Thanks to Croota, even guys from the United States can parade around in our underwear and be patriotic. With some red, white, and blue, we can show our pride on Independence Day as we walk around our parties and as we lie down by the pool. Who wouldn’t be proud to sport these as you celebrate our freedoms…including being able to share what underwear we love!
In the same fashion as the Australian pair we reviewed earlier, there are pockets for storing the important things for your celebratory events. The pouch does a great job storing important things as well.
Maybe it was the pair I wore, but waist seemed to fit a tad lower than the other. Not every pair is going to come out of the factory the same. You can only count on a certain percentage to come out of mass production as twins. Nevertheless, this pair was just as wonderful as the one preceding it. I failed to mention in the previous review how much I loved the waistband. The inner side of the waistband is an unbelievably comfortable cottony spandex feel, making it smooth to the skin. There is nothing more irritating than having a waistband cutting into your midsection, especially if you plan to have pictures taken of you later in the day. The red cut marks aren’t appealing. Models, you have nothing to fear with this World Collection offering.
Fit
4.5
Materials
5
Construction
5
Look
5
Daily Wear
5
OVERALL
4.9
If you are ready to set off some fireworks outside or in the bedroom, head over to http://www.croota.com and give the World Collection a try. If your country is featured, definitely buy a pair, pull them on, and salute!
We have had the great opportunity of reviewing Croota underwear a few times since their creation and it has been no less of a thrill. They have been busy over there creating underwear for the creative, style conscious, and the playful. The WW-III selection from their World Collection is our interest for this review and honestly, this one pair proved they are ahead of many in the game.
At first glance, something about these stands out. That would be the pockets on both legs. It’s not a large pocket, so don’t think you can get pack happy! It’s a small pocket that could come in handy to store something to help you out a great deal in the near future. Who knows what may happen when you wear these Australia square-cuts. When you pull them on, go ahead and put something important in a pocket for your night out.
The pouch had to be my favorite asset to this pair. It provides you the much needed room for your assets and allows them to push forward.
I give this collection an A+ for creativity. The color combination is terrific. This pair, as pictured above, is called Ultramarine. It has an white waistband with two stripes of coordinating colors. As the major accent, the rear features the country letters AUS, accompanied by three stars.
The fit was perfect and hugged the body as it was meant to. As mentioned, the pouch offered a generous amount of room. I can’t express in words how well they fit me. The tag is sown so that it is not irritating to the back. On the tag, the advice given was “Best Before: Marriage.” That’s awesome! I have worn these through busy days at school and around town and I have also worn them for days sitting at work. In either situation, they proved to be comfortable and never binding. It’s another hit for the creators at Croota.
Fit
5
Materials
5
Construction
5
Look
5
Daily Wear
5
OVERALL
5
You can find this Australia selection at the Croota website located at http://www.croota.com. You can choose from their numerous countries in the World Collection. This pair was provided for review.
They are in magazines and they are on billboards. When you think about it, at one point in time, they were how we knew there were new brands or designs in the stores…at least for those that weren’t able to get to the store often.
Being back in the woods, I depended on magazine ads for updates on my fetish/interest/motivation and for whatever other purpose it served. The coolest thing wasn’t the brands being featured, but rather the new designs being created. It was awesome to see all the color choices.
I used to sit at my grandmother’s house and look through all the magazines she had in the living room. Most of them were the Ladies Home Journal. To be a women’s publication, they had a good bit of men’s underwear advertisements.
Let’s look at that last statement. Why would a company like Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, or Jockey advertise in a woman’s magazine? That’s because for many husbands, their wives are the ones buying the underwear. “Go to the store and pick me up a pack of underwear, will ya?” I can hear it now.
There will always be the best ads that stick into your memories. Jim Palmer has to be one of the best underwear models in my honest opinion. I know, there have been many that some would say have been even better. But, right now, I can’t find the one I really loved. The guy was hairy and burly. I dreamed that he would jump out the ad into my living room.
Either buff, hairy, skinny, or just altogether “godly”, we pay attention and we buy the product. We are in a time now where there are professional athletes all over the place agreeing to take part in the underwear business. Hey, there is great money in it. I would love to get one paycheck written to David Beckham from Armani for sitting there in a pair of their briefs. To be honest, I would love to be the pair of briefs on him, hugging him in all the right areas.
I would love to hear which underwear ads affected you the most. Which ones got your motor running or convinced you to go purchase those briefs or boxers advertised. The future of underwear advertising is not clear, but the stage has been set for greatness and more photographic innovation.
I recently had the awesome privilege in trying out a pair of N2N undies. I have admired N2N Bodywear for some time now, especially their sheer undies. Yes, I do love sheer if you haven’t figured that out yet. The pair I was given to review were cotton. No matter, I was super excited to try them. I wasn’t disappointed. They were super comfortable and I almost forgot what I was wearing. I actually had to keep reminding myself I was wearing them and I needed to review them.
My review pair was the white cotton Twilight brief. They are not the sexiest pair but are extremely comfortable. They are made of 90% cotton and 10% spandex and are ribbed. They love your body and are very comfortable.
The overall fit was perfect. They hug your body in all the right places and provide excellent support where needed. The legs don’t bind and the waistband is not too large and non-binding. There is plenty of room for everything you own.
I am super happy with my first N2N Bodywear brief and look forward to my next great experience in wearing their undies.
Fit
5
Materials
5
Construction
5
Look
5
Daily Wear
5
Overall
5
These Twilight briefs can be found at the N2N Bodywear website located at http://www.n2nbodywear.com. These briefs were provided for review.
The Twilight Brief is the first pair of underwear from N2N. I have tried their workout shorts and liked how they performed. I had wanted to review underwear by them and now I have been given the chance.
I was happy with the material, made up of 90% cotton and 10% Spandex. It is comfortable with a good amount of stretch. Call me spoiled, but I had hoped these briefs would come with a formed pouch. With all the brands out there which sport an accentuated pouch, I would think N2N might want this great feeling brief to give its wearer the most comfort as possible. I’m not a fan of briefs that push everything against my body, or in better terms, require me to form my own pouch.
The waistband is a color combination of yellow, gray, and black with the N2N logo surrounding the body. The band measures 1.5 inches (3.81 cm). To be elastic, it is a smooth material so not to cut into the body throughout the day. The leg openings are lined with a cloth covered elastic band. The altogether fit of the brief was helped by this feature. The briefs remained in place all the day of classes and lots of walking.
Fit
5
Materials
5
Construction
4
Look
5
Daily Wear
5
Overall
4.8
You can find the N2N Twilight brief from their website located at http://www.n2nbodywear.com. This pair was furnished by N2N for our review.
What can be said for Andrew Christian that hasn’t already been said? I don’t think there is anything else that can be said other than the guy is a pure genius in the arena of underwear designers. It’s refreshing to know that a designer has come along that realizes underwear should fit you in accordance to what you posses and not what little or more the designer guesses you can place inside their creations. A true testament to the designer is when his/her creations accentuate the wearer and not force them to hide their body. Andrew Christian has nailed this premise with his Almost Naked line of briefs, trunks, and boxers. I have acquired a pair of boxers to review for UNB.
