Buying New Underwear: The Urgent Need

Buying New Underwear: The Urgent Need

We’ve all been there. A huge pile of laundry, no time to wash them, and suddenly, you realize that your underwear drawer is looking a bit empty. It’s an all-too-common scenario, and the solution is simple: head to the nearest department store and buy some new underwear.

Recently, I found myself in this situation and decided to visit Macy’s, a department store that is nearest to my apartment, to buy some t-shirts and some boxer-briefs. Typically, I shop online. However, at that point, time was of the essence. I went to the men’s underwear department, looking for t-shirts and boxers.

I went intending to find black Calvin Klein boxer briefs and a set of 3 t-shirts and get out of the store. At Macy´s, I did not see Calvin Klein boxer briefs. I saw Tommy Hilfiger and Nike.

I did not see any styles of Tommy Hilfiger that I liked. So, I decided to go with the Nike brand. Why? In doing my stories for this blog, I noticed many influencers wearing Nike boxers and trunks in their social media posts. I was curious to try it.

Male fitness model Ricardo poses in the afternoon sun.
Ricardo O. by Photographer Aldo Vazquez. Ricardo wears Nike boxer briefs.

Comfortable and Durable Boxer Briefs from Nike

There were many styles in the Nike section-boxers, boxer briefs, trunks, briefs. I found a three pack of trunks, Dri-FIT Essential Micro, in the colors black, blue, and grey. The fabric composition is 92 percent reprocessed polyester and 8 percent elastane. The fabric has a soft, silky feel. The fabric is typical for workout underwear.

In addition to the comfort and durability, I was also drawn to the sleek design of these boxer briefs. They are simple, yet stylish, and come in a range of colors to suit any taste. I chose black, blue, and gray. The cost was US$45.

What is repossessed polyester?

Reprocessed polyester (rPet) is fabric made from empty plastic bottles.

Completing the Look with T-Shirts from Tommy Hilfiger and Hanes

Having settled on the trunks, I turned my attention to finding some new t-shirts. I was looking for a variety of styles and brands. I found t-shirts from both Tommy Hilfiger and Hanes, two large, well-known men’s clothing brands. In fact, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein belong to the same corporate owner, PVH Corporation. I guess that is why I could not find both at Macy’s.

I noticed that there was a five pack in the box, so I picked that one (US$69.50). 

Needing some t-shirts to replace some old ones, I picked up a set of five Hanes t-shirts (US$42.00).

Conclusion

In the end, while the prices were a bit higher than I expected, my trip to Macy’s was a success. I was able to find exactly what I was looking for, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchases. The Nike boxer briefs are comfortable, durable, and stylish, and the Tommy Hilfiger and Hanes t-shirts are perfect for everyday wear. If you’re in a similar situation, head to Macy’s and check out their selection of underwear and t-shirts. You won’t regret it!

What are some of your go-to brands for daily wear? Are you on point with your laundry days? Let me know in the comments.

Mens Underwear (2023): Adam Smith New York’s Saltire Collection

Mens Underwear (2023): Adam Smith New York’s Saltire Collection

Introduction

Adam Smith New York, a menswear brand based in New York, offers its Saltire Collection. The Scottish Highlands inspires the collection. The brand uses polyester and elastane in the Saltire group for durability and 4-way stretch. There are five styles available:

  • Bikini
  • Briefs
  • Boxer briefs
  • Combo Trunks
  • Trunks.

You can purchase the underwear through the brand’s website and the Men and Underwear Store.

Model Rodolfo Valentino. Photographer Gavin Harrison. (More photos from this photo shoot)
Model: Ulysses Blaanco. Photographer: Fernando Landin

Fabric Composition

Jason Hoeung, the founder of 2Eros and Supawear, made a YouTube video comparing polyester and polyamide (nylon). Jason states that polyester is suitable for daily wear underwear and workouts. Polyamide is ideal for comfortable underwear.

FeaturePolyesterPolyamide (Nylon)
Durable, lightweightYes, smooth feelYes, though gentler and softer on the skin than polyester
Water-resistantYesYes. It absorbs water but dries faster as it is a synthetic material.
Holds color wellYesYes
Easy to washYes, highly stain resistantYes. It absorbs moisture, but it is easy to wash stains away.

