Today’s Brief Distraction features new underwear from PUMP! Underwear. This is the Touch Down Falcon boxer brief. Available for $34 from the Pump! Underwear site.
In our second brief talk Brandon and myself decided to tackle the sizing issues in men’s underwear. We all have been there when we bought a brand and its quite what the sizing guide said it was! Enjoy the talk
Tim: Sizing is probably the main issue in buying underwear today. We have always received comments from readers about how in consistent sizing is in men’s underwear. What has been your experience in buying underwear and finding the right size?
Brandon: Brandon: When it comes to buying designer underwear, the decked is stacked against you in terms of picking the right size for you, because most designer underwear shopping is done online, and thus you can’t try it on. My experiences in this regard have proven that there is a profound difference between American sizing, European or British sizing and the sizing coming from the Latin/Central/South American brands. American brands stick to waist size, but what that actually means is they stick close to American pant sizing. I’ve found that the bigger name an American brand is, their size chart is typically forgiving, and you should order whatever size that contains your jeans waist number, unless you like roomier fitting underwear, I guess. I have a 36″ waist according to American sizing so I am usually in the L or XL size. Once you hit 36 on any non-American brand though, you tend to have to buy the XL and pray it fits ok. For the most part I can fit into any foreign brand’s (that isn’t a household name like Armani) XL offerings. It can be frustrating, but the only way to figure it out is to “buy and try.”
I know we are working on revamping our sizing guide here in the next couple of weeks, and really UNB is the only site out there that remotely covers a majority of the brands. With that I hope we can provide the details men will need when thinking about buying X size from Y brand.
Brandon: I know you and I are bigger guys, and obviously that provides other challenges for us when it comes to sizing in men’s underwear. Knowing that there are plenty of brands that run really small (in comparison to American brands) do you think that might be a product of who they are made for, or is there an underlying filter there, like maybe certain brands want to prohibit men they perceive as out of shape from wearing their stuff?
Tim: This is a great question. Before I started the blog and I would often wonder this exact question. But after getting to know a lot of the brands around the world I have come to learn the different sizing around the world. Here are some great rules to follow when buying underwear from outside the US and note that these are generalizations and always check the size guides for each brand.
- Asia – Typically run smallest, XL could be as small as 34 inch waist
- South American – Typically runs smaller, XL could be as small as 36 waist
- European – Usually runs smaller but XL could range from 36-38
- Australian – Probably closely matches the US Market. XL could be a 38 or larger
I focused on XL because i wanted to show how different the top end of the size range could be in each country can be. In the US for most brands it is listed anywhere from 38-42 inches. This just illustrates how sizes vary wildly over the world. But I can’t stress enough to read the size chart for every brand you buy. Granted they aren’t always accurate. We will be working on the UNB Size guide to redo it an add in more brands to help pick better underwear.
The second part of your question is are brands making underwear that maybe doing the “Abercrombie’ing” of underwear. I don’t think that many brands purposefully do this tactic. The sizing for most of the areas listed above are set to the size of guys in their population. As we have seen the backlash with Abercrombie I think the same would happen in the world of underwear. I can think of only a handful of brands that don’t offer XL underwear. This would shut out more athletic guys and beefy guys. More companies know that guys of all sizes want great undies.
Tim: Would you buy underwear from a company that would use the Abercrombe’ing of underwear? Even if you could fit in them and size wasn’t an issue?
Brandon: I would never buy underwear from a company that wasn’t committed to making their products for everyone to wear. I struggle with body image (perhaps more since I got into men’s underwear) so when a particular brand’s XL doesn’t fit me, I know I get down on myself. Like you said, I don’t think we probably have to worry about any underwear brands doing this simply because they couldn’t afford to lose consistent customers with an industry that is completely saturated with new brands, and new designs from the old brands.
Brandon: We both agree that a brand trying to purposefully prohibit certain sized men from wearing their underwear is a bad idea, but isn’t their something to be said about brand superiority? I mean I know I feel “under-dressed” when I put on a pair of well-worn Calvin trunks to do yard work, or when I clean the house. I will even bypass certain pairs of underwear that have made it to the top of their piles in my drawer for a pair from a brand I view as far more superior. Do you have brands that you place “above” others even though we’re talking about high quality designer brands in general?
Tim: Yeah I do the same thing. I have probably 400 pairs. I regularly pass over pairs at the top of the drawer when I see a pair that I love below it. Granted most of the pairs in the drawer cost over $20 a pair. We share the same love of pouch briefs and underwear with extra room up front. One of my favorite brands is Cocksox. Anytime I see a pair of Cocksox I regularly grab it rather then what’s on top. There are several other brands that I just grab. But usually these pairs never make it in the drawer. I keep them in a clothes basket and routinely wear the same pairs. Granted I have gained many pairs of underwear from doing UNB the last five years. There have been very few I don’t like. Most will garner a place in the underwear drawer and be worn again.
