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Men’s Underwear

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Men’s Underwear market today is constantly changing. There are always new brands coming into the market and established ones releasing new lines. It seems it has been this way forever. But just back 40 years ago it wasn’t so much fun in the underwear market. There were very few choices for a guy. Mainly it was a choice between boxers and tighty whities. Granted the tighty whities came in colors but the two styles were all there were for the general mass market of underwear shoppers. If you were in the know you could find other things in catalogs and in magazines.

There have been several pairs over the years that just changed the men’s underwear market. We have broken them down into a few categories and feel these brands really broke barriers in the men’s underwear market and either left a mark or changed the way men’s underwear was perceived by the mass market.

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Jockstrap:

Today it seem standard that most brands have a jockstrap. But back in the day jocks were used by athletes.  There seems to be some debate about when the jockstrap was invented, but Wikipeida says the Bike #10 Jockstrap was invinted in (year). This is the most classic jock. The Bike #10 has the classic 3 inch waistband, mesh pouch and inch leg straps were the standard for decades. It was the form all other jocks we have today are built on. Without the #10 Jock we wouldn’t have the jocks we know today. Bike just announced they were discontinuing this style

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Bikini Briefs:

Bikinis are another mainstay in the the worlds of men’s underwear. They go in and out of fashion but they are always there. So, it’s hard to think of a time when we didn’t have them. The pair we think influenced the men’s market  the most are the Jockey Elance Bikinis. You may remember the ads with Major League Baseball’s Jim Palmer molding them. This was in the late 1970’s-1980’s when you rarely saw men in their underwear in ads. Here was a major athlete wearnig neither the boxer or tighty whitie. His presence in the ad let more guys to try bikinis then ever before. He did a series of ads that featured several styles of bikinis from Jockey. Jockey opened the door for something other then a plain brief.

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Fashion Briefs:

Fashion briefs are ones that look like tighy whities but made to fit a guy and the way he’s built. Calvin Klein did this in the 1980’s. Their iconic ad of the guy in white briefs leaning back against the stone made guys stand up and take notice. That underwear was indeed sexy and should be made to fit a guy. The classic CK briefs were not only available in white but they made them in a rainbow of colors. Even a purple pair made it into cinematic history, with Michael J. Fox wearing them in “Back to the Future”  CK’s marketing effort really put underwear in the public’s eye. I would say this was one of the reasons men’s underwear expanded in the 80’s. No longer is shopping for undies relegated to catalogs, it came front row center and to major department stores.

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Thongs:

Thongs are not for everyone. They have been around in the fetish market for many years. But none of them ever crossed over into the main stream until the 2(X)ist Essential Thong. This thong is also known as the Y-Back thong. It was released in the (year) in major department stores. This was the first time I remember thongs being in general public. 2(X)ist embraced this and made underwear that was comfortable and fashion forward for the time. The thong has a basic brief waistband with a pouch and then a y-design in the back. It was also an innovation in the thong arena that influenced thongs since. You see other designers who were influenced and had their own take on it. I tried but couldn’t find the original package pic by David Morgan.

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Boxer Briefs

CK is the only brand on our list twice. The boxer briefs were released in the 90’s (? check date). It was a hybrid of the boxer and the brief. When it was first released there were many questions, “What is it?” but CK created an advertising campaign around Marky Mark aka Mark Walhberg. You may remember it, he was grabbing his crotch in the ad. When they were first released I don’t think anyone could have known they would take off and still be one of the major styles in the market today. Boxer Briefs from CK were only available in the classic White, Black and grey with a 1 inch waistband. These definitely made brands take note and create new hybrids of underwear.

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Jock  Brief

One of those hyrbrids that have gained massive popularity is the Jockbrief. Which is just as it sounds you take a brief with a jock backgroun. Many have come out with them over the last few years but the first company to do it was Baskit. They created the Ribbed Collection Jockbrief. At the time when it was released many kind of gave it that turned head look, “What is this?” But Baskit created a pair that the public loved. Guys couldn’t get enough of the pair. It was available in (colors). This ground breaking pair is still being sold today. Baskit took a risk and it paid off big, which is what you have to do in the world of fashion. Within the year other brands followed suit and created their own versions of the jockbrief. I think one reason it took off was that from the front it was a brief, but the back made you feel a bit naughty. If you were wearing in jeans a large jock waistband wouldn’t show over the top, most would think you were wearing a brief. Now we have jocktrunks, jockboxers and more!

