We have a few things planned but our tag line, which you may or may not know is “Real Guys, Real Underwear” We feature some of our reviewers of different body types in reviews (both video and online). But we want to extend that to more! To do that we need your help.
This is a a pic from February 2013 featuring 2(X)ist. This is the Pro Sliq Brief. Plus the 2(X)its socks! We will have more form them soon.
My “Brief Beginnings” were in no way ever planned to becoming a Men’s Underwear Designer. I always knew I wanted to be a designer. I was sketching since I can remember – and at the at the age of seven I remember drawing my favorite cartoon characters or super hero’s and then changing their costumes in my sketch. Wonder Woman would have a purple costume rather than a red one.
Things like that is why I geared my studies at school towards Fashion Design, and took summer classes at The Delaware Art Museum and Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. (It was a Girls School, but they allowed boys during the summers). When I graduated from High School I went on to get my BFA at Parson’s School of Design in New York City. I’ve always wanted to design glamorous evening gowns or red carpet dresses for celebrities. (My cousin has taken that part over – Dennis Basso).
After Parson’s I worked for Joseph Abboud as an assistant designer in his licensing division. I was (and still am) in awe of Joseph, and he took a liking to me and my sketching ability. He would always have me sketch to frame as gifts for friends – and do illustrations for his biography “Threads.”
In the licensing division at Joseph Abboud I was able to work on many different categories; Women’s Sportswear, Home Furnishings, Shoes, belts, bags, Outerwear and also Men’s loungewear and underwear. It was the perfect job for a designer right out of school. I got to have a hand in designing every product category. After three years I heard about a job at Tommy Hilfiger in Men’s underwear and loungewear. I was intrigued to know one product inside and out. To know every detail – rather than dabble in a variety of different products (grass is always greener syndrome.) I was intrigued.
I moved to Tommy Hilfiger, where I spent the next five years working on Men’s underwear, loungewear and eventually socks. The underwear business really intrigued me. It was actually very challenging. There are only so many things you can do to a pair of underwear to make it “new” each season. I loved the challenge. I absorbed as much as I could about the industry and the product.
We worked closely with JOCKEY underwear, whom at the time was the licensee of Tommy Hilfiger Underwear. In time, Tommy would launch a collection based out of Europe with a European Licensee called Schiesser. I learned from the best, two power-house brands that have been around for over 100 years. I learned about the product and also learned how different countries and communities require different attributes.
I wasn’t ready to leave Tommy Hilfiger after five years – but a friend of mine heard of a position at 2(X)IST. I adored the 2(X)IST brand, and thought it would be the perfect next evolution in my career.
I remember being really impressed with how extensive the underwear offering was when I first started at 2(X)IST, and how impeccable the quality and construction was. I wasn’t sure I had what it takes to design so many collections of….well….just underwear every season. Again, I loved the challenge.
This year will mark my tenth year at 2(X)IST. Each year has been better than the previous. I am still continuing to learn. I still feel like we push the boundaries and bring something new to the table. I love what I do. I love the craft. I love the industry and I respect the competition. It is magical to me.
The 2(X)IST brand has grown and is continuing to grow in many different catagories. My position here feels like it is changing yet again, and morphing into overseeing new product categories. We launched swimwear 2 years ago, we have socks and the no-show ped and this year we will launch Activewear that we teased the public with in our fashion show this past October. The brand continues to grow into exciting new ventures and so my “Brief Beginnings” have proven to be all too fruitful. I am blessed and thankful everyday, and I am most thankful to have communities, enthusiasts and friends such as yourselves at UNB whom are interested in it all.
Thank you for asking about my “Brief Beginnings” and I am excited to share all that’s new to come with the 2(X)IST brand.
If you have read us in the past month you know we covered how to organize your underwear drawer. Now we are tackling a topic we don’t like. When do you clean our your drawer and get rid of older pairs?
- If you have a good friend into underwear and the same size consider doing a swap. It can be fun to get some undies you don’t like and trade them to a buddy for pairs he doesn’t like. This works well with a guy who has briefs but likes boxer briefs and vice versa. It’s a win-win for underwear lovers!
- Give pairs that haven’t been worn much to a friend. We all have a friend who’s getting into underwear and it’s good to expose them to some great brands. Or you can just give a pair to someone who loves underwear (see above but no trade)
- Don’t know anyone into undies, you ca make something out of the underwear if you can. Gone are the days when you use underwear as dust rags. With what we pay for a lot of the pairs it’s a sin to do that! One things i want to do is make a quilt out of some of my favorite pairs. A reader suggested it years ago and I’m constantly going through that third drawer to find pairs that would make a great quilt. This also will take a ton of underwear to make, since I’m a briefs guy.
