Gents, it’s time to mention the unmentionables; time to have an open and honest talk about what’s being worn under there, and down under. It’s time to bring all men, everywhere, into the fold of common decency and good taste. Because, my fellow Dappered readers, there’s a crisis in men’s style. A crisis…in our pants.
Beth has already covered this topic from a woman’s perspective. Men who are otherwise bastions of good taste inexplicably falter when it comes to stylishly covering their Tumbler. But that can be fixed. Style doesn’t stop at what’s visual to the general public. But balancing form and function in this area is key. To help you decide (or even consider a new option) here are the pros & cons for the most common styles of men’s underwear:
Boxers (aka Boxer Shorts)
Boxers are the simplest form of men’s underwear; they are the brown lunch bag of undergarments. Boxers are formless and unflattering on the most athletic of men. They quickly veer into adult-diaper territory if they’re the least bit loose-fitting. Boxers provide no support to the boys, and men with a bit of sag may find the twins making a run for it out of one leg. The well-endowed man can also find himself an unintentional exhibitionist if Cave Johnson makes a cameo.
Boxers do offer a few advantages over other styles: they allow air to flow, they feel less restricting than more supportive underwear, and there’s speculation that boxers help improve a man’s sperm count (some men, who aren’t looking to reproduce, might not really see this as an advantage).
The Picks:
- Uniqlo Supima Cotton Patterned Boxers — $6.45. Patterned, but subtle. The 100% supima cotton is soft and hard-wearing. Also available in solid colors.
- Lands’ End Solid Broadcloth Boxers in Classic Navy — $39/3. Hard not to like navy. The poplin broadcloth fabric is thin, silky, and should breathe well.
- JCPenney Stafford Knit Cotton Boxer — $11.99. A slimmer boxer (if such a thing exists). The light charcoal grey color is a great choice to wear in the spring and summer under white or beige trousers and shorts.
Grey/Black/Blue/etc. Briefs
Briefs have a bad reputation due to their association with children’s underwear. However, some men find briefs to be incomparably comfortable. They provide support in the right areas without restricting the groin or thighs. To pull briefs off (figuratively), a man should be in good-to-excellent shape. Unlike other underwear options that add to a man’s style by covering up loose bits and pieces, briefs leave little to the imagination and rely entirely upon a man’s natural physique.
The Picks:
- Uniqlo 100% Supima Cotton — $6.45. These may be the perfect brief. The supima cotton feels luxurious against the horse and carriage, and the quality is comparable to luxury brands.
- JCPenney Stafford — $16/2. A no frills option in either black or heathered medium blue. The briefs have received highly positive reviews on JCPenney’s website. Like everything else at JCPenney, always on sale.
- Jockey Low Rise V-Front Briefs – $26.99/6 pk
. If putting on a pair of standard rise briefs make you feel like you’re wearing a diaper, give these a shot. Lower rise up front. Sold in exact waist sizes (32/34/36 etc). Bit of extra support up front with the Y-front fly design.
Boxer Briefs
Boxer Briefs are the sleeker, sexier alternative to boxers. They’re typically the same length as boxers, but they have the crotch and buttocks support that boxers lack. Boxer briefs are flattering to all body types. They’re the safe option, and in most cases the best option for daily wear. That said, some men have found that the legs on boxer briefs will bunch and gather throughout the day, flooding groin-valley in an uncomfortable deluge of fabric.
The Picks:
- Uniqlo 100% Supima Cotton — $6.45. Date night worthy. The premium supima cotton is high quality and compares well with premium options. The cotton is on the thicker side, but it’s exceptionally soft and durable. Also available in a pattern.
- Lands’ End Knit — $34/3. A great value at full price or on sale. The construction is better than most store brands, and the fabric is soft ringspun cotton.
- J.Crew Knit — $25. A splurge (a term that should be used sparingly when dealing with this region) at full price, J.Crew’s boxer briefs are regularly on sale for 25-50% off. High quality with minimal branding. A J.Crew Factory version is available, but due to regular discounts the factory version is often more expensive than the main line offering.
