The rise of the budgie smuggler & 5 rules men NEED to follow to pull them off

THE Marmite item of men's fashion is set to make a triumphant return this year.

And on Love Island, they’ve already arrived. 

Love Island alumni Casey O’Gorman is back for the third time for this years All Stars series but has switched up his pulling tactics to make sure he leaves the villa in a relationship. 

And it's not just the women he's been grafting. The 28-year-old former recruitment consultant from Tring, who is currently coupled up with Gabby Allen, 32, has been working hard on his wardrobe for this season too - most notably by swapping trunks for budgie smugglers. 

Whilst the rest of the boys peacock their way around the South African villa in short-shorts, Casey has gone where no Love Islander has ever gone before and braved a Speedo. 

Viewers ran to social media to share their shock at Casey’s bold fashion choice saying: “Casey’s trunks are A CRIME.” 

Whilst another commented, “Nobody needs to see them.”

But the reality star is right on trend in his skimpy smalls. 

Not only are the nylon pants a hit on the catwalks of Versace, Burberry and designer David Koma's new swimwear brand, Let’s Swim, but according to a new poll from dating site Illicit Encounters, the briefs ranked as the fourth “sexiest” garment a man could wear in 2025.

From the seventies to now in the Love Island villa, budgie smugglers have been worn by some of the hottest and most famous hunks in history. 

Think Tom Jones and Sean Connery and more recently David Beckham, Mark Wright and even Jason Donovan.

But before you start thinking about lounging poolside in your micropants there are some dos and don’ts you should know.

Here, Fabulous’ fashion editor Clemmie Fieldsend, reveals what you need to know to pull them off. 

AVOID TIGHTY WHITEIES

Whilst reaching for white styles may lead you to think you’ll look like statuesque Dolce & Gabbana models Theo James and David Gandy the reality is less appealing. 

Aside from suncream staining white, everything else that touches white nylon will stain too. 

Plus, white draws the eyes' attention in so if there's a slight chance of transparency or a change in temperature everything will be on show.  

KEEP YOUR CLIPPERS HANDY

If women are going to be plucked and pruned, best believe blokes are going to be too. 

Striding around in your eye-catching smalls means everything must be neat and tidy down there. 

If you’re having a James Bond coming out of the water moment, the water darkens hair and makes onlookers grimace - so keep your hair trimmed. 

TRY PATTERNS 

Take tips from Mike Tindal, who wore a striking pair of budgie smugglers on I’m A Celeb in 2022. 

The England rugby player cleverly chose a fruit printed pair when taking a dip in the famously freezing creek down-under. 

Busy prints are favourite in fashion as they disguise whatever is underneath.

And Mike, knowing the sudden drop in temperature might be an issue, pulled on some pattern to avoid any embarrassment. 

SWERVE LOW SLUNG FOR TUMS

Speedos are intended to be streamlined for pro swimmers, like Tom Daley's pro pants, so they're micro size means everything is on show. 

Extreme low slung styles from sporting brands should be avoided as you’ll get the dreaded stomach overhang. 

If you’re gagging to get onboard with the trend then make sure to try before you buy and get a pair that comes over the tum.

THERE'S A THIN LINE YOU SHOULDN'T CROSS 

Whether you’re well endowed or not you don’t want to be showing off what's underneath your budgie smugglers. 

If you insist on putting fellow sunbathers having to look at you in your pants, please do it with some dignity. 

Check your smalls have a thick lining that doesn’t disappear or CLING when in water.