This was the first time I got to speak to Jam/Rounderwear. They were at Curve and got the info on the brand. The one thing I have always loved from this brand was the waistband on this pair. The 8 bit waistband I have always thought was cool
So…you all want to know what a great pair of underwear is you should have in your collection? I know of a couple brands that produce underwear that is nothing short of amazing. I was introduced to the first of these through a gift I was given by an ex-boyfriend. He found a store in Ft. Lauderdale that was closing out a bunch of underwear. He thoughtfully purchased a pair of Unico trunks for me. We won’t even go into where his thoughtfulness went after that. So he gave me the underwear knowing that I am an underwear junky. Let me tell you something, I was impressed by them. To be honest they had been on my wish list for a long time. Finding low prices on Unico can be a challenge. Luckily he found them on clearance at the store. Unico was added to my collection then permanently added to my collection for the first and definitely not the last time.
Unico added to my collection a different sort of underwear. Up until them most of my underwear had been Calvin Klein or 2xist. Great brands by all means, but Unico stands out as a brand to me cherished. Every pair of Unico underwear that I own is to say the least perfect. The cut, fabric, waistband, and pouch make for the best kind of underwear possible. I prefer the Unico briefs over trunks, but that is also a general preference in underwear as a whole. The briefs they make provide the best support and all day comfort we all look for in underwear. If you prefer trunks, the same can be said. The fabric they use can seem a bit stiff at first, but once you put it on you’ll quickly see that they know exactly how underwear should feel against the skin. Soft, yet firm enough to stay where in should through a day’s wearing. This is also credited to fact that Unico has somehow figured out how to cut their underwear in such a way that it fits to a “T” in both briefs and trunks. They are one of the few brands that runs a seam up the middle of your butt. I think that this creates a lifting action to help your butt look better. Seam placement can be challenging and have a mid-butt seam is a tactic more companies should adopt. Another great aspect is the pouch. Whether you are well endowed or not, having a place for your junk to rest comfortably is very important. With Unico underwear, all their underwear features a pouch that holds your junk as should be held. I can not begin to tell how much this pouch is valued feature to me. When I put them on everything just naturally rests where it should. Please keep in mind that as you read this paragraph about great Unico fits, you must keep in mind how they size them. They are a South American company and all their lines run small. If you’ve read my sizing standards you’ll know that I always go up a size in Unico. If you wear small, then a medium is a must in this brand. Make sure you first experience with Unico is a good one and order correctly.
Ok, so you want to add Unico to your collection. I don’t blame you. I want more! Unico is a brand that rarely is priced at a bargain. Many sites will tell you it’s a bargain and frankly, it’s not bad, but 40% off is still putting you the $30 per pair range. If you can swing it, go for it. Recently www.cheapundies.com landed a great lot of Unico underwear and about 70% off retail. Yes, I stocked up. Keep in mind that www.cheapundies.com is discounting discontinued lines. Other sites are discounting current lines and so the price is higher, but for a great like Unico, still a bargain. Whether you buy current or discontinued lines the underwear is still basically the same. Only the design changes. The construction and fit has never changed in my experience with Unico. Find a deal or a pay full retail, you’re gonna get a great pair.
What else can be said? Oh right…have you bought yours yet? Ha! I know that if you already have Unico in your collection you are saying that I am preaching to the choir. If for some reason you don’t have Unico yet, you’ll be happy when you add them. If trying for the first time, find that bargain and test them out. I feel very confidant you’ll be happy with your purchase. If you have a different opinion of Unico I’d love hear it. If you know of current sale on Unico I’d love to hear that too. We are all fans of a great daily garment and finding the best and most comfortable can be a challenge. Unico, in my honest opinion, can be a solution.