Tim: What to you puts a brand above others in your underwear drawer? What are the few factors that make you love a pair of underwear?
Brandon: Well, I think it all boils down to whatever your favorites are, and to a lesser extent on how you sort your undies. I sort by brand, so I never really have brand conflict in terms of the “stacks” that I see. So usually it’s a specific pair that I might “reach” for when it isn’t no top, rather than the brand. I love the “Anatomically Correct” pouch from Andrew Christian and AC is easily my favorite brand, so when the undies at or near the tops of the other stacks aren’t too appealing on any given morning, I default to one of my two main AC stacks. When it comes to the factors that makes me love a specific pair over some of the others, I think I have to go with a combination of three elements. The comfort, the look, and then maybe the sentimental value. I will always default to a “trusty” pair of briefs when a brief I might not be feeling on any given day pops up to the top of its pile.
Brandon: Speaking of trusty pairs of underwear, in a collection of 400 pairs, I am sure you have plenty of those. How do you cycle through your underwear in an attempt to even out the wear cycles of all those pairs?
Tim: Funny you should ask, I’m about to go through all my undies. As you know this past year I have lost weight. I went from a 42-inch waist and now down to a 36 waist. So the cycling is a bit more difficult then with having all the same sizes. A lot of my favorites are way too big on me now. Which makes me upset that I can’t wear them. And it’s one of those things where you don’t want to get rid of your favorites. I have pairs from about 8 years ago, like my first pair of unico that I refuse to get rid of. They are basically worn out but what do you do with old underwear. One of the best suggestions I have ever heard was make a quilt out of them. it would be an awesome way to keep the undies. But I don’t sew! So I am in the process of organizing my drawers. A lot of the most recent pairs I have reviewed on UNB are in the main underwear drawer. They fit and feel great. I am also having to as you said in one of your articles “rediscover” underwear that now fits again. It’s like finding hidden treasure to me. i have a big bag of size large underwear I get to go back through. Then there times when i open one of my other four drawers of underwear and find pairs I haven’t worn in a while. I really need to organize them better. That is the biggest challenge to me and finding underwear. Right now the way I organize underwear is the top drawer is my favorites, the second drawer are ones I like but either the color is not my fav, the fit is just ok, or they are the second tier undies. The Third and fourth are pairs that are just ok. I have to figure out what to do with underwear that isn’t my favorite. I just feel wrong about throwing them away. Another think I like to do to cycle through undies is have a theme week. For instance I’ll do a jock week, a Green week, or something a long that lines. Just to mix things up. It would be interesting to hear what our readers to do rotate underwear.
We will have more of this chat soon. We also will have one from two other guys on the site about performing and underwear. If you have any questions feel free to reach both of us on twitter at @unbtim and @unbbrandon. Also you can always email us at info@underwearnewsbriefs.com
I was really excited to have the opportunity to review the 2xist SAIL Sculpted Brief. It’s a pair I’ve had my eye on for some time (thanks, Tim!). The SAIL collection was introduced as part of 2xist’s Spring 2013 line and features what has become standard fare for the label: a brief, a trunk, and a tank top. The pair I am reviewing (that’s me in the photo above) is the “Lake Blue” color option from the line, which features several other colors combinations. The first two things I noticed when I got it out of the box was 1.) how soft the cotton was and 2.) that the cut of this brief is much more traditional than most of the images of them suggested.
After putting them on initially, I knew I’d be giving them a great review. The sizing and fit is exactly what you would expect from 2xist. My 36″ waist fit comfortably into the L (36-38) and as always I suggest that if you are in between sizes on the size chart (31, 35, 39) that you drop down a size. Once you get them on you really appreciate how soft this cotton is. 2xist calls it their “Soft-Fle(X)” cotton which is 95% cotton and 5% spandex. While this brief comes from a featured line, it really could be marketed as everyday underwear given how comfortable it is.
The key feature to this brief is the way it has been constructed. The brief features a large, logo waistband which is incredibly soft both on the inside and outside, while I am not a huge fan of humongous logos on my waistband I don’t take much of an issue with the “2(X)IST” that is plastered on the front of the waistband on these briefs. The prominent feature on these briefs in terms of how it fits, is put together and the overall styling has to be the much larger-than-average leg bindings which are tapered to visually enhance your man-parts. The leg bindings are the same soft cotton covering spandex that lay flat on your legs for a really comfortable fit. I am not sure how much they enhance the contour pouch in reality, especially if you’ve got bigger/muscular thigh muscles.
In terms of how they look, I was expecting them to look a bit different than they do once I got them on. The taper in the leg bindings seem to create the look that these are more of a “bikini” or modern cut brief, but in actuality they are very much a traditional cut brief, with quite a bit of fabric between the waistband and the highest point of the leg openings. While I prefer a more modern cut in briefs, the functionality of the tapered leg bindings certainly make them feel like a modern brief especially when sitting down.
