Underwear News Briefs
International Jock
Archive

February 2013

Browsing
In 2(x)ist

Style Brief – 2(X)ist Cabana Collection

No Comments

heroIf you are reading this blog, then you also subscribe to the philosophy that underwear should be fun. You aren’t the kind of guy who just buys tighty whities, but something that expresses your personality. This includes color, fit and style. The new Cabana collection is one “inspired by the tropics.” Which means you can expect bright bold colors.

I personally love that color is making a come back big time this year! I’m not talking the usual suspects, rather really bright colors such as oranges, purples and yellows. This collection really is for the guy who wants to wear something that will let you express himself through his underwear.

The colors in this collection are: White, Purple Horizon Stripe, Classic Blue Stripe, Lake, Bright Purple Stripe, Bright Purple, Scott Red Stripe, Shocking Pink, Orange, Cabana Stripe and Radiant Pink Horizon Stripe. To see these colors you need to go to the 2(X)ist website and see them all. If you have a chance to go to a store, I suggest that over web shopping. This is said because these are the kind of undies that pictures will not do justice.

The next thing I love is the striped waistband. They accent the stripe or solid fabric of the undies. Waistbands are often the most over looked part of a pair of underwear. The waist band literally tops off the underwear. It can add to the appeal or really turn me off. If the waistband looks like an afterthought I usually won’t like the pair over all. The Cabana, waistband, you can tell, is one area that 2(X)ist really paid attention to and wanted to make a statement.

One last thing you maybe asking is what styles are these available in? The two styles are the No-Show Brief and No-Show Trunk. The brief retails for $18 and the Trunk is $24. Since these are from 2(X)ist the fit and sizing will be standard and you won’t get any surprises. These are mandatory for any color lover! Find these and more at the 2(x)ist website!

by
Keep Reading
In Andrew Christian

Sales Brief

No Comments
 RUFSKIN.COM.4 Get Ready for summer and save 30% off all swim including already reduced styles on the rufskin rack only when you use coupon code SWIM30 at checkout. Hurry supplies are limited and offer ends 3/3/12.

Shop at: http://www.rufksin.com
 PPU Check out the early spring savings at Erogenos. You can get 20% off your order by using code ERG-TWENTY at check out. That includes new PPU, Pikante, Clever, Candyman and more!

Shop at http://www.erogenos.com
 CKSS13 Are you a fan of Calvin Klein? Check out the new spring collection at Skiviez. It has just been released!

shop at: http://www.skiviez.com
 Snap Have you tried James Tudor? Or have you wanted too give them a shot? Well they are giving you 20% your order with code JTMESP20!

shop at: http://www.jamestudoronline.com
 feb27-13-1-3 Lastly in our sales brief, check out the new Flash List Bikini from Andrew Christian. He has quite a few new pairs coming out, almost weekly!

shop at: http://www.andrewchristian.com
by
Keep Reading
In MaleBasics

Review – MaleBasics Microfiber Long Johns

No Comments

MBM05_0005__25988.1350497308.1200.1200It’s cold weather and you know what that means, right? Layers. Once that first chill hits my spine I start wearing thermals all the time. Most of my thermals are the waffle cotton kind from Kmart. They aren’t the most well designed pieces of clothing but they sure keep me warm. The fit is always a little off because the crotch is too low. The calves are too tight and with my hairy legs it just becomes really itchy. I spend all day pulling the waistband up. Even though they are considered long underwear I still feel like I meed to wear underwear underneath because they don’t give me the support I need to be comfortable. So even though I am warm, I am often substituting warmth for comfort wearing these long johns.

Malebasics to the rescue. Kind of..The Malebasics Microfiber Long John offers everything a guy needs in a long john. This garment offers complete comfort. They use one of the softest fabrics, Microfiber (Nylon 78% Spandex 12%), I was so relaxed in them all day. The only issue I had was that these long johns is that they aren’t for those days when its freezing out. These are perfect for a cool fall or spring day. They aren’t really for the dead of winter. The main reason is because its made of Microfiber. You have probably heard of Microfiber is often used for athletic wear because the material wicks moisture away from the body, keeping the wearer cool and dry. Microfiber is also very elastic, making it suitable for undergarments. I found the material really comfortable but I wasn’t as warm as I would have wanted.