Boxer Trunks / Low Rise Boxer Briefs
Boxer Trunks are the sexiest option that a man has available in his arsenal. They’re sleek, fitted, supportive, and they leave nothing to the imagination. Unfortunately, boxer trunks are not flattering on all body types. With shorter legs than mid-thigh reaching boxer-briefs, there’s less fabric to bunch into the groin.
The Picks:
- Uniqlo — $6.45. The seamless construction and crotch contrast puts these firmly in the date night category. They’re soft, elegant, and flattering on most men. Also available in Uniqlo’s Airism fabric.
- J.Crew — $22. Expensive at full price, but perpetually on sale in the $14-$16 range. Solid construction, and they accentuate all the right areas.
- JCPenney Stafford — $16/2. A dependable, no frills trunk. Wait for a sale to find these in the $5 range in store or online.
White Briefs (aka Tighty Whiteys)
Obviously the least sexy of the bunch. Completely devoid of the sexy. Male granny-panties. Still in the arsenal for some men, but like running shoes/white athletic socks, these are reserved for exercising. Unlike synthetic workout-underwear, all cotton briefs won’t hold onto stank, and if sized properly, will offer support. And white briefs are more likely to come in exact waist sizes, which help in terms of getting the right size. Also, they’re cheaper… which is good if you’re grinding (eesh) through many workouts a week.
The Pick:
- Kirkland Signature Mid Rise Briefs – $8.99/6 pairs
. Surprisingly well made, extremely inexpensive, has a strong waistband and comes in exact waist sizes (32,34, etc..) as opposed to the ball-park (ha!) S/M/L.
- … do we really need more than one pick for tighty whiteys?
FINAL NOTES: Colors & Patterns, Material, and Lifespan
Color: Aim for solid, dark colors, or dark plaids and tasteful stripes. and have a decent batch of light grey underwear on hand for the spring & summer seasons. Why? That’s when we wear lighter colored pants that can often (looking at you linen) end up being slightly translucent. Light grey blends in with most skin tones and usually does not show through a light colored or woven pair of pants.
Patterns & Branding: Avoid pindots or other patterns that may be mistaken for a stain. Avoid flashy logos, brand names, or eye-catching graphics. Some men appear to be under the impression that these ostentatious visuals are beneficial because they draw the eye to the nether regions. They’re not. Your lover of choice isn’t going to tear their clothes off as soon as they get an eyeful of the advertising rimming your groin.
Also, try to avoid underwear… that comes with its own cape?
Material (cotton vs. synthetic)
Over the last few years, synthetic blends engineered for breathe-ability have become a more common fabric of choice for underwear makers. Uniqlo’s much-loved Airism boxer briefs are great for the gym, jogging, and yoga, but they’re not optimal for regular wear for one reason: Odor.
Once an odor gets into polyester, it tends to stick around. And underwear is privy (pun) to certain odors that are not welcome to stick around. Some have had luck using vinegar to delay the smell-invasion that can saturate workout gear, but for regular wear, 100% cotton is the best choice. But cotton’s downfall is sweat: once cotton becomes damp it’s game over. This highlights the importance of underwear situational awareness. Make smart choices: choose the right pair for the job.
Try using vinegar to fend off odors in your synthetic underwear & gym gear.
(Of course, you might want to take it out of the bottle.)
The Lifespan of a Pair
The 52-wear general rule: A pair worn once a week will most likely have a lifespan of a year. Underwear isn’t something that you hold onto in the hope of passing it on to your descendants. After a year, you enter Carlos Danger territory. It can be hard to say goodbye, but let go of your old pairs for the sake of your friends, family, coworkers, and community.
Fellas, we may be in an era of derrière-sitzfleisch emergency, but with the help of the Dappered community we can elevate the style of our sous-vêtements! Remember, style does not end at the outer layer. Now that we’ve gotten to the bottom of this situation, let’s hear from you guys. A twist on the debate for all ages (boxers vs. briefs). If you had to pick one style to wear, for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
Loading ...About the author: Chris (aka Bruschetta) is an America-born university researcher and teacher based in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as a moderator on Threads. His sense of style is inspired by a childhood dressed in Ivy league trad, and the fact that he is enormously well bred.