Overall, the fit of the 2xist Sail brief is fantastic. They can be worn for just about any occasion, but I would say that the cotton is fairly thin so I won’t be using these briefs for any strenuous activities or workouts. I really like the look and while the contour pouch could be slightly larger for me, for most men there will be ample room.
These 2xist SAIL sculpted briefs retail for $24 but with several 25% off sales for major brands, you can typically find them for a much more reasonable $18.
If you have any questions about the SAIL Sculpted Brief, or general questions for me, you can get a hold of me on Twitter, @UNBBrandon
Pros:
- Soft, comfortable fit
- Great styling
- Innovative construction
Cons:
- I really can’t find any
Ratings:
- Daily Fit – A
- Sizing – A
- Construction/Materials – A
- Styling – A
- Daily Performance – A
- Overall – A
MalePower is known for their super sexy designs. Their new range falls in that line. It’s called the Geometric Dots. This forms a really fun and unique pattern. As you can see it’s done in a black and white print.
The new range is available in six different styles. Those styles are the popular Moonshine (Jockbrief) , Micro Thong V, Posing Strap and Zipper Thong. Also the Zipper Short, the company’s best selling style, or the brand new Sling Short for those who prefer something different.
Having just been released they are available at retailers across the internet. One site you can find them is the FreshPair.com site
Today’s Brief Distraction features Dietz Underwear. We featured them as our Underwear of the Week yesterday and thought we should give them some more time on the blog!
When we start a segment like Fetish Friday, we need to bring you some of the hottest and interesting underwear on the net. That is what we are doing for this pair. I figure that if we’re going fetish we need to go all out! That means break out the chains and leather…literally!
Modus Vivendi doesn’t think out side the box, they have created their own box that they design underwear. They have never shied away from leather, rubber or other fetish materials. To pick just one pair is a really hard task. But we settled on the 11013 Jockstrap because it’s just fun. How often do you see underwear featuring chains.
- As you can tell this is not a jock you would wear for daily wear.
- The jock straps are made out of adjustable steel chains
- Leather look pouch is made out of an easier care fabric.
- This is part of the Fisherman fetish line from Modus Videndi
- Available for 54.90 Euros
Find this and the other fetish Fisherman line at the Modus Vivendi Site.
We wanted to give you some great undies you may not know about for this months Underwear of the Month. The brand we choose this week is Dietz. This brand has been taking off big on the net. I have seen their pics on Facebook and all over Tumblr.
Dietz believes “Our designs are for contemporary men who are self-confident, think out of the box, and take care of themselves.” Dietz has brought their European styling to South America. This is something that definitely shows in their underwear. The fits are more body conscious and form fitting. This styling also extends to bright and fun colors.
Reasons this pair is our Underwear of the Weeek
- Great design that is form fitting
- Non-elastic waistband that reduces appearance of love handles
- 85% Nylon 15% Elastane material
- Bright red color
- Retails for $19
Find this pair and the matching Piuma Bikini on the Dietz site – http://www.deliodietz.com/
What made you guys start Underwear Nation?
It was our mutual obsession with underwear that brought myself and my business partner Todd Wendrick together on this project. Todd was obsessed with finding and wearing the hottest and best designs around the world, and I was obsessed with shooting them on the hottest 
male models. We were friends from way back, but it was when Todd saw my photography on a few blogs that we discussed starting a business together. The rest is history.
Why did you go with a subscription model? I will say the pairs you pick have been amazing picks.
Thanks! We wanted to offer something different and something new from what was available at the time in the world of online men’s underwear shopping. We tossed around a million ideas. We knew Underwear Nation has to be special. I believe it was over some good food and a few drinks that lightening struck and we came up with the subscription model. We wanted to be able to do some really amazing photography focused on one amazing pair of underwear. And more importantly, we wanted to introduce other undie-lovers to our passion and to great new styles and designers they might not have known about. We do all the work, our members (or Citizens) reap the rewards.
One thing that sets you apart is your photography, What made you focus on it?
Again, Todd approached me because of my photography. We knew our strong suits were his knowledge of underwear and underwear brands and my photography. Use your strengths, right? We wanted to set ourselves apart, and vowed never to use stock photography. We do all our own custom photo shoots. We wanted another awesome cherry on top to offer our Citizens.
You did a contest for models a few months back how did that go?
The reception to the model contest was mind-blowing! We had over 40 male models from around the United States enter, with votes pouring in daily! Ultimately it came down to an intense battle between the top two guys. It was a fight to the finish! I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it. The vote total would swing in one guy’s favor and then the others, up to the last second! It was amazing. We can’t wait to do it again next year.
What has been your biggest good surprise in starting an underwear retailer? What has been your biggest challenge moment?
