Underwear Style Guide

The men’s underwear industry has exploded with innovations and technology. The astonishing amount of different types of underwear and the variations on each of the different men’s underwear styles are too many to count. For example, briefs aren’t just briefs anymore—not at all; briefs come in low-rise, medium-rise, high-rise, multiple cuts that can expose or hide various parts of your body and a dizzying array of different pouches. 

Men’s underwear styles now also feature a never-ending list of underwear “add-ons” including:

• Waist minimizing waistbands.
• Butt enhancing cuts.
• Package boosting pouches.
• Fast-drying fabrics.
• Anatomically correct designs.
• …and many more.

Learning about the types of underwear for men that are available, and the various innovations in men’s underwear styles could be a daunting task. With The Underwear Expert’s men’s underwear styles guide, however, everything is spelled out for you so that you can focus on what really matters: looking good in your underwear.

Undercover Style: The Ultimate Guide to Men’s Underwear

It takes thought and effort to put a quality look together. From outerwear and accessories to the shoes on your feet, you work hard to make sure your style is ever on point. But is that all there is?

Not even close. Because if you’re not as discerning in your choice of underwear as you are in your choice of outerwear, odds are your personal aesthetic isn’t all it could be. In fact, ill-fitting or poorly-chosen underwear aren’t just uncomfortable: they can also ruin your whole look.

Never fear, though, because we’ve got you covered, literally. Read on for everything you need to know to maximize your personal style from the inside out – and the bottom up!

Briefs: A Style Standard

For a lot of us, briefs are sort of the workhorse of our wardrobes: they’re a staple of everyday wear. It’s not hard to understand why, given that a good pair of briefs will hug your body and offer support where you need it..

What makes briefs distinctive is that they don’t sacrifice form over function. Their streamlined design means that you don’t have a lot of excess fabric to worry about, bunching up or showing through pants or shorts. That makes briefs ideal for most every kind of pants, jeans, or shorts, no matter how tight or sheer.

Briefs aren’t without their drawbacks, though. Ill-fitting or worn briefs can sag and chafe, particularly at the thighs. The brief is widely known to flatter your member, but some older styles (particularly the “tight whitey”) aren’t always the sexiest. So, if you’re dressing for a hot date and looking for a style your partner can’t resist, you’re probably going to want to look beyond the basics. 

If you’re in the market for sexier alternatives to the old white cotton standards, designers like CDLP now offer full lines of well-cut briefs in sumptuous fabrics that are particularly soft to the touch and even eco-friendly. So, don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone.

Boxers: A Traditional Classic

Let’s face it: boxers get a bad rap, and sometimes justifiably so. They’ve been mocked as the preferred undergarment of grandpas and men without style everywhere. But, boxers do have a lot to offer if you find the right brand and style. Boxers give full coverage and lots of, well, freedom. That means that what you might lack in frontal support, you’re going to make up for in spaciousness, breathability, and comfort, if your idea of comfort is letting it all hang loose. 

Boxers typically extend around a third to midway down the thigh and are often relatively loose-fitting at the leg. The rise varies depending on your preference, but a mid- or high-rise boxer can be ideal for showing off your assets if you’re into a more subtle display of sexiness. 

Best of all, the style options for boxers are virtually endless. Silk boxers in a solid jewel tone, for instance, can be a great choice for showing off those abs, quads, and glutes to full effect. 

Be aware, though, that if you’re planning on wearing sheer or ultra tight-fitting pants or shorts, boxers may not be your best option, as bunching and show-thru will likely be an issue. A well-fitted boxer is critical.

Boxer Briefs: A Contemporary Twist on an Old Standard

If you’re looking to enjoy the best of both worlds in your intimate apparel, then you pretty much can’t go wrong with trunks or the boxer brief, which as the name suggests, combines the best features of both boxers and briefs. 

Boxer briefs offer the streamlined cut and comfortable support of the standard brief with the long-line coverage of boxers. Boxer briefs are close fitting and typically made at least in part by lycra or a similar figure-hugging and breathable fabric. This means they don’t just conform but also cover, lift, and support both in back and in front. 

Like boxers, the legs of boxer briefs generally extend to at least mid-thigh. Unlike boxers, they cling close to the thigh, which helps to prevent bunching and show-thru in even the most body-conscious pants, jeans, or shorts. Trunks differ in that they have a shorter fit down the leg: usually by a few inches

Boxer briefs and trunks are also extremely versatile. Depending on your choice of styles and fabrics, they can be as suited for an intimate evening with your partner as they are for everyday use. 

The Under Armor, for example, features the popular Boxerjock line, offering coverage, support, comfort, and style for both work and play. Likewise, Blue Buck Underwear is revolutionizing boxer brief design with its breathable, huggable, stay-in-place designs, including organic-cotton based styles for ultimate comfort and frontal support.

Give Us That Thong, Th-Thong, Thong, Thong 

Yeah, you read that right: when it comes to styling for your most intimate moments, a good thong may well be just what you’re looking for. To be sure, thongs can be quite utilitarian. If you don’t want to have to worry about excess fabric, bunching, or show-through, well, a thong is your answer. A jock strap, for example, is about as minimalist as it gets.

Thongs typically consist of a front pouch to secure and support the family jewels, as well as a thin strip of fabric (generally elasticized) encircling the waist and between the butt to hold the front pouch in place.

As you might have guessed, if you’re looking for significant frontal support and little else, a thong could be just what you need. A good jock strap, for instance, provides both support and protection during all sorts of vigorous activities, such as when you’re practicing martial arts or participating in team sports.

But the functionality of thongs is far from their only appeal. In fact, for a lot of men, it’s the sex factor that makes thongs the go-to garment for a hot night with your partner. Thongs can be styled and ornamented in any number of ways, from tassels to chains to beads. The fabric options are virtually limitless here, from leather to silk to satin.

The Takeaway: Don’t Be Overwhelmed by Underwear Styling

Finding your signature underwear style doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Your underwear are fundamental to your entire look, and so it’s imperative to choose garments that fit not only your body, but also your aesthetic and activity level. From boxers and briefs to trunks and jockstraps, there are bound to be plenty of underwear brands, styles, and designs that make you look and feel your best. So, have no fear: try ‘em all, and see what suits you.

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