I should state before I get into the review that I am not a frequent boxer brief wearer. I do not wear boxers at all, but I will occasionally put on a pair of boxer briefs. No matter the design, if I wear them, they have to be comfortable. My complaint about boxer briefs is that on my body, they ride like you would not believe. I will spent most of the day stopping on the sidewalk or in a store and pull the legs back into place. As you can imagine, this does cause some strange looks from others. I simply stand up and smile, mostly at the other guys smiling toward me, because deep down inside, they know exactly what I’m doing and why. When I wore these, I found myself missing those looks as I never once had to pull them back into place.
I hold the Andrew Christian Almost Naked Sport Boxer in the utmost high praise. The material (94% Super Soft Rayon made from Bamboo and 6% Spandex) is soft and flexible yet strong enough to stay put when you are actively moving about the office or out in public. The Sport Boxer features the Anti-Muffin Top elastic “for a slimmer looking waistline.” The waistband measures 1.75 inches (4.445 cm). The leg openings are the same fabric and color as the piping along the sides (not visible) adding to the aesthetic of these boxers. The construction of the natural-hang pouch is beyond explanation. Whatever you posses, the pouch will easily uplift and present. I’ve seen pictures of certain performers wearing the Almost Naked line and, without a doubt, there should be no second guessing whether or not they will provide adequate room and allow a natural hang to avoid pinching.
I wore these while at work for an eight hour shift. The problem with many of the boxer briefs I wear is that when I am sitting at work, the boxers slide up my leg and tend to bunch. I was surprised when I stood up and felt the boxers had remained in place. That caused me to love them from then on. I reviewed a medium but feel that I could use a small. My body is stuck in one of those “in between” sizes where you never truly know what size to purchase.
Fit
5
Materials
5
Construction
5
Look
5
Daily Wear
5
OVERALL
5
A wonderful aspect about purchasing from Andrew Christian is the fact that you can be sure you are buying American made products. These and other designs created by AC are made in the design studio in Los Angeles, CA. That, in itself, gives me motivation to buy from this company because it allows many Americans to have jobs in this time of economic insecurity.
The Andrew Christian Almost Naked Sports Boxer is a fantastic addition in the world of men’s underwear. If you are a constant wearer of this design, having this boxer in your collection would be a benefit. You can find the AC Sports Boxer at the company website located at www.andrewchristianshop.com and they are priced at $34.00.
Hi guys. I’m Wayne, and although I spend a lot of time on the site, this is my first time reviewing. In other words, bear with me!
Recently, I purchased a pair of the Andrew Christian “Show-It” thongs. I know what some of you are saying right off the bat. “OMG! That’s enhancing underwear!” Why, yes it is. I work in retail as a department manager, sometimes putting in 13 hours a day. I need a pair of briefs to provide the right amount of support so I don’t have to make the dreaded “crotch adjustment” in public. That was my reasoning behind this purchase.
Andrew Christian underwear is made in the good old U.S.A. Maybe someone at AC likes me, but every time I place an order, even though I pay for the regular USPS ground shipping, someone bucks it up to priority shipping without charging me anything extra. No complaints here!
These undies are made from 90% cotton and 10% spandex. The cotton makes them breathable while the spandex provides support in all the right areas. The waistband is only a mere 1 1/4″ with the “anti-muffin top elastic”. The designers hit the mark. Personally, I can’t stand elastic that bunches up or rolls over during the course of the day.
The “show-it” technology incorporates a cotton pouch for your junk. Slide them on, and with one adjustment, you’re pretty much good to go. It kept my package in place all day without me having to make the any adjustments.
I’ve worn these underwear two times since receiving them. They look great and feel just as wonderful (that is, if you’re into wearing a thong, which I can understand if that’s not your style). I was at work during both times I’ve worn them. The first time was for only an eight hour shift. No problems and comfy all day long. The second time I wore them, it was for a longer day…a 13 hour shift.
I feel the thong strap could have been cut a bit longer because after many hours, they were becoming a little uncomfortable. I powered on, however, and made it through the day. I’d have to say that for a regular day, or a night out on the town, you’ll be fine and comfy the entire time. Depending on how tight you pull up the thong back, you may want to rethink your choice if you’re going to be wearing them as long as I did.
After a long break from writing about underwear, I have returned to review a couple pairs I’ve had in my possession for some time. The next few articles from me will be playing catch-up in the world of underwear.
The first of these articles will be for the Rodeo Hipster from Croota, a nice, square-cut design with a forgiving pouch. In the company catalog of designs, this would be the SP02 in grey and size medium. This would be considered another great creation from Australia. Over the past few days, you’ve seen reviews for other designs from Croota. Seems these were accepted into the underwear world with open arms…or rather, open legs.
I’ve worn these a few times since receiving them. I love the feel of the material and the pouch design couldn’t be better. It conforms to your dimensions perfectly and allows them to rest in the comfortable material throughout the day. The 2 inch (5 cm) waistband, in red, white, and navy, is greatly pleasing to me as I love a wider, supporting waistband on any pair I wear. The leg openings are made from the same material (95% cotton, 5% Spandex), contrary to other brands tend to use a different material to cover elastic.
Not to bring down the happy mood created by Croota, there is one down side to my experience with this cut. Through the day, there were a few times when I had to reposition the back of the underwear. I guess it could be said that they rode up, not in the crotch area, but they did ride higher on the hips after a while of walking around at school and work. Of course, this is just a small downside as I probably have a different hip shape that other who might wear the hipster cut with no problems.
Fit
4
Material
5
Construction
4
Look
5
Daily Wear
5
Overall
4.6
You can purchase a pair of Croota in one or more of their various designs from their website located at www.croota.com.
This pair was furnished by Croota Pty, Ltd for review.
It’s been a long while since I reviewed my last pair of Male Power underwear. Unfortunately, this time is not going to be any better. I understand making men’s underwear more sexy and intriguing, but there really is a line where things aren’t as intended. I’ve never been a fan of mesh clothing. I do own a pair some would consider mesh, but the holes are farther apart and the brief is not totally see through. The air flow is as unhindered as this mesh material without the less attractive look and uncomfortable feel.
The construction of this pair is quite uncomfortable to me. The waistband, the leg openings, and the piping around the pouch have this leather-like shiny material that gives very little room for stretching. It feels like there is a bit of elastic underneath the material. The waistband, about ¾ inches (2 cm), cuts into the skin the longer they are worn, along with the leg openings, leading me to the fact that these wouldn’t be good for all day wear.
It saddens me that this pair of underwear did not work for me. Being an occasional kilt wearer, I like the feel of the breeze wafting around the manly parts and this would have been perfect. If worn with some type of support underneath, mesh-type underwear is preferable, whether it is a jock, thong, briefs, or this square cut design. I wore my kilt not long ago at a local Renaissance festival and seriously thought about wearing them to give them another chance. I couldn’t bring myself to wear them when remembering back to the first time I tried to wear them. I couldn’t wear them for eight hours without pulling them off and stuffing them into my pocket.