The design is really exceptional. This is basically cut like a really comfortable brief. The pouch is lifts you up and out. Really shows off a bulge nicely. Usually, like I said before, a long john squashes you flat. I never felt like I needed to wear another pair of underwear underneath. It was so nice and soft on my body. It was so comfortable that I even slept in them. I never needed to readjust myself. In fact, I actually forgot what I was wearing under my jeans at one point because I was so comfortable. I have hairy legs and often get itchy with tight materials around my calves. These long johns are cut to hug you until about the knee. The design is then loose around your lower legs with an elastic bottom at the ankle. At first I thought that the looseness was strange and then I realize its exactly what I needed. The design is like a modified sweat pant that hugs and supports you in all the best areas. I got the pair in white which is slightly transparent but I didn’t mind. I will definitely be picking up the black pair as well from their site. With spring coming I still like to wear layers when the cool night NYC breeze hits me. These long johns will definitely be a regular in my underwear collection.

And maybe Malebasics will offer them in more colors soon? Gray? Nude? Red? Blue? Yellow? Please. Thank you.

Pros –

  • great fit.
  • soft fabric
  • all day comfort

Con’s

  • not as warm as I expected
  • only two colors available.

Ratings:

  • Fit 5
  • Materials 5
  • Construction 5
  • Look 5
  • Daily Wear 5
  • Overall 5

This pair was furnished by Malebasics and is available for $44.10 at their site.

by
Keep Reading
In Andrew Christian

Sales Brief

No Comments
 baskit-america-active-jock 6 NEW BASKIT JOCKS, 3 HOT MODELS AT THE 1 AND ONLY JOCKSTRAP CENTRAL

Baskit’s taking care of your basket with their latest stylish, inventive and oh so comfortable jocks now at Jockstrap Central. Here’s the details:

America Sport Jock

A perfect blend of fashion forward style with form and function. The America Jock is all of that and more and the best part is they’re made in USA! It’s an innovative take on the jock with a unique brief front and jockstrap-with-a-twist back with a whole lot of styling through contrasting paneling with the added bonus of comfort and support.

Active JockBrief

Created by the originator of the jock brief style and inspired by the classic shorts worn by boxers sparing in the ring, the Active Jock Brief is nothing short of awesome. It has a brief front and a jockstrap back, and if that weren’t stylish enough, contrasting red stitching and piping lift this jock to new heights.

As with all Baskit, both these jock designs are super comfortable and well made. They come in three color variations: cement grey, navy blue and super white.

Jockstrap Central has a delicious smorgasbord of models modeling all the new Baskit gear – it’s a visual feast

Shop at: http://www.jockstrapcentral.com
 feb26-13-1 Check out the new Andrew Christian Swimwear! The Velocity swim shorts are some of the newest from them! We will bring you more on the new AC line!

Shop at: http://www.andrewchristian.com
 26_02_13_01 Want some really fun undies, check out Dead Good Undies Check out the Body Art line! While there you could 10% your order when you use code FABUNDIES02

Shop at: http://www.deadgoodundies.com
 h1_02 Look great and dress to impress at UnderGear! You can save $10 on orders $75 or more or $20 on orders $100 or more. Just use code U2BC at check out. Offer expires 3/1/13.

Shop at: http://www.undergear.com
by
Keep Reading
In Curve Trade Show

Magic/Curve Preview for Feb 2013

No Comments

magic-curve-2-13I am just back from Vegas and Magic/Curve, which was a very busy, yet productive week. I met with many brands we report on such as PPU, Pikante, Timoteo, N2N Bodywear, Baskit, Cocksox and more! While there I also came across a few new brands that are doing some really cool things in the world of undies! One thing I saw was modal/cashmere underwear. Which were so soft and it would be an amazing pair of underwear! But that is only the tip of the iceberg!

There are some trends happening in men’s underwear this season. The first, in the spring we can expect to see pastels. The blues, pinks and yellows will be big across a few brands. The next trend is Neon/Day Glow. The 80’s are back, well in undies. This is wide spread across many more new collections. It is both in solids and accent colors. Lastly, creative waistbands. Companies are redesigning them, doing new things with them and more!

Magic is where almost all the companies were this year. In years past it was almost evenly divided between Magic and Curve. This year I met with only 3 companies at Curve and over 30 at Magic. So more men’s brands are moving to Magic.

