Mens Underwear Guide

How are you ever supposed to decide what men's underwear to buy? There are so many different varieties it can be very difficult to know one pair of boxers to the next pair of boxer-briefs! Below you shall find a quick and easy guide on what's what:

Boxer shorts (or Boxers)

> Cover the body from waist to about the mid-thigh area

> Provide the loosest fitting providing maximum ease of movement and comfort

> They usually have a flexible waistband with a front fly often buttoned and made of woven fabrics
> Often worn as pyjamas especially in the warmer months
> Little support with a tendency to ride upwards
> Ideal to wear underneath looser fitting trousers, not so practical for slim fitting jeans

Briefs (or Y-Fronts)

> Fit from the waist to the top of the thigh
> Tight and short Y-shaped underwear with front fly
> Elastic around the legs and waistband
> The most popular style of men's underwear but not necessarily the most fashionable depending on seasonal trends
> Offer good support and control, but can sometimes cause a visible pant line in tight or light coloured trousers
> Works very well on sporty or toned bodies and smaller frames

There are also several modern variations of the brief:

Mini Brief or Micro Brief

> The most skimpy of all the brief styles. Features are as above but offers a very high cut leg

Mid-rise briefs (or midi brief)

> Similar characteristics as listed above but around 2 inches and often deeper in the side

Low-rise briefs

> Same as above but around 3 inches lower in the waist, designed to be worn on the hips. Leg length can be of varying widths.

Tangas

> A new style adapted from the female style. (A triangular style brief,) from the front they look like a jock strap but from the back a brief.

Boxer briefs

> Fit between a Brief and a Boxer on the sides of the thighs
> Compatible for all types of builds.
> Provides all round comfort and fashion

Long johns

> Fit the entire leg often to the ankle to allow an extra layer of warmth - worn underneath clothing or worn as pyjamas during cold weather.

Trunks

> Design derived from 50's style swimming trunks
> Usually have more reinforcement in the pouch
> Can come in a variety of leg lengths to cater to all tastes
> Offer a "seem free" look. Ideal for modern styles of skinny jeans

Thongs

> High cut at the legs with narrow fabric at the sides sitting on the hip bone.
> Doesn't have a useable fly or any fabric at the back.
> A broad string about three quarters to an inch wide and becomes broader toward the waist band at the rear.
> Offers comfort and support becoming popular for sports activity
> Avoids visible pant lines

G-strings (Strings)

> Similar style and function to a thong but a narrow string usually only about a quarter of an inch wide.
> They are most commonly made from micro fibres or cotton.
> Avoids visible pant lines

Jock Strap (or jocks)
> Consists of a waistband (usually elastic) with a support pouch and two elastic straps affixed to the base of the pouch and sides of the waistband at the hip
> Designed for support during sports sometimes fitted with extra support in the pouch

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You will also find two other styles of underwear that appear in different types of underwear.

Hipsters
> Available in the trunk and brief styles, the difference being they sit against your hips and not your waist.
> Compliments sporty or toned bodies really well.

Sling Support
> Also available in trunks and briefs styles but sits on the waist.
> Features an elasticated sling inserted inside the pouch, designed to lift and enhance the package area

Remember to keep refreshing your underwear as soon as the colours fade or the material begins to lose its shape because this isn't sexy regardless of the brand you are wearing. Don't be afraid of trying a variety of styles and fashion trends, you'll never know what suits you best until you try!