The fans. The fans have been the best surprise. We’re amazed at the interaction, the conversation, and all the social media love!
Our biggest challenge is that of any business, how do we get our name out there!? How do we make the world see what an amazing product we offer!
What can we expect form you guys in the future?
We are working hard on a new and improved website! We’re looking forward to expanding the types of memberships we offer, styles and cuts of underwear, swimwear, loungewear, etc! Oh, and the Ambassador Program is going to kick ass! But we can’t talk about that yet!
Find out more about Underwear Nation at their site – http://www.underwearnation.com
I was really excited when I found out I would be reviewing a D Hedral brief. I have read about them and their innovative way of fitting the buttocks called “Anglefit”. Basically, they take measurements provided by you (your waist size and your determination of whether your butt is slim, average or full), and calculate an underwear “angle” that is supposed to enhance the appearance of your hind end—135 for the skinny one, 115 degrees for average, and 95 degrees for ‘full’;. In their words: “our patented anglefit will curve closer to the bum than traditional underwear, to create unique figure hugging definition and a visibly enhanced rear.”
I have certainly have had problems with underwear in the past that was designed for skinny little bois with no butt whatsoever. Nothing bothers me more than having my butt hang out of a $20-30 pair of non-returnable underwear. So, I was definitely intrigued and excited to be asked to review the D Hedral brief.
When I got the package in the mail, I immediately ripped it open. I wanted to see this thing for myself and also check out what ideal my “angle”—95 degrees evidently. So far so good; big butt equals smaller angle and a less steep descent over the butt. The color of the Gort brief was off white, with a white waist band, a purple triangle immediately above the center of the buttocks and an elastic band that ran down between the cheeks.
I’m not the biggest fan of myself in white or even off white, but I could live with that, as long as the fit was good. I doffed my clothes and pulled them on and checked myself out in the mirror. The brief hugged every part of me that it covered, and it covered my butt well. I was hard pressed to see any improvement in my appearance from the back, but it felt good. I took off the pair and set them out for the next day to review their performance.
My typical review day is a day of work, followed by a weight lifting work out at the gym. I was prepared to like the D Hedral brief, but I didn’t—I LOVED Them!! Although not immediately apparent, the longer I wore them, the more my butt felt “hugged” by them—for lack of a better word. It’s hard to describe, but I think many of the underwear brands out there must have a buttocks angle that is too steep for me. Wearing the Sid brief, I actually felt more energized as the day went on and had an amazing workout after work. There was absolutely no slippage or riding up at all, and yet they did not fit so tight that they cut off my circulation. The waist band was completely true to American sizing—my waist size is 31-32”. I wear a 32” Gort brief and it was perfect fit. The materials were of very good quality—83% cotton, 14% silk and 3% spandex (or elastane in European) and silk did give softness to the fabric that was noticeable.
A few other particulars: I was not and still am not a big fan of the off white color, but they have a wide range available—black, blue, green, purple, light grey, navy and white. The Gort brief is a low rise, but they have fuller ones available in their “Batty” and “Sonny” types, as well as trunks and boxerbriefs. No bikinis yet, but we can keep hoping for that. The line down the center for the buttocks does highlight your rear end without looking cheesy like some brands can. The only thing I did not like about it was the price of getting more pairs. Most of D Hedral’s non-sale items are 28 EUROS and above. They do occasionally offer free shipping, but when they don’t, it’s an additional 20 Euros to ship the US.
Given the fit, the feel, the look and quality of the their briefs, I am in love with D Hedral I may have been enthusiastic but skeptical before trying the anglefit out, but now I am a believer. I hope they open up an American shop, because if they do, I’ll be first in line.
Pros:
- Amazing Angelfit –cannot say this enough!!!
- Quality of the material
- Softness of the fabric
Cons:
- Cost
- Off white color
Ratings:
- Daily fit: A++
- Sizing: A++
- Construction: A++
- Styling: B
- Daily performance: A++
- Overall: A++
D.Hedral furnished this pair for review.
Neons are selling fast in the UK. The fashion for in-your-face acid yellow, glowing green and zip-a-dee-doo-dah pink has hit the men’s underwear and swimwear sector, big time. Deadgoodundies.com report a surge in neon sales this month.
Pikante Fluorescent Jumbo Brief GBP 18.50 – LUSH GREEN – British men tend to think of brighter colours for sports underwear, but this style by Pikante breaks all the rules and is tempting many buyers.
Gregg Homme Boy Toy Thong GBP28.96 – PERFECT PINK – A hot body demands hot underwear like this magenta thong from Canadian brand Gregg Homme, which is always snapped up in the UK.
Olaf Benz RED 1289 Neo Brief GBP28.00 – DUAL COLOURS – Olaf Benz indulge in bold colours in their Neo range, including this two-tone brief.
Olaf Benz RED 1291 Neo Pant GBP32.00 – TASTY ORANGE – And for their Neo Pant in zingy orange.