Picture from International Jock
Happy Thong Thursday everyone! Naturally I had to celebrate with Andrew Christian‘s Trophy Boy Spider Thong with Show-It Technology. I love the look of these spider thongs because of all of the straps and cutouts that really let you feel sexy and show off some skin. Taking a look at this thong you immediately notice a few things. First there are the additional side straps underneath the waistband making the pair look more like a spider web with all of the different lines. These straps meet in the back at a wider top triangle than most thongs. The straps add a pleasant image to the sides of the thong as it allows a section of skin to show that is usually revealed when wearing a thong anyways, but this adds a level of excitement and sex appeal. Another thing you will notice is the built in pouch in the front that enhances your bulge. Slipping the pair on, it is important to make sure you get your entire package into the pouch in front for the best profile and comfort.
The thong held up quite well during my workday as I did all of the normal movements of sitting, standing, walking, and driving. I enjoy giving underwear test runs through the work day because it is important to find pairs that can be a significant part of your drawer and become in rotation for everyday wear and not just special occasions. The strap in back never felt uncomfortable which I appreciate with thongs. Nothing is worse than wearing a thong where the back strap rubs or irritates your butt all day. All of the straps stayed in place and were comfortable all day long. The extra straps on the side didn’t bunch up or tighten the pair at all. The only slight discomfort I felt during the day was how tight the front pouch was around my package. I consider myself average in that department and I felt as though the front pouch was too constricted throughout the day. I have never worn a cockring for any length of time but that is what I felt like it probably resembled. For some, this may be a pro and not a con.
I purchased a medium as that is my normal size and the underwear stayed true to size. As I mentioned above, the only area I did not feel that it fit right was in the enhancing front pouch. I would not rule this out and would definitely wear this pair again. It was not enough to turn me off from the pair. The pair still continues to turn me on and hopefully a partner when seen!
Andrew Christian week continues tomorrow with a Friday fun special treat….
Pros:
- Visual appeal
- Pouch enhancement
- Vibrant color
Cons:
- Tight, cockring-like pouch
Ratings
- Daily Fit = 8
- Sizing = 9
- Construction/Materials = 9
- Styling = 10
- Daily Performance = 8
- Overall = 9
Find this pair on the Andrew Christian website. Post contains an affiliate link.
Another reason I love going to Curve/Magic is I find new brands I have never heard of before. In 2011 at Curve Stud Underwear had a booth at Curve. They had an amazing model and some great undies. They are still around and you should check them out!
The second pair every man needs is a few great pair of silk boxers. If you ever have to dress up for a job interview, wedding or funeral there is no better underwear to wear under dress pants. ManSilk Makes the Stripe Jacquard Boxer for around $33.00
They are smooth against the material of the pants and feel cool and free. The silk against you feels like nothing else, almost like a sensual massage. Plus if you have the opportunity to take your pants off with someone else, they look amazing on.
Next time you’re out shopping for some great new underwear, get yourself some Under Armour Boxerjocks and some great silk boxers. You won’t be disappointed.
You can find these on Freshpair.com and Amazon
You know what Wednesday is, Hump Day! When I think of hump day, I think of a butt, which makes me think of underwear that shows off a butt. So for this hump day, I bring you the Andrew Christian Almost Naked Jumper Jock. This jock is very similar to all of the other jocks on the site at first glance. Notably different on the front are 2 cut outs on both sides of the pouch that show a little front skin, teasing your viewer. I love this. Anything that can add skin or a tease is a plus in my book!
I slipped this pair on for hump day to tackle a long work day of all of my usual movements. On a side note, it was interesting to wear this jockstrap after wearing the Andrew Christian Bubble Butt jock on Monday which had the additional straps across the butt. I wondered where the extra boast was when I slipped this pair on! Part of me missed them. Reading the product description of this pair really talks about how free the front pouch makes you feel and how enjoyable it is that you do not have to worry about the traditional chafing, squashing and re-adjusting. I have to say that Andrew Christian did this justice as I was comfortable all day long! Many people do not think of wearing a jockstrap throughout the day. It has become associated with sports or exercise. I appreciate the feel of this jock. It felt very freeing underneath my suit, both in the front and the back. By the end of the day, I had been so comfortable I forgot about comparing the extra straps that morning.