In comparison, Calvin Klein combined polyester and polyamide in the CK One. (Note: I own some pairs of the boxer briefs.). The fabric composition of the CK One is 58 percent polyamide, 30 percent polyester, and 12 percent elastane. The fit is close to the body and comfortable; the material is light and flexible. The feel of the fabric is smooth. The color is deep blue (Perth Blue).

If you are interested in the fabrics used in making men’s underwear, see a link located in another blog post.

Saltire Collection

Saltire Collection StyleSizesFabric Composition
BikiniS, M, L, XL78 percent polyester, 22 percent elastane
BriefsS, M, L, XL78 percent polyester, 22 percent elastane
Boxer briefsS, M, L, XL78 percent polyester, 22 percent elastane
Combo trunksS, M, L, XL78 percent polyester, 22 percent elastane
TrunksS, M, L, XL78 percent polyester, 22 percent elastane

You should be aware that the size range is a bit smaller overall for the Saltire Collection than the other Adam Smith collection.

Size Chart

Photo Shoot: Water Polo Athlete and Model Rodolfo Valentino and Photographer Gavin Harrison

Adam Smith’s photo shoot model is Rodolfo Valentino, a water polo athlete from Italy. Rodolfo lives in the United Kingdom.

The photographer is Gavin Harrison.

Location: Leicester, UK.

Photos

Conclusion

Are you looking for a plaid addition to your underwear collection? Give the Saltire Collection a try. If you try the Saltire Collection, drop a comment below and tell us your experience.

Mens Underwear (2023): Shortys Apparel

Mens Underwear (2023): Shortys Apparel

Table of Contents

Introduction

Jordan Morello is an online fitness coach, social media personality, cookbook author, and apparel brand owner, Shortys Apparel.

Jordan’s social media pages are on his link page.

What does Shortys Apparel Sell?

Why Shortys Apparel?

Shortys Apparel is a brand to consider because you work with the owner directly.

In one of his videos, Jordan showed the room in his house where he stores his product for sales. He also shows where he packages an order for customers.

It is also good to see Jordan wear Shortys clothing as he does his day or workout tasks.

Jordan Morello’s leg-day workout. Shorts, Shortys Apparel’s Hammocks (boxer briefs).
Jordan Morello tries on his brand’s clothing.

Fabric Composition of Shortys Apparel Underwear

Shortys calls its boxer briefs “Hammocks.” The fabric composition of Shortys boxer briefs is 95 percent Modal and 5 percent Spandex.

Benefits of Modal

Benefits of Spandex

  • Elasticity

If you are interested in the fabrics used in making men’s underwear, see a link located in another blog post.

See a separate post for a mention of Jason Hoeung, the owner of 2Eros and Supawear in Australia, who made a video explaining the features of modal and elastane in men’s underwear.

Colors of Shortys Apparel’s Boxer Briefs

At the time of this post, the colors for sale are white and navy blue. Jordan announced on a YouTube post that Shorty’s would add three colors: light blue, coral (light red), and grey.

The brand added new underwear in June 2022.

My Order

I placed an order for four Hammocks boxer briefs after Shortys Apparel released the new colors. Ordering from the website (built with Shopify) was straightforward. I received my order within three days.

The underwear is made in China. The fabric is silky smooth and stretchy, which Jordan demonstrated in his try-on videos.

Photo Shoot with Photographer Stevan Reyes

Jordan announced in a YouTube video that Shortys will be expanding its product offerings.

To capture images of the new products, Jordan had a photo shoot in a cabin (The Love Lodge Lithia) with Florida Photographer Stevan Reyes.

Jordan by Photographer Stevan Reyes.

Note: Jordan and Stevan released The Adonis Project on December 25, 2021. The first round of the joint project ended in January 2022. You can sign up for updates on the next release.

Photo by Stevan Reyes.

Photos of Shortys Hammocks Boxer Briefs

Conclusion

What color of Shortys boxer briefs was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

NYC Male Model: Kyle Ehrensberger

NYC Male Model: Kyle Ehrensberger

Introduction

Kyle Ehrensberger is a male model and aspiring actor in New York City. Kyle is 6 feet tall (1.83 meters) and has an athletic background in U.S. football.

He is also a college graduate, with a major in corporate security.

Relaxing

Management

Kyle is represented by Joe Flowers Talent.