Not sure about the picks as once youève splurged on something like meundies or Sax underwear I highly doubt youèd go back to any of the mentioned pairs. The comfort level is so much softer and offer more support too.
This guy is absolutely correct. Once you get past the $30 price tag of Saxx, it’s not even close. You will find yourself slowly replacing every pair of cotton you own. It’s kind of like spending that money on your first pair of decent dress shoes. I only have 4 pairs so far, and I dread when I’m out and have to wear cotton.
I have big legs and boxer briefs do not work at all. If I can find technical briefs (which are a real challenge these days sadly) the extra support makes up for it.
Trunks made out of modal. Soft, wear well, and I’ve had several pairs for many years without any problems with wearing out, stains, or odour. Calvin Klein makes some nice ones. Those are the only type of underwear that I would wear with “regular” clothes.
When exercising, I wear briefs. All of my shorts have liners, so the material down the legs of trunks (as little as it is) would get bunched up. I feel that you can see the lines of the briefs through some styles of pants (an old girlfriend pointed out a guy’s “panty-lines”) so I only wear them when exercising. Plus, I associate them with douchey guys from the 90s…
I really don’t understand why they even sell boxers anymore with the slim fit style pants that we wear these days.
I wear synthetic boxer briefs and recommend Nikwax BaseWash for washing any kind of synthetic base layer like that. It’s a little pricy but works great.
As part of my extensive research for this article, I girded my loins with premium garments in the $30-40 range. I feel that Uniqlo’s undergarments offer comparable quality at ~$6.50.
I’ve ended up going with long-leg boxer briefs for that exact reason. The extra leg material seems to stay down much better. They’re typically synthetic material and more often found in athletic apparel or the like.
Trunks my man, Trunks.
I’m in the same boat as you, with Beyonce’s hip to waist/booty ratio to boot – trunks have saved my reputation as a man.
(funny that I posted the exact opposite to @Clasifyd:disqus at the exact same time.
Ha ha, I was thinking the same. I’ve not had great luck with trunks. I’m a little different, though; it’s my thighs that are huge and I’m equipped with a fairly standard issue toches.
Pretty much struggle with all of the above. I can never get the ratio of waist, to crotch, to leg opening to work for me with boxer briefs/trunks. Boxers don’t offer any support, might as well go without. I’ve tried meundies recently, while comfortable, even the trunks seem to ride up/bunch/smother the hardy boys.
Haven’t gone as far as Sax yet, but I tried meundies and flint & tinder. Meundies were waaaay too tight (maybe sizing up would work? otherwise they were well made). Flint & Tinder has changed me – I truly never thought premo underwear would be worth it, I was always a hanes guy, but there is a huge difference. Luckily I grabbed 4 pairs when I had the chance to nab them at $9 / pair instead of the stratospheric $30 they usually are. Will give those Uniqlo a shot for sure.
Aww… no Flint and Tinder? Soft with plenty of support and room where you need it. Beautiful.
I agree. I have huge thighs, which causes material to slip into where it is not welcome. Longer legs seem to help (also, I stretch the legs of all my underwear slightly before wearing), but there’s a certain line that must be crossed to gain any benefit — basically, I just need enough friction on my quads to stop the slippage.
Another option: Lurk Sierra Trading Post and snag your choice of cut in a technical textile.
I think I mentioned it on the tighty whiteys post a few weeks back as well but I picked up a handful of Ex Officio boxer briefs (wearing them right now in fact) that are amazingly cool and comfortable in sweaty weather.
Ex-officio synthetics for the summer. Banish the sweat. I won’t wear cotton anymore. I’ve switched to merino (smartwool or icebreaker) in the fall-spring months. Expensive, but so worth it.
Great post. I like the mixture of information and humor that is being displayed lately. Hopefully not too many baby carrots out there.
Great run down. I will say I was unprepaired for the non-hole for the johnson in the
Low Rise Boxer Briefs. Never again will I buy that style. I am interested in checking out some of the other brands that have been mentioned. Will look into the Uniqlo’s…
I’ve never experienced the synthetic odor problem. Uniqlo Airism is extremely thin. Perhaps less of a problem, if at all? Can others chime in how big a problem this is really? I’m gradually switching out my boxers for boxer briefs and I’m leaning synthetic.
