Man of the Loincloth

Hef, move over.

The ultimate swinger is back in town and he doesn’t need $250 designer jammies to make the scene.

Nope, this beastly babe swings to the vida loca in loincloth fashion. No shoes, no shirt, no Joe Boxers. Just your basic shammy.

The swath of cloth--stylishly evident in Disney’s animated “Tarzan,” which premieres Saturday and opens June 18--should be a part of Everyman’s worn-to-be-wild wardrobe.

Why? It provides for more freedom than a Speedo, reeks of manliness, is an instant air conditioner and could lead to a guest gig with the Village People. Besides, it goes with everything, especially when you’re wearing next to nothing.

More than a dozen actors have portrayed Tarzan in about 50 movies since the first king of the apes swung into theaters in 1918. But it was Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller who later became the titan of Tarzans, starring in 12 movies and wearing the most revealing rag of all: two flaps held together by a drawstring.

Other Tarzans made jungle-fever fashion statements: Buster Crabbe in a 1930s leopard print; Gordon Scott in a 1950s high-waisted number; Mike Henry in a 1960s micro mini-sheath; and Christopher Lambert, who accentuated his Tarzan tog with the perfect pret-a-porter jungle accessory: a belt, knotted at the buckle, no less. Talk about ape man chic.

In his fashionable wraparound, Tarzan courted Jane, built a cozy condo in a tree and played Pops to Boy, teaching him the virtues of vine land.

And, lest we forget, how to be a hunk in skimpy trunks.

Quintanilla can be reached by e-mail at socalliving@latimes.com.