This past week I read an article about the future of underwear. Upon reading it, the article was about the future of underwear for a specific brand, not the industry. This got me thinking, and I think I have enough experience in the industry to make an educated assumption about where underwear is heading. 

Fem is the new Masc

There are no longer any rules about what is or isn’t men’s underwear. The last few years have shown us that anything and everything can be men’s underwear. I know many of you have specific criteria for what you will wear. Still, I expect to see more brands blurring the lines and bringing in fabrics, styles, and silhouettes that have either never been used in undies or have been considered too feminine. 

An example of this is the rise of men’s lingerie, bodysuits, and the use of satin in men’s underwear. Lingerie/lace started ten years ago for many brands such as MaleBasics and Candyman. Now it’s branching out, and I think it is a big reason why bodysuits and satin have entered the men’s underwear markets. 

These trends are not slowing down any; I think they are picking up steam in the world of men’s underwear. Brands such as Wayne Underwear and MCE Creations are taking the styles to the next level. I expect these two brands will continue to push the boundaries and other brands to create new and fun styles. 

Smaller is Better 

We have had boxers and boxer briefs in the men’s underwear world for over 20 years. It’s time to have smaller undies. In the last three years, we have seen a shift from boxer briefs/trunks to smaller pairs, specifically thongs. I’m not saying this is a seismic shift, but it’s gaining speed yearly.

These styles include thongs and bikinis! The trend in thongs came out of nowhere and has come on strong. However, not everyone likes a thong or wants to wear them every day. They don’t want to sacrifice the smaller design with a great pouch. This will have guys look at bikinis as a great addition to the underwear drawer. I do love that guys are embracing the skimpy styles. 

I feel these styles will grow because it’s not just the “gay guys” wearing them. Thongs have crossed over to the straight side. Straight guys love more options to wear. I think for once, they can look at underwear as something to feel sexy wearing and not just something you have to wear. Something many of us who have read the blog has known for years! Many are asking why I can’t wear a (insert bikini, thong, mesh, lace, etc.)? My wife or GF can have options. Why can’t I? ALL guys want options and to feel sexy in undies. 

Fashion is function 

Fashion and function usually are something that many figures can’t go hand in hand. If it’s fun and sexy, I have often said on the blog and podcast that sometimes underwear is made to come off. It’s made to look super sexy but not designed to be worn for extended periods. 

On the other hand, we have heard that “those shoes are ugly, but they are super comfy.” The brand that comes to mind is Crocs. Meaning if it’s ugly, it must be super comfy. I have never found this to be true in the world of underwear. If it’s ugly, such as mass-produced briefs or boxer briefs. They are not at all comfy. 

Many brands are creating sexy styles, such as thongs, jocks, and bikinis, that can serve as everyday underwear. I dare to say that we will see underwear that will be good to wear to the gym, work, and everywhere in between. Gone will be when you need “gym underwear” that has moisture properties or extra support. Materials like Modal will be in more undies, and prices will decrease. Also, I’m sure we will have new fabrics invented that will make undies even more impressive. 

I’ll take this a step further by saying we will see underwear, specifically a thong, that will be produced to solve problems at the gym. And it will be marketed as a “gym thong.” Brands will use this new technology and fabrics to create undies that solve more problems. And guys will wear this for everyday wear because it will feel so good! 

Change comes from Smaller Brands.

I am confident when I say this that smaller brands will push the more significant steps forward. Calvin Klein started the modern underwear movement with its classic white briefs ad and boxer briefs. CK also drove the colors of men’s underwear in the 90s. The colors were black, white, and grey. It was “classic” but not a lot of fun. 

Flash forward 20+ years and look at the brands on the market now changing the industry. In the mid-2010’s, you had BodyAware and Marek+Richard pushing boundaries and making underwear fun again. These two brands are still going strong and evolving to make the next best thing. A few brands have come onto the scene in the late 2010/2020s: Bruno Menswear and EXSL, pushing the envelope and driving the industry to new areas. 

Big brands will stick to what they do best, but smaller brands like the ones I mentioned above will push the industry into new territory. The prime example of this is the side tie thong that was so big. To be honest, I don’t know who created the first one, but it was a small brand that spread like crazy throughout the thong community. Other small brands like Bruno and EXSL will make designs that resonate throughout the industry. 

Attitudes will Change

Lastly, the attitude towards men’s underwear in society will change—less of the guy wearing a bikini or swim brief as the butt of the joke. You know the scene I’m talking about. These I never find funny. Men in anything other than boxers or boxer briefs are a little light in the loafers. 

It amazes me how a simple article of clothing can define a man’s sexuality. If you are out and a whale tail is over the top of a guy’s pants, society thinks, “Oh, he’s one of those.” Because no straight man would wear something go “girly.” Little do they know that straight guys are and do wear those styles. I have seen so many straight guys come out as underwear lovers in the last ten years than I ever have before. They are lout and proud! To make significant headway with society, we need straight guys wearing “those kinds of undies.” 

No one will bat an eye at a guy walking around in a skimpy bikini or thong around the locker room. We have some gyms where this is the case, but I’m talking in middle America and smaller cities across the US. I am not sure how long it will take, but we will see it happen!!! 

I would love to hear your feedback and what you think is the future of men’s underwear. 

The Pool Party series continues today’s picture is called Couples Swim. Four couples are hanging out by the pool today. They are the first to arrive and there will be many more before the day is over.

If you are reading this blog, I know you love underwear, swimwear, and gear (spandex and more). You are a guy who wants to find out what’s new, discover a community, and enjoy the world of undies to its fullest. Over the last 13 years, a lot has changed in the underwear world and at UNB! So we ask you to be an underwear supporter. There are three ways you can help. You can do all three or just one!

Share our podcast and blog with other undies lovers.

This is the simplest and easiest way to help us; it doesn’t cost anything. Just let your underwear friends know about the blog and podcast. You can do that by sharing a link on your social media and saying go check this out! Or, if you have a friend, ask them, “Hey have you heard the Brief Talk Podcast?” And if they say no, tell them about it—the more people who read and listen, the better.

Join our Patreon

If you want to help us with financial support, this is the best way to do it. You get some unique features, such as the advance release of the podcast and special editors’ desk podcasts just for the Patreon member. You can join for as little as $1 a month to get these features. I’m trying to figure out more perks for Patreon members, so I’m open to ideas! This money goes directly to help us produce the podcast (such as hosting, software, and equipment). You can join at the UNB Patreon Landing page.

Come on the podcast or share your story.

I have gone through; I think all of my undies friends to get them on the show. Now I”m trying to get more guys to come on the show. All guys have a story to tell because you will inspire someone listening by having a similar story or feel they are not alone. Not many guys, gay, straight, or bi, talk undies. I think we on the podcast are an outlier on the bell curve of undies. We talk undies all the time together. Coming on the podcast is super easy. I send out the questions ahead of time so you can look them over and come up with answers before we record. Then when we record, I try to make everyone not nervous cause it’s just a convo between two guys talking undies. Lastly, I will edit the podcast to make you sound your best. I do this by taking out any ums and other words used to fill space and any long silence. Lastly, we can record directly over the phone, so no special equipment or software is needed! I make it as simple as possible.

If you need more info just email me and let’s chat!!!