While I was writing a blog post about the styles of men’s underwear, I found out about the lounge shorts that e-commerce company Nice Laundry sells. I decided to purchase some to see what the shorts are like. Below is a type of unboxing combined with an initial view.
Background on Nice Laundry
The co-founders
According to the Washingtonian Magazine, Nice Laundry was founded by Ricky Choi and Phil Moldavski in Washington, D.C. The co-founders, who both grew up in the D.C. metropolitan area, used to work at a company called Living Social.
A start with socks, then added underwear
Nice Laundry initially started as a website to sell socks. The company also recycles old socks, a policy that the company has had since its beginning.
The company has moved to New York and was mentioned in the New York Times. The company started selling underwear in 2016, according to the N.Y. Times.
Fly or no fly?
It seems that when Nice Laundry started selling underwear, the underwear did not have an opening in the front. This was a design issue, as explained in an article in Complex.
Today, however, the underwear at Nice Laundry has an opening in the front, excepting the lounge short.
The Ordering Process at the Website
The ordering process is straightforward at the website. A customer has the option to add customized details to the item, if desired. (Be advised that adding customized details makes the order a final sale, as noted at the website.) I ordered two lounge shorts, one the 4 inch inseam version, and the other, the 6 inch inseam. Because it was my first order, I received a complementary pair of socks (a nice touch).
Arrival of the Package
The order (lounge shorts and socks) was in a slim box, which was shipped from New Jersey. The box has two lids: the outer and an inner lid, which covered the order. The shorts were packed neatly, each in a re-closable bag (not sure of the material).
Shipping box for orderOrder in the shipping box
The Lounge Shorts
The lounge shorts appear to be mesh gym shorts, but there are slight differences. The lounge shorts have a liner in them, so that they can be worn without underwear. In addition, the shorts contour the thigh such that there is no opening. This is an important detail if a guy decides to wear them without underwear. The material is soft to the touch and feel nice on the skin.
The outer material is nylon; the inner material is micro-modal. The shorts were made in China.
Black 4 inch lounge shorts
Referring to a previous post, the lounge shorts appear to be a compromise between boxer shorts and the boxer brief with the mesh short fabric. Quite an interesting design and one that I like.
At this point, I have not tried to wear them under pants or jeans, as my intention was to wear the shorts by themselves. But I may try it. I have started to buy slim-fit pants and jeans, and I am not sure if these shorts will fit under them.
Burgundy 6 inch lounge shorts
As expected, the 4 inch inseam version shows more thigh. This version seems more like boxer briefs. The six-inch inseam seems more like gym shorts.
The Socks
I have noticed the range of colors and designs with socks. I typically have worn dark blue, grey, or black dress socks or ankle sports socks. The company sent a pair with more color and design than I have been used to wearing. As the socks came as a free gift with the order, I will try them.
A note on “high-water” pants
(It appears to be the current style (at the time of this writing in November 2019) to wear pants that are somewhat short to show off the shoes and socks. I will not adopt the “high-water” pants style.)
Conclusion
I am happy with my purchase. I think they will be a good option for wearing around the house and outside on warmer days. (At the time of this writing, it is nearly December (cold) where I live.)
While browsing Twitter one day, I saw a post on a model named Antoni Porowski. I did not know about Antoni, so I searched him on Google. I found that he has a website, www.antoniporowski.com, and that he is an actor, model, and chef, who has co-authored a cookbook, Antoni in the Kitchen.
As a home cook that relies on recipes, I was interested and bought a copy at Target.
I am also a fan of photography. (The book has food (as expected) and some model photography.) The topic of this blog is men’s fashion, and I thought I would provide an observation of Antoni’s fashion style from his photos.
Inspiration: Men’s Casual Clothing Favored by Antoni
It appears that Antoni favors a well-fitted, casual look–t-shirts (mostly without logos), slim-fit denim jeans, and white sneakers (without logos), mostly. One photo has a sharp brown leather jacket.
Colors that Antoni wears in shirts are mostly blue and white, with some tops being purple, grey, or light red.
I typically use recipes from America’s Test Kitchen, so that I am assured of a proper result (excepting my own (rare) mix-ups, lol). Many cookbooks have recipes that will not satisfy a home audience with children or will use up every pot and pan you have (overwork).