My typical medium fit great. Andrew Christian seems to be 100% accurate when it comes to sizing. I never have any problems with his underwear and their fit and this one met all expectations. It is important to know that a designer can make briefs, boxers, thongs, and jocks, various styles of each, that all fit true to who you are. This jockstrap is a limited edition which means it won’t be around long and will not be repeated down the road. I recommend adding this special one to your drawer. Jump on this chance!
Tomorrow is Thong Thursday, see what is coming up….
Pros:
- Comfortable, freeing fit
- Unique design
Cons:
- Too basic in color and limited edition!
Reviews
- Daily Fit = 9
- Sizing = 10
- Construction/Materials = 9
- Styling = 8
- Daily Performance = 9
- Overall = 9
Find this pair on the Andrew Christian website. This post contains an affiliate sales link
I was super excited to meet Go Softwear. They are one of the brands I first started working with and Alex took over a hour to tell me about how they make underwear. It was a great talk that gave me an education on underwear production. They are still two guys I call friends. I met with them this past Saturday in LA
The first one I love is Under Armour Boxerjock. This is, in my opinion, the ideal underwear for working out. They wick away moisture so you stay cool and dry. They are also very supportive. Everything stays where its supposed to while lifting weights or working on cardio.
Not only are they ideal for working our by wicking away the moisture and keeping everything in place but they look amazing on. I have never seen a guy wearing Under Armour that doesn’t look amazing.
You can find these at UnderArmour site.
To continue my Andrew Christian marathon week I decided to try out the new Andrew Christian Trophy Boy G String. First I have to say that I love how companies like Andrew Christian can make both styles of thongs, the g string and the thong. Many people may think they are similar but their structure is different and I appreciate anyone who is able to understand the two separately. This g-string is built like most others which features extra thin straps along the waist band and up the back with a very little pouch in front to cover the package.
When I first slipped the pair on, I was in awe of its beautiful sexy look. Thongs and g-strings have such a signature look that they make you feel sexy and take you to a new persona the moment you put them on. I love this about them. For me, I feel different and I feel sexy and that is what underwear should make you do. It should be a showcase of how you feel. I made sure all of the straps were perfectly in place before I slipped some pants on and proceeded with my day. There is a nice little “Trophy Boy” tag on the side strap and yes, today, I was my own trophy boy! I instantly felt like I had nothing on underneath my pants which was great! Nothing was tight or uncomfortable. The sides and back felt naked and the strap up the back did not rub or feel awkward in anyway. Even if you are a beginner with thongs, I think this pair would not intimidate you.
The whole day I felt naked underneath my pants or like anything was barely there. This is a great feeling because it shows an incredible attention to comfort and allows something so sexy such as a g-string to become a pair of underwear you can wear outside of the bedroom. One of the only negative things about the wear and tear of the g-string is that the thin straps on the side will twist and turn with your movement all day. If you are OCD, you will find yourself adjusting the strap to get the “Trophy Boy” tag facing correctly and everything looking just right. The front pouch is nice because it has the flexibility to be as wide or as narrow as you want it to be. Like the side straps, the pouch will bunch up as the day goes on. A simple adjustment can fix this in no time.
For the basic g-string, this pair takes it a step up. It’s beautiful in looks and despite a few small adjustments needed here and there, it is a perfect addition to the sexy side of your drawer. The bottom line is, this g-string stands for GREAT!
Andrew Christian week continues tomorrow with a hump day special! Stay tuned….