HOM Marine Chic Swim Shorty 01 GBP39.00 – SUNSHINE – When it comes to the beach, European men make braver choices in terms of colour, including the brightest yellows like this one from HOM.
Body Art Patmos Rio Swim Slip GBP31.00 – GET FRUITY ON THE BEACH – Think of orange juice, sweet satsumas, evening sun… Orange always makes you smile.
Bruno Banani Light Show Swim Short GBP43.00 – A TOUCH OF NEON – And if the full-on neon effect is a bit too much, there’s always the subtler, but no less trendy Bruno Banani Light Show short with neon stripes.
Find these and more at Dead Good Undies
This post contains an affiliate sales link
There is a new brand. Envy Men’s Wear. We got a message on Facebook and they are a fun new brand. Envy’s initial release feature 55 striking styles in 10 distinct collections, including briefs, thongs, boxer briefs, mesh briefs, tank tops, and more. Go look at the collections and see what they have
I will be the first to admit I HATE underwear with a c-ring, pouch strap or any type of other enhancing technology other then a great pouch. With that said I actually selected the N2N Bodywear Titan Sport as a pair I wanted to review. The hopes were high that they would live up to the N2N name for comfort and not let me down and wishing I had chosen another pair.
I wore this pair as underwear rather then a pair of swim. This pair can easily be considered either. I received a size large in white. The Titan is also available in black. The size large fit my 36 waist very easily. N2N is pretty good with having consistent sizing.
The first thing you have to do is put this pair on. It’s not very complicated. You slide on the brief, put your junk through the hole and then bring the pouch up and snap it with three snaps at the top. I was really worried that the snaps would be hard to snap but I didn’t have any issues. My next concern was the bottom of the pouch seemed like it wasn’t holding me in, so I went to work with another pair of underwear just in case I had a wardrobe malfunction.
As the say went on I had very few issues with the pair. It fit really well but not too tight. Take note that you slide everything through the hole and make sure it’s all the way at the base or it will drive you crazy. I did this and after I adjusted it really fit very well. It honestly really surprised me how well it fit and how much I liked it. At work it was a moderately active day. As the day progressed my fear of a wardrobe malfunction was just that, a fear, because they held me all in place. The snaps came off and stayed in place when needed . There would be nothing worse then having a snap come off midday.
As I mentioned above the sizing is based on US standard sizes. This means the large fit my 36 waist size pretty well. I have rarely heard sizing issues with N2N. So if you match up your size on their chart you will be fine.
I really liked how the pair fit through out the day. It really fit well and I wouldn’t wear if you don’t want to show off what you have. The pouch pushes up and out everything so you won’t leave much to the imagination. The enhancement maybe a problem if you wear this pair to work. However if you wear it as a swimwear this maybe a bonus for you. Another great thing is the construction. N2N paid attention to how it would fit a guy and made it so it doesn’t bind or become uncomfortable after extended periods. This leads to the cons, the only one is I would have liked a bigger pouch.
I do plan to wear this as swimwear. There is a pool near me where this pair won’t be shunned but rather encouraged. I will let you know how it goes. I was going to include that on this review but I haven’t been able to get to the pool. Stay tuned for a follow up.
Pros:
- Great Design of the pair
- Enhancing tech isn’t in the way
- Fit very well and sizing is spot on
Cons
- Have a bigger pouch
- Could show off more then you intend
Ratings
- Daily Fit – 8.5
- Sizing – 9.5
- Construction/Materials – 9.5
- Styling – 9
- Daily Performance – 8.5
- Overall: 9
N2N Bodywear furnished this pair for review. It is available in either black or white from the N2N site for $38.00
It has been said that inspiration can be found in the smallest of details. And that is exceptionally true for Croota Underwear’s newest range of men’s underwear, “Rasta Amsterdam,” which was created by Croota’s Creative Director after a visit to Amsterdam and after viewing a creative magazine image of a puff of multi-colored cannabis smoke.
The “Rasta Amsterdam” Lo-Rise range of men’s trunks pulls elements from both the Jamaican-born Rastafari Movement, and the world’s most liberal city by incorporating the colors of the former flag of Ethiopia, which is associated with the Rastafari “Way of Life,” and elements of the flag of Amsterdam.
“After a recent visit to Amsterdam, I was determined to create something that could bring two inspiring cultures to my brand,” said Sang Croota, the brand’s Creative Director. “And I felt that developing a range of underwear based on an international subculture could translate into something guys could celebrate.”
Set against the (95%) black cotton and (5%) spandex blend, the unique green, yellow and red colors symbolic of cannabis culture are also accompanied by three Saint Andrews Crosses found in the heraldic shield of the coat of arms of Amsterdam. The Dutch words “Heldhaftig, Vastberaden and Barmhartig” (Heroic, Determined, Merciful) are also included as design elements on the range. The “Rasta Amsterdam” Lo-rise trunk retails for $21.90 USD.