From a quick read, I was able to find some
delicious new recipes, so I am encouraged to look further and keep it as a
resource when planning meals for family and friends.
Conclusion
Were it not for the Twitter post I saw, I
would not have known about Antoni or his book. Antoni has a great background
and an interesting career path. I certainly wish him all the best.
For my readers, are you a home cook or do you
eat at restaurants? What are some of your favorite cookbooks, foods, or both?
Please follow this blog, like the post, and drop a comment.
In August 2020, Box Menswear added 4 new underwear styles to its product selection. In addition, there is a new model wearing the clothes in the promotional photos, Matt Luscious, a fitness model and YouTuber from Canada. Matt worked with Photographer Paul Jamnicky.
Check out the blog post for more information about the new range selections.
Continue on with this blog post, which describes the 2019 additions.
Introduction
Box Menswear, an e-commerce company based in Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
I will start with a discussion of the brand owner, Luke Mills. After that, I will present information about preparations for the sale started in October 2019 with a photo shoot in Texas. Following that, I will discuss Box Menswear’s new item releases.
Josh Watson (left) and Daniel Shoneye (right) in Box Menswear king fit boxers.Daniel, photo by Alex WightmanTrevor J. by Carlos “Trey” Salazar. Trevor wears Box Menswear briefs and football socks.
To see photos of the items, please go to the Box Menswear website, and see the Box Menswear Pinterest page.
The Box Menswear brand, founded in 2014, is part of the Misfits Group, Ltd. The Misfits Group, according to its LinkedIn page, has other brands– Misfit Cosmetics, Pretty Little Palettes, and Petite Prosecco.
Luke Mills Interview with Bang and Strike
Luke did an interview with one of the stores that stock Box Menswear product, Bang & Strike.
In the interview with Bang & Strike, Luke provided the inspiration for the name of the brand, Box.
I just wanted super duper soft boxer shorts, that you can wear all day. I used to get told off as a kid for putting my hand down my trousers and rearranging my bits and bobs in my boxer shorts as they get all tangled up and uncomfortable and stuff like that, and I wanted something that didn’t do that. The name comes from my mum, because one of the many words for your private parts was your ‘lunch box’. There is a statue above Lewis’s in Liverpool, and the statue is a naked man with his willy hanging out, and she always called that his ‘Lunch Box’.
Above is the sizing chart for Box Menswear clothing.
The Preparation: The Texas,
United States, Photoshoot
In October 2019, Box Menswear had a week-long photoshoot session in Texas in the United States of America. The group had 19 models and 5 photographers (and the Box Menswear owner, Luke).
The models: Dan Tai, Josh Watson, Josh Jakobs, Daniel Shoneye, Alex Grant, Reno Gold, Carlos Effort, Paul Cassidy, Seth Holbrook, Ridick, Kyle Hynick, Fran Dullon, Refugio Hernandez, Rossilino, Dan Soar, Braydan Ifould, Anthony Stefanelli, Mojib.
(As a side note, through social media posts, I discovered that some of the models traveled to the United States for the first time for this trip: Dan Tai (UK), Braydan Ifould (Australia), Carlos Effort (Spain), and Paul Cassidy (Slovakia). (If there are more, please let me know in the comments.))
The photographers: Alex Wightman, Peter Fletcher, Texas-based Carlos Salazar, Rafa, and Jake O’Donnell.
The photo shoot started in Dallas, Texas, and then in Austin, Texas.
Josh Watson and Anthony Stefanelli
During the photoshoot in Texas, among the photos were some demonstrating the height differences among the models. Some photos feature models Josh Watson and Anthony Stefanelli. Josh is 6’4″ or 1.93 meters; Anthony is 5’3″ or 1.60 meters. The difference in height makes for striking photos.
Models Josh Watson and Anthony Stefanelli. Photos: (left) Box Menswear Instagram, (right) by Alex Wightman.
Mojib and Mario Andrion
In 2021, Mojib (1.67 meters, 5’6″) was in Tulum, Mexico with Model and YouTuber Mario Andrion (1.89 meters, 6’2″).