Photo Shoots

Eduardo Fermin

The blog has a post on New York City Photographer Eduardo Fermin. Kyle had a photo shoot session with Eduardo in New York City and in a studio environment.

Michael A. Downs

Kyle traveled to Miami Beach, Florida, to have a photo session with Photographer Michael A. Downs.

Kevin D. Hoover

Kevin Hoover is a New York City-based photographer.

Check out an article in DNA, a magazine, which features an interview with Kevin and Kyle as well as additional photos from the photo session.

Balthier Corfi

Balthier Corfi is a New York City-based photographer.

Gustavo Mirabile

Gustavo Mirabile is a photographer based in New York City.

Conclusion

Based on the number of photo shoots Kyle has had, he is finding his way in modeling. I wish him well.

Is there a photograph that is your favorite? Tell me which one in the comments.

Mens Essentials-Basic, Everyday Underwear Brands

Mens Essentials-Basic, Everyday Underwear Brands

The desire today is to express one’s individuality through clothing. This desire extends to underwear. Many brands focus on creating basic, everyday men’s underwear, sold in department stores and online. It can get confusing to know that these brands are available, so I have tried to collect the brands into one post for your convenience.

The basic forms of men’s underwear are briefs, trunks, boxer briefs, and boxer shorts. (Read a separate blog post on the styles and types of men’s underwear for more information.)

Brands

Sold in Physical Stores (and Online)

PVH Corporation: Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger

Although Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger are separate brands, these brands have the same owner, PVH Corporation.

Calvin Klein started in New York in 1968. According to the PVH Corp. website, the Calvin Klein brand had US$9.4 billion in retail sales (2019). PVH Corp. acquired Calvin Klein in 2003.

Calvin Klein underwear ads were forward. (I did a blog post on Calvin Klein’s relationship in Times Square, New York City.)

Kyle Hynick by Jade Young
Fitness model Kyle Hynick from Canada poses in front of an electronic billboard in public for a photoshoot with Photographer Jade Young.
Kyle Hynick in pre-pandemic Times Square, NYC. Photographer: Jade Young.

Calvin Klein is sold to all men with all kinds of body types. Typical colors are black, white, and blue. There are reds and oranges in the lineup.

Model; Benjamin Hernandez, fisicoculturista / bodybuilder. Photographer; Rik Ibarrola.
Model: Derek Yates. Photographer: Carlos “Trey” Salazar.
Model: Shane Crommer. Boxer Briefs, Calvin Klein.
Model: Josh Riquelme. Photographer: Peter Rock
Model: Nick Sandell. Photographer: Michael Hallenbeck.
Model: Erick Bolivar. Photographer: Pavel Anton.
Model: Franco Mayorga (aka Kito), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Model: Andrei Gutiérrez, a mens physique competitor and engineering student in Mexico.
Nico Zetta, Argentina. Photo by Mano Martinez.
Model: Clark Reid. Photographer: Carlos “Trey” Salazar.

Model: Law Student and Fitness Influencer Richard Duchon.
Model: Matthew Summer.

The Tommy Hilfiger brand started in 1985. It started as a department store brand. PVH Corp. acquired the brand in 2013.

Notably, Tommy Hilfiger brand has professional tennis player Rafael Nadal as a model for its clothing. The brand had US$9.2 billion in retail sales (2019).

Tommy Hilfiger brand underwear comes in solid colors or with printed designs.

Photos of Josh Riquelme by Photographer Peter Rock.

Kito Shelby, Argentina

Kito Shelby is a football player, model, and personal trainer who lives in Argentina, South America.

Lacoste

Lacoste is a France-based brand that is closely associated with tennis. However, its clothing has fans among the general public as well.

Actor KJ Apa is the brand ambassador.

Model and Actor: KJ Apa.

Moschino

Moschino is a clothing brand based in Italy. The brand sells briefs and boxer briefs at a higher price point.

Bang and Strike

Bang and Strike started in 2006 as a retailer of men’s underwear. In 2019, the organization decided to focus on selling its stock of men’s basic underwear.

The focus of the brand is “to create a brand that had a familiar yet modern feel and that was uncomplicated, clean cut and aspirational. Underwear for guys that appreciate low key style.”