Fit
3
Material
4
Construction
2
Look
4
Daily Wear
2
Overall
3
By all means, if you like mesh underwear, try this pair for yourself. This pair may work for you and turn out to be a favorite. Even if this pair was not mesh, the construction doesn’t work for me. You can purchase a pair from this line and others made by Male Power from their website at www.malepower.com.
I have written an article in the past for Candyman. It was the seaman brief with the chain and anchor pattern. I loved the fit of that selection. This brief, known only as the 9525 brief, failed to deliver that same great fit.
The overall look of the brief is great. I can definitely see the sex appeal it would create. Actually, just before writing this article, a very handsome gentleman I’m acquainted with put them on for a little modeling session. I have to say with his skin tone, his lovely Italian body hair, and his great build, this pair of underwear looked fantastic and would easily take the breath away from any onlooker. The pouch, generously filled….the rear, greatly accentuated.
But, I digress. When I wore the brief, its construction seemed a bit far fetched. The back wasn’t as uncomfortable as the front. There is a stretchable seam that runs from the top of the pouch under and up to the waistband in the back. The seam sits neatly in the crack, but it irritates the manly parts in the pouch. It basically tells your rod, “Hey, pick a side!” For those men who are more endowed, the seam will serve as a nice attribute as it allows the pouch to expand outward. I felt it to be unnecessary for me and a cause for irritation. As with a previously reviewed pair of underwear, these briefs had to be taken off before I arrived back home.
The brief is made of 90% nylon and 10% Spandex, making a nice stretchy and smooth combination. The waistband is 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) and doesn’t cut in at all. That’s always good! Not taking the seam into consideration, the brief feels awesome. It is definitely a brief I would love to feel against me all day.
Fit
4
Material
5
Construction
2
Look
4
Daily Wear
3
Overall
3.6
You can try this design along with many others from the Candyman website at www.candymanfashion.com.
Male Power is a designer of sexy underwear for the modern man. We find from their company website that they were created in 1974. I never would have thought they had been around for that long. It was only a few months ago that I first saw a pair in a catalog. They have been shown in various publications during their company lifespan. Out of their vast collection, I was given the Tattoo Mini Short to review.
This was the first pair made by them that I have worn. Immediately after putting them on, I realized that sizing was an issue. I normally wear smalls and that’s what I was supplied. If you are on the upper end of their size ranges, get the next size up. Male Power smalls are 28-30. There were other issues that would have been present other than the size. Even though they were a little snug, they were fine to wear in the beginning of the day. I chose to carry on with my review and hope for the best.
As you can tell by the picture, the waistband is almost non-existent. The waistband measures .86 in (2.22 cm). I, personally, am used to a wider waistband because of the cut-in issue. The same material is used in the leg openings. I, like many of our readers, have thick thighs and need more forgiving material in that area. Over the period of time I wore this pair, the piping material began to cut into my thighs. I can’t deal with this on any underwear and so I took them off halfway through a work shift.
The material used to make the mini short was a great choice. I loved the feel against my skin. The material is made of 85% nylon and 15% spandex. This combination allows for a bit of stretch. There is a pouch design incorporated into the front of the short. Whether that allows for enough room is per the individual. It was OK with me. I’m not really a fan of the print, but that is totally up to the wearer. Some of the seams should be looked at when producing the product as there were some spots where the stitching was questionable as to how long it would hold out in daily wear.
As long as the size works with the wearer, I don’t see any problems with daily wear. The material is comfortable and it gives a fair amount under normal circumstances. The care instructions advise to wash in cool water (no bleach) and tumble dry cool. It would probably be better to simply hang them to dry. I don’t know of anyone that drys anything cool.
Fit
4
Materials
5
Construction
3
Look
4
Daily Wear
5
Overall
4.2
If you would like to try a pair of Male Power underwear, you can purchase them from many different sites including http://www.abcunderwear.com or you can buy them in retailers in your area. In the Atlanta area, I know that Poster Hut carries a large selection of Male Power briefs, thongs, and other styles.
These shorts were provided by Male Power for our review.
If you have been looking for an underwear company who specializes in a wide variety of underwear, we believe we have found that company for you. Candyman offers the modern man a chance to express himself in a new line of fashions. Whether you want to be a police officer, a tux wearing gentleman, or a dirty devil, they offer the perfect selection of patterns and appropriate accessories. If there is something we believe in at UNB, it’s that men should express their inner selves. There’s no better way to do that than pull on a pair of Candyman underwear and be your inner fantasy man.
Recently, I wore the Sailor Brief in size medium. I normally wear a small (31” waist), but after speaking with a fellow reviewer, I chose the medium. Going one size up in most underwear brands means loose briefs. The fit was perfect for me with no drooping, no binding, and staying in place wasn’t an issue.
The cut allowed for perfect coverage. I don’t know if this would be called a full brief but I would not call it a hip brief. However corny it may sound, I would call it an awesome brief. Made of 92% Polyester and 8% Spandex, the material is smooth to the touch and allows for a fair amount of stretch. The wash instructions are to wash separately, do not bleach (of course), and to drip dry. That can be taken in different ways, but my mind would believe they mean hand wash. The material is not the only aspect of the underwear that would lead me to believe these should be hand washed.
A gold chain is located on the pouch underneath the waistband. This addition to the brief is questionable. The chain’s only purpose is aesthetic and is held on by one or two loops of thread through the underwear material…not the waistband. This can easily be broken off in the wash. I personally had a few issues with the chain while wearing the brief when in the restroom. The chain would get in the way when lifting up the tucked in shirt and pulling down the waistband. Another reason to be careful with washing is the anchor on the left leg. The glitter substance used to create the symbol, over time, may deteriorate from the harsh washing detergents. My personal suggestion is to hand wash these delicates and then hang them up to dry.
The Sailor Brief is a great feeling brief and one that will make a seaman out of you whenever the mood strikes. Minus some construction issues, this is a nice brief to add to your collection. Would I think this brief is a daily wear brief? Maybe if you are careful. Make sure you watch for the chain when reaching in to the fly of your pants.
Fit
5
Materials
5
Construction
3.5
Look
5
Daily Wear
4
Overall
4.5
You can purchase a pair of the Candyman Sailor Briefs at Freshpair.com for $26.00. Check out the Candyman website at http://www.candymanfashion.com and see what other styles you might fancy.
Thanks to Candyman for supplying these briefs for review.
Of the many companies who provide the world with socks, the few following brands stand out in stores, catalogs, or online:
Sock Dreams is a fantastic site I have found on the vast World Wide Web. It has a great collection of designs and dress socks. I saw many of them that I really loved. Yes, many of them have rings of color, but others are quite colorful indeed. Definitely check them out and get creative.
Calvin Klein® makes a great selection of socks for men. Their collection includes crews, ankles, and low-cut in a variety of colors. They also have dove into the dress sock arena with their awesome collection. I have tried these socks before and I love the smooth comfortable feel of the materials. You can always count on CK to provide good quality clothing.