Daniel Shoneye and Fit Media Productions
In 2021, Model Daniel Shoneye was featured in an abdominal workout video for the YouTube channel, Fit Media Productions.
In 2022, Daniel demonstrated proper form for push-ups (press-ups).
Josh Watson’s Interview with Only Fans
Josh Watson had an interview with Only Fans. In the interview, Josh discusses his background as well as his favorite activities.
Micah E. Williams and James Loy for Fashionably Male Blog
Box Menswear has released new items for sale:
loungewear, new selections in underwear, and two items related to a campaign
for a UK organization, the National AIDS Trust.
Loungewear: Leggings and Lounge
or Pajama Shorts
Loungewear appears to be a popular clothing
category. The clothing is designed for wearing in one’s home–chilling after a
workday, dressing for a work-from-home day, or just for watching TV or doing
house chores. The clothing appears to be related to pajamas, or sleep clothing,
because you can wear these clothes to sleep in.
The key is that the clothing should look neat,
as stated in an article by Men’s Health.
Box Menswear has responded to this requirement with two items, leggings, and
lounge (or pajama) shorts.
Loungewear: Total Comfort Lounge
Leggings
In the loungewear category, Box Menswear has two colors for the Total Comfort Lounge Leggings available for sale, grey, and white, The fabric used for the leggings is new for the company. Box Menswear underwear typically has 92 percent cotton and 8 percent spandex.
The fabric in the leggings is 95 percent bamboo cotton and 5 percent spandex. According to the company description of the leggings, the fabric is “super soft bamboo cotton material” which are designed to “keep your legs warm without feeling restricted.”
Fran Dullon in Texas
The leggings are designed to be worn by itself
or with shorts. The issue is how a guy would feel having his manhood visible to
the world. I did a quick search engine search and found an article at Men’s Health,
where the author, Brett Williams, asked staff on their opinions on how to wear
leggings in the gym. Most of the guys’ questions would choose to wear shorts
over the leggings in public. The author ultimately decided to wear the leggings
by themselves–but with a shirt big enough to cover his manhood.
The colors that Box Menswear has for sale, grey and white could be more revealing without shorts and a grueling, sweaty workout at the gym or for an outdoor run. One of the photos on the webpage has Ridick in soaking-wet leggings. The fabric becomes transparent, and the fabric does become somewhat revealing in the manhood area but not totally.
[So, dear reader, what is your say, leggings with or without shorts? Drop a comment with your thoughts.]
Loungewear: Men’s Lounge (Pajama
or Bed) Shorts
In a previous post on this blog, I reviewed the various styles of men’s underwear, One style reviewed was the boxer shorts, and the Bed Shorts resemble this style.
Dan Tai
Dan Tai. Photographer: Rafa
The Box Menswear Bed (Lounge or Pajama) Shorts, you can sleep in them and do house- or apartment-related things wearing them. The fabric for these shorts is bamboo cotton. The lounge short come is two sizes only (small-medium and large-XL) because of the loose design. The shorts do not have pockets.
Note: The shorts that Dan Tai wears are no longer available. Box offers a different styles of pajama shorts on its website.
For the leggings, there is a struggle for the guy to decide if he wants to show the outline of his manhood to the public. With Box Menswear’s Totally See-Through Mesh Shorts, the option is left to a guy to wear underwear, jockstraps, or nothing at all under the shorts.
(The fabric content for these fishnet-style shorts is not mentioned in the product description.)
Men’s Underwear: Boxer Briefs
While the product descriptions at Box Menswear have “boxers”, the fit of the Box Menswear boxers is actually a boxer brief. Boxer shorts have a full fit, while the Box boxer fit close to the body. For more discussion about this distinction, you can read my previous blog post.
Men’s Underwear: Box Menswear King Fit Boxers
With the new items, Box Menswear added the color black to its existing king fit boxers range, which previously was only available in white.
The fabric content is for the body of the boxers, 96 percent Bamboo Viscose and 4 percent Elastane. For the vent, 88 percent Polyamide and 12 percent Spandex.
The King Fit Boxers are available in two lengths, 4 inches and 6 inches.
These boxers are fitted, so the company advises sizing up on them. The size range runs from small to 2XL.
In addition, Box Menswear added a king fit boxer selection with a mesh panel, for more-daring guys.
