as well which were great....

https://us.hom.com/products/trouville-s ... 8827588976

speedostud wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 9:09 am

Thom wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 8:15 pm

I also sent to France for a catalog. HOM I think.

I wonder if HOM was the same as this site... they make the most comfy underwear, and I have bought a few of their swimsuits as well which were great....

https://us.hom.com/products/trouville-s ... 8827588976

Yes, I'm positive it's the same company. Their site says the company began in 1968, so they would definitely have been around when I ordered the catalog.

I sure remember the brand, but never had the catalog - hot guys though!

Until the mid-90's, speedos weren't uncommon. I bought a brown Adidas at a regular men's store in Wis in the late 70's, and Jantzens at a sporting goods store in Mich in the early 80's. Had a lot of fun with girlfriends, wearing a teal/purple/fuchsia striped 3/4" sides Jantzen into the early 90's! They all wanted inside it! And most made it!

Then I found the Speedoboard & this site & Aussiebums! But sure wish that striped Jantzen hadn't aged out!

oldspeedo wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2024 7:37 am

I used to wear their French cotton contour underwear all the time. I bought some other types for "special occasions" as well.

'UnderGear' , 'Xtreme' and 'International Male' branded. Those were very comfortable. The waffle knit and rib knit cotton briefs especially so. The special occasion types were very interesting.

Still have several.

speedostud wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 9:09 am

Thom wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 8:15 pm

speedostud wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:56 pm

Yes, I remember seeing them on magazine racks...

I also sent to France for a catalog. HOM I think.

I wonder if HOM was the same as this site... they make the most comfy underwear, and I have bought a few of their swimsuits as well which were great....

https://us.hom.com/products/trouville-s ... 8827588976

I’m loving Hom micro brief underwear for everyday. I have a variety of 10 pairs. I have Tencel micro and plume micro. Plume for under running and workout shorts. Never tried their swimwear, but I’m putting them on my bucket list.

Also love Todd Sanfield.

Speedoguy1971 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 05, 2025 7:01 am

speedostud wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2024 9:09 am

Thom wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 8:15 pm

I also sent to France for a catalog. HOM I think.

I wonder if HOM was the same as this site... they make the most comfy underwear, and I have bought a few of their swimsuits as well which were great....

https://us.hom.com/products/trouville-s ... 8827588976

I’m loving Hom micro brief underwear for everyday. I have a variety of 10 pairs. I have Tencel micro and plume micro. Plume for under running and workout shorts. Never tried their swimwear, but I’m putting them on my bucket list.

Also love Todd Sanfield.

HOM swimwear is also on my bucket list but a bit pricey for my options, so while THAT pattern/design doesnt pop up will be just a potential.
Tod Sanfield has for sure more interesting designs in my view and they look good/comfy on the pics. But the topic of shipping/customs to Europe (added to the price) is not the most appealing...