These are six pairs that changed men’s underwear. These are the ones we feel did it. Do you agree or disagree with the list. You can let us know by leaving a comment here, on Facebook or Twitter. What other categories would you have indluded

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By Jason Hoeung – 2EROS

Underwear is so personal because it’s the closest thing to you. Its the first thing you put on and the last thing you take off. Its the wrapping to a present, or an entree before the main. Men has become aware of this and are paying more attention to what they present. Mens underwear needs to be comfortable and represent their personal aesthetics.

When I design underwear I always think what I look for and why I purchase certain brands and style. With this in mind this is my list on what makes a great underwear.

  1. Basic function: Know your body and know what feels comfortable, you just need to test out a few brands, once you like a pair from that brand you can experiment with other fits from that brand. Certain brands will focus on a certain body shape and normally they will deliver for that body type.
  2. Then you need to find the right fit. You have to selection between a variety of fits from briefs, trunks, boxers etc. The right fit will not irritate you throughout the day. A good fit can support and contour your body nicely.
  3. Finding the right brand that represents your style and personality. 2EROS for example is sexy and sophisticated, so the fit will sit low on the hips yet supporting you. The selected fabrics are luxurious such as Modal, bamboo and wicking fibres to name a few, you pay a little more for the feel of fabric against your skin. SUPAWEAR on the other hand is fun, loud and comfortable. The styling is meant to grab attention especially when it gets exposed over your designer jeans. The vibrant colours and variety of fits will get you excited to get dressed or undressed 🙂

Find 2EROS at http://www.2eros.com

We have all kinds of underwear lovers on the site. There are those who love the wild and to wear a pair of white briefs would be blasphemy.  It goes against everything they hold dear in underwear. However there are times when you may need to wear something a little more sedate but you should not have to give up fit for styling.

Those times maybe as simple as going to the doctor, changing at the gym or having your underwear seen in public. We know not everyone will want to wear a leopard bikini print to the gym. Because of that, we are here to show you some pairs that are classic but definitely not boring. They are made with classical styling but with great materials, construction and design. Here are a few pairs we think you should check out

We have listed out some basic info on each line. If need a pair, compare the brands and see which one best fits your needs.

2xist-essentials2(X)ist Essential Line

  • This line has very classic styling in the Pouch Brief, No-Show Brief, Trunk and Boxer brief.
  • Made out of  100% Cotton
  • Colors available are black and white
  • Simple 2(X)ist logo waistband
  • Sold at the 2(X)ist website

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Marcuse Ultra Brief

  • This is the smallest of the ones on the list. It is stylish but not over the top.
  • Made out of 95% Cotton 5% Elastane
  • Colors available are black, grey and white
  • A matching branded logo and red accents on the brief body
  • Sold at the Marcuse Website

c-in2-core-classic-line

C-IN2 Core Line

  • Available in a Lo No Show Brief, Profile Brief, Army Trunk, Boxer Brief and Boxer
  • Made out of 100% Cotton
  • Colors available are black, white and grey
  • Simple C-IN2 logo waistband
  • Sold at the C-IN2 website

2eros-black-lable-range

2EROS Black Label Brief

  • Not every pair has to be a solid waistband and Brief, has classic styling but not materials/waistband
  • Made out of 87% Tactel (Nylon) /13% Elastane (same as their jock series)
  • Colors Available are white and navy
  • Each color has a navy 2eros waistband designed specially for the line
  • Sold at the 2EROS site

baksit-simple-collection

Baskit Simple Line

  • Available in two styles a brief and a boxer brief.
  • Each style has a wide grey waistband with the Baskit logo
  • Made out of 96% Cotton 4% Elastane
  • Colors available Cool Yellow, Deep Red, Peppermint, Rivera Blue and Super White.
  • Sold at the Baskit Site

ck-body-collection

CK Body Collection

  • The Body collection is specially contoured to fit a man’s body
  • Available in Trunk, Hip Brief, Thong and Boxer Brief
  • Has a tagless design for added comfort
  • Made out of 100% cotton
  • Colors available are Black and White
  • Sold at the International Jock Website.

gosoftwear-bascis-collection

Go Softwear Boxed Basics

  • The Signature styles from Go Softwear that have a classic look.
  • Styles include: Low rise Brief, Boy Brief and Trunk
  • Made out of 90% Cotton, 10% Lycra Spandex
  • Available in Black and White.
  • Sold at Mens Underwear Store

unico-classics

Mundo Unico Essentials

  • Unico is known for their great fit and pouch, which they have taken and made into classic line of underwear
  • Available in a Bikini, Brief, Short Boxer, Mid Boxer, and thong
  • Made out of 93% Cotton, 7% Spandex
  • Available in Black, White, Navy and Grey.
  • Sold at the Mundo Unico Store.