Pros:
- Visual appeal
- Pouch flexibility
- Comfort and material
Cons:
- Strap movement and twisting
- Pouch bunching
Ratings:
- Daily Fit = 8
- Sizing = 9
- Construction/Materials = 8
- Styling = 9
- Daily Performance = 8
- Overall = 8
Find this pair on the Andrew Christian site. Post contains an affiliate sales link
Again 2010 was a huge year for me! Good Boy Gone Bad was another company that hit the market and I could never get a contact. They were at Curve this time. Most times after we met in a hotel suite. This is someone you may recognize, Marko Lebeau. At the time I had no idea who he was, but he is an adult entertainer with his own site now. These pictures got shared so many times and until I found out what he did, then I realized why they got shared
For this 4th installment of the “12 Pairs Every Man Should Own” segment, I’m keeping to my crusade for the brief! This time however, we’re talking about something with more of a twist. Consider this the advanced level of my “12 pairs” suggestion, if you will. The 2xist “Turbo No Show Brief” is another pair for the books. 2xist has been making men’s underwear for a long time and it definitely shows; the quality and breadth of options is the product of many years of refining and honing their look. The results of that process are at the root of my recommendation.
The Turbo line of underwear from 2xist is just an overall fun addition to the brand. Let’s talk looks first: sporting an impressive 5 different color options, the Turbo No Show Brief is sure to have a color for everyone’s interest: whether it’s “Fiery Red” for a hot date look, or “Azure Blue” for the gym. Each style comes with a color contrast side panel for an extra pop of color as well. Your “Fiery Red” comes equipped with blue accents, and darker blue panels and red piping compliment your “Azure Blue”. For those of you who appreciate the “one stop shop” method of purchasing underwear, this means you can have a nicely diverse collection of pairs with just a few clicks of your mouse. So, they look great and come in a few cool colors. Cool. Awesome. Not enough to be on the list, right? You’re absolutely right! So let’s talk about fit, function and finances.
Coming in at a cool $26 might be a little steep for guys who are new to the market, but overall, these pairs fall on the cheaper end of the spectrum. For the money, you’re getting a brief that is made from great quality fabric that, while breathable, also hugs close to the body for a sexy and sleek feel. The material is so weightless that you almost forget you’re wearing underwear when you have them on. The high cut on the thigh comes in at a comfortable angle on the leg, and the no show band sits low on the waist. A solid design for a solid pair, and a pretty reasonable price. This makes the 2xist Turbo No Show Brief, a must have.
Let me know what you think guys! @UNBPaul on twitter!
I decided to have an Andrew Christian jock and thong marathon week and wear a new pair of underwear each day. To start off the week, I wore the Andrew Christian Teaser Bubble Butt Jockstrap on Monday. At first glance this jockstrap caught my eye with its sleek design which shows skin and teases in all of the right places. The front pouch has a “V” cut out at the top underneath the waistband, showing off some skin and a slight hint of the base of then penis. This is a definite tease for anyone who is looking to show off some serious skin in the front! The back is cut like a basic jockstrap but features two additional straps up across the butt, keeping everything tight and appealing, for the men who have a great bubble butt! I slid the pair on, put all of the straps in place, and immediately felt the tension of the two added straps to my butt. It was tighter than most jockstraps but I did not mind it. Anything that can enhance a part of a man is a good thing in my book!
I wore the jockstrap through my workday which consists of all of the normal movements one would go through in the course of the day. I felt 
comfortable all day long. I definitely could feel the additional straps and they stood out in my mind more than anything else on the pair. You will definitely notice and feel the additional straps on your butt but not to the point that makes the pair awkward or uncomfortable. They are there to enhance your butt, adding to your profile and roundness. Depending on the guy, this can be a huge benefit to this pair. A few minor adjustments throughout the day at the base of the pair where the four straps meet may be required. I did adjust a few times to get more comfortable. The “V” cut out in front is very sexy and I love looking down being able to see some of my shaft. This will be a great pair for any guy on a date looking to give a little tease and skin to his partner.
I wear a medium and the jockstrap was 100% true to size. It fit me great and I had no problems anywhere with the sizing. I was comfortable all day long. I had enough room in the pouch and no issues that led to uncomfortable incorrect sizing.
