It’s time for $12 Tuesday at Baskit. Today only you can get the pair above, the Contrast Brief at the Baskit site for just $12 today. Get one, get a few! It’s a great day to stock up on some great undies.

Men’s shapewear is nothing new. It has been on the market for a few years. In theory, shapewear should make you appear thinner and slimmer. Women have been using it for years. Spanx the company known for women’s shapewear created a collection for men. The first collection was good. But didn’t deliver to men the Spanx experience women have been having.

Whats’ Wrong with Shapewear?

One of the big reasons I don’t think shapewear has taken off for men is function. I have tried many different kinds of shapewear. The shirts are a struggle to get on. It’s basically wrestling to get them on. You really need two people to put them on. Getting them off luckily is not as difficult, but it’s still a chore. I would love if they created a zipper or fastening system that allows it to go on easier and by yourself.

Unlike women’s brands a lot of the early men’s lines gave a little bit slimming. But not enough of a slimming effect that guys were expecting. Why struggle to put on a shirt when it gives you minimal results? More brands are looking at how to make their lines give better results.

The last thing is going to the bathroom. This is something often over looked. On women’s  shapewear. They have an opening that allows them to go to the Bathroom. On men’s it can be a struggle to get them down and out. Depending on the design. One company that didn’t overlook this is Gregg Home. Their Sculpt line they released in March/April took into account going to the bathroom. There is a slit between the wide waistband and the pouch. Easy access with out the hassle.

How To Fix Shapewear

The design of most men’s shapewear is pretty simple. I”m not saying we need to put in wild colors or patterns. I think the classic white and black are perfect for it. Most will not want to draw attention to the fact they are wearing it. The wilder the colors the more attention you will get.

I mentioned above the struggle to get it on. One thing I would love to see is a one piece design. That could be like a singlet. A  full body type of design would give better results and fit better. A zipper down the front that could ease in putting the pairs on. I’m still not sure if there should be a cut-out or specially designed pouch. To allow for ease of use for the bathroom. If there is a cut out you’d need to wear extra underwear for support.

This design would be tailored for a man’s body. Make sure it’s narrows the waist and broadens the shoulders. This design should also take into account the anatomy of a man. To ensure  it’s very comfortable. Plus, the design should be able to be worn under clothing without giving away the fact it’s shapewear.

We hope to do some more shapwear reviews soon. Stay tuned!

2(X)IST has released an update to their popular Sliq line. The new collection is called the Sliq Micro collection. It also has something in it that may surprise and delight some of you. It has a thong! Yes, the original y back thong is in this collection. It was one of the first thongs I really fell in love with, and I”m glad it’s back in a new color.

The new collection has either two prints and a solid. The thong only comes in the solid color. I wish they could have done a print on it. The colors in this collection are Intersect Print – Lime Green, Intersect Print -Flame Scarlet  and Flame Scarlet. All colors are a lot of fun. I am loving the Flame Scarlet thong. They all really pop and will be fun to wear under jeans, suit or work clothes.

Made out of an 88% POLYESTER / 12% SPANDEX blend. Which will make it fit great. The added bonus of this fabric is it’s moisture wicking. Making it the perfect pair for working out or being active. More and more brands are paying attention to this and it’s a welcome change.

The three styles are the Sliq Micro Brief, Trunk, and Thong. As stated above the brief and trunk have all colors. The thong is just the Flame Scarlet. I like this because the main part of the underwear is a solid color and the print is on the right hip. It’s asymmetrical but a lot of fun.

The Y-Back thong is a classic. We added it to our Drawer of Fame this year. It’s one of the first thongs that was accepted by the masses. Even department stores sold the pair. This is a classic pair that I hope they never quit making. This is one thong I definitely want to pick up!

Find the three styles at the 2(X)IST website!