Adidas® has a great line of socks. Of course, this is a company we’ve come to expect great things from when it comes to athletic accessories. Their underwear may not be our favorites at UNB, but I am sure we’ve all had a pair of Adidas socks, shoes, or a shirt in the past. I know I do anyway. These can be found in sports supply stores all over the country and probably the world.
Gold Toe® is a sock manufacturer that provides socks for any type of sock wearer. They make some of the best athletic socks in various colors with their signature gold patch over the toe. Their dress socks are very comfortable and are the longest lasting ones I own. You can find these in many department stores and online. They make a very durable cotton/spandex blend that is offered in many colors and holds up well while walking in your favorite dress shoes.
Hanes® and Fruit of the Loom® have been manufactures of socks for many years and are, above all, the most common one found in stores and ads. Each has their own special way of setting apart their products from competitors. For the everyday man, these would probably be the ones their wives would pick out for them. They have no frills and they tend to last as long as any others…under normal wearing conditions. They offer packages of black crew socks that are perfect for wearing with dress shoes when you don’t want to wear the traditional dress sock and like the feel of your favorite athletic socks. Some of their socks are also equipped with antibacterial agents to fight the odors that can occur.
American Apparel® makes a wide range of socks, including the beloved tube socks. They offer many more designs than you would find in stores today, such as red, green, blue, or black tubes with white stripes, and for traditionally women, they have thigh high leg warmers with color rings. It may seem weird to some, but these can come in handy in colder weather to insulate the body. Hunters have been known to wear pantyhose underneath their gear for the same purpose. If you want warmth, don’t be afraid to check these out.
Wigwam®is a company I truly love. I am into hiking and the outdoor scene, but I am also very concerned with comfort. Wigwam will NOT let you down. Their socks are made for comfort. The website is so amazingly easy to use. Go to www.wigwam.com and select outdoor, sports, snowsports (because it’s different), health, or at work to see a range of specialty socks aimed at helping you do them all. If you choose outdoors, you can actually choose the thickness you want. How much more dedicated can they be? Check them out for sure.
No matter what brand socks you choose to buy, get the ones that make you feel good, look good, and most of all, cater to your needs. There are tons of choices and some work for certain people. Find your niche and have fun.
A fad from the past is steadily emerging in the fashion industry. Tube socks, from the late 70s and through the 80s, are returning with a vengeance. Some may remember these being called “Kool-Aid” socks. These bring back so many memories for me, and not all good, unfortunately. When I was in elementary and middle school, my parents would buy these socks for me to wear at school. During the warmer days, I hated having these socks on my legs while the “cool” kids had their new ankle socks. I would roll the tops of my socks down so that the color rings would not show. Today, however, I proudly wear these socks. Think back to the popular shows of the 80s, say “The Wonder Years”, “Punky Brewster”, or “Silver Spoons” and remember how many times you saw these socks on people. They wore them for the world to see. Even the adult movie industry made good use of them!
Pulse Sock Jock available at Skiviez
To go along with the retro tube sock, UNB has featured the Pulse Retro Jock that sports the matching color bands. How cool is it that now, your socks and your underwear can match again. When guys were wearing the original color briefs with white piping, they were matching them to their socks with singular colors such as wearing their white tubes with blue bands and their blue briefs. Now, you aren’t held back by the sold colors! Mix them up with green and yellow and purchase the green/yellow Pulse Jock and show them off!
A year or two ago, I found a pack of fantastic boot socks from Journeys®. They are still my most favorite socks to wear, especially since it has been an exceptionally cold winter. These tube socks are long enough that they cover my kneecaps when I pull them up. I have them in blue/red, green/yellow, and brown/orange. When I wear them, I feel like I am back in the 80s with a better appreciation for them. How could I have covered those rings when I was a teen. Maybe I could have been the one to bring them back into style!
A fad we’ve seen emerging in primarily dress socks is silk. These can be found in almost any color of the rainbow. Sites have been created specifically for lovers of this type of sock. Silk is very sheer and is quite see-through. Silk socks are about the closest thing a guy can have to women’s pantyhose. I have worn silk socks and I have to admit they feel different, if not weird, for the first few times they’re worn, but you do get accustomed to their lightness and ability to breathe. The smooth feel of these socks are amazing. One thing you may consider purchasing before getting into silk socks is sock garters. Yes, men wear garters, too! I found mine online somewhere, but you can find them at Sock Dreams. Personally, I find them very attractive. Not only can underwear spice up your life, but also socks. Who knew something we tend to look over could be sexy!
Many men like to match the color of their dress socks with their underwear. In the ever growing fashion market in underwear and socks, this isn’t hard to accomplish. Companies are starting to create designs of all sorts to match the demand of their customers. You can find then in horizontal and vertical stripes, paisley, plaid, and various geometrical patterns. Being a man of habit, I tend to match as much as I can. I knew a guy a few years ago that I knew what color underwear he had on by looking at his shirt. The same idea goes along with socks. If you are brave to try new things, go out and buy different colors of socks. You will find a different person inside that has been dying to come out all along.
Wearing sports socks for everyday wear is a fad that appears every now and then. When I say sports socks, I mean socks you would normally see worn on the soccer (futbol) field (as seen at the top), baseball socks with the vertical color stripes on the sides, or socks with the solid colors at the top (about 5-6 inches) while the bottoms are white (as shown here). I have wanted to buy some of the more American football socks. I am sure they could be found in sports stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods® or online at Eastbay®. I have a few pairs of baseball socks in blue and red..
Finding out what socks people have on, to me, is like finding out what kind of underwear someone is wearing. They both let you know the person a bit more. For instance, I bought a pair of Spiderman underwear last week. I love them because they make me feel like a big kid. On the same token, if you lifted the leg of my pants, there might be a pair of Auburn University socks, reflecting my favorite team in college football.
Along with the popularity of underwear in the men’s fashion world, we can see an ever increasing popularity of socks. I guess in one way or another, they are linked together as they are both necessary articles of clothing to many. On the other hand, we see just as many people who do not wear socks as we do of men that go commando. Either way, socks continue to be an interesting material of clothing that brings joy and spice to people’s lives.
Material is important to consider when choosing the right pair for you. We have more selections today than we have ever seen. Cotton, silk, and spandex are just a couple of choices offered to men. The many styles of dress socks are examples of the different materials offered in almost any style, primarily found in over-the-calf and crew cuts.
When picking out the socks you want, be sure to read the package to see how the tops of the socks are created and with what enhancements they have to avoid falling down. Nothing is more irritating than having to stop and pull up your socks over and over again. You may have to buy more than one design before you find the one you are comfortable with. I have bought many pairs of socks and then either threw them away or gave them to the partner because they did not hold up as well as they should. If you buy a pair you really love and they do not stay pulled up, you may want to invest in a male sock garter. These are often seen when someone is wearing a suit or a fancier pair of dress slacks. Honestly, you can wear them with whatever you want. I own a pair just in case I find that perfect pair of dress socks.
As you can see in the above pictures, some brands place a strip of elasticized material in the middle of the foot. This piece has a great purpose. It forces the sock to stay in place instead of bunching at the toe. It also gives extra support to the natural arch in your foot. I love my Starter® crews and Ralph Lauren® ankles that sport this feature. I wish more brands added this to their design.