I spent the better part of a year seeking out the best kind of underwear. I bike daily, workout about 5 times a week, and needed something that fit my active lifestyle. Jockey microfiber midway brief are $12 each and perfect for my needs. They are stylish, comfortable, and never ride up.
Corwin, I’ve never tried Flint and Tinder. I will check them out. Thank you for the recommendation!
This may sound odd, but the Champion boxer briefs at Costco fit extremely well, don’t ride up, and maintain their shape. I prefer them over the uniqlo’s, which I’ve ask but abandoned
*other Ben disclaimer* Boxer-briefs are absolutely essential for me, as in they’re the only thing I can comfortably wear. Everything else causes chub rub/chafing to some extent, from uncomfortable to excruciating. That’s the problem of big guy thighs, right?
Ben, I stand (and squat, sit, and lunge) with you, my thunder-thighed comrade.
Hi John, I haven’t experienced the odor with Uniqlo’s Airism, but it is an issue with Uniqlo’s Heattech. It’s also an issue with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein’s synthetic modal.
36″ waist and 27″ thighs, gotta love ’em. Even M2s get a little tight at those proportions but M1’s fit niiiiice.
Lululemon boxer briefs work best for me. I tried everything and they’re by far the most comfortable. The material is soft and light weight and they stay where they’re supposed to. My only gripe is that the waste band gets a slight bacon effect quicker than most. Having said that my oldest pair is 3 years old and they’re still holding up fine.
Under Armour Boxer Jocks
Done the Jockey Lo-Rise since college; no reason to ever change. Y front no problem since I’m a flip-down kinda guy.
Urban Outfitters’ trunks are by far my fave, though I might need to try some higher end options after reading these comments. Guys who prefer longer boxer-briefs: what does that extra fabric below the Trunks line do for you? For me it just bunches and is visible through my pants.
agreed – lack of a fly is pretty irritating.
The Saxx don’t bunch at all, and you never get a wedgie. Even when golfing and bending down to read putts. It’s really amazing.
How about the “No Fly Zone” underwear that Larry “Long Balls” David wears?
You’re 100% right, here. The Champion boxer-briefs are amazing. Unfortunately, I’ve found them not especially durable.
Can someone explain the “support” aspect to me? I wear boxers most of the the time. I have several pairs of boxer briefs that I wear on occasion. Hell I play sports in boxers, I never considered that it’s somehow impeding me. In fact when I wear boxer briefs I always feel like my junk is glued to me.
If only they ever had any in stock. I used to do F&T, but got too frustrated waiting for them to restock basics.
I switched to Mack Weldon a few months ago and won’t look back. I actually prefer them to F&T at this point, and I’ve never had issues being able to order more.
those vegetables, tho…
I have had similar frustrations, but was finally able to order four new pair this morning. I will have to check out Mack Weldon.
This is in the running for some of the best photos to ever grace these pages…
That’s the point. With boxers everything is all wagging around; slapping and mashing in to each other. With boxer briefs everything is right where you left it.
Yep. Can’t do it. It’s all:
What is the difference, exactly? How do you feel “changed”? I’m intrigued. I’ve never felt especially uncomfortable in my boxer trunks from BR, H&M, or Uniqlo. Yet I’d be willing to try premium if it could change my life.
I’m definitely a briefs guy (…Team Banana?). For my ghetto booty and thunder thighs, they are just the most comfortable and practical. I buy mid- or low-rise styles in dark, solid colors from Target.
Well, I didn’t mean “changed” in any metaphysical sense. But I did change my mind about whether there could really be a difference between my usual cheap boxers and the nicer ones. Flint & Tinders feel better in the same way a $60 dress shirt feels better than the $20 special at Kmart – and given the sensitivity of the area involved, I’ve found it to be a worthwhile upgrade. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m not still cheap – I wouldn’t pay the $30 / pair asking price on the F&T website, but if you can find a deal, the difference is real. American Apparel has a decent option that can be found on sale for ~$10 pair, that will be my next adventure…anyone tried those?
