Every man has a favorite pair of underwear. They’re the softest and most comfortable pair you own. They fit in all the right places and they’re the first ones you grab from the clean laundry pile. They’re the pair that helped your teams win the Super Bowl, World Series and Stanley Cup. But are they really lucky? Are the ladies feeling them as much as you are? When it comes to the drawers in your drawer, she has an opinion. Have a think. If the opportunity presents itself, are you really ready to go pantless? When it comes to your underwear, these tips might be obvious but they are definitely worth repeating.
Wear them. Freeballing or going commando on the daily just isn’t practical. You’ll protect your clothes and keep the boys fresh if you rock a pair of breathable boxers, trunks, boxer briefs or even tighty whities. If you live in a hot climate, wearing underwear will help you stay cool and dry. Sweat stains through your trousers are never a good look. Shop for moisture-wicking fabrics that will keep swamp ass at bay.
Wash them. Remember what your mother told you and always wear clean underwear. Are your whites white and your colors bright? Proper laundering of your underwear will keep them looking sharp. Separate whites from the other colors, wash on a warm/hot setting and add bleach or a stain treatment if necessary. Keep in mind technical fabrics weaken when put in a hot dryer, so air dry when you can.
Check the fit. Do you look like ten pounds of sausage stuffed in a five-pound bag? If your britches are giving you a muffin top, you’re showing too much plumber’s crack or you have a permanent wedgie, it’s time to size up. Trust us, you’ll be much more comfortable without the waistband digging into your skin, and you’ll look slimmer too.
Work it out. If you’re going hard in the gym, you’ll want to make sure you’re supporting your boys. Loose cotton boxers aren’t going to cut it. Look for underwear made with technical fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin. Remember to stow a spare in your gym bag. You should always change into a fresh pair after a sweaty workout.
Stay loose. What you heard is true. If you’re trying to make a baby, boxer shorts are best. You’ll want to keep the family jewels a few degrees cooler. Wearing loose-fitting boxer shorts helps create a fertility-friendly environment and can increase sperm count. Breathable cotton fabrics work best.
Be prepared. Have more than one style in the rotation. Baggy boxers can bulk up under tighter fitting jeans. And black briefs will show through a pair of light colored trousers or linen shorts. If you’re not sure how to start, head over to MeUndies.com. Shop from the privacy of your own home without the embarrassing sales help. They have all the best cuts and colors and will deliver fresh pairs to your doorstep.
Don’t leave it to trial and error. You can confidently drop trou because we put your underwear questions to the ladies to get some honest answers. Representing the east coast, celebrity stylist Nic Screws knows a thing a two about fashion and has actually seen Tom Brady, Ryan Gosling and Dwayne Wade in their underwear. And on the West Coast, publicist Traci Coulter, founder of TCOPR, appreciates when guys take the time to get it right. Here’s how they picture you in your underwear.
If you’re choosing his underwear, is he wearing boxers, trunks, briefs or boxer briefs? What is your favorite style?
Traci: “I’d do a combo of boxers and boxer briefs — no briefs allowed, ever.” And for Nic, her preference is always boxer briefs. “They have the sexy mid-thigh length of the casual boxer and the fit (i.e. support) of a brief without being too … revealing. But, as with most sartorial decisions, it’s subjective and men should choose the style that is best suited for their needs and body type.”
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When it comes to color, which ones should guys be gravitating towards? Which are the sexiest?
Traci: “I think men should avoid white at all costs, for some obvious reasons. Always, grey and blue are much sexier than black for briefs and plaids and stripes are sexy with boxers. As for cheetah print, no thank you.”
Nic: “Darker hues like black and navy are not only classic and masculine options, but slimming and stain-camouflaging too. Men, if you think having Marvel character-adorned boxers or briefs is playful and cute — it’s not. Unless you’re in middle school or an actual member of the Avengers, that should just not happen, ever. Guys, you know how you feel when we wear granny panties — that ew feeling? That’s how we feel when you wear tighty whities.”
When you’re ready to ditch your whites, MeUndies offers their men’s boxer briefs in classic dark colors like black, gray, dark sapphire and emerald for just twenty bucks a pair.
How long is too long to own a pair of underwear? What kinds of drawers would be considered dating deal breakers?
Traci: “The second there is a rip or tear, or the elastic on the waist band starts to get a little stretched, it’s time to move on. No woman cares that you can hold on to the underwear you’ve owned since college. I think I would have to leave the premises if someone was wearing briefs. No one needs to be wearing those once you grow out of your Underoos.”
Nic: “I advocate for a mandatory underwear overhaul once, maybe twice, a year. But stay diligent. If you notice a pair is fading, has waning elastic, or — god forbid — permanent stains, it’s time to toss them and invest in a new three-pack.”
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Does the brand or designer make a difference? Do women judge a guy by the name on his waistband? Is a Tom Ford guy sexier than a Fruit of the Loom man?
Traci: “Seeing a designer brand on a waistband is definitely more appealing for sure; it shows that they are aware of the brands that they are wearing and aren’t afraid to spend a little more. My heart does skip a beat when I see Calvin Klein on a waistband. Fruit of the Loom reminds me of guys going home for holidays getting underwear from their moms.”
Nic: “While I think it’s interesting that Tom Ford is entering into the undergarments market, I would still advise men in the same way as I do with their tailoring: a focus on fit first is a focus on quality. You can easily purchase a pair of perfectly fitting boxer briefs that will entice at H&M, without the Armani prices. Also: branded waistbands are kinda blasé, very ‘90s Marky Mark (which is a little try-hard by today’s standards. See, for example, Justin Bieber).”
Keep your boxers, boxer briefs, briefs and trunks subtle and soft with MeUndies. A quiet, solid waist band is even more important for you dudes that aren’t afraid of bold colors and loud prints.
Let’s talk about active guys. Just about every fitness brand has their own version of moisture wicking underwear or compression shorts. Do you think guys need a few pairs just for working out? Should dudes ever wear underwear under their swim trunks?
Traci: “Just like sports bras, there is a place for those shorts and they should definitely be kept separate, in the laundry and in the drawers. If guys are buying the right kind of trunks, they won’t need to wear underwear underneath. Good board shorts have that all built in already.”
Nic: “If you are a comfort-seeking, active gent, you should certainly invest in some moisture-wicking bottoms to prevent any kind of irritation of chafing. There is a right pair, depending on your level of fitness, from everyone from Hanes to Adidas. But if actual performance underwear is too aggressive of a choice for you, look for a pair of cotton skivvies in an athletic-fit like a trunk or with added features like contour-pouches for optimal support.”
Speaking of compression, what are your feelings about Spanx for men? Is there a double standard when it comes to men’s shapewear?
Traci: “Ever since Rob Lowe discovered Mere Winningham’s “scuba suit” in St. Elmo’s Fire, I have been petrified of those things. So I just can’t approve of them on men. At least no men in my life!”
Nic: “Men’s shapewear is kind of like their makeup concealer habit — they may not be talking about it, but they’re buying it. And I say, if a dude wants to feel what it’s like to smash all their bits between some spandex in the hopes of a smoother midsection and little confidence boost, go for it. Just maybe wait to expose it once you’ve entered into a committed relationship (or do what women do and just peel it off before a tryst).
Again, wearing the right size underwear will keep you from looking lumpy and bumpy under your clothes. Instead of squeezing yourself into a strangling pair of underwear, find a cut that flatters you that also has a soft, flexible waistband like these boxer briefs from MeUndies.