I love how Andrew Christian can take so many pairs of underwear and enhance them in small ways that make such a big impact. His sophisticated yet sexy take on underwear is why he is so successful and present in the media.
Tomorrow morning I will slip into another one of his creative designs. Stay tuned……
Pros:
- Butt Support
- Fit
- Tease capability
Cons:
- The tightness of the additional straps could bother some wearers by noticing it all day
- Adjusting at bottom with a lot of movement
Ratings
- Daily Fit = 9
- Sizing = 10
- Construction/Materials = 9
- Styling = 10
- Daily Performance = 9
- Overall = 9
Find this pair on the Andrew Christian website.Post contains an affiliate link.
2010 was a super busy year. It was the year I really got to meet so many brands. Also at Curve I got a chance to meet Tulio. I had seen their stuff in Atlanta at the Boy Next Door and even owned some of their stuff but was always unable to contact them. I got a chance to get to know them an work with them this year. Today I am in Vegas and will be a Curve the first part of the day and Magic in the afternoon till Wednesday!
Have you ever wanted to be in the center of the underwear world and be able to ask brands any questions you wanted? Well that’s me at Magic/Curve. I get to sit down with a lot of the top names in the industry and talk shop. I will admit this week is one of the highlights of my year. I get to catch up with a lot of my underwear friends and see what new things are coming.
Each Magic I post Brief Distractions of previous years. I get to go through the pictures and remember some of the brands I got to see and the undies that were released. This trip marks my 10th trip to Vegas for the shows. It’s hard to believe I have been going this long!
The first time I went was Feb., 2010 and flew up for the day. You may say that is crazy but I flew out Wednesday night, spent all day at the show Thursday. Then took the Red Eye back home and was at a conference at 7 AM. Times have changed, now spend 3 days at the show meeting with everyone from 2(X)ist and Andrew Christian to new brands on the scene.
Looking through my pictures is always bitter sweet to me. I of course remember the good times and brands I plan to meet with at this next show. Then there are those brands that either no longer go to Magic or have gone out of business. Some of these I’m sad about because I got know them well and loved what they were doing. But it’s all part of business right?
This trip will be kind of special since it’s my 10th trip. Each time I go I get to catch up with people I haven’t seen since the last show. I also always get to meet new people and brands. Doing the blog for 6 years, you think I may know every brand out there but each day, at least, one new brand comes on the market. It’s hard to keep up.
I hope this trip I will have good internet like last trip. In previous years you couldn’t get text or cell service. They have upgraded the network and this last trip I could do things. If it’s the same I’m going to Tweet who I am meeting with and what’s happening while in Vegas and LA. So follow me on @unbtim on Twitter and interact with me!
In 2010 I wen to Curve and met with one of my favorite brands, Cocksox! They had model Tory George working the show for them. He had appeared in several of our guides before this when NorCalBodz did our photography. It was so much fun to meet them and they still are an amazing brand to work with!
In my world there are mainly only two types of undies, jock and brief. I wear other types as well but these are my favorite. My go to briefs are the 2xist Military Brief for their fit, great styling and wonderful materials.
The Military Briefs are made with a slightly stretchy fabric that hugs your body showing off what you have while balancing support and snugness. A pair of briefs that can balance sexy snugness while not being overly tight makes a perfect pair. The fit on these briefs doesn’t leave bunching or sagging (the worst) and is a perfect all day pair.
The waistband offsets of these briefs with just a hint of metallic, but not over the top. The overall look of these briefs is sophisticated while showing off your assets and can be worn with just about anything. These briefs are exactly what briefs should be and should be sitting at the top of your undies drawer.
Made by 2(x)ist and released in Feb 2011
Many of you out there know my story on how I initially got into underwear. I got bikinis for the first time when I was 13 and was hooked. The colors, fabric and cut hooked me. The Jim Palmer ads for Jockey were the main reason I got them. They were different from the Tighty Whities of the time. This was the early 80’s and before the boxer and brief craze.