Find these at the Croota site – http://www.croota.com
Today’s Brief Distraction is from Male Basics. They just released the new Geometric collection. The pair above is part of the Cheveron Group. Find all these and more at the Male Basics Site.
The most recent pair I received for review was the PPÜ 1310 Brief, which is described as their “Men’s Low Rise Classic Brief with Contrasting Waistband and Trim.” It comes in three color options to the masses, but the review pair I received were the royal blue briefs with white trim. Upon hearing which brief I would be reviewing and getting them in my hands for the first time I was excited about trying them. I have recently dropped a bunch of weight and really have been fitting well into all of my smaller undies so I didn’t think I’d have any issues. My first impressions were that this is a traditional brief in terms of cut and design but the fact that it is 82.5% Nylon and 17.5% spandex gives it a modern look and feel.
I’ve only gotten one other pair of PPÜ undies before, from a fan who sent me their crazy jockstrap/brief which they call a “Modern Brief” and it fit fairly well, so I was a bit disappointed when I slipped these on. It wasn’t that the waist on these XLs (34-36) was too tight, but I think the problem stemmed from the brief’s construction. The rather large amount of spandex in this brief really provides an overall constrictive fit, and with my body shape, that’s not always the best marriage. I am athletically built and have always had quite the butt on me, and with all underwear, the roundness of my backside puts all of my underwear to the test, and these briefs couldn’t really handle my bubble butt like I was hoping they would. The stretch my butt was producing naturally pulled the already small pouch closer to my body, so I felt really cramped up front and since I am fairly well-endowed had to situate myself just right to get a comfortable fit. I only wore them a couple hours before I gave up, but I blame that entirely on the brief and me just not matching up.
Overall the construction is very well done, the brief is mostly nylon which in this brief is fairly breathable making them a good choice for summer wear. All of the contrasting trim-the waistband, the pouch frame and the leg openings feature really strong spandex, which provides a close fit. I think on an average to skinny sized male, these briefs would be an excellent choice to wear this summer. As I said, the pair I reviewed was royal blue with white piping, but the two other color options are summer ready. The first is coral with grey trim, and the other option is a mint blue with royal blue trim, I think both look really good.
These briefs certainly run small in comparison with other offerings from PPÜ and some other brands that are known to run small, so make sure you size up. I wish they had given me a better fit, but as I said if you are a smaller guy, or even someone with a medium build and maybe not packing too much up front, these would be an ideal summer brief. You can find these briefs at a variety of online retailers and they retail for $21.
If you have any questions about the PPÜ Brief #1310 you can get a hold me by sending me a message on Twitter, @UNBBrandon
Pros:
- Breathable for summer wear
- Stylish
- Supportive Fit
Cons:
- Run small
- Small Pouch
Ratings:
- Daily Fit – B
- Sizing – C
- Construction/Materials – A
- Styling – A
- Daily Performance – B*
- Overall – B
*with the right fit, these would hold up over the day fairly well
PPU Furnished this pair for review.
Happy Tuesday! This is a great picture from Tom Cullis and Timoteo! Tom always does really fun pics for Timoteo and this one is one of my favorites. Please enjoy
Today is Baskit $12 Tuesday. That means you can get a really great pair of Baskit for 24 hours at the $12 price. This week the pair is the Urban Basic Brief. This brief is made with a great pouch and low rise design. Find it and more on the specials page of the Baskit site!
What happens when a straight guy steps outside his swimwear comfort zone? This post below. Our newest writer Gabe tells about how he put on a speedo for the first time on vacation. Enjoy the post!
‘Old habits die hard.’ The same can be said of attitudes or personal beliefs. Anything that jeopardizes the safe comfort of our small thought bubble universe is usually eradicated quickly. It’s just human nature. After all, no one wants to accept that their deep-held personal beliefs may be wrong.
But that’s not what we’re here to talk about… our story is about Speedos!!!
Actually, my introduction is highly relevant to that style of skimpy spandex swimwear. If you’re unsure about why that is then I offer this challenge: put on a Speedo, go to your nearest public beach or pool, and loiter in the sun. Count the number of awkward moments you experience in an hour.
The truth is that, despite centuries of human progress and enlightenment, we are still unable to shake our profound feelings of shame toward our own bodies. This is especially true here in the U.S. where we have John Ashcroft and Super Bowl wardrobe malfunctions to remind us that unclothed human bodies are morally wrong.
It is a perverse dichotomy. We love seeing skin. It is all over our magazine covers, television ads, movies, etc. And yet, we have somehow all silently agreed amongst ourselves to make our disgust known anytime we see it in public. Recall the scene from the movie Meet the Parents in which Ben Stiller is left no alternative but to don a Speedo in front of the entire family and how the group taunted him. The knee-jerk ‘eeewwww’ reaction is so embedded in our culture as to be second nature. It is a learned behavior and it is doing us no favors.