Don’t worry, we will continue to bring you fun undies, but we think everyone needs a few classics in their underwear drawer.  Let us know what your favorite classic underwear pairs are, and why you like them so much!

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I got a chance to talk to MeUndies. They are a really up and coming brand in the world of underwear. You may have read about them in the New York Times article about using more “real guys” in advertising. We won’t go too far in that we have more about that later this week!

MeUndies just released a crowd-funded effort to build the underwear store of tomorrow. What does that mean? It means they want to be able to video chat with customers. No longer will you have to email and wait a response, or even call and have an item described to you. They will be offering video chat will enable you to see the item in real time and ask relevant questions.

I asked, Greg, the head of marketing, why do video chat? He said that they wanted to test the waters and do something different in customer to service. He added that they are branching out into t-shirts and other new products so it would be great for the CSR to show the customer what the item looks like. This is definitely something new not only in underwear but online shopping in general.

The campaign kicked off has 18 days left. As of this writing they were almost half way to their goal. The campaign is active for 30 days, so we’re almost half way done.  Funding levels available range from $5 to $5000. At the $5000 level you get an underwear vending machine. They say “ You’ll have your vey own MeUndies Vending Machine sent to your home, store or office. Fully Stocked with all our products. Never run out of underwear, socks or t-shirts again! We’ve never even sold these before and we know it’s crazy” If I had an extra $5,000 I would get one just to say I had an underwear vending machine. There are three listed and right now none have been claimed.

If you are interested in finding out more about the crowd funded program visit – https://meundies.crowdhoster.com/help-us-build-the-online-store-of-the-future

We love bringing you guys programs like this so you guys can get directly involved in the world of men’s underwear. It’s not often we see crowd funded programs for men’s underwear. We will bring you more about MeUndies after Magic!

interview-underwear-IV-league-blue-white-boxer

I had the fun pleasure of reviewing a new brand for me, Inter View. I received their IV League design white/blue boxer brief in the mail, and was curious. Just out of the mail, I felt the fabric, knew it was cotton, but it had a nice feel to it. I knew nothing about Inter View Underwear before I received this pair so I had no real preconceived notions about what this pair would be. I did some interneting and found interviewshopping.com. On the site, I found out more about their company and this pair. Inter View is a newer brand based out of Los Angeles, stating their designs are for the everyday needs of stylish men. The IV League White/Blue Boxer Brief is part of their “IV League” line which features design elements reminiscent of old school gym shorts. The IV League Boxer Brief can come in White/Blue, Blue/White, Red, and White, but the combinations of blue and white are the only ones with the additional lettering and logos. The pair I got is the White/Blue pair, which is a mostly white boxer brief, with light blue piping around the pouch, and binding around the leg holes. The waistband is a 1 1/2” white band with a blue strip on the bottom and a thick red stripe in the middle with Inter View repeating around the band. The pair features an ample front seamed pouch, and a full back. The Blue/White combination pairs also have a #13 printed on the right hip, and a IV wreath logo on the left hip.

I wore this to a day at my job as a circus coach at a summer camp. It is a pretty active day for me. I’m running around, doing warm-ups, stretching, spotting children doing circus, demonstrating tricks… I was surprised they held up quite nicely. I’m usually a little worried about boxer briefs because unless the pouch is REALLY defined, I find some of my parts drift downwards below the pouch as it sags during the day, and I keep pulling the back up to tighten the under-crotch area again. This pair kept my parts in the pouch the whole time. I wouldn’t go running in them per se, but it was fine to do a basic warm up with some stretching.

I got a size large, and it fit me perfectly. According to Inter View’s size chart, I am in the middle-upper range of their large size, so I’d say that is a spot on size chart. The sizing only accommodates waist sizes between 28 and 34”…not the widest range, hopefully they will open that up in the future.

What I like about this pair is that it feels comfy for the most part, and has a very handsome look to it. The old school gym class shorts design elements really gives it some whimsy However, I did have some issues with some choices made. Specifically the tag, which is a sewn in tag and gets a little irritating until I forget about it after a while. I also think that while the 95% cotton 5% spandex blend is a very nice fabric used here, I have felt nicer 95%/5% cotton/spandex blends, and which is had a little softer quality to it while still maintaining it’s structure.

Out of the boxer briefs in my life, this is one of my new favorites because it doesn’t let my stuff fall down below the pouch. I like the styling and I don’t have a lot of “sporty” designed underwear. I am interested to see where Inter View goes with their brand. They are focusing on the “basics” right now, which is fine, but I think they’ll need some bolder design ideas in order to pass into the big leagues.

