Sebastian Nowacki: My Speedos Are a Declaration of War Against 'Lagom'

Swedish writer Sebastian Nowacki views his speedo swimwear as a personal rebellion against the ingrained Swedish cultural ideal of "lagom," which champions moderation and appropriateness. In his commentary for Dagens Nyheter, Nowacki explains that while his speedos represent a desire for freedom and self-expression, they remain confined to his vacation wardrobe, rarely seeing the light of day on Swedish shores.

Nowacki recounts an experience in Sitges, Spain, a popular destination for gay men, where he observed a relaxed attitude towards male beach attire, including speedos and even nudity. This environment fostered a sense of liberation, inspiring him to embrace the speedo. He purchased his first pair the following summer, initially feeling confident and uninhibited while wearing them on a trip to the Ionian Islands. The snug fit allowed him to shed the awkwardness of adjusting baggy swim shorts.

However, upon returning to Sweden, the writer found his speedos suddenly felt out of place. The "arbitrarily furnished room" of Swedish society, as he puts it, seemed to reject such bold fashion choices. Despite his longing to wear them more freely, he consistently relegated them to his beach bag, unable to reconcile his desire for personal expression with the prevailing social norms that favor understated conformity.

Nowacki's piece delves into the psychological aspect of this sartorial conflict. He acknowledges his own self-awareness, recognizing he'll never be comfortable with full nudity in public. Yet, the speedo represented a step towards greater freedom. The essay highlights the subtle yet powerful influence of cultural expectations on individual behavior, particularly in how personal style choices are perceived and accepted within a specific societal context. The "declaration of war" is thus not against any specific person, but against the pervasive notion that one should always strive for the middle ground, never standing out too much.