- Throw them away. I hate this option. But some guys don’t have a problem doing this. I hate it but have done it in the past. Mainly with swim briefs. The spandex gets so worn our there is no recovery. So the only option is throw them away. I hear some say donate them but most clouting places won’t take worn underwear.
We jumped ahead for the previous this Brief Distraction features 2EROS Black Label. A really great pair of underwear. I have tired them and they are awesome! This is from February 2013.
I met Jerrad and Todd in February of last year in Vegas at Project where we get to see all the new trends in men’s underwear. I was really excited to meet them because I had heard a lot about their new company, Underwear Nation, and wanted to learn more about how they got the idea to start an underwear retailer. We sat down in the luxe Cosmopolitan after the underwear show and talked. Underwear Nation is always a topic of conversation on the underwear scene! If you aren’t familiar with the online store I am sure you know their amazing photography that seems to pop up all over the Internet.
I started our conversation by asking them how Underwear Nation got its start. As it turns out, Jerrad and Todd were acquaintances from over 15 years ago that parted ways after meeting at a random party. Jerrad was leaving to dance on a cruse ship, and Todd was moving to Chicago to pursue his business career. Several years later Todd was combing the Internet for hot guys and saw Jerrad’s work on a blog. After rekindling their friendship, Todd hired him to do a photo shoot for a bar he was working at in Madison. The rest is history!
Both fans of (hot guys in) underwear they talked about how they wanted to do something in industry. “We had a great brand name in Underwear Nation. And we wanted to create a solid business plan that would surge into the Men’s Underwear industry and set us apart.” Todd and Jerrad launched Underwear Nation as an Underwear of the Month Club where members would get a pair of briefs, boxer briefs or jockstraps every month. In addition, they wanted to provide a curated retail experience with great editorial content such as Jerrad’s original photography every month. As UN has evolved they have begun releasing new men’s underwear product lines through a monthly Issue with a themed photo shoot such as the very popular Varsity series set in the locker room featuring Timoteo.
As they have grown over the past 18 months, like most entrepreneurs, Todd and Jerrad have had some challenges along the way. Jerrad mentioned “the constant deadlines of a small team that create a lot of creative pressure for us.” And being an online retailer has presented lots of issues as the company continues to grow. “Sometimes we have to stop everything and work on technical issues…things that necessarily aren’t our strength, but are important for the growth and viability of the company,” Todd said.
I asked the team at Underwear Nation what surprised them as an Internet retailer. They mentioned how awesome it was to have a global customer base, and how cool it was to get orders from everywhere from Australia to Israel. And with the global presence, Jerrad and Todd are eager to see the company grow and expand to become one of the largest underwear retailers on the Internet. Todd added, “Not only do we want to continue to improve our curated product selection in our store, but we also want to continue to engage our customers in new and interesting ways.” At Underwear News Briefs we know it will be amazing and I can’t wait to see the progress!
They have some big plans coming up and we wills hare them with you as they announce them. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and Pinterest @ Aronikswim or www.aronikswim.com
This pic we enter last year. This was the new 2(X)ist swimwear at the time. Which will be released soon as this is from August! So be on the look out
Cocksox® is an Australian men’s underwear and swimwear company that make everything from long johns to super sexy thongs! All Cocksox® have one thing in common: an anatomically designed pouch to lift and support a man’s ‘manhood’. The Cocksox® pouch provides supreme comfort, support and an enhanced profile. Cocksox® do for men what the push-up bra does for women!
The Cocksox® pouch design is also suitable for highly active men. Many tri-athletes, cyclists, runners and swimmers wear Cocksox® because the pouch gives support like a jockstrap without being constrictive or bulky.
Guys give undies a hard time so Cocksox® underwear are made using the highest quality modern fabrics (Lycra®, Supplex® & Cotton-Lycra). They are hypo-allergenic, fast wicking, long lasting and have excellent shape retention.
Cocksox® swimwear is made from superior quality Lycra with high chlorine resistance, excellent wear properties and SPF 50+ sun protection.
All sorts of guys from all over the world buy Cocksox®, a lot of them being middle and upper income earners who appreciate the high quality design, quality manufacture and the good price point. Cocksox® customers include doctors, dentists, pilots, athletes, military personnel, celebrities, strippers, sheiks, swimmers, cyclists, clergymen and regular guys who like to go about their regular day with asexy secret in their trousers!