Wool socks are nothing new. These have been around for many years, but I, like many, am a late bloomer when it comes to areas of fashion. My partner and I own a few pairs of wool hiking socks that are at the top of the comfort scale. Whether we are walking up the side of Stone Mountain (northeast of Atlanta, GA) or lying on the couch at home, these socks will keep our feet comfy and toasty. The ones we have are thicker than normal, of course, because they are used for hiking, but there are thinner versions for everyday wear.
If you can find a material that briefs and other underwear has been made from, you can find a pair of socks to match. for instance, we’ve found that Modal is very comfortable against the sensitive parts of the male anatomy. What you may not know is that this material is naturally antimicrobial and wicks moisture away from the skin. This is important in any location of the body where we sweat the most. Our feet can excrete tons of sweat in a day. This miracle material can help wick that moisture away from the foot, allowing it to stay as dry as possible. Great for outdoor workers and sports fanatics.
Whatever the need or desire, there is a material on the market today to give you exactly what you are wanting.
You enter a department store and head toward the underwear section. You are concerned about fit, comfort, style, and durability as you always are when choosing the right thing for you. This trip isn’t for briefs, but for something else in the realm of underwear. You know your size, but do you want something longer or shorter? Do you want something in color, the original white, or maybe something with stripes or color rings? When it comes to purchasing a good pair of socks, one has about as many options as when choosing a new pair of briefs. Just the same, it all comes down to what the wearer expects and personal preference.
Here at UNB, we want people to know what’s out there so that a better choice can be made for the buyer’s comfort and in case the buyer wants to branch out and try something new. First off, it’s important to know the different common lengths we find in stores:
Over-the-calf – This style of sock is the best for wearing boots because of their length, covering the calves of the legs. Some people might wear these because they like to feel something tighter below the knee. Companies out there are making more and more socks for those with blood vessel issues. These are also seen many times on athletes, who wear them so wonderfully.
Crew – This style is worn by many athletes and can be said to be the most common. The sock comes up to the calf or about midway the calf. Many basketball players wear these with high-tops. Some workers chose to wear these with construction boots as well when they do not want the full coverage of the kind above. These were some sent by two Canadian friends a few years ago. I ended up with two pair and I love them. They were marketed in Canada to get people to have pride and cheer for their Olympic team.
Ankle – These socks used to be worn primarily by women when they first appeared in the fashion world, but luck would have it that men noticed the look of this cut and wanted it in their day to day wardrobe as well. These are popular with athletes wanting less material on their legs, students that don’t want to wear “un-cool” fashions, and everyday people who want summer comfort and style with shorts.
Low-cut or no-show – This style of sock is somewhat new within the past few years for men. Again, it was primarily worn by females. Mainly worn with low-top sneakers, these socks give the impression of not wearing socks with shoes. Many shoe brands are making a lower top on their sneakers and people do not want the extra sock material above. Some say they can and cannot wear these because of how little material there is, but once again, we see this as a personal preference.
The choice of sock definitely depends on what you will be doing when wearing them. For instance, my father was in the timber industry for most all his adult life. Many of his socks were the gray, over-the-calf socks with the wide red band around the top. They were designed for those that would be on their feet doing strenuous work. Construction workers are guys we are familiar seeing wearing this kind of sock. We’ve seen many pictures of that from the 80s.
In the coming up articles, I will be discussing the different activities linked to socks, materials they are made from, the various fads we’ve seen in men’s socks, and what good places there are to find them. Stay tuned for more sock love!
My recent assignment was to try out a new pair of Australian briefs. We’ve written lately about the emergence of the Australians in the men’s underwear market. We are very happy to see them since they are bringing about changes in the way we see underwear. It is also good that the world is getting more choices than the ones we had become so familiar with. It’s funny that years ago, the slate was clean and underwear had many directions it could take. Today, that slate has become full of competition as designers from around the world embark on discoveries in new designs and materials to make the modern man comfortable and sexy…all while wearing one pair of underwear. One of those would be the Ristefsky Macheda Dare Brief.
Started by its founders Stephen Ristefsky and Vincent Macheda in 2005, Ristefsky Macheda (RM) has blended European and Australian style to create a bold line of underwear and beachwear. Both designers are of European decent and have placed themselves into Australian fashion and expanding their vision to the rest of the world. We welcome RM to the world of men’s fashion and plead for their creativeness in supplying men with innovative clothing.
I, like many others, enjoy the feeling of opening a new package of underwear. One could say that opening this package meant opening opportunities…for feeling sexy or well supported. This pair of red/white Dare Briefs did not disappoint in offering those opportunities. For a size small, the briefs fit true to size. There was no bunching, no looseness, and no cut marks on either the waist or the leg. This brief comes with a fly opening for those that chose to use it. I am not a fly user since I feel it causes the underwear to lose much of its pouch shape when stretched out. If you do use it, be sure to notice the width of material you will be fishing through; it’s rather wide. The material used in the Dare Brief is 95% cotton and 5% Elastane. The brief can be washed in the washer (thankfully) and it is not recommended to tumble dry or iron them.
There is no defined pouch used on this brief. I thought I was going to have to position differently than I normally would, but surprisingly, I was able to dress comfortably downward. The material is stretchy enough to supply a nice fit to the crotch. The legs were not tight and the waistband fit perfectly with a width at 1.75 inches (4.45 cm). The rear had ample coverage and did not move out of place. If I had gone to the gym, I am sure these would have been perfectly fine while running or lifting weights.
All together, I am very impressed with the RM Dare Brief. The designers did very well in producing an article of clothing they should be proud for anyone to wear. The brief satisfied all my expectations in what a great pair of underwear should provide its wearer.
Fit
5
Materials
5
Put Together
5
Daily Wear
5
Overall
5
The Ristefsky Macheda briefs can be purchased from their website at www.ristefskymacheda.com for $20.57 US and $22.95 AU. I am sure you will be as delighted with them as I am. Ristefsky Macheda furnished these briefs for our review.
Out of France comes Todger, an energetic looking company ready to apply style “to the everyday tough guy.” The designer, Patrick Kon, created Todger after realizing there was not much difference in overpriced remakes of original styles and the old trusty briefs. The following was taken from the company itself in describing their product:
“TODGER is about sexy wearable cuts with high quality fabrics and sense of humour (the brand has a slick and chic logo with a twist in the name understandable only to the British). The secret is all in the underwear. It is a fashionable tool for men to feel and look sexy. It is not an intimidating image you must follow. That’s why our packaging is as simple as it is: we do not want to tell our clients how they should look. Actually, each man should be allowed to do what he wants with his own TODGER!”
The Slimer brief is made from 97% cotton and 3% Lycra. The waistband is slightly over 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). The lining and trimming is made of 93% bamboo and 7% elastane. The care instructions are a bit picky as they recommend washing them at a maximum of 104°F (40°C), do not tumble dry, and do not have the dry cleaned or try to bleach them….I know you will not do either if you expect to own them for very long!
