Over the last two years, the popularity of thongs has grown. It also shows no signs of slowing down. Across all guys (gay, straight or bi) seem to be wearing them for underwear. However, will this carry over to the world of swimwear? I’m not saying that every guy will be sporting a thong but the popularity will increase.

Swim thongs have been very popular among a small set of men. They are very passionate about the style and have had meet ups in Palm Springs and other areas. While it was mainly gay guys, the style is growing among all men. We are starting to see new thong swimwear from JOR and new company Cockpit Undies (More on them soon!).

Unlike swim briefs, thongs leave a bit less to the imagination. Your assets are on display for all to see. Some guys this is a benefit, while other see this as a deal breaker. I have worn them years ago but I don’t have much in the asset department. When I did wear them, they were a lot of fun to wear. I never wore them at a pool party or beach. It was pretty much at a private pool.

The benefits of a swim thong, yes there are benefits! Thongs have less material than swim briefs and shorts. It allows for a much greater freedom of movement. Many of you guys talk about how you hate shorts in water. They never dry and feel like you’re swimming with rocks. With a thong, you have neither of these issues. Also, you get a more all over tan. This is good if you hate tan lines. Lastly, it’s as bare as you can dare on many beaches.

Would I wear them now? Honestly, it’s a maybe. It would have to be in a thong friendly environment. It wouldn’t be a local pool or beach. It would have other men of all shapes and sizes wearing them. As more thongs come out for swimwear, we will let you guys know!

Would you wear a swim thong?

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I was trying to think of something different than what I normally say about what underwear gives me,. My normal answers are it gives me confidence or makes me feel sexy. I came up with it giving me fashion. A definition of fashion would say something like a popular trend. Now that isn’t how I see it. We all have our own fashion sense. I’m far from being fashionable especially by that definition (jeans and t-shirt please). I suppose some people would say my underwear isn’t fashionable, since bikinis and thongs aren’t what people think guys wear. I don’t consider something that is the norm as fashionable either.

Moving on to why I think underwear gives me fashion. First off I care about what pair of underwear I wear. I’d say someone that is trying to be fashionable would care what pants and shirt they wear. I don’t mean I care about what brand the underwear is. I care that I have a selection of styles, colors, fabrics. I don’t want to wear the same style and color day after day. Wouldn’t that be boring and unfashionable?

I actually try to make sure the underwear looks good on me in the mirror! I don’t do that with my outer clothes, but jeans and a t-shirts don’t look much different. I bet someone trying to look fashionable checks themselves out in the mirror to make sure they’re looking good. Or maybe I’m just narcissistic there, but highly doubt that. Ok, I’m going to sneak in pretty much what I always say about underwear. Wouldn’t you say that how you dress can give you confidence and make you feel sexy? Hope you said yes, since my so called fashionable underwear does that for me.

In the end I don’t see fashion as wearing the popular trending thing or some big name brand that everyone knows. Fashion is the personal style that makes you you. What makes me me is my choice in underwear, so that is why I consider underwear giving me some fashion. Fashion is in the eye of the beholder.

Thongs are becoming more and more popular. We have seen a big upswing in interest from you guys. I saw Ty Alexander on Twitter and he posts a lot of pics of him in thongs. We got his permission to use his pic for our Thong Thursday Brief Distraction. We asked him why he likes thongs. He said ” I like the feeling of being sexy under my clothes it’s kind of a little hidden secret you have all day.  Also if you have a natural bubble butt it allows it to jiggle a little more I think.”

Follow Ty Alexander on Twitter!

It’s time for $12 Tuesday at Baskit. Today only you can get the pair above, the Contrast Brief at the Baskit site for just $12 today. Get one, get a few! It’s a great day to stock up on some great undies.

Men’s shapewear is nothing new. It has been on the market for a few years. In theory, shapewear should make you appear thinner and slimmer. Women have been using it for years. Spanx the company known for women’s shapewear created a collection for men. The first collection was good. But didn’t deliver to men the Spanx experience women have been having.

Whats’ Wrong with Shapewear?

One of the big reasons I don’t think shapewear has taken off for men is function. I have tried many different kinds of shapewear. The shirts are a struggle to get on. It’s basically wrestling to get them on. You really need two people to put them on. Getting them off luckily is not as difficult, but it’s still a chore. I would love if they created a zipper or fastening system that allows it to go on easier and by yourself.

Unlike women’s brands a lot of the early men’s lines gave a little bit slimming. But not enough of a slimming effect that guys were expecting. Why struggle to put on a shirt when it gives you minimal results? More brands are looking at how to make their lines give better results.