The largest portion of the new release involved jockstraps, a style of underwear that I reviewed briefly on a previous blog post.
Box Menswear’s products already includes jockstraps, but this version has a ribbed texture. The fabric content is the typical Box Menswear combination, 92 percent cotton and 8 percent Spandex.
The colors available are cobalt, pale plum, blackout, burgundy, light grey, military green, pale pink, and red.
[Readers: I am curious about these transparent items, jockstraps and the boxers. Readers, please share your thoughts in the comments. If this is a fashion trend, it would be interesting to hear more about it. My thought is that these are more-intimate items for use with significant others.]
Men’s Underwear: Box Menswear
Thongs
I reviewed thongs briefly in a previous blog post. The Box Menswear thong was created based on customer requests. The fabric content appears to be the same as the king fit boxers. The thong is transparent in black and in white.
[The request from customers and brand fans for
a transparent thong may have answered, in part, my question about these
transparent items. The reason for liking these garments is still not revealed.
I am interested in hearing from readers about transparent, or see-through,
underwear.]
Men’s Underwear: Red on Red Jockstrap and Briefs
Box Menswear with the red on red jockstrap and briefs is donating a portion of each sale to the UK-based National AIDS Trust in support of World AIDS Day on December 2, 2019.
The fabric content of both the jockstrap and
briefs is 92 percent cotton and 8 percent Spandex. The waistband for these
items are slightly wider than the other jockstraps and briefs.
In addition, to having a new range for sale, the company has existing product lines for sale, sports shorts, socks, boxer briefs, jockstraps, briefs, trunks, swimming trunks, and swimming briefs.
Box Menswear: Sports Shorts
When I first learned about Box Menswear, I first looked at the sports shorts 2.0 collection. While these can be worn for athletic pursuits, these shorts could be worn as lounge shorts or as even a trimmer form of the boxer shorts, as discussed in a previous blog post. The fabric content is 92 percent Elastane and 8 percent Spandex.
The Box Menswear sports shorts have a trimmer fit in black, and the company recommends that a customer size up to ensure a good fit. If the customer prefers a looser fit, the company recommends white sports shorts.
The sports shorts 2.0 are different from the previous Box sports shorts in that the shorts are label free. As a result, the shorts could be worn as underwear.
Model: Johnny Bronco. Photographer: Carlos Campos. Bodysuit (sleeveless), ES Collection.Laszlo Kiraly in 2015; Photographer: Marc SpielbergModel: Joel. Photographer: Paul Jamnicky
Box Menswear Singlets
In 2022, Box Menswear added singlets to its range. The fabric composition is 87 percent polyester and 13 percent elastane.
I was on Instagram page of a physique competitor, Filou Fitt. In one of his photos, he was wearing a bodysuit. A number of commenters wanted information about the outfit.
(The maker of the bodysuit may have been MW Bodywear. The bodysuit is no longer available for sale.)
Multiple Names for the Bodysuit
After reading those comments, I wanted to find out more about the bodysuit. The styling of the bodysuit is somewhat close to the wrestling singlet (which has an athletic function). While researching, I found that there are a number of ways to refer to the garment:
Onesie
One-piece
Singlet
Bodysuit
Union suit
Each name refers to a garment that looks like the garment Mr. Fitt wore, but none were an exact match. In addition, search engine searches for these garments are relatively low compared with the overall search term of men’s underwear. The wrestling singlet and the bodysuit had relatively more people searching on these terms.
There is a range of options with the bodysuit/singlet, from the athletic to the intimate. I discuss some examples below (The Attraction of the Bodysuit / Singlet).
Bodysuit with Pockets: The One by Australia-based Teamm8
Australia-based brand Teamm8 has a bodysuit with pockets, called The One. The fabric composition is 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Elastane. The One comes with a drawstring detail which would allow others to think that it was sweatpants (long version) or gym shorts (short version), if the wearer wore a jacket or t-shirt over The One.
Jorge Cobian, according to an article in DNA Magazine, is from Cuba, 22 years old (at the time the article was published in 2020), and is a dancer and acrobat. Jorge lives in the Canary Islands.
Jorge had another photoshoot published at the Fashionably Male blog.