Stance

Stance started in 2009 with selling socks with vibrant colors and designs. Later, the brand offered boxer briefs and other clothing for sale. The brand offers two types of boxer briefs, one with an internal pouch (the “Wholester) and the boxer brief. The brand calls the fabric used to make its boxer briefs the “butter blend,” 66 percent modal, 26 percent lyocell, and 8 percent elastane.

Hanesbrands, Inc

Hanesbrands, Inc., owns three brands: Hanes, Champion, and Bonds (in Australia). The company started in 1901. The company notes that it manufactures 70 percent of the clothes it sells. The brand offers boxer briefs, boxer shorts, and briefs.

Jockey

Jockey started in 1876 and is based in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The brand’s underwear is sold in major department stores. The brand has a wide selection of underwear, from boxer briefs to thongs.

Fruit of the Loom

The Fruit of the Loom brand started in 1851. The company focused on producing textiles in Rhode Island. Later, the brand made underwear and other clothing. The company protected the brand name under trademark in 1871. The Berkshire Hathaway Group acquired the brand in 2002.

Muchachomalo

Muchachomalo is a brand based in the Netherlands. The brand name translates to “bad boy” in Spanish. The idea for the brand is to place art based on life and feelings on the underwear, suggesting that the bad boy wears underwear to be shown. The brand has solid colors for sale.

The brand sells boxer briefs and trunks for men.

E-Commerce

Bang!

Bang! is a clothing brand based in Miami, Florida. The brand offers vibrant colors and designs in its underwear and activewear, and swimwear.

Walking Jack

Walking Jack is an underwear brand based in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2018. I wrote previous blog articles about Walking Jack:

The goal of the brand is to improve the fabric, fit, and feel of basic, everyday underwear. The underwear is made in Portugal.

The pouch is contoured to fit the male anatomy perfectly. It offers support and room exactly where every man needs it most.

Almost all our seams are flat lock to avoid any friction or irritation against your skin.

It took years of research, effort, and hard work to create the garments you buy from us.

We source the best materials, fabrics, and manufacturers so we can offer our customers nothing but the best.

We are present in every part of the production and look after every detail.”

Walking Jack website

The brand has underwear styles in black, white, blue. Printed designs are also available.

Adam Smith

Adam Smith is a brand based in New York City. The creator is Yasemin De Mirci, who created underwear based on discussions with men explaining what they wanted in underwear.

The brand has several collections, each with its targeted style. In the Basic Collection, the brand offers boxer shorts, boxer trunks, briefs, and trunks.

Ballistic Menswear

I wrote a previous post about this Canada-based brand. The brand sells boxer briefs and briefs.

Unsimply Stitched

Unsimply Stitched is a brand based in Los Angeles, California.

The brand offers boxer briefs with a wide selection of designs. (The company sells socks as well.)


How often to change underwear?

Daily. Underwear and socks should be washed after each wearing.

How often should guys replace underwear?

Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, has some top tips on when to replace items – not just for cleanliness, but also to get the best out of them.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘Generally speaking, and this applies to any garment, how often you replace your underwear will depend on how many pieces you have in your rotation, how well made they are.

‘How well you care for them is also key. Don’t throw items away simply because you’ve read that they need replacing every year. You’ll save yourself a lot more money in the long run.’

Avoiding Fashion Waste: Recycling Used Underwear

The World Economic Forum encourages the recycling of washed, used underwear to address the issue of textile waste.

“What do you do with your unwanted underwear? Chances are you throw them away.

Now a clothing company in Philadelphia, US, says it’s time to stop casting our undergarments aside. About 5 million kilogrammes of unwanted underwear ends up in landfill sites across the US every day, according to The Big Favorite.

It says it’s bringing circularity to underwear – “the one category remaining that can’t be donated or resold” – by encouraging customers to return their old undies to the company for recycling instead of throwing them away.”

Conclusion

The market for men’s underwear is huge, with many brands available for purchase. Do you have a favorite brand? Write about it in the comments.

Mens Black Underwear: Apixt, Reliable Essentials

Update: Delivery

I received my order on 8-August 2022.

Introduction

Feel comfortable in reliable black underwear?

You are not alone. I have found that black underwear is still a popular choice. You pick out a pair from the drawer, dress yourself, and go about your day.