Some guys buy Cocksox® just for the fun name but are genuinely amazed by how comfortable and supportive they are and come back for more, and more! There are even Cocksox® customers who’ve thrown out all other underwear brands and only wear Cocksox®! One man requested custom made Cocksox® for his wedding night – we were happy to oblige.
From what started as a rude dare, Cocksox® has grown into a brand exported to almost every country on Earth. Retail stores in USA, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia sell Cocksox® and the number is growing all the time.
Who’s behind the brand:
Nadiah Christensen has been working in the apparel industry for 15 years and her garment designs and prints have featured at international fashion shows including Lyon Mode City and Salon International de la Lingerie de Paris.
Nigel Christensen, who is also a film producer, is the brains behind the provocative Cocksox® marketing campaigns.
Early in 2006 Nadiah, saw a need in the men’s underwear and swimwear market for high quality, sexy designs with enhancing qualities.
Running the concept past her partner, Nigel Christensen, he thought of the name Cocksox®! At first it seemed too rude but it was the perfect name for the garments and the attitude they embodied;
Sexy, provocative and fun!
In March 2006 they released the first Cocksox® ‘no rings, no slings’ enhancing underwear, triggering a revolution in men’s underwear around the world.
From humble beginnings Cocksox® now appears in international magazines, morning TV in England, movies and is currently in negotiations with pro athletes and pop stars for endorsement and marketing deals.
There is nothing that brings more curiosity from you guys when get a chance to talk to you one on one, either via email or in person, than my trips to Vegas to see the the brands new collections. It’s always a big topic of conversation and I’m more than happy to talk about it.
- 8:30 – leave the hotel for Venetian
- 9:00 – Arrive at Venetian and get credentials
- 9:15 – 12:00 – Meet with Brands
- 12:00 – 12:45 sit down and grab lunch
- 1:00 – Go to Cafe Gelato (I gotta take a break)
- 2:00 – leave for Mandalay bay
- 2:30 – arrive at Mandalay bay and walk to the convention center
- 2:45 – get credentials
- 3:00 – walk around and say howdy to people
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – meet with brands
- 7:30 – UNB Meet and Greet till when ever

- 8:45 – Leave hotel for Convention center
- 9:00 – meet with brands (usually anywhere from 2 brands)
- 10:30 – meet with brand in suite
- 11:30 – back to the Convention center to meet with brands
- 12:30 – take lunch double check schedule
- 1:00-6 Pm – meet with brands (usually 5-10

- 8:45 – leave for convention Center
- 9:00-11:30 – meet with brands
- 11:30 – 12:00 Lunch
- 12:00 – 4:00 meet with brands
- 4:00- 5:00 Hang out and say good bye to brands
We all love hearing stories on how companies got their start. This one is about one of the wildest companies on the market. Koala is synonymous for fetish/erotic wear! They are the top of every list we get. It spans every market and every type of guy. I got a chance to talk to Michael the owner about how the company started and here is their story.
Koala started over 20 years ago because Michael the owner couldn’t get the swimwear he wanted. The styles he had in mind were not available from anyone on the market. This made him start having his swimwear custom made. While laying out in them he asked himself if other guys would like them? We definitely know the answer to that question.
He was a bit apprehensive about being able to create a business in swimwear. This was in the 90’s and men’s swimwear wasn’t as big as it is now. He got some designs made and started asking guys if they liked them. As it turns out many guys wanted the swimwear. He started Koala and it grew.
The basic premise of the company was he wanted really hot swimwear for the beach and that progressed into underwear and finally fetish wear. Like many underwear companies it first hit the gay market but grew. Now the brand is sold to men and women, gay and straight.
Some of the biggest challenges over the year are having the quality of the product that he expected. Going from making custom made items to mass production was a bit different then producing just a few suits. He tried over seas sourcing and wasn’t happy with the results. If they couldn’t make them in LA and have control he would rather not do it. He expected the quality to be amazing and the craftsmanship be top notch. So today the manufacturing is done in the US in the LA area.
Koala has a lot of the same people working today as they did when they opened. All the seamstresses, pattern makers and production crew. They tried going back over seas after a few years with samples, but they weren’t spectacular. However, they decided to keep production in LA. He said he loves working with the same people over the years because when a new idea comes into mind it’s easy to have the staff know exactly what you are thinking and makes for a great product.
I asked what the biggest surprise was in starting and running the company. Variety and types of customers. He loves underwear and swimwear like the rest of us. But not knowing if there were other guys out there who are into the scene. He was surprised at how big the community turned out to be. It includes women and men, both gay and straight men.