Jumpsuit by Code 22
Code 22, a brand based in Spain, has a bodysuit (jumpsuit) designed with the top resembling a jacket and the bottom like jeans with pockets. The fabric composition is 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Elastane.
Barcode Berlin
Barcode Berlin, a sport and fetish wear brand based in Berlin, Germany, sells wrestling singlets.
The Men and Underwear store offers one of Barcode Berlin’s singlet styles for buyers (left).
Pros and Cons of the Bodysuit
I think that a benefit of the bodysuit is that it can enhance the look of a fit body. A disadvantage of the garment is its impracticality. The wearer would have to take off all the clothing on top to use the washroom. Perhaps, however if the wearer wore it alone at home, this would not be a concern.
This also could be avoided by separating the singlet–a tank
top and boxer briefs or compression shorts.
The Attraction of the Bodysuit / Singlet
Still, there is something about the singular garment. In doing Internet searches for examples of a bodysuit, I found some examples that I liked—one from Colombia-based Mundo Único.
Another is from Go Software, called the lumber jack onesy (no longer available).
Go Softwear’s Lumber Jack Onesy
N2N Bodywear offered a wrestling singlet, which will be familiar to wrestlers or wrestling fans, the GX2 New Horizon singlet. (Note: This singlet may not be available.)
Modus Vivendi offered a singlet with a short inseam for the legs.
The Maskulo page does mention the clothing’s strong athletic connection. (The models there definitely love bodybuilding.)
Conclusion
The bodysuit appears to be a niche garment with a loyal following. There is a range from the athletic to more-intimate with this clothing. The garment’s athletic connection may well add to the demand for the bodysuit.
What do you think—are bodysuits practical for everyday wear or just special occasions?
Introduction: What Style or Type of Men’s Underwear Should I Wear?
Curious about some of the styles available in men’s underwear? You should find some information in this post. It’s an exciting time in the underwear market with different styles and colors available.
Please continue reading for a review of what I found that could be helpful as you search for styles you want to try.
Styles of Men’s Underwear
The styles of men underwear that will be discussed in this blog post are–
I found information for this post in a journal article, Datta, Dibyendu Bikash (2018), A Review of Men’s Underwear Styles and Its Various Fabrics, Trends in Textile and Fashion Design, 2 (2)-2018, June 18.
While doing research for this post, I found a New York Times article by Journalist Max Berlinger, in which he reviewed some underwear brands.
After the publication of this post, I wrote a post on the history of Calvin Klein advertising in Times Square, New York City.
Andrei Gutiérrez, a mens physique competitor and engineering student, from Mexico. Briefs, Calvin Klein.Nico Zetta, from Argentina. Briefs, Calvin Klein.
Roger Zacha, a personal trainer from Cyprus, is a physio student in The Netherlands and the model for Walking Jack´s photoshoot for the brand’s Ash Collection. The photographer is Louis C.
There are many brands of men’s underwear, among the most popular is from PVH Corp. , which owns some of the most popular brands like Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger. Another brand is Lacoste.
The brand offers two underwear types: boxers and briefs. The fabric composition is 94 percent polyester and 6 percent Elastane. Sizes run from small to large. The colors on offer are navy and army green.
The brand has a chat function on its website. I was able to receive a response in a reasonable time.
The underwear runs small, so if you enjoy squats and deadlifts, the underwear may be too small. The underwear stretches horizontally but not so much vertically.
In 2022, Marcuse added a new brief to its range, the super-low rise Astra Brief, available at Men and Underwear store.
Daniil Mazunin
The model in the Marcuse video is Daniil Mazunin, a muscular model from the Russian Federation.
Also, read an editorial at the Men and Underwear blog, with photos of Daniil in Marcuse Astra briefs by Photographer Pavel Lepikhin.
JOR
JOR is a menswear brand based in Colombia, South America. In underwear, the brand offers–bikinis, boxers, briefs, g-strings, and thongs. The brand also sells swimwear and activewear.
Code 22 is an underwear brand based in Spain. The company released briefs and trunks in military-inspired colors. The model is Aritz Aren; the photographer is Joan Crisol.
