News about Colin Blunstone

Long, loose woollen undergarments were present in men's swimwear by the 19th century's end. These covered the entire body or 'trunk,' hence the term. The word 'trunk' comes from Old French, which refers to the main stem of a tree. The human body is directly referred to in this sense. Men of the 16th and early 17th century wore trunk hose, complete breeches, and occasionally padded over tights. The term was borrowed from men's swimming clothes and similar clothing for boxing. Even as men's swimming trunks became increasingly smaller throughout the twentieth century, the term was retained.