Some models in this post
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–
The styles go from the generally acceptable to the more daring–jockstraps, thongs, and g strings.
Briefs, Emporio Armani.
Brands Available
Research and Inspiration
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.
Best Fabrics for Men’s Underwear
The Underwear Expert has a post on the fibers and fabrics used for men’s underwear.
Men’s Underwear for Workouts
There is another blog post on the brands and fabrics for underwear for workouts.
Kito Shelby, Argentina
Kito Shelby is a model with well-defined abs. He lives in Argentina, plays fútbol.
In the photos, he wears the brands, Wide (a brand based in Argentina), Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Kito had an interview with News Digitales (en español). Also, Kito had an interview with República Z in Argentina (2023, en español)
Photos of Kito
Randhy, Argentina
Randhy is a male fitness model who is from Venezuela. He lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In a photo, Randhy wears Eyelit (a brand based in Argentina) briefs.
Photos of Randhy
Nico Zetta, Argentina
Nico Zetta is a fitness model who lives in Argentina.
Photos of Nico
Shortys Apparel and Jordan Morello
Another workout clothing brand is Shortys Apparel. Jordan Morello, an online fitness coach and social media personality, owns the U.S.-based brand.
Walking Jack´s Ash Collection
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.
Read more in the blog post.
Brands
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.
Then there are niche e-commerce brands, like
- Marcuse
- JOR
- Walking Jack
- Shortys Apparel
- Code 22
- Ballistic Menswear
- Eclatant Sportswear
- Apixt Underwear
- Box Menswear
Boxer briefs, Calvin Klein.
Powder blue boxer briefs by Box Menswear.
Mens Underwear Brands List
Eclatant Sportswear
Eclatant Sportswear is based in the United Kingdom. The owner is Sam.
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.
Marcuse
Marcuse is a men’s swimwear and underwear brand. The brand is based in Australia.
Men and Underwear Blog has several Marcuse-related editorials. One is with Hungarian model Ethan O’pry.
Another is with Pierre Zamyatin, a DJ and model from the Russian Federation.
Marcuse Australia Astra Briefs
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
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.
(Read more about the release at the Men and Underwear blog.)
Boxer Shorts
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.
Briefs
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.)
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.
Briefs, Addicted.
Boxer Briefs
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.
This style provides support for everyday activity, including exercise. The style also fits under slim-fit pants and jeans.
Trunks
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.
Typically, the trunk is shorter in length than the boxer brief and shows more of the thigh (but not as much as a brief).
The trunk can be used for everyday wear and active pursuits.
Walking Jack Trunks
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.
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.
Jockstraps, Calvin Klein.
Teamm8 Naked Underwear Range
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.
- Model: Loren Cruz (Canary Islands, Spain)
- Photographer: Adrian C. Martin
Wrestling Singlet
There is a niche yet devoted segment of guys that like to wear a wrestling singlet or bodysuit (aka jumpsuit).
Read more about the singlet in a separate blog article.
Thongs & G Strings
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).
Conclusion
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?
Let us know in the comments below.
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