I was supplied with a pair of small baby blue Slimer briefs to review. I wore them for a day of school, walking around campus and the mall, and then lounging around the house. I was surprised at the great feel of the material. It’s ribbed and soft at the same time. I would not say that it is forgiving in the crotch area. To be descriptive, I dress pointing downward and to the right. I couldn’t do this in these briefs, finding that it compressed everything next to my body and making things uncomfortable. I was forced to dress pointing upward and to the left. This isn’t flattering in any kind of jeans and being totally honest, does not allow for any “happiness” while wearing them. But, I am one person…and obviously not the model in the picture above.
The briefs sit low on the waist to the point of not exactly being on the waist. If you aren’t used to the feeling of a low-lying brief, the Slimer brief may take a bit to get used to. I am one of those people and it felt like I needed to pull my underwear up during the day. I had to remind myself that if I made this mistake, I would be talking a few octives higher than normal.
In the design realm of things, I am being led to believe, from the recent briefs I have reviewed, that European companies love placing the care tags on the bottom of the waistband so that they hang down into the back of the underwear. How loudly do I need to scream from Mount Elbrus in Europe that it is uncomfortable to have a care tag sliding across the top of your crack? The first thing that will happen with many men is they will grab the first knife or pair of scissors they can find and cut the tag out of their new underwear….leaving no care instructions if the question of proper washing techniques arises. Resolution: Place the tags along the waistband or no tag at all. Stamp the instructions on the material just underneath the waistband. The problem would be immediately solved.
Overall, the underwear feels great to wear. Thinking that everyone who tries this brief will fall in love with it is totally ludicrous. It will fit different people in different ways. It will work perfectly on those with slimmer bodies and like a lower sitting waist. It would not be advisable for those who enjoy more room in the crotch or, like me, dress downward. The only way I can grade this brief is how it fits on me. Take my recommendation with a grain of salt and judge it for yourself.
The Todger Slimer brief can be purchased from the Todger website, located at http://www.thetodger.com. While there, you can view their other styles by clicking the “SHOP” option at the top and clicking on the photo with the heading “New Basic.” This line contains a brief, trunk, and traditional boxer. Also, its brief and trunk feature the horizontal fly. Todger, I believe, does a good job in supplying a choice of cuts for the everyday man.
Hopefully, no one has been on pins and needles, waiting for the exciting second part to Under A Bear’s Clothes. It took some time to get replies returned and get the information together. Then, of course, life steps in and takes care of the rest of the time since posting the beginning. But, fear not bears and bear lovers! Here is the results of my questions to stocky and bear men.
I have to say, first off, that bears can be a tad shy when speaking of their underwear. It was either this fact or all the bears I knew didn’t want to comment. To an extent, I think I received a good number of replies from my questions. Let’s get this bear underwear party started (only in my dreams, boys)!
Question 1: What type of underwear (style or cut) do you prefer? Why this choice?
The majority of responses I received leaned toward boxer briefs. The fact that the package has room to move and breathe is a concern with these guys. Others said they liked briefs because they provided a snug fit, used in traveling said one response. One or two people threw in pouch briefs because they offered more room and a greater uplifting effect.
Question 2: If you were to branch out from your normal style, which one would you want to try? Could this new adventure go along with a thought you have had in the past?
Since a good number of these guys said they liked wearing boxer briefs, branching out for them consisted of trying briefs. One mentioned the Ginch Gonch Pretty Kitty briefs. I can see a bear with kitties covering his rear! That’s a great thought! Other’s mentioned maybe something wilder like mesh or bikinis. With newer companies coming along every month or so, they may just have a chance to try these soon.
Question 3: Have you found a material that bests suits you and your everyday activities, whether it is cotton, spandex, Lycra, or possibly a blend?
Cotton was a top choice of fabrics. Lycra/spandex blends were also mentioned. The reasoning for so much cotton is because of its airy nature. Some blends can cause more sweating and bears tend to get grumpy when they swear too much. I tend to like a sweaty bear, but that’s just me! On the other hand, people like the blends because they mold to the body instead of the loose tendency of cotton. More molding! More airy! I see a new commercial in the making.
Question 4: When purchasing underwear for your mate, is there a style you prefer to see him/her in?
This question is where I got a lot of feedback! Some men were open about what they would rather like to see, including briefs, boxers, or bikinis. Others, however, were pretty direct about what they wanted to see. One response said he liked seeing his mate in a jock while another wanted to see his mate in red Calvin Klein boxer briefs. Even farther, getting into the single crowd, they said it all depended on who was wearing the underwear. I can agree with that statement. A style that looks good on one person may not be a good choice for another. It would be a boring world if we all wore the same thing.
Question 5: When getting a new pair of underwear for your mate, are you open to trying new things for the sake of making the other party happy or possibly satisfying a fantasy/idea they have discovered?
The resounding response….YES! This was a definite. All responses said they were totally open to trying new things with their partners to make them happy and see where the venture takes them. How nice of our bears to be so open-hearted and willing to do something new!
Question 6: Are you a fly person or do you prefer your underwear with no fly opening?
Split down the middle, our bears chose both fly and without. One said since they liked pouches, the fly would be hard to design. Another said that the fly served no real function to him, being the main reason he hated regular, everyday brand briefs. Yet another responder said he liked the top/pouch fly as in those created once by Jockey.
Question 7: Do you prefer underwear with seams in the pouch/front or are you more of a seamless brief wearer?
Most replied with seamless, but everyone agreed that it wasn’t a necessity. Every once in a while, a brief with a seam in the front can be irritating to men. It causes a pick-and-chose motion where the guy ends up grabbing his crotch and picking a better place for his tool to rest. That can get annoying and can be corrected with seamless briefs. The seamless briefs can pose a problem to many because they are not generally designed with an accentuating pouch and may restrict movement more than desired. It’s a heads or tails decision.
Question 8: Do you prefer the more modern styles of underwear, featuring the accentuation pouch, such as 2xist, C-in2, or Andrew Christian?
The guys said, for the most part, that they liked the new accentuation pouches, even if they had never tried them. They liked the way the pouch made the package more pronounced and how it picked up the tackle from the legs. Only one person responded with a dislike of the pouches. There wasn’t any reasoning…just a simple “No, that’s fine” answer and we carry on!
Question 9: If the accentuation pouch brief is something you have not tried or you totally don’t like, are you more of a traditional/classic underwear guy, such as preferring to wear Fruit of the Loom, Hanes, or Jockey briefs or boxers?
There were quite a few point blank “NO!” answers to this question. I think when some men found out there was a world of underwear outside what Mom and Dad used to buy them for school, they refused to go back. I don’t blame them at all. I was the same way. Even though these guys said no, they were open to seeing someone else in the classic designs. There are some great built guys that look amazing in a pair of tighty-whities!
Question 10: Would you be more apt to try new styles of underwear if you saw someone of a more muscular/beefy body build compared to someone not close to your stature?