I only wear trunks, and have gotten complimented on them (well, or gotten complimented when wearing them.) The next choice would be colored briefs, followed by boxer briefs. I find that anything with legs is a problem because I was a dancer for years, so my thighs are large, but my waist is tiny.
They’re less functional, but the lack of a fly makes them look sexier. Think of it this way: they force you to drop your trousers, and in a way that’s their job.
Boxers – somehow the pants over time have gotten slimmer and boxers haven gotten boxier. Very long rise/ very short inseem leads to bunching. Few years back I used to be able to find boxers which were not too boxy, but not now. Slowly switching to boxer briefs – so far only tried uniqlo and they work well (if you can find M – they are always running out of them at stores).
the vegetable pairings are somewhat disconcerting. ….Do you have a wine recommendation as well?
Yeah, meundies needs to be on this list immediately. I’ve been subscribing for just about a year and I love it.
You need an explanation? Wait til you’re in your seventies and look between your kneecaps.
Chris, I’m saving that for next week’s article.
Low-Rise underwear must be for a guy with a low-rise penis. I tried a pair of low-rise briefs once, and that was enough to prove I couldn’t wear them. And I feel bad for a guy who can.
I have only had my Uniqlo Airism for the summer (I have the low-rise variety FWIW), but I have not noticed any odor at all, and I wear them every single day. I wasn’t even aware this could be an issue.
Also the lady loves them…
Under Armor’s BBriefs have the same issue. Great underroos, horrible work to pee.
You know, before I read this I thought this was just your run of the mill article about different kinds of men’s underwear. I didn’t know I’d be reading such an already-legendary post. Thanks for the laughs… and info!
But I’m not in my seventies, hmm.
So most people prefer the glued feeling? Odd whenever my junk is glued to me I always feel like kicking the tires so to speak.
Can’t speak for anyone else, but I think it’s more “controlled” than “glued”.
Boxers to some guys might feel like a woman just wearing an extra t-shirt instead of a bra? Doesn’t make a ton of sense to some wearers.
cons:
-boxers- having to peel your sweaty sac from sticking to your thigh and wedgies
-everything else- designed for a ken doll. they barely have a bulge and are designed more like a sports bra is (tries to keep everything pulled up into the body). I don’t know about other guys but my genitalia is external.
What solves all these problems for me is John Seivers pouch briefs. Takes a while to get used to the way they look but they feel amazing. Supported without being mashed. Softly held with out popping out. They call it “enhancing” underwear but it doesn’t do anything more for you. It’s just shaped like we are and fits.
Whilst ‘designer’ brands such as Calvin Klein and Diesel can over do their logos, I have to admit they make some of the comfiest and durable boxer briefs I’ve ever owned. Yes they’re expensive, but for good reason in my experience. Calvin Klein do make stuff with minimalist logos as well as the over the top stuff. However, screw Burberry, $50 for a pair of briefs that developed a hole after a month of occasional use.
I had been wearing Calvin Klein underwear – most recently the “steel” trunks – for about 15 years. I recently decide to support American made clothes and tried Flint and Tinder’s trunk and American Apparel’s brief. The latter are great (still not as good as Calvin’s… but alas). Flint and Tinder is a good company though, they just don’t fit skinny folks as well.
Equipo “Brazilian” (don’t ask) trunks from Kohls. I think they’re poly, but I actually wash mine after each use (no, really!) so funk has not been an issue. Comfy, ultra light weight and way, way better than cotton for hot weather.
Supima cotton kept getting mentioned as amazing. All I have to say is modal/cotton blends. So comfortable. I stop by Marshalls pretty much anytime I pass and pick up every pair of underwear in my size that’s a modal blend. 2(x)ist and Calvin Klein underwear are awesome. Men is great for the gym and I just bought a pair of DKNY briefs that are comfortable. Generally I only buy trunks, with the occasional boxer briefs, but I wanted an orange pair of underwear, haha.
Looking at buying a pair of meundies, from the size guide it looks like they might run a bit smaller than normal. Should I size up?
I generally wear a size 30 in most major brands of pants or a small in underwear/shorts that aren’t sized numerically. About a 29-30″ waist. If anybody with similar measurements has experience, I’d appreciate the advice.
I usually wear a small in other brands and these fit fine.