A few years ago my girlfriend (now fiancé) and I made a trip to a resort on the island of St. Lucia. We were staying at a place that catered mostly to couples (lots of newlyweds). Our visit happened to coincide with that of a large group of 30 and 40 something couples from the Netherlands. They were a fun group. Good lord could they drink!
The afternoon of our second day there, we were lying on the sand at the beach behind our bungalow. It was only then I became aware that I was the only man wearing board shorts. My male European counterparts were all wearing speedos. It was actually me, in my family‑friendly swimwear, who was getting the odd looks from people. Or at least I certainly felt that way. Go figure. By the third day I had decided enough was enough. After some encouragement from my GF (and after downing a brightly colored fruity umbrella drink) I strode to the resort shop, bought a pair of black speedos, and “hammocked up.”
It’s important to note here that I swam competitively for many years and was accustomed to wearing a speedo during workouts at a pool. But I had never simply worn one while relaxing on a beach. Nor did I possess the kind of rippled physique that might grant me an exemption from mockery. No, I was stumbling head-on into Greg Focker territory.
But truthfully I felt no stigma or shame. I was lucky enough to find myself in a situation where the social pressure element (the fear of being taunted) was totally eliminated. My girlfriend was not critical at all as she seemed only to encourage me. Once that critical element was removed the only pressure remaining was internal.
And this brings me to perhaps the most important point. A straight man wearing a Speedo may experience thoughts of self-doubt which are as inhibiting as any external social pressure. We are afraid that if we wear a Speedo (and heaven forbid we enjoy it) that it somehow makes us gay. As if Tim Gunn himself descended from the heavens, waived a bejeweled wand, and made a cloud of pink smoke go “poof” on top of our lives. Your next stop is an appearance on Oprah where the topic is straight men who ruined the lives of their unsuspecting female partners.
This is not how it works. Honest. My experience did not turn me gay. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Ignoring the urge to cover up made the personal time with my girlfriend way more adventurous and flirty than it had ever been before. Lacking a better term I refer to it as the ‘Tarzan Effect.’ I felt less schlubby. I actually liked my own body for once, even if I was carrying a keg instead six pack abs. It was this sudden inrush of confidence that made the rest of our stay incredible.
This experience was important to have because it marked a change in my attitude. It was the last time I really worried about what other people thought of me. This letting go has had many positive effects in other parts of my life. The speedo itself is really just a secondary part of the bigger change in thinking that I’m trying to sell here. And that is: be unafraid. Find what it is that makes you feel confident or happy. See how it affects your relationships, intimate or otherwise. Experiment. This body you have is the only one you get. Why not enjoy it?
I don’t expect this sense of adventure or experimentation will be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m sure that there really are people who, absent any social pressure, still really prefer to cover up. And that’s fine too. The only thing I would urge upon those people is to withhold judgement of others who are more adventurous than you. They’re not trying to gross you out. And if it does gross you out, just look away.
If you’re still afraid that a speedo will turn you gay just remember that it’s simply an article of clothing. The inherent traits that you possess are much stronger and are unlikely to change by virtue of a wardrobe choice. If I’m wrong and it does change you then look on the bright side… you’ll get to meet Oprah.
So for the guys reading who are still on the fence, I dare you… “hammock up”
We all know underwear should be fun! If you are reading this blog this is a mantra for you as it is for all the guys on the site. Aware SOHO has always created really fun and colorful undies. They also go that extra mile when creating waistbands. Each line has it’s own distinct waistband. They have released some new undies recently that we think you should be aware of and the Compton Jock is one of those pairs.
- Made out of 93% Cotton – 7% Elastane, specifically Egyptian cotton
- Bright yellow color
- Distinctive waistband with black leg straps
- Available for £13
As the Aware SOHO site says who wants to always wear white or black underwear all the time? See this pair and more at the Aware SOHO site.
Today’s Brief Distraction is a great picture from aussieBum. This is a behind the scenes picture from the new swimwear collection. Make sure you go check them out for some amazing swimwear.
I get the chance to review another great pair from N2N Bodywear. Much like the Signature Trunk, this Seafarer Brief is a style N2N has had in their line up for a few years. Each season they redefine the line and change up the colors. It’s much like revisiting an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. The Seafarer line has three new colors, black, light blue and white with a white waistband and trim. I have reviewed the other briefs before and looked forward to seeing if anything changed.
I received the light blue pair in a size large. The large fit my 36 waist very well. I wore this pair on a weekend that was pretty active with errands. I know you’re shocked it was not another day at the office. Whereas the Signature line I reviewed this week has a definite pouch, this one is the opposite. There is no defined pouch design with this pair. You may think this is a problem but the way the material is made it has extra give that felt great and almost created a pouch. Speaking of material, the previous materials at times to me seems a little too loose. Granted it fit great but I could always hoped for better support. This material (90% cotton/10% Spandex) seems thicker for a lack of better word. It gave me a bit more support than previous editions of the brief. So my active day really gave this pair a test and it passed.
