Birdwell is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 surf

Surfing

Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...

 clothing company, headquartered in California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, makers of Birdwell Beach Britches. Founded by Carrie Birdwell Mann in 1961, the company manufactures and sells customized heavy-duty swimsuit

Swimsuit

A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...

s, which are sold internationally. With four basic models, various fabrics, including Surfnyl, Tectyl, heavy nylon

Nylon

Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...

, sailcloth

Sailcloth

Sails have been made from cloth for all of recorded history. Typically sails were made from flax , hemp or cotton in various forms including canvas. However, modern sails are rarely made from natural fibers. Most sails are made from synthetic fibers ranging from low-cost nylon or polyester to...

, and canvas

Canvas

Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame...

, more than 40 colors, and various other options, the combinations that can be created are nearly endless. Justifiably, the company's motto is "We don't build 1000 things. We build one thing 1000 ways."

The swimsuits themselves, which resemble board shorts, are paneled swimsuits, with waistbands resembling boxing trunks, always double-stitched, always with two layers of fabric. These shorts are known and favored among surfers, lifeguard

Lifeguard

A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...

s, and paddleboarders

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a surface water sport in which the participant is propelled by a swimming motion usually on a long surfboard close to the shore. A derivative of paddleboarding is stand up paddle surfing.-History:...

, due to their quick-drying design and extreme durability; with an estimated 10 years for average use, and 2–5 for more strenuous use.

On all of the trunks, there is a 2 square inch (50 mm) logo, of a stylized anthropomorphic surfboard

Surfboard

A surfboard is an elongated platform used in the sport of surfing. Surfboards are relatively light, but are strong enough to support an individual standing on them while riding a breaking wave...

, wearing, of course, Birdwell Beach Britches, nicknamed "Birdie".