In a world full of mass-produced underwear, you rarely get to see the people behind what you buy—until now. You see, every menswear product tells a story. And each and every underwear brand has a different story to tell. More to my point, people, product-makeup and manufacturing processes are surely the backbone of the selected brands below. And I feel privileged to endorse them as we head into 2022.
Today, it is a duty for brands to honor their craft by providing business practices with safe-conditions, fair wages and an overall positive working environment. In addition, it is important for underwear brands to foster relationships with suppliers who have been audited for sustainable practices such as responsible water, chemical and waste management. It is these carefully managed practices along with modified product-offerings that will resonate with consumers in modern times.
Now then, when it comes to menswear, I consider underwear to be the foundation of where it all started. From saving mens trousers from perspiration to providing support for sensitive parts of male anatomy, underwear is arguably the most vital part of your wardrobe. Indeed, men are seeking underwear to fulfill the needs of comfort and durability. But the hybrid offerings today are truly next level that cater to discerning and active men. Look fellas, underwear is the first thing you put on and the last thing you take off. More importantly, it is the one garment that gets closer to your body than any other garment. On a separate but equal note —it is also worth mentioning that the right and fresh underwear—- lends a great deal of sex-appeal to your intimate evenings.
Ron Dorff has brought luxury and function to their Y Front briefs. The model (pictured above) is cut in the finest Jersey cotton with elastane for a great fit wash after wash..
The most rudimentary form of men’s underwear is the (you guessed it) loincloth. The fabric used for loincloths were most likely made of wool, linen or a blend of the two - although the upper classes wore imported silk styles. It simply covered and draped over a man’s private parts. Each culture had a different way of wearing loincloth - some even toyed with the idea of attracting attention to their endowment. Fast-forward to Chicago Coopers 1935, and the first briefs were made with an elastic band around the waist and both legs near the groin area.
Another pivotal point worth mentioning in the history of men's underwear is the wonderful trunk brief which debuted in the 1980’s. Although it may not seem like such a big deal to Gen Z consumers today; but I can personally attest that it was in fact a revolutionary feat 4 decades ago. Since then, the last 30 years have seen innovation in underwear designs for men like never before such as: athletic-style boxer briefs, midway briefs
I beg to differ when fashion experts tell you buying color underwear lasts longer than white. Nonsense. Plain and simple: when the underwear is worn out (and you don’t need me to tell you when), it it time to refresh your wardrobe.
While today mens underwear comes in a plethora of colors, fabrics and styles, my fashion editor and I have made an easy alphabetical navigation system below to display our choice selects for your review. Have a look...
Allbirds:
Allbirds-Allbirds Trino Trunk is a great pair of underwear for men that like a slightly shorter style than a longer boxer brief. This style is made with the Trino material which combines the cooling and breathable Eucalyptus Tree Material with the softness of the Merino Wool making it great for a comfy pair of underwear. $22
BN3TH:
BN3TH -The Classic Boxer Brief offers unparalleled support with BN3TH’s patented MyPakage Pouch Technology™ that lifts and separates your package, eliminating the need for shifting or adjusting and making the briefs versatile enough for any and every consumer, endeavour, occasion, climate and style. As a part of the elevated classic collection, made with ultra-soft, breathable, lightweight TENCEL™ modal fabric, the Classic Boxer Brief has got you covered and comfy no matter what’s on the agenda. In addition, this luxury pair of boxer briefs is a Carbon Neutral product so you can be sure it is kind to your package and Mother Earth. $30
Calvin Klein:
Calvin Klein—Iconic redefined. This low rise trunk is updated with a broad signature logo waistband in bronze. Crafted from silky soft microfiber fabric with an ergonomic design for ultimate comfort. $30
Daniel Patrick:
Daniel Patrick—The DP Boxer Brief is an effortless essential for stylish comfortability. Give your loved ones practical essentials that are high quality and guarantee comfort and style. The product is 100% cotton and has a logo waistband. $39
Dsquared2:
Dsquared2-Basic, but yet so iconic. The Icon DSQ2 Brief is the must have this fall/winter for those seeking comfort and style. $85
Fleur du Mal:
Fleur du Mal—Fleur du Mal's new menswear is made of 100% silk and the PJs/robe are the perfect at-home attire for the winter. The boxers can also be of course layered underneath to achieve the most luxe yet comfortable lounge look. $135