By the mid 80’s a lot of guys started to go to boxers. I never got boxers because I loved the support of my bikinis. I hated to have things go free. I think I may have tried one pair and said never again! At the end of the 80’s the boxer brief was invented. The first time I saw it was in a CK ad. They were a staple though the 90’s and 2000s.
We are now 20 years out and the underwear pendulum is swinging back to briefs and bikinis. You maybe asking, “how do you know this?” Again this is unscientific but I have had more guys tell me they are giving briefs a try again. This is allowing brands to bring briefs and even bikinis back to their line ups.
Many brands we all love have been making briefs. Being underwear lovers we are on the forefront of men’s underwear fashions. Most of us are willing to experiment and have fun with our underwear. Whereas, the general public is still hooked on boxers and boxer briefs styles. Go into any big box retailer and what do you see? Mostly you see cartoon/print boxers and multi packs of boxer briefs. Fashionable briefs are nowhere to be found.
There is one exception to that rule, which is Target. They have always been one to have fun with underwear cuts and colors. If you go back with Target, they started with the Bum like and have since moved to a new brand. That brand is the Evolve line and has always changed up colors and styles. There are more briefs coming to Target.
Why are tastes changing? I have one big reason for this, which is support. More guys have told me after they go back to briefs they forgot how great the support is in them. My biggest complaint with boxer briefs is they don’t hold their shape and my business has no support.
The next reason I think briefs are making a come back are the guys working out and getting great bodies. The trunks and boxer briefs can be super tight in the thighs. And we all know how bad underwear can be when it’s too tight anywhere! Plus I always say if you got it flaunt it and what better way to show off your body than in a brief or bikini.
These are just my thoughts. I’d love to hear what you guys have to say. Leave a comment or send me a tweet at @unbtim
In 2010 ES Collection was at Magic. I snapped this pic when they were walking around hanging out catalogs. It was my second Magic I attended!
We are going to post as a group 12 pairs we love and think every guy should own. It was originally 12 pairs every guy should own but after going through some of the selections there were several pairs no longer in production so it’s a mix of pairs we love and pairs you should own. This is Alex’s first post!
When I was asked to pick two pair of undies every guy should own I thought to myself what undies do, I own the most of. It didn’t take me long to think of the Bike jockstrap the only pair of undies I own where I have the same pair, in the same color.
The Bike Jockstrap has been a staple of locker rooms and men’s drawers for decades. This classic jock isn’t about frills of fancy fabrics or flashy waistbands, everything about this jock is made for use. The elastic and cotton pouch hold your boys where they need to be, while still showing off a nice bulge. The waistband is wider than most jocks making sure it stays in place. The leg bands lift and support your butt giving a great profile. Even with all these great features the best part to me is the classic, masculine, blast from the past look of this jock.
The Bike Jock has been reinvented in recent years with new colors other than the white and black of the past. These colors add a little more fun to the other options, but still holds the classic design.
I use my Bike Jock for both sports as well as every day wear. The support and classic styling are unmatched. This jock is a must have pair!
Pictures from Jockstrap Central (Contains an affiliate link)
I know I’m speaking to a lot of you guys out there. I am not a medium and haven’t seen since the mid 90’s. After ’97 my metabolism slowed down and I went from a 32 to a 36 in no time. Granted if I took the time to work out 6 days a week I could be in a 32 but I just don’t have the time to devote that much time to working out.
Over the years I have gone as far up as a 42 but back down to a 36 and in between. I am wanting to get back to a 36 and stay there, I am starting to work on it again. But let’s talk about underwear for us guys large and XL.
First thing to talk about is sizing. There are brands that don’t make underwear over size 36. The worst part with some of these brands is they run small as well, so anyone over a 35 inch waist can’t wear the underwear. This luckily hasn’t been too big a trend but it makes you want to double check the size chart, because sometime an XL isn’t an XL.