For our last question, it was split down the middle. Half of the guys said they would more likely try a new style/brand if they saw someone of their own build modeling them. It would help them make the final decision on whether the style looked comfortable or even be practical. The other half said that no matter who was modeling the underwear, they would try it if they wanted to give it a shot. If it didn’t fit well or look good, they would remember it and ever purchase them again. Personally, I would like a model, but again, I’m not a bear, but an in between sometimes.
I would like to thank the guys who participated with the article. We have learned a few things with regards to the thought process of stocky, beefy men and their underwear purchasing. We can only hope that in the future, underwear designers will branch out and try to welcome in the larger size men. There is a request for larger sizes and designers could make a great difference in today’s underwear market is they listened.
A personal love of mine is trying underwear I thought, in the not too distant past, I would never have the chance to try. The feeling of sliding new exciting underwear into place is one that cannot be described in words. A chance to try underwear from another country…well, that can provide this exact feeling. I am proud to have had the opportunity to wear a pair of James Tudor underwear.
The James Tudor Half Fall Boxer
From across “the pond”, James Tudor rises as an innovative new brand in the UK. The motivation, it seems, behind this new brand is the need and desire of men to have underwear that meets the growing demand of fashion and comfort, something we believe should be synonymous with each other. From the logo waistband to the piping, James Tudor has taken great strides in providing today’s man with both characteristics in “revolutionary styles, from the magnetic fly to the traditional basics such as the athletic brief.”
This review pertains to the Half Fall Boxer in black with white piping in size small, being 30-32 inches (76-81 cm). When first slipping them on, I noticed the leg openings were a bit snug but not overly tight. This was credited to my thighs being somewhat meatier than other small wearing men. The crotch is crafted perfectly with a nice opening, circling the male anatomy and creating a nest for its home. The fly, if that’s what it is referred to, is not your normal opening. Three buttons fasten the fly closed. The waistband is 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) wide with the logo front and center. The material is 95% cotton and 5% Lycra. The piping creates an amazing frame around the hips. The tags are placed in non-irritating locations and are not rough to the touch, indicating great thought and design in the creative process.
The feel of these boxers is phenomenal. The material is a fantastic combination and one that will provide you with hours of comfort. The opening in the fly is not restricting to retrieval in the slightest. The buttons unbutton to a perfect spot where one can easily remove and replace his tackle. During a day of walking at school and shopping, there was no binding or pinching. The cut may be different to some as it is cut more squarely than some other brand trunks. Never the less, it is centered on comfort and style and I believe James Tudor is spot on.
You can find these boxers at http://www.jamestudor.co.uk. The price, in US dollars, is $30.00. While visiting the James Tudor website, don’t miss out on viewing the rest of their collection of new styles and great colors. These boxers were provided for review by James Tudor.
Stocky bears show off in nature - or, at least, we like them to!
For many years now, men have looked to underwear manufacturers and distributors to supply them with various styles and colors to add support and excitement to their daily lives. The wonders of supporting garments have been felt by millions. Those who have worn any style of men’s undergarment saw them in an advertisement or on some kind of billboard or poster before buying. Television commercials have placed famous names into products so that we were able to see these items in motion. Magazines have used full pages to entice the public into thinking they would feel and look better in their creation. We’ve been thankful for these ads which give us a, for lack of a better word, brief look at what these articles should look like when worn.
Looking back through the history of underwear ads, one group of men has been left in the shadows. The stocky, heavy-set, big-boned, or sometimes overweight men who desire comfortable underwear have been forgotten by the advertisement campaigns of underwear designers. The everyday brands we have seen our entire lives have obviously also decided to turn a blind eye to this area of the market. This concept of “no bear” advertising is not a new trend. It started at day one.
I was looking through an underwear rack at a local department store a few weeks back and wondered about the assortment of sizes being displayed. I found one or two smalls, more mediums, even more larges, and a few graciously displayed extra larges. I wear a small in briefs but have friends I would want to see in the brand/style I was interested in buying, only in a larger size. The idea haunted me all evening long. There had probably been guys looking at these underwear, wanting to know how they felt or how they supported, but were too hesitant to spend the money. I can imagine the look on their faces, if they were underwear enthusiasts, as they turned from the rack, leaving without knowing how great they could feel. The more times this happened, the more large sizes were left on the rack.
I totally see where these men would feel left out of the crowd and ultimately feel let down by the manufacturers of something they love so much. This feeling could be derived from multiple things. First, the ads used in the general public would never show how the larger sizes would look when worn by a similar sized model. Secondly, the looks of some salespeople when underwear is purchased would not be of an understanding kind, but would likely be one of disbelief when purchased by a “big” guy. Lastly, over time, the individual might have been told out-right by someone that he did not need to wear anything like the underwear he loved. In either case, someone walked away without a chance to feel good about himself, even for a moment by himself or something more sexual with a wife or life partner.
I wanted to get more information on this topic, so I asked a few friends of mine some questions. All of these friends wouldn’t personally classify themselves as being a part of the vast movement referred to as the bear/cub/otter subculture, but some do join in the merriment therein. I asked these men ten questions pertaining to their feelings toward certain styles, materials, what they would like to see their mates wearing, what would they try if given the chance, and if advertisements would change their outlook on underwear purchases. I felt each of these points would give me a good indication of what men in this category might be thinking and wishing for the future in the world of underwear.
I recently got the chance to review the N2N Bodywear Sports Mesh Short, available at the N2N website for $22.00. You can select from gray/yellow, burgundy/gray, or black/gray. These shorts were provided by N2N for our reviewing.
With everything mesh, some people have an automatic turn off switch. I am not the world’s biggest fan of clothing made of mesh. I have worn different articles of clothing from underwear to the popular mesh shirts of the 80s.
Once I wore a football practice shirt to school. My teacher flipped her lid because it was very revealing. Saying that, when you wear this short, and you know you’ll be around others, be kind and wear underwear. As you can see from the side view picture below, the jock being worn is in clear view to all who glance at the shorts. You will not only be kind to everyone around, but you will be kind to yourself. I wore them for a very brief period of time without underwear and I can say it wasn’t comfortable with skin poking through the holes. I would go as far as saying this would be best suited for a workout at home.
As with the N2N Bodywear Trainer Short, these use a drawstring waist. Unlike the trainer short is
N2N Bodywear Mesh Short - side
the use of elastic, making it a bit more of a hold instead of relying solely on the tightness of the drawstring. Another aspect of this short is the use of pockets on the front. These pockets extend almost from the top to the bottom of the short’s length. Possibly an iPod or other music device could be carried in the pockets. If something were to come up and a pocket was needed, it has one on each side of the front. These shorts also sit low on the waist. I reviewed a size small and they did not feel weird as the trainer short felt. When I put them on, they fit as I would expect a small size to fit.
The material used is 100% polyester. It is lightweight and moves with you. And since it is mesh, this material is extremely airy. While wearing them, there was not binding or moving on me. All day wear would be something of a personal choice, as would be where it is worn. Overall, I personally give this short a 4.7.
I was recently given the chance to review the N2N Bodywear Trainer Short. This short can be purchased from the N2N Bodywear Site for $24.00. They come in black/olive, gray/yellow, and navy/white. N2N provided these for review. These are gym/lounge shorts, but who’s to say you can’t wear them as underwear. That is totally up to you! They are comfortable enough for either.