Guys have a lot of catching up to do in the women’s market. Women are willing to show each other underwear. They wear g-string to the locker room. Size and shape doesn’t matter. It’s totally second nature. It hasn’t evolved that way to the men’s market. We see more varied underwear styles at the gym now but not many guys wear them. They don’t wear thongs and g-strings. Women have no issues. If men think it would be ok they would be into wearing them in a minute. They would wear what ever.
Best sellers over the years: What styles are best selling are the Cock shaped suits as a group, Also the Male Transformation ones. Tons of guys wear them as underwear. They always call and ask if it will make them look feminine. Usually when they buy them they become a fetish item for them.
We want to thank everyone who nominated and voted in the 1st Annual UNB Reader Awards. It was a lot of fun to do and thank the brands that really got the word out. You have a year off till the next one! But you spoke and here are the winners of the 2014 UNB Reader Awards.
Some of the votes were really close and it went right to the wire! All the pairs nominated were awesome pairs so you can’t go wrong with any of them. It was cool to see some new brands you guys love and some standards.
The Winners are:
Best Bikini – Cocksox CX16 Waistband Bikini
Best Brief 2(X)ist Sliq Mesh Brief
Best Thong – Andrew Christian Almost Naked Smooth Vive Spider Thong
Best Jock – Andrew Christian Coolflex Active Jock
Best Jock Brief – Andrew Christian Airsculpt Locker Room Jock
Best Trunk – Timoteo Rugby Scout Square Cut Brief
Best Boxer Brief – Andrew Christian Color Vibe Boxer
Best Fetish Wear Brand – Cellblock13
Best Swimwear Brand – Andrew Christian
Best Overall Brand for 2013 – Andrew Christian
Best Online Retailer – Underwear Nation
Best Brick and Mortar Store – Andrew Christian Flagship Boutique
Best Underwear Model – Colby Melvin
Best Photographer – Jerrad Matthew
These are our winners!
Junk UnderJeans is a great brand we talk to every time I go to Vegas. They have really broadened as a brand and have some amazing undies each time I see them.
It all started when I was just five years old and living with my family in a village in northern Greece. Believe it or not, I made a simple pair of briefs that I stitched together from an old piece of knitted fabric. I remember my family being not very comfortable, but I was really proud!
It’s a strange story, but it was more like the male underwear and male fashion industry coming to me (smiles). I never really dreamed of being a part of it (another smile). I just felt inspired to create designs and then happened to find the right way to bring my creations to life!
The idea of Modus Vivendi for me started with the desire to clothe the male body, cleverly and with style. I felt inspired to create designs. I used to create underwear for my friends and family. Everyone was so encouraging that I should start my own fashion label and everything came together in 1989.
Modus Vivendi has been around for 25 years. We started in 1989 and quickly became one of the biggest underwear brands in Greece, but it was only in the last three or four years that we began showing the brand in other countries. It’s great to see how far we’ve managed to go on the global market in such a short time. It’s amazing how the brand has picked up so many fans and followers around the world.
I never had any contacts in the fashion industry, so I had to learn things the hard way. It was more the practical things of a business though than anything else. I feel very lucky that I was always able to get inspired by everything around me. Living in Greece, surrounded by its beautiful landscapes and people is an unlimited source of energy and inspiration.
Christos Bibitsos, Head designer and owner of Modus Vivendi
Operation Swim Brief 2014 is in effect. What is operation swim brief? Well its a way to get guys to wear swim briefs this summer to the pool or beach! Note we can’t say Speedo because it’s a trademarked name! I have talked to gay and straight guys who both want to wear them on the beach. Being a gay guy it amazes me how many gay guys have never worn them in public. When I was younger I wore them all the time and loved wearing them!
This challenge isn’t limited to the gay guys. We need our straight underwear brothers to join in. Many of you straight guys have told me that you wish you could wear them. Well now is your chance! Just do it and to hell with what the public has to say!
If you are going to do the Swim Brief Challenge let us know. Not all of us look like a swimmer model but it doesn’t matter! It’s about wearing what you want, when you want!
We’d love to post reader pics doing this! Email us, Tweet us or leave a comment here if you are! We think it’s time to make them more accepted!
In 2012 we have this picture from Pistol Pete. They have really had a great year in 2013. They continue to go strong and we love working with them!
We are staring segment called Brief Beginnings where brands and people in the industry tell you how they found their way into the Men’s underwear market. Most of these will be written but this one was too good to pass up. Naked Underwear has videos on how they got started. We hope you enjoy these videos!
