When we think about when we first get into undies, there are probably a few stores or people who stood out in encouraging you along the way. It could have been a store you found on vacation that had an amazing underwear selection. Or, it could have been a friend (in person or online) that exposed you to new brands and encouraged you to step out of your box and buy that thong you had your eye on.

I have a ton of these over the years. Now it’s a lot easier to love undies. Because back in the day there wasn’t an internet and that made it hard to discover new brands. There were also very few stores (that I knew of at the time) that sold “good” underwear. The one thing I found was the International Male catalog. Later to become UnderGear. On a side note, when I found out that UnderGear was being released I was so excited. An entire catalog of underwear and gear. Today that just seems crazy I would get so excited. But at that time there wasn’t anything.

International Male/UnderGear (IM/UG) exposed me to more fabrics, cuts, and colors. Some of the styles were incredibly skimpy and sexy. It was the first place I really saw thongs and skimpy bikinis. These hot guys were wearing it like it was no big deal. When new catalogs came in I would mark everything I wanted. At first, it was just wishing then one magical day I got an International Male Credit card with a $200 limit. I thought I had hit the jackpot. A 19-year-old with the ability to buy 200 bucks of undies? WOW this was unreal.

In the early days, you had to phone in your orders. Yes, you had to talk to an actual person. Most of the operators were women. I’m sure this made some guys never order the crazy stuff, but I didn’t care. I had to have the singlet, thong or jock I was ordering. I didn’t’ care who knew. Later the internet came and the rest is history.

UnderGear allowed me to embrace the wilder side of underwear. It showed me that erotic cuts can be a lot of fun. In the time of the grays, they had all sorts of colors. Any color you can think of, they had over the years. Lastly, UnderGear made me see that there was more to undies than briefs and boxers. It opened my eyes wide that allowed me to be the underwear lover I am today.

Who or what has influenced your underwear journey in the early years? How did they influence you?

We asked a few readers to share their experience wearing swim thongs in public. Here are a few of our reader’s tales of rocking the swim thong:

GD (picture above):

The first time I wore a swim thong in public was on a secluded beach in WA. It was a turquoise Joe Snyder bulge thong that I was wearing under my shorts. There weren’t many people around so I thought “why not?” Taking off my shorts and feeling the breeze against my legs (and rear) was exhilarating. After embracing and getting comfortable with this very new and very exposed feeling. I walked to the water’s edge and dove in. The freedom of movement that a thong provides in the water is amazing! I almost felt like I was wearing nothing at all. I swam for just a few minutes and then got out to dry off on the beach. I layed out on a towel on my back still wearing just the thong. I closed my eyes since the sun was so bright and I heard people walking by. What I did NOT hear was any laughing or judgement. The way I see it, if they want to point and state that have their own insecurities to figure out. I am comfortable in my own skin and will continue to wear whatever I want! I hope my story might help others interested in trying swim thongs in public. Just go for it!

BK:

I’ve worn one to tan in the back yard before, but took the plunge and wore one in public. All be it, on a more secluded beach. It was exhilarating and freeing. Would I wear it on a crowded beach, not yet, but one step at a time

Ken:

I love wearing it on the beach and overall gives the best tan. I feel confident knowing I work out every day and have been given compliments. Then if you’re going to a local beach bar just put on a pair of shorts. Nobody likes the netting of swimsuits anyway.

Daniel:

n our last vacation, we stayed at a gay resort with a group of our friends. The resort is clothing optional but I, like most of our friends, prefer to opt for something, even skimpy, rather than nothing at all. One night when we got back from the clubs we decided to all get in the pool. I told my fiance let’s just go in our underwear. He was wearing a 2xist brief and I had on a Joe Snyder pride frame thong. I wear a Joe Snyder thong practically every day. It was great… the feeling of being looked at in a wow kind of way. It was great also that one of our friends the next night upon our return from going out also wore a thong in the pool. I wore another Joe Snyder thong of course. Can’t wait to go back LOL

Dan:

I’m a straight guy and occasionally wear a swim thong in public. I have found it to be a great style for several reasons. First, I enjoy thong underwear and find it comfortable. The same applies to the right swim thong if you get the right brand and style. I own two swim thongs which are very comfortable. Second, I often bring a swim thong with me on a hike or walk to a remote beach where I know it’s unlikely I will see anyone else. As a hiker, I always try to minimize the weight I carry and a swim thong is a very light weight and if it gets wet I just clip it to the outside of my hiking bag. It’s much better than carrying around wet soggy board shorts. Some places I go I could probably get away with skinny dipping, but I prefer a thong just in case. I avoid wearing a swim thong on a crowded beach or pool out of respect for those who may not want to see me in such skimpy swimwear. But on a remote beach, it’s not so much an issue. Finally, swim thongs are great on a hot day where I want to soak up the sun rays and get a full body tan. Board shorts and swim trunks can be too hot. Every guy should try a swim thong! It’s scary at first but it can be addicting.