BRAND: 2(X)IST
PAIR: Sliq Micro Brief, Trunk and Thong
COLORS: Intersect Print – Lime Green, Intersect Print -Flame Scarlet  and Flame Scarlet
FABRIC: 88% POLYESTER / 12% SPANDEX
SIZES: Small – X-Large
COST: $30/$30/$26
LINK:

• 2(X)IST Sliq Micro Brief
• 2(X)IST Sliq Micro Trunk
• 2(X)IST Sliq Micro Thong

Almost 8 years ago when we launched UNB, we used to judge a pair by the Gym Factor. The Gym Factor is would you wear this pair to the gym and change in the locker room. Most guys at the time would wear more conservative pairs. They would be regular briefs, boxer briefs, and trunks. Also, they would be in traditional colors. Usually black, white or grey. Some would do navy or similar color.

That was 2008/2009, we are now in 2016. A few of our readers I talk with on a regular basis have me questioning this factor. More and more guys are telling us they are wearing thongs to the gym, over traditional underwear. The comfort and support is one thing they love. Some of these guys say they change at the gym and don’t care who sees them in a thong.

I know there isn’t a wave of guys in gyms walking around in thongs. It’s a slow migration to better underwear for the general public. As more guys realize that good underwear makes you feel amazing. This trend will change. Wearing something colorful and fun won’t be an issue. Other guys in the locker room won’t even give it a second look.

This is due to underwear is being worn by more straight guys. It’s no longer just gay guys who can wear great underwear. There is still a stigma of “underwear is gay.” This is SLOWLY, going away. I say slowly, but I have seen big changes in the industry since 2008. These will continue to change.

One other reason this is changing is technology in underwear. There is much better fabric and designs. Fabrics now are moisture wicking. Allowing you to work out more comfortably. Fabrics such as Modal are the perfect example. They keep you cool and perfect for working out. Next, brands are giving more supportive pouches and creating pairs just for working out. Comfort is key to the current men’s underwear market.

We are curious if you guys are wearing what you want to the gym or are you still using the “Gym Factor?” Wearing classic designs and colors to the gym?

Thanks to everyone who voted in the Real Guys Poll. We know this is just as important to you guys as it is to us at UNB. We love talking to you guys and sharing your opinions. I will say some of you didn’t hold back on your comments. We love that, no matter which side of the poll you voted on.

Why did we do this poll?

I am not an underwear model and most of the UNB guys aren’t either. Like our old slogan said we are real guys who love real underwear. The only one of us who could be an underwear model is Beau Briefs! He looks amazing in his pictures he posts on Twitter.

In the past, we have run more real guys in our shoots. Looking back in 2011-2012. We got some hits from readers and people in the industry about our models. But, I wanted more realistic looking guys. It’s my mission for ALL guys to wear what they feel the best wearing. Why should a bigger guy not wear a thong? Or a smaller guy not wear bikinis? Or boxers or whatever they want.

On our reader Survey, we ask this question and you guys want a mix of models, real guys and up and coming models. We firmly agree with this mix. We got it confirmed with this poll

Results

90% of you guys support having real guys in pictures. 7% want to see underwear models and 3% were undecided. This means you guys really want to see real guys. Many of you talked about increasing body image among guys. That we are not all built like models. Also, it would be great to see what underwear looks like on a real guy. To see the actual fit.

97% of you would Support UNB in showing real guys in underwear. Only 3% said they wouldn’t. One of the guys who is on the model size stated that if we started to show real guys he probably wouldn’t read the site any more. We aren’t talking about taking all the pictures and making them real guys. But, do want to show a more realitic image of men in underwear. So we would have a mix of real guys, amature models, and models.

The last question was would you participate in a crowdfunding campaign to show real guys. 62% said no. I was expecting a closer division between yes and no. The reason this is imporant to ask, photo shoots take money. We have to pay the photog, models and sometimes rent a location. We simply can’t take on the burdon alone of doing shoots. With out support from you guys, we won’t do as many shoots.

We’d love to hear more on this topic. From guys on both sides of the arugment.

Over the last week, I have been inspired. I had the chance to sit down with Salvatore and talk in person. Many don’t know we at UNB are spread across the US and rarely get a chance to have face time. We had a good 3 hours of UNB planning. It inspired. Our Complete Guide to Underwear for the Endowed guy from an Endowed Guy. We needed to expand this to other guys.