Some brands don’t make XL. There are a few brands out there who’s largest site is a large. The sizing sometimes on the large runs as small as a 34 inch waist. So there is no way a guy who’s on the upper end of the spectrum to fit in these.
Sizing for some brands is shrinking. Meaning some brands used to have a 40-42 now have a top end of a 38 inch waist. It’s the slowly shrinking waistline of underwear. So if the brand you like’s new pairs seem a little small, check the sizing chart to see if this has happened.
So you may be asking, “What’s a guy to do who’s on the bigger end of the spectrum?” Well I’m glad you asked! Speaking from experience, underwear is made for all guys! Us bigger guys love great underwear. We want to feel sexy and have undies that fit!
So what do you need to do to find great underwear? First, for any brand you are considering check the size chart (didn’t see that one coming did you?). Double check the underwear is made in your size. Then, make sure you order the right size on the size chart. This seems like a no brainer but we have talked to guys who refuse to move outside of a medium. They are a size 35 but still think they can make it in a size 32. Don’t do it, just accept the fact you’re a bit bigger, it’s not a bad thing.
Wear the style you like. Don’t let anyone’s opinion shape what you should wear. Granted there are times I put things on and went OMG NO! And sometimes I remove them and other times I say, what the hell! There should be no underwear shaming! Our underwear is our expression of who we are.
Lastly if you need help or advice, reach out to us here at UNB. Any of our guys would love to talk underwear and help you when ever we can. I’m always available on Twitter @unbtim (I may have to get back to you) or email. But use us as a resource!
Picture from the Sun Newspaper.
I love the week when I”m at Magic! Showing pics of the previous trips to Magic are so much fun. This is Freeman, a company no longer in business but you can occasionally find them on Cheapundies.com. Today I’m traveling to LA to meet with a few brands. Follow me on Twitter for updates and pics @unbtim!
Every Chicagoan knows that there’s about three months in this part of the upper Midwest when it’s warm enough to do stuff outside. The rest of the time it’s pretty miserable. Bravo! even developed a show about the way that Chicagoans cram all that fun into those “100 Days of Summer”.
For the LGBT set (me included), the summer is bookended with two major street festivals: Pride, in late June and Northalsted Market Days, in early August.
While Pride has evolved into something part political campaign, part economic opportunity, and part social statement, Northalsted Market Days has remained a mash up of something that’s delightfully hedonistic and brashly commercial. It’s a boozy, sultry, messy mélange of bodies baking under a summer sun during the day or soaking up the humidity of a Chicago summer evening.
To be more concise, Northalsted Market Days is a street festival that takes place in the Chicago gayborhood of “Boystown” along north Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison avenues in the neighborhood of Lakeview. Local businesses (shops, eateries, bars, and clubs) in the area set up tents and booths along the street and allow you to sample their wares in one go. The event claims to be the largest two day street festival in the Midwest.
But as an underwear enthusiast, Market Days (and other summer street festivals) is a great opportunity for underwear and swimsuit sightings. Once the temperature climbs past eighty degrees, any Chicago gay who has spent a nanosecond in a gym, pretty much treats a t-shirt or tank top the way a kid with a peanut allergy would treat a Snickers bar, they want it as far away from their bodies as possible. So let’s do the math:
Naked torsos + low slung shorts = Visible waistbands as far as the eye can see.
Vendors do their part as well, rolling out their best eye candy to cajole you to buy their twenty ounce house sangria (two of those and consider yourself over-served), with said eye candy wearing only the minimum amount of apparel necessary to keep them from getting hauled off for public lewdness. Besides gawking at nearly naked male strippers, you can see every size, shape, color of man and woman that exists in the rainbow coalition that is the LGBT community. There are boys playing grabby twister, drag queens serving camp, and great live music.
