What would the world of underwear be without great photographers? They take the underwear and mix it with the models and you get amazing work. Some of the most creative work in fashion can be found in the men’s underwear space. Over the years I have seen some amazing me amazing shoots by brands from all over the world. Here are our photographers nominated for best photographer. You can vote at our UNB Reader Awards 2017 page.

Make sure you vote NOW for your favorite photographer!

Are you a fan of Jocks and jock briefs? Today we profile the pairs we have nominated in each category. This category is a lot of fun and we hope you will give the pairs a look over! They are super fun and perfect for a sporting event or for everyday wear. Here are the nominations. Make sure you VOTE at the UNB Reader Awards Page.

Best Jock!

Best Jock Brief

It’s time for our annual UNB Reader Awards. This is your time to vote on what you think is the best pairs of last year. You will decided who we give out the top prize of “Best (insert style).” What could be more fun! There are quite a few categories and here are the nominations for best Brief and Best Bikini.

To vote go to the UNB Reader Awards for 2017 Page

Best Bikini!

Best Brief

VOTE NOW

How many of us remember the David Beckham underwear commercial from 2012? I know we have a few readers who will, because it was one of the first men’s underwear commercials ever to air during the Super Bowl. What made it memorable is it avoided anything related to a bulge. It was almost a SNL skit where he wouldn’t  the front of the underwear.

Over the last few year’s we have seen one or two brands run ads. The most memorable was CK. Since then we haven’t had any brands pony up the millions of dollars to get the exposure. Is it really worth brands paying this amount of money for an ad? Will it increase their sales? Get new customers?

I have to put on my marketing hat for this discussion. First, I would say that the exposure could be a big thing for a brand. Especially not a big mainstream brand. I’m sure there will be plenty of people talking about the ad the next day. It would be both good and bad. Also, I’m sure we would have the “is this appropriate during the game with children present?” Yet, when there have been Victoria’s Secret ads there is no question. But we’ve been through that discussion many times before. But, yeah it would be great for exposure.

Next, would you actually earn your money’s worth for the ad? This year I heard the cost of an ad is $5 million for a 30 second spot. This is some of the most expensive advertising on TV. A brand would have to sell a lot of briefs to make all this back. I know very few brands that just happen to have 5 Mil, laying around. I don’t think most brands would get that money back. In fact if it’s a smaller brand, I think it would be the end.

Lastly, it would show men real undies. The ad would show men of America what real undies are. Not the ill fitting, 100% cotton they get a big box stores. It’s crazy to think most men never try real underwear. They see the price and go “No way.” Yet, when most try them they feel like they have been cheated all their lives. That they should have been wearing them all along.

Pay attention tonight to see if there are any ads tonight during the game!

I have to vent about something. It is part a society thing and part a personal thing. I have a friend who’s a beefy muscular build. Who is solid, not a bodybuilder, but not bad. He has a picture of him where you see a jock waistband in one of his pics. I asked him “oh do you like other kinds of underwear? Like bikinis or wear swim briefs?” He responded “Those don’t look good on me, I can’t wear them?” I was like WTF? So I asked him if he ever wore any and he said he hadn’t every tried them.

I was like how do you know you don’t look good in them if you have never tried them? I think all guys should wear what they want. Being a bigger guy myself I wear skimpy pairs because I love the fit. My friend let the societal norms enter his mind and he says to himself “I’m not skinny or ripped, so I can’t wear a swim brief.” I don’t know this for sure but I know we have plenty of readers who have told me they felt this way.

First, don’t listen to what society says guys should wear. If you did we would all be in cartoon print boxers. And no one, I mean NO ONE wants that. Or we would be in formless boxer briefs. Most mainstream men’s magazines rarely post about anything other than boxer briefs or trunks. It’s like guys can only wear these pairs or it’s “gay” or you’re not a real man. I say fuck that! One thing I love about UNB and our readers is we are so different in what we like and we love to talk about it. You guys make me smile on a daily basis.

Second, be adventurous and try new things. Even if you don’t think you have the body for it. Who cares? It all depends on if you like it. When I was younger had the body to wear swim briefs and bikinis. I wore them all the time. As I got older, yeah I”m self-conscious but for underwear, I wear what I want. If I want to try something I do! Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But I don’t let others dictate what I should wear.

I hope you guys do the same! I feel like I”m preaching to the choir and it’s needed sometime.