I wanted to tweet and Facebook from the floor to get questions and feedback but the service was so terrible I could barely get a text out at times. Its important for our readers to give us feedback and feel like you are part of the process. Next Magic we want to take more questions from our readers. I will make posts for each brand we will be meeting with and you can post questions in the comments ore email us!

There are plenty of more trends happening per brand but I thought I would go over the few ranging across all brands. I am looking forward to sharing all the brands I saw. You guys will love some of the regular brands we cover and may just find a new favorite!

by
Keep Reading
In Baskit

Baskit $12 Tuesday

No Comments

l1650_light_f_midnightblueNot all $12 Tuesdays are briefs or boxers, this week it’s the Light Yoga Cut V Neck. I know we have many readers who like to match undies and t-shirts and this pair is perfect. It’s made out of 100% cotton and is available in four colors. If you want a pair of undies make sure you check out the specials page on the Baskit site for more pairs on sale

by
Keep Reading
In Men's Underwear

Review – UNIQLO Heattech Long Johns

No Comments

38_073781Hi everyone, here is the second item from my lovely new found fav UNIQLO, from the Heattech line: the Long Johns. Now, these have the same luxurious feel of the UNIQLO Airism line, with the added technology that their fabric absorbs moisture from your body and converts it to heat. It is made of a very thin synthetic fabric that can keep you warm without the bulk of heavy winter underclothes.

Like the Airism line, I am in love with these long johns. Living in Vermont, I experience a LOT of cold, and these are the perfect under-pant garment, as well as a lounge garment. They have a two panel back (center back seam), and a separate crotch panel in the front with a functional fly opening. The waistband is a woven elastic, with a tag center bag. Much like the airism line. The fabric for the Heattech line is 34% polyester, 33% rayon, 27% acrylic, 6% spandex. The line has two styles, the “long john” and the “tight”, both seem to be exactly the same in all composition, except the “long john” features a waistband that’s encased into the top of the long john, where the “tight” has a sewn on elastic band as the top. Both are extremely comfortable.

The fabric is extremely silky, and not overly warm (the type of overly warm where you are sweating all over it, which is the reason why I dislike a lot of winter garments). The fabric is breathable, and nicely stretchy to give a nice form to your legs without outlining every contour to your package. My negative thoughts on this long john focus on the ankles. I have shorter legs than my size demographic in most brands. My jeans are usually 34-32 507a651531489where I usually end up shortening them to 34-30. Having said that, if I put on these long johns, and mark where it hits my ankle, and remove them, there’s definitely more than 2 inches of extra length on these. It wouldn’t be a problem if the whole thing was baggy, but because the rest of it is more fitted to your legs, having a bunchy ankle makes it look a little like awkward legwarmers. The other note is that I have fairly small feet, and it is hard to get my foot/ankle through the bottom hem of the legs. I think there’s a little too much “infrastructure” in the hem of the ankles, which is not letting the fabric stretch as much as it could if just folded over and sewn.

At just under 20$ and coming in a nice range of muted neutral stripes/solids with a few bright colors thrown in (fuchsia, lime, turquoise), these are a really great piece for the cold weathered man. They also happen to look quite sexy in my opinion.

PROs:

  • Very cozy in the cold months.
  • Silky feel fabric

CONs:

  • awkward leg length
  • tight ankles

RATINGS:

  • FIT 3.5
  • MATERIAL 5
    CONSTRUCTION 4.5
  • LOOK 4
  • DAILY WEAR 5
  • OVERALL: 4.4

 

Find these at Uniqlo

by
Keep Reading
In Men's Underwear

Free and Discounted Shipping at Jockstrap Central

No Comments

free-shipping-february

For the next 5 days, until Wednesday, February 27th, if your order is over $25, Jockstrap Central is offering free U.S. shipping and discounted shipping everywhere else. Here’s the details:

Free U.S. Shipping

It couldn’t be easier, just place your order at Jockstrap Central and if your product total is $25 or more, you’ll be offered a free shipping option during checkout.