The last thing is going to the bathroom. This is something often over looked. On women’s  shapewear. They have an opening that allows them to go to the Bathroom. On men’s it can be a struggle to get them down and out. Depending on the design. One company that didn’t overlook this is Gregg Home. Their Sculpt line they released in March/April took into account going to the bathroom. There is a slit between the wide waistband and the pouch. Easy access with out the hassle.

How To Fix Shapewear

The design of most men’s shapewear is pretty simple. I”m not saying we need to put in wild colors or patterns. I think the classic white and black are perfect for it. Most will not want to draw attention to the fact they are wearing it. The wilder the colors the more attention you will get.

I mentioned above the struggle to get it on. One thing I would love to see is a one piece design. That could be like a singlet. A  full body type of design would give better results and fit better. A zipper down the front that could ease in putting the pairs on. I’m still not sure if there should be a cut-out or specially designed pouch. To allow for ease of use for the bathroom. If there is a cut out you’d need to wear extra underwear for support.

This design would be tailored for a man’s body. Make sure it’s narrows the waist and broadens the shoulders. This design should also take into account the anatomy of a man. To ensure  it’s very comfortable. Plus, the design should be able to be worn under clothing without giving away the fact it’s shapewear.

We hope to do some more shapwear reviews soon. Stay tuned!

2(X)IST has released an update to their popular Sliq line. The new collection is called the Sliq Micro collection. It also has something in it that may surprise and delight some of you. It has a thong! Yes, the original y back thong is in this collection. It was one of the first thongs I really fell in love with, and I”m glad it’s back in a new color.

The new collection has either two prints and a solid. The thong only comes in the solid color. I wish they could have done a print on it. The colors in this collection are Intersect Print – Lime Green, Intersect Print -Flame Scarlet  and Flame Scarlet. All colors are a lot of fun. I am loving the Flame Scarlet thong. They all really pop and will be fun to wear under jeans, suit or work clothes.

Made out of an 88% POLYESTER / 12% SPANDEX blend. Which will make it fit great. The added bonus of this fabric is it’s moisture wicking. Making it the perfect pair for working out or being active. More and more brands are paying attention to this and it’s a welcome change.

The three styles are the Sliq Micro Brief, Trunk, and Thong. As stated above the brief and trunk have all colors. The thong is just the Flame Scarlet. I like this because the main part of the underwear is a solid color and the print is on the right hip. It’s asymmetrical but a lot of fun.

The Y-Back thong is a classic. We added it to our Drawer of Fame this year. It’s one of the first thongs that was accepted by the masses. Even department stores sold the pair. This is a classic pair that I hope they never quit making. This is one thong I definitely want to pick up!

Find the three styles at the 2(X)IST website!

BRAND: 2(X)IST
PAIR: Sliq Micro Brief, Trunk and Thong
COLORS: Intersect Print – Lime Green, Intersect Print -Flame Scarlet  and Flame Scarlet
FABRIC: 88% POLYESTER / 12% SPANDEX
SIZES: Small – X-Large
COST: $30/$30/$26
LINK:

• 2(X)IST Sliq Micro Brief
• 2(X)IST Sliq Micro Trunk
• 2(X)IST Sliq Micro Thong

Almost 8 years ago when we launched UNB, we used to judge a pair by the Gym Factor. The Gym Factor is would you wear this pair to the gym and change in the locker room. Most guys at the time would wear more conservative pairs. They would be regular briefs, boxer briefs, and trunks. Also, they would be in traditional colors. Usually black, white or grey. Some would do navy or similar color.

That was 2008/2009, we are now in 2016. A few of our readers I talk with on a regular basis have me questioning this factor. More and more guys are telling us they are wearing thongs to the gym, over traditional underwear. The comfort and support is one thing they love. Some of these guys say they change at the gym and don’t care who sees them in a thong.

I know there isn’t a wave of guys in gyms walking around in thongs. It’s a slow migration to better underwear for the general public. As more guys realize that good underwear makes you feel amazing. This trend will change. Wearing something colorful and fun won’t be an issue. Other guys in the locker room won’t even give it a second look.

This is due to underwear is being worn by more straight guys. It’s no longer just gay guys who can wear great underwear. There is still a stigma of “underwear is gay.” This is SLOWLY, going away. I say slowly, but I have seen big changes in the industry since 2008. These will continue to change.

One other reason this is changing is technology in underwear. There is much better fabric and designs. Fabrics now are moisture wicking. Allowing you to work out more comfortably. Fabrics such as Modal are the perfect example. They keep you cool and perfect for working out. Next, brands are giving more supportive pouches and creating pairs just for working out. Comfort is key to the current men’s underwear market.

We are curious if you guys are wearing what you want to the gym or are you still using the “Gym Factor?” Wearing classic designs and colors to the gym?