My recommendation for those of you who want to attend Market Days in 2015 (August 8-9) and only have one day, go on Sunday morning. It’s not nearly as crowded as Saturday afternoon/evening is and you have the time and space to explore a lot of the vendors and booths. Of course, if you’re looking to pack yourself in a crowd of sweaty, half-naked dudes (and try to guess if they’re wearing boxers or briefs from their visible waistbands), come on Saturday. Or, come both days.
Whatever you choose, just come on down to Chicago for Market Days. See you next August!
We are back with another review and this time Alex is reviewing the N2N Bodywear Luxe Bikini! How did he like it? Well watch the review and see! N2N Bodywear furnished this pair for review.
Rufskin is a brand that loves to have fun. They aren’t just cotton underwear. They use all sorts of materials that can bring out the fetish side in every guy. Such as the picture above, I wouldn’t recommend wearing this out but for a bar night it could be interesting.
We ask that question because it’s the name of a new brand called wearMEunder. I discovered them on Twitter one day. Actually I have been noticing a trend that I am finding more new bands for you guys through Twitter than any other social media. I have been emailing them and they seem like a really great company! Here are some questions we asked:
What is the idea behind the brand?
The idea behind the brand really started with wanting to offer men everywhere something that we feel the market doesn’t currently offer necessarily. It is not necessarily that we want to educate men that underwear doesnt have to be the standard brief or boxer, we just want to be able to offer and show men that you can look even sexier by what you wear under!
For us underwear and swimwear is not just something practical that one has to put on before starting the day. In fact, it is more about embracing the fact that you should feel and look great when you start the day, go about your daily routines, go to bed and most importantly no matter where and when you can always feel confident that should you find yourself in nothing but your ‘undies’ you can be sure to still feel and look great!
Women have used underwear as a power of seduction and to get a sense of comfort and sex appeal for a long time, so it is just a matter of time for men to also grasp the concept that underwear doesn’t have to be just practical.”
What is your philosophy for the company?
Our brand philosophy comes from that as well! We believe that underwear is merely an extension of you and therefore they should feel like part of you. We try to make our underwear in a way that it feels like you are wearing nothing but you, your skin and that is why we call it skIn collection. Despite this, the products offer comfort and functionality which underwear should anyhow. We also try to be conscious that men nowadays have busy lifestyles and try to keep active. So it is important to offer products that are breathable, helping maintain the junk in the trunk as dry and sweat free as possible, thus our products are incredibly breathable. Also they offer anti-static materials, soft and we try to bare in mind that underwear marks aren’t sexy so we aim to use soft elastics on bindings etc in order to avoid those marks.
What was the inspiration you for your designs?
The design concept originated from professional divers/swimmers. Having to use quite tight and figure hugging pieces that not only provide all the support and comfort but are fully functional in every sense. That is why we choose to have and offer designs/cuts that are sexy and unusual but still pretty much keeping all that one wants covered and protected.
How are you getting the word out about your brand?
We are a small start-up independent brand, therefore we don’t have the usual budgets that big brands are able to possess. It is very important for us that men (customers) become more and more aware of our brand not by means of the usual advertising but by real people that can provide real input on what wearMEunder and it’s products are all about.
At the same time, we want people to feel like this is their brand, therefore we want them to be able to interact with us and our social media as a tool to get in touch not just with us but as a community of men.
What are some of your current best sellers?
Here are the current best sellers
Swimwear:
- THE JOSH Pink & Red have been the most popular swimwear. We sold more of them than any other product available (including underwear).
Underwear:
- THE BROOK + THE BRAD have been pretty popular during live events sales but quite slow sellers online though! It’s quite a more fetish out there piece, being of sheer micro mesh! We are with hope that with the new product pages and the revamped website this style will become a best seller.
- THE JUSTIN Blue – this one has been the most popular out of all underwear styles available, both on the website and live event sales.
- THE KELVIN Black – our basic brief, another popular item. Being our version of a basic brief and coming only in black at the moment, it’s the second best seller online.
- THE AUSTIN – our third most popular product online.
Where can our readers find you guys?
Photos by Paul Dedona.