Discounted Worldwide Shipping

If your product total is $25 or more and you’re not in the U.S. you’ll be offered a discounted shipping option. The discount is based on 10% of your product total. Spend $50, get $5.00 off the cost of shipping. Spend $100, get $10.00 off the cost of shipping and so on

by
Keep Reading
In Men's Underwear

Rediscovering My Love of Underwear

1 Comment

5437752370_dc22b3225a_z

I’m sure what I am about to write some of you have gone through or are going through. I started UNB over 4 years ago. It was a project to do while I was laid off. where I could write about one of my passions, underwear! UNB also gave me a creative outlet for my pent up energy. Little did I know 4 years later it would still be going on stronger then ever.

You maybe asking how did I get my love back? Well, over the last three years I gained weight and was only able to wear XL undies. My waist went to a 42 inches. It was not fun to get all the great undies we review and have to pass it up. I kept saying that one day I’ll be back into a Large/size 36. However, that’s all it was, just thinking. I never did anything to achieve this goal. Then one day I went to the doctor and they weighed me and I was just over the 300 pound mark. Yes, I said 300. I was shocked, never in my life had I ever weighted that much.

I’ve heard experts say that you have to reach a point in your life where it comes clear you must loose weight. This was my tipping point last June. I got an app for my phone called My Plate and put in what I wanted to loose a week, I went form over 4,000 calories a day to 2,000. I cut out candy, most fried food (i had my first order of French fries last month after months), sodas and more. I started to pay attention to what I ate and other then the holidays I have been successful. I have lost around 70 pounds and have gone from a 42 to a 36 inch waist.

This also affects my undies drawer. A lot of my favorites no longer fit. I have a lot of N2N, Cocksox and Unico that are now too big. This is a good thing as well. I can now fit in undies you regularly see on this blog. The first pair I wore was a Pikante camo brief. It felt great. The day this happened it opened my eyes that now I can try all the brands we write about on the blog. Those brands include, Baskit, Timoteo, Gigo, Clever, Candyman, Pikante, PPU, Andrew Christian and the list goes on and on.

The mission of this blog is to spread the word all men, no matter what size, sexual orientation or race should wear undies and feel comfortable and sexy. For the longest time I didn’t feel sexy or comfortable. I would be upset I never got to try the undies I report on.

Now those days are gone and I”m experimenting with undies we get in and buying the ones I see. It’s like I’m in my teens again buying my first pair of bikinis all over again. I hope you guys will see a renewed passion on the blog.

I would love to hear from you guys if you have been through weight loss and how you found some great undies you couldn’t wear before. I plan on joining a gym this next month and gain muscle and loose even more!

by
Keep Reading
In Men's Underwear

Review – Uniqlo AIRISM Boxer Brief

No Comments

90_071846

Today, I get to review a line from a store called UNIQLO (read carefully, this is not to be confused with another underwear brand). Though UNIQLO is not a specifically underwear only company, or even a company highly focused on undergarments, I love the quality of their underwear so much, I wanted to write about them.

UNIQLO is a Japanese company that started in 1984, but I hadn’t heard about until a couple years ago. As a store, it’s like a Japanese H&M-like store, focusing on basics and quirky accent pieces at an affordable price, but still retaining sturdy quality. Their underwear visually isn’t groundbreaking, but to wear them is a treat, so I own many pairs.

The line/pair I want to talk about today is the boxer brief from the AIRISM line. Visually, you won’t be that impressed. The entire line is saturated in deep neutral solids with occasional low-vibrancy accent prints. For instance, you can get a basic all black, a charcoal, a dark midnight blue…as well as a black/charcoal small checker print, or a black-grey-deep navy stripe pattern…etc. No bold primaries, neons. It’s not that kind of line.

The boxer brief in construction isn’t groundbreaking, but feels amazing. It features a single rear panel (no seam down the butt), and separate slightly contoured fly-front pouch. The waistband is exposed woven elastic, as well as a sewn on tag on the back center. It is made of a 87% polyester 13% elastane fabric that truly feels and reads as silk (I’m not making this up, and I’m a professional costume designer, I can tell you when it feels like silk). The name of the line is because of the fabric and fits making it almost feel like you’re wearing a cool breeze, instead of a pair of underwear.