I have found out that there is a new brand that would offer only briefs, trunks, and boxer briefs in black: Apixt. The brand has a Kickstarter campaign. The campaign has a US$3,000 goal, with a May 21, 2021, deadline.

What Makes Apixt Special?

  • The underwear is designed to feel like a second skin.
  • Environmentally sustainable fabric: made from the hulls of soybeans.
  • The underwear is made in Europe, with SILVERPLUS technology.

Read more about Apixt’s basics collection at Kickstarter.

Men’s Underwear 2021: Men and Underwear, the Shop– An Order Review

Men’s Underwear 2021: Men and Underwear, the Shop– An Order Review

Introduction

While preparing a blog post for Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection, I decided to order one of the Bluebird Collection to see how it feels in real life.

I placed an order through the store associated with the Men and Underwear blog. I have been a longtime fan of the blog, so I knew the blog had a store associated with it. The blog is based in Greece and sells Walking Jack, a brand also based in Greece.

As Men and Underwear, the shop, is located in Greece, the prices are in euros. I paid through PayPal, which performs the currency exchange.

My order: Walking Jack and Bluebuck

I ordered a Bluebird Collection trunk (23 euros) and two of the trunks in the Fern Print Collection (25 euros). Separately, I had been looking at the brick trunk by Bluebuck (29 euros), a brand based in the United Kingdom. I decided to include it in the order.

Delivery through DHL

For delivery, I chose DHL, a more-expensive delivery option (18 euros). Given the distance between Greece and the United States, I preferred the shorter delivery time, with location tracking. I ordered on July 14 and I received the package through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on July 18. (DHL delivered to its District of Columbia office and then used the USPS to deliver to my home through Priority Mail.)

The Reveal

My order arrived in a yellow and white DHL plastic envelope, with four packages inside. There was also a small bag of gummy bear candy in the envelope. The Walking Jack underwear was packed inside dark blue envelopes and the Bluebuck came inside a recyclable clear bag.

Walking Jack

The Walking Jack underwear. The Fern Print collection has a fabric composition of 90 percent polyester and 10 percent Elastane. The fabric feels really soft and the stitching is neat. The Fern Print trunk almost has a boxer-brief type fit, which is perfect for me.

The Bluebird collection also has excellent production quality and a soft feel to the fabric. The Bluebird is slightly shorter than the fern print and has a snug fit. The amount of stretch is on point.

I had a concern that the underwear would be smaller than the size shown. With relief, this was not an issue. The size I picked fit well.

Walking Jack underwear is made in Portugal.

Bluebuck

Bluebuck uses recycled polyester in its fabric. The fabric composition is 46 percent cotton, 46 percent polyester—from plastic recovered from the ocean (material by Seaqual), and 8 percent Elastane. The Bluebuck trunks are lightweight, have a nice color and a soft feel. The trunks fit well. The lighter fabric is perfect for hot, summer days.

Like Walking Jack, Bluebuck underwear is made in Portugal.

Conclusion

I have been a reader and fan of Men and Underwear for many years. I had pages saved on my internet browser of underwear that I wanted to try. With trying out Walking Jack, I was able to try out the store associated with the blog and to add in one from my saved list to my order.

I am impressed with the quality of Walking Jack and Bluebuck, and I am happy with my purchase. If you are looking for new brands to try out, I recommend both. Check out my blog post on the Bluebird Collection.

Let me know your favorite brands by email or in the comment section.

Men’s Underwear 2023: Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection

Men’s Underwear 2023: Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection

Introduction

Walking Jack is an underwear brand based in Greece. The underwear is designed in Greece and made in Portugal. The brand applies a modern take on classic men’s underwear. The Bluebird is available in the following styles: trunk, brief, and solid brief.

I am a fan of blue and the underwear looks great. I am interested in trying on a pair of the trunk style. (See another post with my personal review.)

Stathis Kapa

Stathis Kapa is a fitness model from Greece. In 2022, he modeled Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection briefs.

Find more posts about Stathis at Men and Underwear Blog.

Bluebird Collection Photo Campaign

Walking Jack had a photo shoot for its Bluebird Collection. The model was Roger Zacha, a physiotherapy student in the Netherlands. The photographer was Louis C. The photos were taken in Cyprus.

Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection

Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection offers an all-blue design, with a fabric composition of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Elastane. Also, underwear in the Bluebird Collection offers a longer waistband and a lined pouch.

The underwear is suitable for the gym and daily wear, an indication that the underwear can be worn to work and school as well as to a workout (gym or at home).

Size Chart

Walking Jack has a wide variety of sizes from Small (27-29 in or 70-75 cm) to XXL (36-39 in or 91-99 cm).

Shipping

Walking Jack delivers worldwide. I live in the United States. According to Walking Jack’s website, I would be in zone 4. The shipping fee would be 6.50 euros (registered post) for an expected delivery time of 10 to 14 business days or 20 euros for an expected delivery time of 2 to 4 business days. As I use the U.S. dollar, there is an international currency exchange element.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery can be affected. Walking Jack provides a delivery advisory for customers to review.

Conclusion

The Bluebird Collection is a great new addition to Walking Jack’s product lineup. The shade of blue selected for the collection is on point.

If you are looking for something new to add to your wardrobe, consider the Bluebird Collection.

Times Square, New York City, and Calvin Klein

Times Square, New York City, and Calvin Klein

The Influence of CK on Underwear Advertising and Social Media Influencers

Introduction

Fitness model and personal trainer Kyle Hynick posted some photographs from his photoshoot with New York-based Photographer Jade Young seemingly in Times Square in New York City. The backdrop had people there who appeared not to be looking at a dude posing for photographs in his Calvin Klein underwear. The people essentially appeared to be fully engaged in doing tourist things. Initially, I thought that the background of Times Square was a creation of photo editing.

My thought was not correct. A commentator on Kyle’s photos stated that the commenter viewed Kyle’s photoshoot in person. I was immediately intrigued. Of course, physique competitors seek the limelight and can pose their well-trained and dieted physiques on stage in front of an audience. Posing a physique on a public stage is just a matter of scale.

I discovered that another model, Tyson Dayley, a WBFF pro fitness model, also had a photoshoot in Times Square. In his photos and video that he posted on Instagram, however, the people in the background also were taking photos of Tyson. People were sitting close by.

Times Square, Manhattan, New York City. What draws Photographer Jade Young there? Why a male in underwear appears to be an unsurprising sight? I did a quick Internet search on the history of Times Square to find out.

Times Square: from Gritty to Upscale Tourist Destination and Corporate Location

Times Square, a tourist destination and business area, was once home to adult films and gritty culture. There is a blog post on the history and transformation of Times Square at the Times Square District Management Association website.

Times Square and Calvin Klein Underwear

In Photographer Jade Young’s photos in Times Square, at times the models wear Calvin Klein underwear. There is a connection between Calvin Klein underwear and Times Square: the billboard ads for the underwear brand made history there.

In 1982, Calvin Klein had a billboard ad with Olympic athlete Tom Hintnaus in Times Square. The photographer was Bruce Weber. According to a New York Times article, the billboard ad stopped traffic.

Since then, Calvin Klein ads pushed underwear advertising forward, including the next model, Mark Wahlberg. Following Mark Wahlberg, other models became famous after being featured in a Calvin Klein underwear ad. (See also another article on CK models becoming actors.) The New York Times published another article about another former Calvin Klein model, Antonio Sabato, Jr.

Also in Times Square, is a guy who has made a lot of money walking around Times Square in cowboy boots and underwear, the “Naked Cowboy“. Freshpair’s National Underwear Day, August 5, had a runway show in Times Square.

Jade Young and Times Square Photoshoots

When the Calvin Klein ads first appeared, high-speed Internet or social media sites did not exist. But that history seems to have had some influence on fitness models and influencers, who often feature underwear or men’s clothing brands in their social media posts.

In addition, there are more underwear brands in the market. Still, Calvin Klein, now part of PVH Corporation, remains a strong market player in underwear.

Jade Young now also takes photoshoots in Times Square with men in underwear in person rather than in a billboard photograph. I think the transition also humanizes the model as you could interact with the model and the photographer and perhaps even get an autograph. Formerly, you only could look up at a huge billboard ad.

Jade Young and Kyle Hynick

Kyle Hynick, featured on this blog, posted several photos from Times Square.

Jade Young and Tyson Dayley

Tyson Dayley, a pro fitness model and fitness influencer, also posted photos and videos taken in Times Square.