One section of guys that is underserved in underwear are the big and tall guys. I happen to fit both categories. I have been open with my Body Image post a few weeks back. I am 6’4” and upper 200’s and a 42-inch waist. So this definitely classifies me as both. Like many of our readers, I would never be mistaken as an underwear model. There are challenges for guys in both categories.

Tall Guy Issues

Unlike a lot of clothes, underwear is a bit different. Being as tall as I am sometimes the pants are too short in a suit or the shirt isn’t long enough. Underwear still has issues for tall guys. I remember in my teens, Jockey had a line just for tall guys. I haven’t seen this in a while, so I’m not sure if they do it.

Tall guys have bigger waists

Most tall guys I know out there have bigger than 32 waist. A tall guy can have a 36-inch waist and most may think he’s a 32-inch waist. Most tall guys I know are 36 and bigger. It’s not that they are out of shape it’s just the way we are built. Many brands don’t make sizes over size 36. So they are left out of many brands.

Low Rise is Really Low Rise

I have had this happen a few times. You get a pair of low rise briefs and it barely covers the front and back. If the rise in the briefs is shallow, it just won’t fit. One pair I remember I kept pulling up in the back. It wouldn’t stay put on my waist. We have to be careful of how low rise pairs actually are cut! This sometimes means buying a size larger. That frankly, just doesn’t fit right or look right on a guy.

Pouches Don’t Fit Right

If you’re a tall thin guy, you can have issues in how the pouch fits against your body. It may not hold everything in and give support. You may actually suffer a blowout (You know what I am talking about.). The leg openings are designed for guys with bigger thighs.

Big Guy Issues

Bigger guys until recently have been left out of the ability to have great undies. In the last few years, companies have either come on the scene or started to develop underwear in larger sizes. We had Krakatoa tell us in their interview they had a larger guy who loved their underwear because it’s comfortable to him!

No Large Sizes

Getting underwear over a size 38 can be a challenge. A few (who I will cover below) companies actually make undies for larger guys. Most designer underwear goes up to a 40-inch waist for the most part. There have been many brands I want to try but have yet because I wasn’t in their size range. I lost 70 pounds and got to try a few but there were still more that I still was too large to try. I was almost a 36-inch waist. There is also no wearing underwear that’s too small. I find nothing more irritating than underwear that’s too small.

Waistbands fit all wrong

Waistbands are one thing I love. The designs and such can set off a pair. With larger guys, the bands can roll and fold over. Making it super uncomfortable. No matter how great looking the pair is, the band will make or break the pair. When this happens it inevitably stretches the waistband. Sometimes it gets fixed when you wash and other times it doesn’t.

Not designed for bigger guys

Underwear for bigger guys needs to be designed for them. You can’t simply take a medium pattern and scale it up to a larger size. It’s like plus sized in women’s wear. It’s not a copy of the “regular” clothes. Problems include too tight leg openings, not enough coverage in back, pouch design and more. To the credit, though, brands are starting to pay attention to this and are doing something about it.

Do you have to accept you have limited options?

If you are either, you have to accept you will have limited options. If you’re just tall. Experiment and find a brand that fits your body best. If you’re longer in the legs, you may not have issues. I can’t say with brands would fit you best. I would suggest buying non-low rise underwear.

If you’re bigger guy. Go with brands designing for you. BearSkn is one made for bigger guys. They sell in all sizes but are designed for bigger guys. I have tried the briefs and they are amazing. They have none of the issues above. One awesome thing they have is a sports mesh panel for between your legs. Also, another brand  is Junk UnderJeans making XXL sizing in certain of their pairs.

The Industry is Changing

Don’t get discouraged because the industry is changing. When I started UNB there were very few fashion brands for bigger or tall guys. Now there are new ones coming up every year. As more guys discover underwear, current and new brands will address the needs of the consumers such as us.

If you have any questions contact me here, leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter.