You are standing on a boat deck off Cap d'Antibes. Two men walk up from the water. One in a clean, deep navy. The other in a classic coastal stripe. Both look entirely right for the setting. So how do you choose?
The honest answer: it depends on where you are going, what you are wearing on top, and how much work you want the shorts to do on their own. Here is how to think about it.
When solid swim shorts make sense
Solid colours are the more versatile option. Not because they are plain, but because they create space for everything else. A well-cut pair of solid swim shorts in the right colour reads as intentional without demanding attention.
Go solid when:
- You are wearing a printed or patterned shirt over the top. The shorts should not compete.
- You want one pair that moves from the beach to a terrace lunch without a second thought.
- You prefer your detail to come from fit and construction rather than pattern. The CÔTE CHIC Monaco Blue and Monaco Mocha carry a signature embroidered CC monogram on the leg, stitched not printed. The colour is clean. The detail is there if you look.
- You want a starting point for a considered wardrobe. Solid is the foundation. Everything else builds around it.
When striped swim shorts make sense
Stripes carry a specific reference: the marinière, the striped awnings of Côte d'Azur beach clubs, the kind of coastal ease that is very much studied but looks entirely unconsidered. That is not a criticism. That is the point.
Go striped when:
- You are keeping the top half simple: a white linen shirt, a plain tee, nothing at all. Let the shorts lead.
- You are spending most of the day at the beach or pool, where the pattern earns its place.
- You want something that looks considered without requiring much explanation. A good stripe does the work for you.
- You want something that photographs well in strong Mediterranean light. The Portofino Blue and Portofino Green were designed with exactly that quality of light in mind.
What about colour?
Colour matters as much as pattern. Monaco Blue is the most versatile in the range: deep, clean, pairs with almost anything. Monaco Mocha skews warmer and works particularly well against tanned skin and natural fabrics like linen. Portofino Blue is precise and coastal, cool in tone. Portofino Green reads as the more unexpected choice, the one that signals you have thought about this without announcing it.
If you genuinely cannot decide, the solid is the safer pick. If you already own a solid pair and want to add range to a travel wardrobe, the stripe is the right move.
Can you own both?
Yes. And if you travel more than once a year to anywhere near the water, you probably should. Pack one solid, one striped. Rotate by setting. Pack light, dress well. Problem solved.
Frequently asked questions
Are striped swim shorts harder to style than solid ones?
Slightly, yes. Stripes ask you to keep the rest of the outfit clean. Keep the top half simple and a striped swim short looks sharp rather than busy. Pair with a plain white or ecru linen shirt and leather sandals and you are done.
Which is better for a boat day?
Both work well on the water. A solid in a strong colour like Monaco Blue holds its own against open sea and sky without competing. A stripe like Portofino Blue also reads well in that light. The real difference is whether you want the shorts or the setting to do the talking.
Do solid swim shorts look less expensive than striped ones?
Only if the fit and construction are not there. A tailored solid short in a quality fabric signals quiet luxury more clearly than a badly fitting stripe. Fit and detail carry the look. Pattern is secondary.
Whether you go solid or striped, the construction is the same: 90% polyester and 10% elastane, quick-dry, tailored European fit, hidden zip pockets, and a flat waistband with internal drawcord. These are not features added as an afterthought. They are decisions made at the start.
Browse the full range: Monaco Blue, Monaco Mocha, Portofino Blue, and Portofino Green.