H&M:
H&M -Blank Staples is a streetwear collection of minimalistic pieces – the perfect canvas for your personal style and creativity. $24.99
Handvaerk:
Handvaerk—Designed to be worn low on the waist, håndvaerk’s Trunks will make a useful addition to your underwear drawer. In addition to the clean-line aesthetic, the highly engineered super soft fabric has a slight stretch, making them an incredibly comfortable everyday option. Crafted from premium lightweight jersey fabric—superfine two-fold (80/2) yarn made from the finest extra long staple Peruvian Pima cotton. $45
Ibex:
Ibex—Ibex Woolies Tech Boxers are essential this winter for staying warm, comfortable, and dry. Thanks to merino, they're anti-bacterial for odor resistant wear, and leverage merino's moisture-wicking properties for optimal comfort. These briefs are incredibly soft and have a next-to-skin natural feel. They’re breathable for everyday wear, complete with a fully functioning fly. Built for performance, these boxers are your go-to for long travel days, ski vacations, and staying cozy at home. $79
JustWears:
JustWears—The male underwear market is worth $30 billion but it’s full of hypersexualised brands and uncomfortable, sub-standard products. JustWears is taking on this industry with its innovative, sustainable underwear. Its ergonomically-designed underwear features an innovative pouch design and mesh undercarriage that promotes airflow and is crafted from biodegradable and sustainably-sourced tree fibres which are softer to touch, and more environmentally-friendly to produce, than cotton. This product is bringing a new level of comfort that speaks to the modern man and suits their lifestyles in a way that has been neglected by traditional brands. Two pack: USD 59.00 (ie USD 29.50 per pair)
Mott & Bow:
Mott & Bow—Going into development, we knew that underwear is often overhyped and under-developed. That’s why we’ve spent time creating a piece that is designed to embrace the user rather than suffocate him. These aren't the standard and outdated cotton underwear that make you feel uncomfortable and insecure. Our new line of underwear is made from modal and spandex, a combination that is extremely soft to the touch. We particularly chose modal because it is soft, durable, and offers better odor control and antibacterial qualities than cotton. This staple feels as soft as a cloud and comes with an anti-roll waistband that holds everything in the right place. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in underwear that you’ll never have to think about. $30
Paul Stuart:
Paul Stuart—Paul Stuart is well-known for their high quality broadcloth cotton boxer shorts. With a medium fit, they are incredibly comfortable and made in the USA. $45
Ralph Lauren:
Ralph Lauren—With an advanced athletic design made from a supersoft stretch cotton–and-modal blend, the boxer briefs in this three-pack feature a friction-free pouch, a lightweight mesh construction, and moisture-wicking technology so you stay dry and comfortable all day long. $54.50
Ron Dorff:
Ron Dorff—Every holiday isn’t complete without the proper foundational garments – Ron Dorff has brought luxury and function to their Y Front briefs. The iconic no frills, no logo Y-front briefs were inspired by a model developed for the Swedish Army in the 70s. Designed with a tapered fit and cut in the finest Jersey cotton with a hint of elastane for a guaranteed fit wash after wash. $36
SAXX:
SAXX-Vibe is SAXX’s best-selling boxer brief, and will make you want to give your top drawer a total overhaul. It’s super-soft jersey fabric coupled with the patented BallPark Pouch™ mean extreme comfort for your everyday underwear. $32
Shinesty:
Shinesty—Shinesty’s best-selling Ball Hammock Underwear is designed with patented technology, ensuring the ultimate level of comfortability, breathability and zero skin sticking (if you know what I mean). Additionally, the magic of these underwear gives any man the little extra growth he might need. The designs of the Ball Hammock Underwear provide men some well-deserved humor, due to the fun nature and patterns of the underwear. Since what man wouldn’t like to have some stylish underwear that can make him or his partner laugh! $25.99
Tom Ford:
Tom Ford—COTTON BOXER BRIEF.$65
UnderGents:
UnderGents—The UnderGents 6” boxer brief is a coveted pair of men's underwear that is comfortable, cooling, and fashionable. The 6" boxer briefs give you a longer coverage while still focusing on breathability and comfort. $23.99
Volcom:
Volcom—Volcom Underwear is made to maximize your daily comfort by controlling odor and reducing friction for all day wear. The soft, no-roll, microfiber elastic won’t ride up in any situation – from surf to snow to skate and everything in between. With this 3PK featuring neutral colorways and a rose skull design, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! $45