When I’m wearing my AIRISM Boxer Briefs, I truly do forget that I’m wearing them. The tag has never bothered me. It’s not a truly low-rise undergarment, but it doesn’t ride up or down at all. The legs aren’t elasticized at the bottom, and I almost never notice them riding up. The pouch isn’t fussy with any lifting or pushing out type details, but it has enough contour to keep the goodies from getting smushed all the time. I wear these in any situation, I’ve lounged around at home in them, I’ve worn them to go teach circus in (I usually wear a dance belt, but on “light” circus days, I wear these with NO problem).

I love these so much. I’m pretty sure I have at least 8 pairs if not more (in all different colors/prints of course). And at about $13 a pair, it’s an amazing deal on the quality you’re getting. I find they run pretty true to size, so trust their size chart when you’re ordering. You won’t regret these.

PROs:

  • amazing silky feel
  • very great price
  • nice fit

CONs:

  • mellow in color choice

RATINGS:

  • FIT 4
  • MATERIAL 5
    CONSTRUCTION 4.5
  • LOOK 2.5 (NEUTRAL)
  • DAILY WEAR 5
  • OVERALL: 4.2

Find this pair at Uniqlo

by
Keep Reading
In Cocksox

Underwear of the Week – Cocksox CX01 Sniper Brief

No Comments

z4ffa7303425bc_cx01_camo_front_72Cocksox is a favorite of the staff here at UNB. I don’t think we have many staff members who don’t like the brand. One of my favorite pairs is the traditional CX01 brief. It is one of the most comfortable briefs I own. In the past they have kept the style solid colors. This includes the traditional red, black and white. They have added bolder colors with Orange, Pink and Green. How ever the newest one I will say is one of my favorites they have come out with. It’s a really new and unique camo print. It’s not the traditional green, but a green, grey and black camo. I would say Cocksox put their own spin on camo.

Underwear of the Week doesn’t have to be a brand new design. They can be classic pair or a reworked pair. This pair is the latter. They have taken their mainstay brief and made it over with a great new fabric!

Reasons why this pair is the Underwear of the Week:

  • Really great camo print
  • Made with the amazing cocksox pouch
  • A bikini style cut that moves with you through out the day
  • Rework of a mainstay brief in the collection
  • It’s just FUN!
  • Made out of 95% Cotton 5% Lycra blend

This pair can be found at the Cocksox site for $28 AUD.

 

by
Keep Reading
In Male Basics

Review – MaleBasics Microfiber Boxer Briefs

No Comments

mbm02-red1

Before I received this pair to review, I did not own anything from MaleBasics.  And anyone who knows me and my passion for underwear will tell you I’m not a fan of boxer briefs.  I tend to prefer smaller briefs.   So it was with a little reluctance that I agreed to review the MaleBasics Boxerbrief.  And  must say I was pleasantly surprised.  78% nylon and 22% spandex, I really enjoyed the way they felt throughout my day.

It was just a typical day for me.  8 long hours at my desk, with the occasional stroll throughout the office to keep the blood flowing.  I was worried that I would be pulling them legs down every time I stood up, but much to my surprise I only had to do that a couple of times.  The waistband was extremely comfortable, and I liked the fact that it didn’t create the dreaded “muffin top” around my waist.   After work I went to the gym to work out, and wore these under my shorts.  The fabric breathes and moves great.   Because I generally wear briefs, I am used to more of a pouch, I did find myself making the occasional adjustment when things moved out of place.

With contrast stitching on the legs and pouch, these boxerbriefs are definitely eye catching.   The waistband boldly announces the brand, and there will be no mistaking that you are a man who has exceptional taste in underwear when you wear these.

Pros:

  • great fabric
  • legs did not ride up

Cons:

  • no pouch front

Fit

5

Materials

5

Construction

4

Look

5

Daily Wear

4

Overall

*Out of 5*

4.6

This pair was provided for review by MaleBasics, and is available in red, white, and turqouise from http://malebasics.com for $26.00

 

by
Keep Reading
In Bike

Best Jocks and Cups for Recreation Softball

No Comments

jockandcups

It’s been a few years since I played softball, ok I admit I wasn’t very good at it. In fact I was really bad at it. But, I had a lot of fun while doing it. While I played I experimented with a few different jocks and cups. Not all of them are created equal. I guess you could say my love of undies carried over into softball. Granted this is not a complete list but ones I would recommend for the sport.