The material of these shorts is so wonderful against the skin…smooth and not clingy in the slightest. The material is stretchy and 100% cotton. I reviewed a small and there was plenty of room. If there was an X-small, I would have been quite content. The drawstring came in good use. I felt the waist sat low.
I wore these shorts for a while before I put them through a workout. I knew from the moment I put them on that one should wear either briefs or a jock underneath. There are still a bunch of people out there at the gym that are very conservative and don’t want to see, much less imagine, someones junk flopping from side to side. I looked at my crotch and could see an outline of the guy. Given this, I put on my briefs then put on the trainer short. All was corrected. I’m sure if one chooses to wear accentuating underwear underneath, you will get as much of the attention you are expecting or wanting to get.
If there was anything I would change, it would have to be the drawstring. I’ve never been that crazy about drawstrings on any article of clothing, including jogging pants. I’m more of an elastic waistband guy. Why? Because the last thing I want to deal with when I go to the bathroom is having to stop…untie…pull out…put back in…tie back up. With these shorts, the issue is when you untie, you better be ready to have a hand free to hold them up. Otherwise, you will be the weirdo at the urinal with your shorts around your ankles. Just let me know what gym you go to first so there can be pictures!
Overall, I will give the N2N Bodywear Trainer Short a 4.76. The fit for the size was a little weird, but that is just personal taste in my workout gear. The material, as I said, feels fantastic. Make sure you read the care instructions…”Hand or machine wash cold water and tumble dry low.” My personal issue with the drawstring affected the put together score and more the overall score than any other aspect. The look is great and daily wear is all a matter of what you are comfortable with in public.
Take a minute to go by the N2N Bodywear website. Check out all of their products from swimwear to erotic wear. I am sure you will find something that will make you and yours very happy.
It’s not often that I try new brands of underwear I find in a department store. Most times I have done this, I have been let down as soon as I pull them into place. The problem I find is that the crotch was not taken into account by the designer. Did the designer want this new brand to be in the adult men’s section of the store? After finding this to be true on numerous occasions, I stopped wasting my money on uninformed decisions.
This past week, I wondered into a local Target. As with all stores I enter with men’s clothing, I found my way to their underwear section for some enlightenment…or should I say, heightening of blood pressure. I found the usual brands carried by such stores, but after roaming for a few seconds, I found a new brand. I walked over with my Elvis lip in place, expecting to be disgusted by another futile attempt to make a comfortable design of underwear. I looked over the model and became intrigued. I read the package, finding these briefs were named Evolve. In smaller letters, it said “by 2xist.” An employee in this department almost had the joy of picking me off the floor. A 2xist product was hanging on a peg in a Target store? This had to be a mistake. A two-pair pack for $12.99 contained a black and a red pouch brief. I gladly took this to the front for a hasty checkout so that I could get home.
I opened the package and pulled out the black pair to do my initial inspection. The material is a cotton/modal/spandex blend (55/37/8). This is some stretchy stuff, let me tell you. I immediately pulled them on to find one brand of department store underwear to fit me like a glove. It was as if a higher power designed something for my tackle to rest. I wear a small and this fit true to size. The name EVOLVE appears on the waistband over the pouch. Nothing about this brief fails my primary inspection.
I wore the red brief all day to a doctor’s appointment the next day. Never once did the leg openings pinch. The waistband did not roll while sitting. In no way did I feel like the underwear was restricting, especially after becoming aroused when spotting someone nice looking. By saying that, you can be secure that when you stretch, so will they. I never once had to reach back and pull material away from a “crack attack.” The day progressed and I wore them to the bowling alley. I generally never wear underwear while bowling, but these briefs vetoed the matter and have assured me that they can hold up to the test of various bodily motions. I would go as far as saying these would work perfectly well in the gym.
After so much praise, I couldn’t give these briefs anything less than a perfect score. These will become the highlights of my underwear collection. That means, they will probably need replacing a long time before any of the rest!
As of right now, the only place I have seen these briefs has been at Target. If they are not carried at another store, I will be fine with that fact. I will not be happy, however, if this line is eliminated. This line has proven itself worthy to be on any man’s midsection.
Over the past few years, we have seen a growth in the number of designers who have jumped on the glorious bandwagon of men’s accentuating underwear. In my opinion, there couldn’t be enough. The male body has been screaming since the inception of form fitting underwear for a bit more fabric and forgiveness in the front of these garments. Cocksox realized this need and has come to the rescue by producing briefs, boxer briefs, and thongs in underwear and a few designs in swimwear as well.
For my review, I was given the Cocksox Mesh Boxer. Before you conjure up opinions based on the single word “mesh”, take into consideration the style of the cut. It is a boxer brief which covers more or the body. Now, picture that style made of mesh material. It’s coverage on a minimal scale. They are boxers with an accentuating pouch, extremely breathable, and they give you the expected feel and fit of a boxer brief. The only thing different than the usual expectation is that it allows more air to an otherwise covered area.
My normal size in underwear is a small and these were just that. I put them on with the hesitation that they might not fit true to size, but as they were lifted into place, I was put at ease. The mesh boxer instantly won me over in the sense that I didn’t feel overly covered. I do favor the idea of minimal coverage of clothing. The pouch formed around the crotch area nicely. This aspect became better throughout the day.
There were two things that I would have wished were different. A band of about an inch is at the leg opening. I noticed these were a bit tight and I hoped this would counteract the riding associated with many brands of boxer briefs. I understand this is needed to secure the mesh. This may not be something most wearers will experience, but because of this tightness, the bands rolled up during the day. The other point was the tag location. When the tag is too long and sewn into the bottom of the waistband, I refer to it as “crack tag”. This is because during wear, you continue to feel the tag touching the top of your crack. It would have been better if it had been sewn onto the waistband. My easy fix to that would be to simply cut it out, but I don’t know how others feel about removing tags from their clothes.
Overall, I give the Cocksox Mesh Boxer a 4.86. I can’t say the leg opening issue will happen to anyone else. If I had worn a medium, the waistband would have been too loose which makes a small in these the perfect size. I do, however, stick with my opinion on the care/size tag.
Fit: 4.8
Materials: 5
Put Together: 4.5
Look: 5
Daily Wear: 5
Overall: 4.86
I was provided these boxers by Cocksox. They can be purchased from their website at http://www.cocksox.com along with all the other fantastic styles they have to offer.
I have them in blue/red, green/yellow, and brown/orange. When I wear them, I feel like I am back in the 80s with a better appreciation for them. How could I have covered those rings when I was a teen. Maybe I could have been the one to bring them back into style!
Dick’s Sporting Goods® or online at Eastbay®. I have a few pairs of baseball socks in blue and red..
I wear a small and this fit true to size. The name EVOLVE appears on the waistband over the pouch. Nothing about this brief fails my primary inspection.
need and has come to the rescue by producing briefs, boxer briefs, and thongs in underwear and a few designs in swimwear as well.
throughout the day.