Sizing with N2N is pretty much what you see on the site. The large fits a 36 waist fine. They are pretty much on American sizing. I am 100% confident that you will get the right size. N2N makes underwear guys want to wear. A few years ago they added XL to their size line up and it has expanded their audience.
I really liked the new material best. I’m not sure how to describe it but it just seems thicker. It gave me great support through out my running around town. I was on the go from the morning till afternoon. Next thing I liked was the color. The light blue is one we haven’t seen from N2N that often. This year one of the big trends is lighter colors in underwear. The light blue is a welcome addition to the underwear drawer. The fit was another thing I liked about the pair. Even without a defined pouch it gave me the support I needed through out the day. As for Con’s….I can’t really think of any other then maybe add more colors. Which is a very superficial con and I’m sure next year we’ll see some great colors like last seasons orange.
I really like giving a brand multiple reviews. It shows if they keep up their standards. N2N is definitely keeping up and improving. They always try to out do themselves each year. My previous pairs have been XL and I’m glad I have one of my favorites back in my underwear drawer. It really sucks to not be able to wear your favorite paris of underwear. But the trade off to be healthier is worth it.
Pros:
- Great material
- Gives support even without a defined pouch
- Light Blue color
Cons:
- Just add more colors!
Ratings:
- Daily Fit – 9
- Sizing – 9
- Construction/Materials – 9.5
- Styling – 9
- Daily Performance – 9
- Overall: 9.1
N2N Bodywear furnished this pair for review. They can be found on their site for $21. Sorry no personal pic for this pair
We brought you a picture of Nick yesterday but we wanted to give you one more pic of Nick D’Alessandro. He is the newest model for Cityboyz Fashions. Nick is a National NPC Men’s Physique competitor who also is a fitness and fashion model. He says “I am currently aiming to get my PRO Card this year and then one day do the Olympia!” We wish him luck
It’s rare I get to try a pair of underwear every year as the line is refreshed. That is what has happened with the N2N Signature Boxer. It was released a few years ago and every time we get review pairs from N2N, I get a chance to revisit this pair. The past reviews have been very good. You wouldn’t think that since I’m not a big boxer brief fan. This is one pair that I have grown to love over the last few years. So, each time it gets refreshed with colors, I get excited to retry it.
The current refresh of the Signature line is either a navy or white body accented by red. It’s a very eye catching color combination. The trunk has two red accents on the side of the pouch and has a signature 1 ¼” inch waistband. The pair is also designed with a contour pouch, that N2N is known for making. Lastly it’s made in a 90% cotton and 10% spandex blend.
I really didn’t think that N2N could improve on this pair. The last reviews just fit so well that I didn’t see how they could make it better. Imagine my surprise when I put the navy pair on, that the color combinations were not the only improvement. I think they have made the pouch better. It just fit me so well through out the day. It did everything I want a pair to do, give me great support, be true to size and look great. I am not sure how they improved the pouch, but I’m a bigger N2N fan now.
I wore this pair to work and errands later in the day. They held up amazingly well. I have said it before but N2N makes underwear that is made for a guy. I say this because they take time to think about how it will fit and make sure all the needs a guy would have in underwear are met. As I went through the day my mind didn’t even think of the underwear. The fit was one of those that when you wear a great pair of underwear, you forget you are wearing any. There were no issues in construction or fit. I loved how the pouch not only gave great support but also even enhanced my package.
The sizing on N2N is pretty much spot on. I received a Large, which fit my 36 waist very well. The rest of the sizing is pretty much American standard sizing. You should have no issues when purchasing a pair of N2N. The previous pairs I reviewed were XL. But with the last year I have lost 75 pounds and have gone down a size! You can see a personal pic below the break. This is one of the few times I have posted a personal pic, so be nice!
There are many pro’s for this pair. The first is the new color combinations. This really accents and shows off what you want to show off! The fabric is perfect for daily wear. The spandex gives you great support and will form to your body. The pouch was another pro. If you love underwear with a great pouch then this should be a must for your underwear drawer! As for con’s the only one I can think of is I admit I like a boxer brief!
Pros:
- Color Combinations
- Fabric – 90% cotton & 10% spandex
- Great contour pouch
Cons:
- None other then making me admit I love a pair of boxer briefs
Ratings:
- Daily Fit – 9.5
- Sizing – 9.5
- Construction/Materials – 9.5
- Styling – 9.5
- Daily Performance – 9.5
- Overall: 9.5
N2N Bodywear furnished this pair for review. You can find it on their site for $24.00. See my personal picture below