A Sidenote-Calvin Klein in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

Michael Hallenbeck, an NYC-area photographer had a photo shoot (2018) with fitness model Nick Sandell in Hell’s Kitchen.

Hallenbeck captured images of Sandell posing around Manhattan in a pair of Calvin Klein boxer briefs.

Conclusion

When I looked at Jade Young’s photos of models in Times Square, I did not expect that it would lead to a blog post. But the notion of posing in public so openly was an attention grabber. When doing research and finding articles that traced a story, my old journalistic love for a story was reawakened. I could not resist.

How interesting that a Calvin Klein ad pushed the mainstream culture forward as well as developed many new underwear brands. Despite that, Calvin Klein remains a market force.

If you notice any Instagram posts with other fitness models in Times Square, please leave a comment with the link.

Box Menswear: Review of 2019 Release


Preview: Presenting Matt Luscious and the 2020 Additions to the Range



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.

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.

To see photos of the items, please go to the Box Menswear website, and see the Box Menswear Pinterest page.

Box Menswear Founder, Luke Mills

The owner of Box Menswear is Luke Mills. Luke also owns Liverpool-based Misfits Celebrity Management.

The Misfits Group, Ltd.

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’.

Q&A with Bang & Strike

Size Chart for Box Menswear Clothing

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.

Model NameCountryInstagram Page
Alex GrantUnited Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/alexzcee/?hl=en
Anthony StefanelliUnited Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/gymnastkid589/
Braydan IfouldAustraliahttps://www.instagram.com/braydanifould_/
Carlos EffortSpainhttps://www.instagram.com/carloseffort/
Dan SoarUnited Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/dansoarr/
Dan TaiUnited Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/dantai.pt/
Daniel ShoneyeUnited Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/danielshoneye/
Fran DullonSpainhttps://www.instagram.com/just.frandullon/
Josh JakobsUnited Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/josh_jakobs/
Josh Watson (blog post)United Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/byjoshwatson/
Kyle Hynick (blog post)Canadahttps://www.instagram.com/kyle.hynick
MojibThe Netherlandshttps://www.instagram.com/suprememojib/
Paul Cassidy Slovakiahttps://www.instagram.com/paul_cassidy_real/
Refugio HernandezUnited Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/notorious_b1g/
Reno GoldUnited Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/reno_gold/
RidickIrelandhttps://www.instagram.com/ridick_7/
RossilinoUnited Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/_rossilino_/
Seth HolbrookUnited Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/seffbreezy/

(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.

Photographer NameCountryInstagram Page
Alex WightmanUnited Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/alexwightmanphotography/
Carlos “Trey” Salazar (blog post)United Stateshttps://www.instagram.com/treysphotostudio/
Jake O’DonnellAustraliahttps://www.instagram.com/the_jake_od/
Peter FletcherUnited Kingdomhttps://www.instagram.com/musclemountainphotography/
RafaArgentinahttps://www.instagram.com/rafa.pics/

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.


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

In 2020, Micah E. Williams, a filmmaker and model, did a photo shoot with Photographer James Loy for Fashionably Male blog. Micah wore a number of items from the 2019 release.

Micah also edited a video made by James.

Box Menswear: New Item Releases

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.”

Muscular model Fran Dullon stands outside while wearing Box Menswear lounge leggings.
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.

A muscular Dan Tai sits in bed in sunlight while wearing Box Menswear lounge shorts.
Dan Tai
A muscular Dan Tai relaxes in bed in sunlight while wearing Box Menswear lounge shorts.
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.

Intimate Loungewear: Totally See-Through Mesh Shorts

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.

Men’s Underwear: Jockstraps and Thongs

For a description of these garments, see my previous blog post.

Men’s Underwear: Box Menswear Ribbed Jockstraps

Model Seth Holbrook wearing Box Menswear jockstraps. Photographer: Carlos “Trey” Salazar.

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.

In addition, there is a totally transparent varsity mesh jockstrap for more-daring guys. The manhood is definitely front and center with this selection. See an example at Box Menswear’s Instagram page.

[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.

Box Menswear: Existing Items

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.

Fashion blogger Aram Simonpour

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 Yoav Even, wearing Box white sports shorts and football socks, by Roble Konara

The previous version of the sports shorts (out of stock) had slightly less length than the sports shorts.