Boxer shorts started in 1925 and were known as “shorts for boxers”. The length of the shorts extended to mid-thigh. The benefit of the boxer short was its baggy style, which allowed for ample airflow. The disadvantage was this baggy form because the fabric bunched up under the top clothing.
Boxer shorts are still available. The design has moved more toward a closer-to-the-body fit in the current style (for example, the Bang and Strike Hard Times boxer. The slim fit allows the wearer to wear slim-fit or skinny pants or jeans.
Where the boxer shorts had a full fit, briefs were designed for a close-to-the-body fit and support. Also, briefs showed more of the thighs than boxer shorts.
(Based on my casual observation of Instagram models and photographers, the brief is popular.)
Sam Worth and Ross Hindmarch by Photographer Rokas Darulis
Briefs were introduced in the 1930s. Briefs provide comfort through air circulation and overall snug support.
In the 1990s, fashion moved toward low-rise pants and jeans. So the low-rise brief was developed to go with these garments. The waistband for the low-rise briefs sits at the hip level.
This style suits everyday purposes as well as more-active pursuits.
The boxer brief was a relatively more-recent development, starting in the 1990s by fashion designer John Varvatos. The boxer brief is in the mid-point between the traditional baggy boxer shorts and the snug fit of briefs.
Trunks were a style originally associated with swimming and boxing (worn under boxer’s shorts) since the 1940s. Since the 1990s, the trunk is used in sport and in everyday wear. The shape of the trunk appears to be close to the slim-fit boxer.
Check out the trunks available at Walking Jack, an underwear brand based in Greece. Walking Jack released the Bluebird Collection in which the trunks and briefs are all in a rich hue of blue (95 percent cotton and 5 percent Elastane).
Read a blog post (with Roger Zacha (left-column photos)) and another (with Aggelos Pirikkis (two photos on the right)) for more details.
Jockstraps
The jockstrap was designed for cyclists, starting in 1888, to prevent saddle sores. The jockstrap leaves the gluteus exposed but provides support for the body parts in the front. At first, the front of the jockstrap was hard but then the front became soft and flexible.
Josh Watson and Anthony Stefanelli compare heights
The jockstrap is perfect for active pursuits, if the wearer is comfortable with having the glutes exposed, and for more-intimate activities. For example, see the range available at Jack Adams.
The Men and Underwear blog has an article about the “Naked Underwear” release from Teamm8, an Australia-based brand. Among the selections in the release are jockstraps.
Like the jockstrap, the gluteus is more exposed with a thong. The exception is that the backside of the briefs is removed (G-Strings even less), leaving a thinner portion of the fabric in the back center of the garment.
In August 2020, Box Menswear entered the men’s lingerie category with a new g-string.
(I briefly discussed these items as people who favor them are a select market. A targeted Internet search will lead the interested reader to examples.)
Also like the jockstrap, the thong is for active pursuits (see examples at Jack Adams).
The purpose of the blog post is to give the reader an idea of the range of options available to men researching what type of underwear to wear. Most can be worn every day. A new possibility is wearing mesh shorts as underwear.
What styles or brands are your favorites? If you favor one style, what style are you willing to try out and why?
Welcome to the Menswear Newsletter. I am Andre, and my work experience has nothing to do with fashion. But I have gained casually researched for clothes on the Internet that I bought for myself. My wardrobe needs a refresh, so I am searching for clothes to buy.
I started my career in print journalism, working at a newsletter publication, with a focus on law. Print media transitioned to the Internet during my career. Then text-based journalism fell into a crisis, with the loss of many jobs. I ultimately had to leave journalism to work elsewhere but I loved the writing process and being able to present information to readers.
While I maintained my writing for personal pursuits, I always wanted to return to newsletter-style writing.
In mid-2019, I started doing part-time social media work for a United Kingdom-based e-commerce company, Box Menswear. A lot of the work is interesting, as I have to learn and execute on social media posting and social media marketing tasks–search engine optimization, social media platforms, creating GIFs, and other things. (Note: This blog is my own work.)
The result is that I can combine my personal search for new men’s clothing and to continue my learning of social media-related subjects.
My thought is that I would begin with some subjects I have interest in, and then see what happens.
I am happy to start, and I hope that my writings bring some value to you.
The Menswear Newsletter