I’ve just returned from nearly a week of fun in the sun in Puerto Vallarta. Living in the Midwest means I always need a winter escape to help beat the winter blues, and this vacation is just what I needed.

While soaking up the sun, I spent time observing the variety of swimwear choices on the men around me. It made me reflect on my own swimwear journey over the last few years. While swim briefs ruled supreme in Puerto Vallarta, at least at the gay beach, I still spied more baggy swim trunks on guys than I had hoped to see. My initial disappointment in the abundance of baggy swim trunks was also a reminder to myself that less than five years ago, I was that guy.

In less than five years, I have gone from baggy swim trunks, to swim briefs, to swim thongs. At each stop along that journey, I have had to overcome my nerves more than anything. The fear of judgment from others is never the easiest thing to overcome, but freeing once you do. What I have learned along this journey is that most people never say anything (positive or negative), most never even turn their heads (to look at me or to avoid), and most are too busy enjoying their own vacation to worry about what some stranger is wearing.

While I frequently find myself as the lone thonger in many scenarios, I have learned that I can influence others, simply by being myself. For some, it has inspired them to try a thong for the first time….my DM’s on Instagram quickly filled up with guys asking my advice on their first thong purchase. For others, it has inspired them to branch out with their swimwear. One of my Instagram buddies and I were able to meet up while in Puerto Vallarta. He told me that he had been inspired by me, to wear swim briefs for the first time in public.

My advice for all of you, branch out to some skimpier swimwear during your next vacation. While it’s not always easy to be the only one wearing something skimpy, you’d be surprised at how little most people care. You’d also be surprised at how much it can inspire and influence others. And if you are not quite ready to be bold in public, pick up a skimpy suit and wear it around your house, in your backyard, or other places where you can become more confident and comfortable. Seek out public places that are more accepting at first. I find that most tropical vacation locations are usually full of people who are there to enjoy themselves and people are less uptight about others. Clothing optional resorts are also a great place for beginners.

Overall, life is too short to spend your vacation worrying about what others will think…especially people you are likely never going to see again. Rock the swimwear you want and do it with confidence. The more comfortable you are in your own skin (and swimwear), the less of a reaction those around you will have.

Introducing fresh face Eduardo O’Farrill. He’s 23 and he’s from Cuba. He now lives in Gran Canaria, Spain.

Credits:
Photos: Adrian C. Martin (@adriancmartin)
Model: Eduardo O’Farrill (@eduofarrill97)
Underwear: PUMP!, Supawear
Location: Tenerife, Canary Islands

I think Fetishwear deserves a spot on UNB. It’s part of men’s underwear that has been ignored by a lot of people before we started UNB. You had to go to fetish stores or look at the back pages of magazines to find it. 12 years later, more and more are embracing fetishwear. Which is amazing, and fetishwear means different things to different guys.

This is why we asked you what you liked and want to see more of on UNB. This was a super short survey but was great to hear from you guys. BTW, feel free to email us anytime to tell us what you want to see more of on the site.

The top fetishwear is Spandex, with singlets being at the top and spandex in general second. This comes as no surprise. In my journey, I went from underwear to swimwear, to spandex. Plus there is a resurgence of spandex gear on the market with singlets, runners and shorts all making a come back. Next is Lace and Men’s Lingerie. Which is awesome, because you guys want something out of the box. Lace has always had the “fem’ stigma. It’s starting to lose that and guys are embracing the fabric and loving it. I personally love the mix of masc and fem when someone wears lace. We have even had people tell us they mix leather and lace. They wear leather chaps with a lace thong. When UNB started in 2008, lace really wasn’t on the market yet, now we have a lot of different brands regularly making it and creating new and fun things. As for lingerie, I think we are still figuring this out. Companies I think are doing a great job at it is Gregg Homme. When I think of lingerie, I think of very high end and sexy. It’s made to look great but also fits great. In the next 10 years, we will have men’s lingerie lines similar to the top tier women’s lines.

What I call the traditional fetishwear is at the bottom, Neoprene, Leather, and Rubber/Latex. Which definitely deserves a place on UNB. I think neoprene will grow more and more. Its because it’s easier to take care of then other traditional fetishwear. I have leather, but no neoprene or rubber. For the rubber, it’s mainly the cost and care that has held me back from trying it.

Here are the brands you want us to cover. There is one surprise on this list. Go Softwear, they make some of the best singles on the market, in my opinion. We should cover all their singlets.

I think on Fetish Fridays we need to rotate brands and just profile something we find amazing at them. The bottom four are write-ins and they are great additions to cover as well.

I expected this post to be super short but as you can tell I love fetishwear. If you find new gear, let us know, it takes a village to share the knowledge.

