A square cut sits between a swim brief and a looser pair of trunks. It keeps the body-skimming fit that makes swimwear feel intentional, then adds a little more coverage through the upper thigh. For plenty of people, that is the sweet spot: clean lines, easy movement, and no extra fabric to fight in the water.
CecilAndEzra square cut swim trunks are for the person who wants a fitted suit with a clear point of view, without committing to the most minimal silhouette in the drawer. Each one is cut and sewn near Atlanta by Greg Brown from the current run of fabric. Some days that means a grounded black or a graphic stripe. Other days it means a print with no interest in disappearing by the pool.
A different kind of coverage
Close where it counts, easy where it matters.
Square cut swimwear follows the body more closely than board shorts, but it does not ask you to wear the same amount of leg exposure as a brief. The straighter leg opening gives the suit a compact, athletic shape while still feeling familiar to someone who usually reaches for a short trunk.
That balance works especially well when you want the support and clean movement of fitted swimwear, but prefer a touch more coverage for walking around a pool, heading to lunch, or wearing the suit all afternoon. The right square cut should feel settled, not clingy. You notice the fit when you first put it on, then stop thinking about it once you start moving.
See the fit guide →
The CecilAndEzra difference
Small-run fabric makes the suit personal.
Most swimwear gives you a long rack of nearly identical choices. CecilAndEzra starts with a small amount of fabric and makes a short run from it. When that material is gone, the next print takes its place. It is a more human way to buy a suit: choose the cut that suits you, then choose the fabric that actually feels like yours.
That approach gives square cut trunks room to be more than the safe alternative. A square cut can be quiet and black, graphic and sharp, tropical, retro, or completely unexpected. The shape keeps the look composed. The print gives it personality. You do not have to choose between a suit that feels easy to wear and one that has something to say.
The current Etsy listings are the best source for what is available right now. They show the fabric, the cut, and the order details for each piece. If a print catches your eye, it is worth acting while the fabric is still part of the current run.
Browse current prints →
Find your cut
Square cut or swim brief?
Both cuts belong in the same family, but they create a different feeling. A swim brief is the most compact option. It has a clean, open line at the leg and puts the focus on fit, color, and print. A square cut keeps that close, water-ready shape but extends the leg into a straighter short silhouette.
Choose square cut swim trunks when you want a little more upper-thigh coverage, are easing into fitted swimwear, or simply like the way a short trunk balances a bold print. Choose a swim brief when you want less fabric, a higher leg line, and the most direct version of the look. Neither choice is more correct. The better one is the cut you will reach for when the day calls for water.
If you are still deciding, start with how you want the suit to feel in motion. A square cut is a strong choice for someone who wants a fitted base without a bare leg line. A brief is right when you want the smallest, cleanest cut and do not need the extra coverage. In both cases, the waist should stay level, the leg openings should lie flat, and the suit should return to place after you sit or walk.
Explore men's swim briefs →
Fit before anything else
The cut should hold its line without holding you back.
A square cut is still fitted swimwear, so the details matter. Start at your natural waist, not high toward the ribs and not dropped low on the hips. The waistband should feel secure, while the leg opening should sit smooth against the body instead of leaving a sharp mark or a loose gap.
Take a practical minute before you decide. Sit down, stand up, bend, and walk a few steps. The suit should stay centered without a lot of pulling or readjusting. If you are between sizes, the fit guide is the right first check. If you want another opinion before ordering, you can message the person making the suit through Etsy.
Ask Greg a fit question →Made for the actual day
From the first swim to everything after.
Great swimwear has to work beyond the one mirror check before you leave. It has to feel right when you walk from the car to the water, sit with friends, take a dip, dry in the sun, and decide to stay another hour. Square cut trunks make that transition easy because they keep the shape compact while giving you a little more coverage than a brief.
That does not mean you need to buy the most neutral print you can find. The extra coverage lets the fabric do more, not less. A vivid floral, a graphic pattern, a dark texture, or a strong stripe can feel grounded in a square cut because the shape itself stays simple. The result is a suit that looks considered without looking overworked.
CecilAndEzra makes each piece to order instead of asking you to settle for whatever happened to be mass produced. Read the listing details, use the size guidance, and ask a question when you need one. That is especially useful with a close-fitting suit, where a little attention before ordering goes a long way toward a better day in the water.
Choose with confidence
Start with the cut you want to wear.
Find a square-cut print that feels like you, check the listing and waist guidance, then message the shop before ordering if you want help deciding. Each fabric run is small, and the next one will be different.
Shop on EtsyFrequently asked questions
What are square cut swim trunks?
Square cut swim trunks are close-fitting swim shorts with a straighter, more covered leg opening than a traditional swim brief. They keep the clean, athletic feel of fitted swimwear while giving you a little more fabric through the upper thigh.
How should square cut swim trunks fit?
They should sit securely at your natural waist without rolling, while the leg openings lie flat instead of pinching or gaping. You should be able to walk, sit, and move easily without needing to keep adjusting the suit.
Are CecilAndEzra square cut swim trunks made to order?
Yes. CecilAndEzra pieces are cut and sewn one at a time near Atlanta. The Etsy shop shows the prints and square-cut listings that are available to order now.
Should I choose square cut trunks or swim briefs?
Choose a square cut when you want a close fit with more upper-thigh coverage. Choose a swim brief when you prefer the cleanest, most compact silhouette. Both work best when the waist and leg openings feel secure without feeling restrictive.