Are Vilebrequin swim trunks actually worth the premium?+
It depends on what you value. Vilebrequin trunks are cut from quick-drying microfiber, finished with reinforced stitching and corrosion-resistant metal eyelets, and the maker will often replace the mesh liner if it tears, so they tend to outlast cheaper pairs. The flip side is that you're also paying for a French luxury name born in Saint-Tropez, so if you only want something to wear twice a year, the math is harder to justify.
Why are Vilebrequin trunks so expensive?+
Part of it is the materials and construction, part of it is the brand. Vilebrequin built its reputation on swimwear designed to dry quickly in the sun, with durable hardware and bright original prints, and that craft carries a cost. The rest is positioning: this is a luxury Saint-Tropez label, and a slice of the price is the cachet rather than the cloth.
How does Vilebrequin compare to Orlebar Brown?+
They sit at the same high end of men's swimwear but pull in different directions. Vilebrequin leans into fun, colourful patterns and a longer, boxer-style cut that traces back to founder Fred Prysquel's original 1971 design. Orlebar Brown is the more tailored, pared-back option. Choose Vilebrequin if you want a playful print and the Saint-Tropez story; choose the other for a cleaner, dressier silhouette.
What is Vilebrequin's signature swimsuit and how did it start?+
In 1971, photographer and automobile journalist Fred Prysquel sketched a swimsuit and cut it from a paper tablecloth at a café in Saint-Tropez. Inspired by surfers' shorts of the era, he made a longer boxer style, far roomier than the tight suits of the day, sewn from spinnaker (sailcloth) so it would dry fast in the sun. That quick-drying, easy-cut short is still the brand's foundation.
What does the name Vilebrequin mean?+
Vilebrequin is the French word for crankshaft. Founder Fred Prysquel was passionate about cars, having worked as a sports automobile journalist, so he named his swimwear brand after an engine part. It's a nod to motoring hidden inside a beachwear label.
Where is Vilebrequin from and when was it founded?+
Vilebrequin is a French luxury brand, created in 1971 in Saint-Tropez. It was started by Fred Prysquel, a photographer and automobile journalist, together with Yvette, a fashion designer. Because Fred is colourblind, Yvette chose the colours, which is fitting for a brand now known for its vivid prints.
Did Vilebrequin only ever make men's swimwear?+
No, though men's trunks were the heart of it for a long time. The brand added boys' garments in 1994, and after more than 40 years in menswear it launched its first ladies' line in 2013, expanding into resort wear and luxury beach accessories for both men and women. So today there's far more than the original men's short.
Who owns Vilebrequin now?+
Since 2012, Vilebrequin has been owned by the American company G-III Apparel Group, which also licenses names such as Calvin Klein, DKNY and Karl Lagerfeld Paris. Around the same time, Roland Herlory, formerly of Hermès Latin America and the Caribbean, became CEO. The brand is French in heritage but American-owned today.
Has Vilebrequin done any notable collaborations?+
Yes. In 2020 it worked with American artist Derrick Adams on a capsule of swim shorts inspired by his 'Floaters' series. The brand has also leaned into its motoring roots: in 2025, Fiat released a Topolino Vilebrequin Collector's Edition, complete with a built-in shower. These crossovers are part of what keeps the label feeling current rather than purely classic.
Where can I buy genuine Vilebrequin?+
The safest route is the brand's own boutiques, in places such as Saint-Tropez, Paris, Beverly Hills, New York and Washington DC, or its official e-shops in Europe and the United States. Vilebrequin is also carried by reputable department stores. The brand grew to more than 150 stores across dozens of countries, so an authorised seller is rarely far away, and buying from one is your best guard against fakes.
When is the best time to buy Vilebrequin?+
Swimwear is seasonal, so the widest choice of new prints lands ahead of summer, while end-of-season is usually when last year's styles get marked down. If you have your heart set on a specific colour or pattern, buy early; if you're flexible and want value, wait for the post-summer clear-out. Either way, treat a pair as a multi-year purchase rather than a one-season buy.