Ken:

I was actually in SW Florida at the time when I saw swimming briefs in the mall. I then wondered casually through the department store looking for other swim briefs, I stumbled upon thong underwear only. Then began to do research online and found the trend expanding to the US. I then decided to order my first swim thong online. Feeling confident and driven to work out more.Then I tried the Jor swim thong which completely changed my beliefs on swimwear. I LOVED them. I wore them to the public condo pool and the beach the first day despite being nervous. I received several compliments from men and women at both places. Answering questions “Is it comfortable?”yes of course and is the best support and overall tan”. I am ordering more soon because of the encouragement from friends and strangers. JOR makes a great suit and Pikante does as well. Hopefully, other companies catch on. I wear them all the time to the pool, tanning bed, and beach.I find them overall the best underwear and probably will wear forever to the public beach and pool lol.

Have you worn one? Let us know!

In 2013 we shot Josh two times. This is a behind the scenes video of the shoot we did with him. He’s a lot of fun to work with and it was shot by Ignacio Rivera Jr.

I have talked to several long time readers about this topic and wanted to gauge the interest from our readers a whole. On UNB over the years we have debated many times having a reader get together. Where guys of all walks of life and sexual orientations come together and just talk and maybe shop new undies.

The shows in Vegas have been getting smaller each year. I think this is due to the internet making it easier to connect with customers. Retail stores don’t need to go to find out what’s new. They can do it online.

Some of the ideas I had for a get together would be more social than a conference. Including the following:

• Retail area to shop new underwear/swim just for guys attending
• Pool Party where it’s safe to wear swim briefs
• Dinners with other guys to hang out
• See shows in Las Vegas
• Runway show of new underwear/swimwear

You maybe asking why Vegas? Well, it’s not too terribly expensive to get to from the US. There are plenty of hotel rooms and lastly, there is a lot to do there.

I have racked my brain for years to come up with a reader experience that would be good. This idea is formulating and I’d love to hear your feedback on if there is enough interest or if there are other things you guys want to do.

Let me know your thoughts. It would be a weekend to hang out and get to know some other guys who think it’s great to own 300 pairs of undies. !

The men’s underwear world if the magical world of color. Gone are the days that limited guys to just black, white, or gray. Those were what I called the dark days. All color went out of underwear and it was boring. Well, for the masses those of us who loved undies always found a way to get color in our undies.

Unlike previous days now color is an important factor for guys picking underwear. It’s always one of the top criteria guys list in our Reader Survey. It’s up there with fabric and sizing. It’s that important. No one reading this blog wants boring underwear. It’s a bold statement but I dare say it’s true.

Why is color important?

Yes, we do have fans who just like classic colors. Which there is nothing wrong with that, underwear is an extension of your personality. If that’s who you are, embrace it and rock those classic colors. If, however, you want to wear a pink bikini or purple thong, you have the option to get them!

Underwear is personal and we want it to match who we are or who we want to be. Meaning it depends on the situation. If you have to wear a power suit to work every day. You are limited into what you can wear. It’s mainly classic colors, Black, Navy, Grey and such. One area you can express your self in your undies. You could wear a lace thong under. Or maybe a jockstrap or on the other end of the spectrum, leather underwear. I always love matching my tie and undies.

Color is also Fashion

Underwear can extend your fashion sense. You can wear underwear that matches what you are wearing. I used to have a white and aqua striped polo and a matching bikini. I loved wearing them together. Not everyone wants to wear them together but want to compliment what you wear. If you spend $200 on jeans why would you wear $3 underwear with them? We firmly believe that your underwear should be up to the level of the clothes you wear.

How important is color for you? Let us know in the comments!

I am gearing up, no pun intended, for a trip to Vegas for the site and for some relaxation. It got me thinking this morning about packing for the trip. I was going through all the stuff I need, then that internal voice said: “How much underwear do we need to take?” I stopped and thought, well a good bit! Not that I change several times a day but I like to have options.