Underwear to a lot of us is more than an article of clothing.  It’s part of who we are and engrained in our DNA.  Our underwear is just as important as other clothing we wear.   It gives us confidence and brings us joy.  If it didn’t would we spend up to $30 a pair.

I have had some issues in my personal life and they were getting me down.  As they say, life happens and you have to move forward.  One thing that really kept my spirits up as I was wearing all my favorite pair of underwear.  These pairs are ones that I love to wear but don’t usually wear in a row, but having a tough spot I decided what the hell.  

My favorite brands are Cocksox, Ergowear, N2N Bodywear, Andrew Christian and WildmanT. These all have amazing pouches in common. Which is something that is a must for any pair I wear. I don’t know about you but when I put on amazing underwear it gives me more confidence and I feel good. The opposite happens when I have bad underwear on. If the tag is scratchy, or it doesn’t fit, It annoys me to no end. It can ruin an otherwise great day. 

I know wearing undies seems like a little thing, but small things can make all the difference. It boils down to being the most comfortable you can be, and it starts with underwear. I’m curious if any of you guys wear a specific pain depending on your mood? I know I can’t be the only one that does this on a regular basis. 

The holiday of love is around the corner and it’s time to think of what you will be wearing for the big night.  Whether you are single or taken it should be a night of amazing Underwear.  Here are some amazing pairs to consider for Valentines 

The Classic guy 

Clever Moda Neron Classic Brief – Black is always sexy. Classic cuts are always something a guy should have in his underwear drawer. This pair is simple yet elegant.

Hawai Boxer Briefs – Believe it or not all guys love briefs or thongs. There are some out there who love trunks and boxer briefs. The Hawai boxer briefs are classic but still sexy.

Colorful guy

Jor Tribal Jockstrap – Color and cut are important for a fun night out. The Tribal Jock from JOR gives you support for an active night and some amazing colors. Not to mention a sexy cut for the big day.

Private Structure Bamboo Collection – the pink is the perfect pair for the guy who wants something colorful and fun for Valentine’s Day!

The bikini guy

Hidden Bikini Thong – If you love bikinis, you need something that adds a little something extra. The Hidden Bikini Jock has a strategic cut-out and mesh sides that show off just enough.

Jor Tango Bikini – Now this pair takes you to the next level. A mesh bikini in purple. While not a traditional Valentine’s Day color, it’s something outside the box that I think would be appreciated by anyone who would see you in this see through pair.

The fun guy 

Candyman Thong – If you plan on going all out and doing something different. This lace thong from Candyman is perfect. It’s the right mix of masc and fem to get your evening started off right

PPU Jockstrap – The 1550 Jock has become a classic. It’s a jockstrap without a waistband. They have designed it so it’s a pouch and leg straps. It’s been in their line up for a few years and still going strong.

You can find all these pairs at the UNB store

We asked you guys what you plan to wear on Valentine’s Day. While not one of our most answered polls it was fun to run, none the less. There is one disappointment in the questions I’ll get to in a sec.

You guys are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, even the single ones! Which is a great thing.

You guys are going pretty conventional for your Valentine’s Day. The majority of you guys are going to wear briefs, thongs, and jocks. I was hoping for more fetishwear! I know our straight readers are venturing into fetishwear. So let’s break out some fun gear!!!

This is my disappointment. Less than half of the guys who responded said their partners supported your gear love. And 25% said they don’t support. It’s time we work on that even more. I know during our bigger survey, the reader survey, more partners accept gear.

Go Single boys, 40% are going to celebrate singles appreciation day! I’m right there with you. But, I feel we should wear our favorite underwear every day!!

Lastly, we have what the single boys are going to wear. Thongs and Briefs it is!

Thanks for participating guys! I love doing polls/surveys and sharing the results.

The debate about Pink in men’s gear has been going on for longer than UNB has been around and will continue to be debated long after UNB. Pink in men’s undies is either a like or not like. Going by sales, most guys are good with pink undies.

In the last few years, the world of Fetishwear has introduced pink. The first ones to do this were Maskulo, Cellblock 13, and Sparta’s Harness. It should be noted that Maskulo currently doesn’t have any pink gear on their site (not that I could see when writing this post.)

I think a lot of this boils down to “What is masculine?” Is pink masculine? You get a different answer to that question from each person you ask. My personal take is pink should be part of fetishwear. Each person has a different opinion, and we should let people be who they are.

I saw online a few weeks ago, I forget who it was, but someone gave them grief about wearing pink fetishwear. This is what got me thinking about this and why is it such a big deal?

The pic above are pics from Sparta’s Harness. I would argue that the guys are “masculine.” But even if they weren’t, would it matter? I would say if you are threatened by pink gear, you need to figure out why, and if it’s not your thing then move on. You wouldn’t like it if someone called out your gear and questioned you, then why would you do it to others.

I’m curious as to what you guys think, leave a comment and let’s start a conversation.