The Complexities of Beachwear for the Dad Bod
Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, discussions surrounding men’s fashion have ignited into fervent debates, especially with the rise of internet personalities like Derek Guy, known as @dieworkwear. Questions abound: Where should the button on a suit jacket be positioned? Are brown shoes ever a viable option? And what’s the verdict on cargo shorts? With the internet buzzing with opinions on fit and style, one pressing question remains under-explored: How should the thick-set man present himself on the beach during the sweltering summer months?
The best insights into this conundrum often originate not from online forums, but rather from the cinematic world. In a society that often idolizes youth and chiselled physiques, the visibility of the middle-aged, fuller-figured man is limited; he is frequently viewed as unremarkable, a cultural anchor weighing down the narrative. Women face a more severe and ruthless scrutiny, but the portrayal of the average dad bod remains a subject of intrigue and introspection in film.
While the representation of larger men on screen often leans towards comedy, with their physiques becoming fodder for jokes, there are notable exceptions that delve deeper into their struggles—both emotional and sartorial. These films stand as a testament to the notion that, despite societal pressures, these men are far from alone.
- Comic Portrayals: The roles of portly characters are often comedic, reflecting societal attitudes towards body image. For instance, consider Dimitry, the Russian oligarch from the satirical film Triangle of Sadness, who lounges on a luxury yacht in skin-tight swimwear, embodying excess and hedonism. Similarly, Jack Lipnick from Barton Fink barks orders from his poolside perch, while Kevin James’s character in the comedy Grown Ups clears a swimming pool after a rather unfortunate mishap.
- Subtle Narratives: In stark contrast, the 2016 Greek thriller Suntan takes a more nuanced approach, exploring the deep-seated insecurities and emotional turmoil of a middle-aged man. Kostis, a balding doctor on a picturesque Aegean island, becomes enamored with a young tourist, Anna. His clothing choices—long pants over swim trunks, a shabby white shirt, and worn-out Crocs—serve as a metaphor for his emotional state, remaining unchanged even as he experiences a fleeting sexual awakening and faces inevitable rejection.
- Hopeful Representations: Not all portrayals are steeped in despair. In The Talented Mr. Ripley, Philip Seymour Hoffman embodies the charismatic yet corpulent Freddie Miles, donning relaxed tan suits and breezy shirts. However, his fate serves as a grim reminder of the darker undercurrents of life. Meanwhile, in Sexy Beast, Gary Dove finds his tranquil life by the pool disrupted by the arrival of a former associate, who derides Dove’s size. Dove’s easygoing beach attire contrasts sharply with the formal wear he must adopt as he is pulled back into a world of crime.
In these narratives, the beach serves not just as a setting, but as a space where identity, self-acceptance, and societal expectations collide. The leisure of the beach is thick with possibility, while the demands of societal norms feel thin and suffocating. Ultimately, these films remind us that there is beauty in diversity, even in the most unexpected places.