When going on a trip I have gotten really good at packing just enough. I used to be a major over packer. I had clothes for 2-3 weeks for a 4-day trip. Now, I have it down to a science. I usually have just enough clothes plus a change in case something happens. As for underwear…that’s an entirely different story.

I pack enough underwear for the days I will be gone. Then while I”m still packing I see other pairs I love and say “oh let’s put those in too, oh yeah, these as well.” Till I have prob 12 pairs of underwear for a 4-day trip. You maybe asking, do I wear all these undies? Nope, I don’t, I just like having the options for something to wear.

One thing I try to do as well is match my undies for the climate I am going too. For instance, Vegas is super hot this time of year so I will pack a lot of modal and other light pairs to wear during the day. It makes the day much better when you can stay cool

Depending on the trip, sometimes I come home with even more underwear. If I find a deal I will buy up some pairs I like. I haven’t become the world traveler yet to start buying pairs in each country I visit to remember the trip. Soon I hope! But luckily I don’t buy too many on vacation.

I”m curious how you guys pack for trips. Do you over pack underwear as well? Does your wife/husband/girl friend/boyfriend give you grief about it or do they encourage it? Or do you have underwear you consider vacation underwear? Lastly, do you match to meet the climate you are in?

NOTE: Picture above is Kiniki Henley Micro Brief

Patterns are making a come back in a big way this year. Countless designers, big and small, are choosing some amazing patterns for their lines this year. Why? Well, patterns are fun. They can bring a sense of whimsy or a pop of color to our wardrobe, even if no one else knows what we are wearing. It can make us feel like a kid again. It is something different from the usual, sometimes boring, drab colors that grace much of men’s underwear.

I’m not really here to talk about why patterns are back though. I’m more interested in why patterns don’t always get made. What makes them tick. What makes patterns wonderful and a pain in the behind. I’m no expert on making underwear but here are a few of the reasons I’ve come up with as to why patterns aren’t especially super common among upscale men’s underwear designers.

First off is the look of patterns themselves. I don’t know about you, but I loved the days when I had cartoon characters on my underwear. Eventually, we grow up and have to move on to less colorful pairs. There is also the mainstream boxer fad of patterned boxers, but that faded quickly and now seems to be pretty much universally ridiculed by all. Mass market brands do have some slight patterns on pairs occasionally, but mostly in the mainstream patterns on your underwear are a girl thing. Patterns just have the stigma of being childish sometimes. Just look at the iconic marketing done by Calvin Klien: plain white, nothing else. Even more modern looks have only really just changed the ideal pair color to black. While mass market may put some simplistic patterns on their pairs, it is nothing like what the upscale brands do. Among the countless upscale brands, you can find all sorts of patterns. From classics to crazy, there pretty much is a pattern for everyone these days.

Another reason why patterns are uncommon is that they are probably more expensive to make than their simply-colored brethren. I’m not an underwear manufacturer, but I’m guessing that brands probably have to buy the colors for their pairs. So with patterns, instead of simply licensing the dye for one or two colors, you have to go out and find the perfect pattern, which might be hard to find and expensive to license. You could also make it yourself, but that would require hiring a graphic designer, another expense that I’m sure many small underwear makers might not have the budget for.

Lastly, not everyone is a patterns type of person. Many guys like the clean look of mono-colored pairs, or are extremely particular to only certain patterns, like tartans, etc. This can have the opposite effect as well, as I know some guys will buy practically anything with leopard print on it. The economics of it though, having to balance out knowing that some of your audience may not buy these pairs makes a designer really have to know their audience, otherwise they might end up with a big loss, another thing that a small company cannot handle very well.

In the end, my basic opinion is that patterned pairs can be a risky proposition, but if done well and marketed to the right people, can be a big seller. The market can also swing in this opinion, as underwear ads from the 70s clearly show. Perhaps this is what’s happening today? While I am not a huge patterned underwear guy, there are some patterned pairs that I love dearly. I will say though, in addition, this lack of patterns is nowhere near the case when it comes to men’s swimwear. You can find plenty of flashy and outrageous patterns in that market very consistently. I wouldn’t be surprised that some of the patterned underwear craze going on right now stems from the swimwear market. What are your favorite patterned pairs?Lets us know in the comments below or on twitter.