What are the factors that we evaluate when buying underwear. I’m not only talking new brands but brands we know. We all have something different we look for and have different body types. Some issues that face guys are: endowment, butt size, long torso, shorter legs, stocky builds, thin builds, muscular thighs and the list goes on. Each of these brings a challenge to find great underwear. Adding this on top of our own fashion style, favorite color and fabrics makes it seem that finding a great pair is impossible. But if you’re like me this decision has become second nature. You evaluate tons of criteria all at once:
My own factors for finding great underwear are:
- Sizing – The first qualification that can knock a pair out of consideration. I’m a tall stocky guy and down to a 36 (on a good day). Many pairs either just go up to a 36 or run too small for me to wear. There is nothing worse than putting on a pair of underwear and you can nearly get it on, but not quite!
- Pouch – As long time readers know i’m an endowed guy so the pouch is a major factor. It has to cover me with out anything falling out
- Materials – Nothing worse than a pair of underwear made out of itchy fabric. Two of my favorites are spandex/lycra blend and Modal. Both fit very well and conform to my body. I love soft and stretchy fabric.
- Cut – My cut of choice are briefs. I like everything from bikinis to full sized briefs. I’m not a big fan of boxer briefs or trunks. I just love the feel and fit of briefs. They hold everything just right. Other cuts I like are thongs, jocks, jock briefs.
- Color – I am not one guy who’s turned off by color, quite the opposite. I love bright colors and yes I do have pink undies. If given a choice between white/black or color I will most often choose the color. I’m not too big a pattern guy but its not a deal breaker. The brighter the color the more I like it.
- Waistbands – It wouldn’t be a complete list without a waistband on the list. A great waistband can sell me on a pair. Creative and fun designs are the best. I think so many brands miss out on this opportunity to add something to a pair.
- Brands I know – Its a bigger chance I will just buy a pair if I know the brand and have tired it before. Well, for impulse purchases
These are some of the decisions that lead to my buying new undies. Let’s hear from you guys! What do you use to buy new undies.
August 2010 was the firs time we met Good Boy Gone Bad. They are a brand we meet with on a regular basis. Sad to say they won’t be in Vegas this time but we’ll catch up with them soon! We have something in the works
I’m counting the days down till Vegas. These are my favorite weeks of the year. I’m like a kid at Christmas! I get excited when I get on the plane and head out. I have my list together and ready to meet with some favorite brands. Some of the ones I”m meeting with N2N Bodywear, Andrew Christian, Baskit, 2(X)ist, Frank Dandy, Papi and more!
I would love to ask some of the brand your questions. If you have time over the weekend email me or tweet me who and what you want me to ask. While at the shows next week getting on the web and social media is difficult. You have tens of thousands people in a confined space and no cell service.
If you have something you want me to ask, email me at info at underwearnewsbriefs dot com or send a tweet to @unbtim
We are working to get you guys involved in the process so feel free to speak up!
While I am in Vegas, check my Twitter and Instagram each night!
Photography is a major part of men’s underwear. We have five amazing photographers up for the Photographer of the year. The Picture above is from Simon Le, but also up is Rick Day, Michael Stokes, Jerrad Matthew and Tom Cullis. All make amazing pictures! Also go vote in our different categories. Each one has great pairs in it! We will tabulate votes and announce the winners on Monday! Vote at the Underwear News Briefs Reader Awards Page.
For the next week and a half we are looking back to my many trips to Magic and Curve. So for the next 11 days you will see pics we posted over the years. This pic is from 2010 when I met with Baskit and their model was Eric Turner
Are you a guy who wants some thing different for the gym? If so then check out the new Modus Vivendi Crossfit line. It was just released. Modus Vivendi has a very unique style for their underwear and now they are carrying it over to the Work Out Wear! They are definitely the Modus Vivendi take on gear, its never boring or plain! Here is the official info about the line:
Modus Vivendi has just released a new line of male gymwear/loungewear called Crossfit. Renowned photographer Dimitris Skoulos has created one more powerful set of images inspired by the elegance of the new line and the beauty of model Thomas Patrick. The new line comprises four styles: sweatpants, sleeveless jackets, bermuda style shorts and the innovative crossfit sweatshorts in a range of ten colours. A fun and highly creative line for modern men.
Credits:
Brand: Modus Vivendi (www.e-modusvivendi.com)
Photographer: Dimitris Skoulos
Model: Thomas Patrick (VN models management)
Styling: Aris Georgiadis
Make up & Hairdressing: S&G
More pics below
















