  • UnderArmour Men’s Performance Jock with Cup Pouch – $14.99 – This was my favorite jock I wore while playing. I would not recommend wearing it without a cup as the pouch is designed to be work with a jock. The reason I love this jock is it’s made for sports. It wicks the moisture away from your body. The material also made to stretch and move with you through the game. It really conformed to the cup and my body. Other cup jocks I tried either made it difficult to put the cup in or didn’t cover your package fully. (top left in pic)
  • Bike #10 Jockstrap – $16.95 – If you want to go old school then check out the Bike #10 Jock. It was the first one that all the other jocks are based on. During the 80’s when you said jockstrap you only thought of Bike. Today there are hundreds of jocks. This one was made for sports. It wasn’t made for fashion. Granted now it’s available in colors. (top right in pic)
  • Shock Doctor Supporter with Carbon Fiber Cup – $24.95 – This is a cup I would recommend to those who want a really cool cup. It just looks awesome. It’s form and function in one. The front part of the cup is made out of carbon fiber and can take an impact (but I hope you won’t have to experience that). Its not the cheapest but both the jock and cup look pretty cool. For those gear guys out there, who are like me, you want it to be fun and protective. (bottom left in pic)
  • Bike Protective Hard Cup Support – $12.99 – When I played I preferred the Bike brand cups. The main reason is they had enough room in the cup. If the cup is too small it won’t offer much protection since it won’t cover your package. This cup was so comfy that when I used to have to wear it all day, I usually forgot I was wearing a cup. These are getting harder and harder to find though. They are no longer sold at sports authority in store, and even searching on line proved problematic (bottom right in pic)

Up until now we have discussed traditional jocks. But with the advent of the jock brief it could definitely be worn under your softball pants/shorts. I wouldn’t recommend it with a cup. If you wear a cup I would say get a jock made for a cup. If you don’t the cup could move and not offer protection. But if you have a position like I did (right field) you can wear what you want.

I know many of you like to wear matching undies. Now with jockbriefs and fashion jocks you can get them in a rainbow of colors that would match your teams colors. Some brands you should check out would be Baskit, Timoteo/Cellblock13, Andrew Christian and Go Softwear. This is just a suggestion.

We hope you enjoy this short list Finding protective gear is not easy these days. I have tried all the ones listed above and if you are starting back check them out. If you get one of the non traditional jocks/jockbriefs, let us know which you wear! For protective gear I would suggest surfing International Jock, they have the best and easiest to browse selection. As for non traditional jocks go to the brands websites.

by
Keep Reading
In Garcon Model Underwear

Review – Garçon Model Brazil Trunk

1 Comment

0001-garcon_model_green_yellow_brazil_trunks_iconic_metallic_collection_2

I had such high hopes for the Garcon Model Brazil Trunk when I received it as it is quite an attractive looking pair. Available only in yellow with green piping (Brazil – get it?) the trunk features a comfortable metallic logo waistband as well a color contrast logo on the seat of the trunk . Additionally there is no annoying tag to deal with. These great details are probably why they are the most popular item on the GM store. However, the pleasing looks is where my love affair with this trunk ends because despite these advantages I had issues with the general fit of the pair.

I own quite a few pairs of boxers/trunks/shorts and in my opinion these barely qualify as a trunk; the cut is much more like a brief. When I first put these on, I even double checked the package to make sure I received a trunk. Additionally, for a large, the fit was pretty tight, especially at the leg opening – to the point that when I took them off at the end of the day, they had definitely bunched up around my legs adding to the brief appearance. Also, if you’ve read any of my previous reviews you know that I am a fan of underwear with pouches and while the Brazil trunk does have a semblance of a pouch, it likewise is tight and somewhat uncomfortable.

While I do wear large in most of my underwear, obviously I could alleviate many of my issues by purchasing an XL however, sadly they are not available bigger than a large. Overall, I would say that they are well made and the 82% Nylon/18% Spandex is remarkably soft. If they fit you, they are a great pair of underwear; however, the awkward fit means that for me personally they will be living at the back of my underwear drawer.

Pros:

  • Metallic waistband
  • Tagless

Cons:

  • Not really a trunk
  • Tight fit
  • Small pouch

Ratings:

  • Fit – 2
  • Materials – 5
  • Construction – 5
  • Look – 4
  • Daily Wear – 3
  • Overall – 3.8

Garçon Model furnished this pair for review.

by
Keep Reading