Tight swimming trunks revealed as UK's most hated item of clothing

Bad news for budgie-smugglers

Summer is coming which means it’s time to dust off your swimsuit and hit the pool or seaside.

But before you squeeze into your outfit, men in particular may want to think twice about their choice: according to a new survey, tight swimming shorts are the most hated item of clothing in the UK.

Yes, the trunks - also known as Speedos or “budgie-smugglers” - may be beloved of professional swimmers and divers, but everyday Brits clearly aren’t fans.

The study by YouGov found that 74 per cent of women dislike the tight trunks, and only 13 per cent of the 3,277 people asked said they liked them.

Of course for professional athletes, wearing Speedos is a practical rather than aesthetic choice - they were originally designed in the 1960s to reduce drag and provide freedom of movement.

For some men, it is the tanning potential offered by the trunks that makes them so appealing.

Of course, no one should be shamed for what they wear, but it would seem you may not win approval from your fellow sunbathers should you don the tiny trunks.

Matthew Smith of YouGov, said: “Our results show that some things really are better left to the imagination.

“No matter how ready men’s beach bodies are this summer, they might not make too many friends if they stride across the sand in a pair of Speedos.”

However Speedos aren’t the only item of clothing Brits seem to hate - leather trousers and Crocs took second and third place in the list.

Here are the most-hated items of clothing in the UK and the percentage of people who dislike them:

• Speedos - (69 per cent)
• Leather trousers - (63 per cent)
• Crocs - (59 per cent)
• Flares - (57 per cent)
• Clothes with elbow patches - (54 per cent)
• Tracksuits - (52 per cent)
• Red trousers - (51 per cent)
• Uggs - (51 per cent)
• Deep v-neck t-shirts - (49 per cent)
• Sweater vest - (49 per cent)

So if you really want to make a statement, we recommend an outfit consisting of red leather flares, Crocs, a deep v-neck T-shirt under a sweater vest under a jacket with elbow patches, and Speedos over the top for good measure.