Men’s underwear. It’s the item in every man’s wardrobe that very few people get to see, yet it’s still essential to get right. All those faded, overstretched or even ripped undies you’ve got kicking around in your top drawer… yeah, they’ve gotta go. Undies are a big deal.
But what might seem like a simple task of picking out the right style of underwear can be trickier than you think. Are you a briefs or boxers kinda guy? Maybe you prefer a bit of extra length and opt for long boxers? Do you prefer your undies light or dark and with seams or without?
Fear not, faithful friends. Our Ultimate Guide to Men’s Underwear is here to break down all you need to know to give your top drawer the overhaul it deserves.
A brief history of men’s underwear
The earliest record of the closest resemblance to underwear for men was in Ancient Egypt around 7,000 years ago: a loincloth. Not far removed from a nappy, men’s underwear evolved around the 13th century into a style we’re more familiar with today.
Slip-on loose undershorts that finished at the calf became the number-one choice for gentlemen everywhere. Soon came the Renaissance period which saw men’s undies becoming a bit tighter and shorter (it was knee length now!). The following centuries saw little change, until the 1930s when briefs first appeared.
For the remainder of the 20th century, the debate was always centered around boxers vs. briefs. This led to the birth of the boxer brief, surely a way to end the debate for good. Yeah, that didn’t quite work.
The late 1980s and early 90s saw the rise of brand names being proudly displayed on the waistband of men’s undies everywhere. The idea of becoming loyal to a label and swapping out all the other pairs in your drawer became a thing, which brings us to today. The battle of whether you prefer briefs or boxers rages on, but the importance of quality, comfort, and sustainability are more vital than ever.
Picking the right style of underwear for you
Among all the decisions a man has to make in his life, picking the best men's underwear for you is up there with the toughest.
What worked for you as a teenager won’t necessarily work for you as an adult. What you think suits you best, might not actually work for you practically. This is because you have to consider body shape, the best support, and the best fit. Here are men's underwear types decoded.
Briefs
We’ll keep this brief – briefs are a staple in many men’s undies drawers. Traditionally designed with a Y-shaped fly in front, briefs provide great support and are less prone to bunching or rising than other styles of men’s underwear. Ideal for guys with larger thighs or for men working at a desk all day, briefs might not be to everyone’s taste – but they’re definitely a firm favorite.
Boxers
Traditional men's boxer shorts are loose and offer little support. They tend to feature an elastic waistband and a button fly and provide maximum comfort, breathability, and coverage. More contemporary boxer brief styles combine what guys love about briefs and boxer shorts, being cut like a tapered boxer with the snug and supportive fit of briefs.
Long Boxers
Do you prefer your undies to have a bit of extra length? If so, long boxers are the way to go for you. The longer length offers great protection from irritation and chafing and also makes them an excellent choice for guys with skinnier legs. Perfect for wearing underneath slim-fit pants, compression boxer underwear is also ideal to wear when you’re planning to work out.
Why bamboo viscose is the best fabric for male underwear
Once you’ve chosen the right underwear style, you’ll want to pick the perfect fabric. In our humble opinion, bamboo viscose is by far the superior material for your undies. Ultra-soft, comfy and breathable, men's bamboo viscose underwear is an absolute dream to wear. And that’s just the start of it.
It’s comfy
One of the key benefits to bamboo viscose fabric in men’s underwear is the fact that it’s so darn comfortable. Light, luxuriously-soft and gentle on the skin, bamboo viscose provides comfort like no other fabric. It’s also thermoregulating, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer, and anti-static. Let’s face it, no one likes clinginess.
It’s healthy
Another huge advantage of bamboo viscose underwear is the fact that it’s odor resistant. Great for those days when you’re on the road or working out. Plus, the breathability and moisture-wicking characteristics of bamboo viscose underwear aren’t so bad either.
It’s eco-friendly
Last but not least, bamboo viscose is a sustainable choice. Although comfort and health might be what initially spring to mind when picking out your undies, it’s an added bonus knowing they’re kind to the environment, too. Boody’s original bamboo is grown organically without pesticides, fertilizers and artificial irrigation. Find out more about the benefits of bamboo.
It’s in the details
Once you’ve locked down your ideal style and fabric for your undies, next you’ll want to consider the finishing touches. What colors do you prefer? Do you want a waistband or not? Are you someone who likes variety who prefers to go with what you know?
As the saying goes, it’s all in the details.
Consider color
Ok, not that many people get to see your undies (hopefully!), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still consider color. Sure, you can opt for bright hues and prints that go in and out of vogue, but here at Boody, we’re huge supporters of the slow fashion movement. Think neutral, timeless shades.
Our range of men’s bamboo underwear comes in a curated selection of neutral hues such as Light Grey Marl, Ash, Grey, Black, and White. All of these shades suit any complexion and avoid trends and fads – they’re staples in every man’s top drawer.
With seams or without?
As mentioned in our brief history of men’s underwear, elastic waistbands became a prominent feature in the 20th century. Led by big-name brands who encourage wearers to want to show off their logo, waistbands are also a comfy and stylish feature of men’s undies.
That said, not every style needs to feature seams in their waistband. Our Original Underwear was designed with a seamfree waistband, in case some guys find them irritating or just want to keep it simple. Below we break down the key differences between our Original Underwear and more recent Underwear.
Our Original Underwear
Our Original Underwear is the range of men’s undies our customers fell in love with. Sleek and minimal, these bamboo viscose underwear styles are seamfree making them an ultra-comfy choice. Our original undies also feature contour ribbing for support. Whether you opt for our Original Briefs, Original Boxers or Long Boxers, comfort comes first when it comes to our classic, seam free undies.
Our New Underwear
Drawing inspiration from designer labels but with our perfect fit and fabric added into the mix, our new Men’s Underwear is different from our original range because the styles are more supportive and feature seams for an even snugger fit.
Our new bamboo boxers, briefs, and long boxers feature a traditional cut-and-sew design, a hand-sewn elastic waistband and a double-layer pouch for comfort and support your package can count on. Complete the look with a classic men’s bamboo shirt and comfortable socks.
You may also like
Guide
The Best Father's Day 2023 Gifts...according to Boody
Father’s Day takes place on the third Sunday in June; this year it’s June 18th, 2023. For many of us, buying both a thoughtful and useful gift for our father’s and fatherly figures can typically prove to be a dilemma.
Guide
What to Look for When Buying Activewear
When it comes to what you workout in, it's important to consider how they make you feel and look—but also their impact on the environment. That's where sustainable activewear by Boody comes in.
Guide
What is Organic Cotton?
By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
