Hit refresh – from Everest Isles to Orlebar Brown these brands are here to help up your off-duty look.

We are aware of the fact that holidays are supposed to be relaxing and all that, but they’re also a time when you’re somewhat on display (particularly if you summer with Instagram-addicted friends and/ or partners). So you shouldn’t let your guard down: selecting the right swim shorts is fundamental to feeling and looking good while taking time off. Though your shorts are a garment designed for a specific function, they shouldn’t be considered only in isolation – for all your careful packing, you’re probably going to spend most of your time in them. So not only should you choose a pair that suits your personality and holiday type, but you should also put together some complementary outfits. Here are a few suggestions that should provide ample inspiration, whether you’re a major-league sunbather or an aspiring Captain Ahab.

Some of us are made to hit the beach, walrus-like, with a meaty thwack, sprawling out across a towel and making only the very slightest of movements for hours at a time post-impact. Others are a little more sprightly – that is, not just about rolling about on the beach but also across the open seas that lie beyond, preferably in some sort of boat. If you’re in this tribe you’ll need something that’s a bit more technical, a wardrobe gap neatly filled by this pair of shorts from new brand Everest Isles. Not only do they look minimally stylish, they’re overloaded with performance details from the quick-drying Schoeller-dynamic fabric to the side pockets with Italian Riri zips.

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Whether it’s because of a naturally hard-working metabolism, an impressive dedication to your fitness regime, or that mysterious cloudy liquid you like to knock back post-gym, you’ve got it, body-wise, so you might as well flaunt it this summer. Your go-to label for this purpose is Dolce & Gabbana, a brand that has spent decades perfecting items like the above swim shorts for people like you, who know that “leg day” is something other than a ghoulish charity initiative. Roll with the nostalgic, Sicilian flavour of the brand by pairing with a figure-hugging vest and a piqué shirt from Sunspel (worn loose and open, like a jacket). That is, if you can bear to cover yourself up, and deny onlookers the chance to witness your majestic arm-oury.

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If you were a cocktail you’d be something cool and comforting, like a caipirinha. By which we mean you know how to relax, and in considerable style. There is, however, room for improvement: upgrade your trusty, three-year-old board shorts with a new pair from San Franciscan surf brand Mollusk, which, with their nostalgic, slightly faded olive green colour, have an air of broken-in-ness that will offset your lackadaisical demeanour nicely. When you leave the beach (at your own pace, of course), throw on a balmy leaf-print shirt and some Suicoke sandals, continuing the style-plus-comfort theme.

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You are an aesthete to the highest degree and always make sure you spend your holidays in architect-designed buildings (with infinity pool) in off-the-radar locations across the globe. When it comes to your swimwear (as with your contemporary art collection), you aim to exhibit both a bit of your own personality, but also a certain amount of tasteful discretion, which is why these shorts from Rio de Janeiro’s Frescobol Carioca are a great fit for you. Combining a simple, minimal design with a timeless op art-like geometric print, they will ensure that while you may be on vacation, your high standards aren’t.

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Some things never go out of style, in particular, the kind of dashing, French Riviera-worthy look exemplified by Mr Cary Grant in Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1955 thriller To Catch a Thief. As someone who appreciates timeless style, you can channel this with some simple elements, beginning with a pair of Orlebar Brown’s Bulldog swim shorts in lifeguard red. Tailored for a flattering fit, with a demure, mid-thigh length and adjustable waistband, they’re listed among MR PORTER’s “essentials” for a reason. Wear with a striped T-shirt and espadrilles as you stroll along the Croisette (or local equivalent) for an effortlessly authentic look.

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You’re the kind of man who likes to cram several activities – swimming, sunbathing, sailing, promenading, nipping off for dinner – into the course of each day while on holiday. Which is why these swim shorts in chambray – yes, chambray – from Loro Piana are a godsend. In the water, they’ll preserve your dignity, allow ample room for movement and do all the things that swim shorts generally do. Out of the water, however, they can be camouflaged as a pair of denim shorts, and worn with less beachy fare if you decide to wander into town. Wear with earthy shades of beige and brown and find yourself transforming, Superman-like, from sun-chaser to sophisticate within a matter of seconds.

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If there’s one vital thing that you always make sure to pack before going on holiday, it’s the fun. In fact, that’s pretty much all you need. Splashing, dive-bombing, sandcastle-building and playlist-curating, you’re the life and soul of the holiday party, beloved most of all for the way you always volunteer to make the trip to the bar/ fridge/ cooler. It’s fair to say you like to go all-out on your swimwear, so few pieces are more appropriate than these psychedelic pineapple-print shorts from superlative French brand Vilebrequin. As you’ll seldom be leaving the beach, there’s no need to go through the rigmarole of planning an outfit to go with these – just make sure you whack on a little SPF, because there’s nothing that kills your holiday buzz like heatstroke.

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