PROs:

  • Comfortable fabric.
  • Classy design details.
  • Snug but well designed pouch.

CONS:

  • Standard color choices.
  • Sewn in tag.

RATINGS:

  • Daily Fit – 8
  • Sizing – 9
  • Construction/Materials – 5
  • Styling – 7
  • Daily Performance -7
  • OVERALL – 7.2

Interview furnished this pair for review. Find it on their site http://www.interviewshopping.com

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By hotguyntown

Looking back, it all began with a quick glance through People magazine – briskly skipping over the standard Hollywood gossip puff-pieces and by chance opening to a full page ad for Jockey underwear with Jim Palmer.  I was transfixed and energized by the image of the all-American jock in a pair of skimpy Elance briefs.  For a second I wondered if anyone would notice if I tore the page out of the magazine, but I couldn’t resist.  I knew I had to study this style, so different from my plaid boxer shorts and superman underoos.  It showed off his package and firm round ass and I wanted to see more and know what it felt like to wear those briefs.

Going to the Y was a weekly event in my family;  my dad would workout in the weight room and I would head off to the pool.  I started noticing that guys were wearing something other than briefs or boxers when working out.  Most of them, including my dad, were wearing a standard bike jock that started off white and quickly began to fade due to sweat and age.   When I went off swimming, I saw the older boys practicing their laps in their speedos.  And at that moment, I realized this was the perfect way to show off an athletic man’s body – tight gloriously round butts encased in spandex, bulges prominent in the front.   I couldn’t help but stare, and definitely wanted to wear one of those as soon as I could.

And then finally, the momentous occasion, the first time I received an issue of the International Male catalog.   The old joke held true for me – somehow I.M. knew I was a gay boy before I did.   I don’t know how they knew, but I loved it, studied it, and spent way too much time planning which styles I had to have.  I never ordered anything, but it was nice to know there were other guys out there who were into the same thing I was.  Plus I knew where I could order pirate inspired fashion if I wanted to.  A lace front ruffly shirt was always in-style in the I.M. catalog.   I started out with CK, then moved on to 2xist and then moved on to Andrew Christian, Timoteo and all those fun brands that make up my ever growing collection.

obviously-jockstrapsWhether you’re average or well endowed, relaxed or excited; Jockstrap Central‘s latest arrivals, the Modal jockstraps from Obviously have you covered…comfortably. Here’s a rundown of all their features:

  1. A truly anatomical pouch design provides maximum comfort and zero irritation; designed to allow your junk to hang downward as nature intended and prevent squashing and chafing.
  2. Made from the highest quality super soft Modal/Lycra blended fabric with an ultra light feel with an incredible four way stretch. This means the garment can accommodate an erection comfortably and still maintain shape when you finally come back down (for proof, just check out Jockstrap Central’s model Jack sporting a boner in some of the photos on their website!)
  3. Fabric used is natural and sustainable plus it’s also resistant to shrinking and fading.
  4. Includes a 1.5 inch wide soft backed waistband elastic which won’t stretch or sag over time and won’t pinch or mark the skin.
  5. It’s a low rise jockstrap with 3/4 inch wide rear jock straps made of the same soft backed elastic as the waistband.
  6. Finally, this jockstrap has a printed care label that will never dig in, stick to you or irritate your skin. Care labels are printed on to the back panel of the garments using non-toxic ink.

Available now at Jockstrap Central are the Model Basic Jockstrap collection in four neutral colors or to really spice up your life there’s the Modal Chromatic Jockstrap Collection in 5 bold color choices

Note: contains an affiliate link for Jockstrap Central

skiviez-individual-fit-briefA pouch in underwear is one of the most requested posts on the blog. We are working on a post that goes into detail on each pouch in the next month. But in the mean time we wanted to bring you a pair of briefs that is made to fit a guy who’s avg to x-large. The Skiviez Individual fit brief can be ordered in three different pouch sizes. Speaking from a guy who needs a bigger pouch, its great to see a company pay attention to the fact not all guys are made the same.

It’s not often we get to cover a pair of underwear that has a patent. This pair has U.S. Patent 7,895,676, which covers the pouch selection. The pouches sizes are:

  • X Pouch – For Regular guys
  • Y Pouch – For larger guys
  • Z Pouch – For the largest pouch available

Reasons this pair is our Underwear of the Week

  • Patent pouch design
  • Soft cotton Spandex fabric to better fit your shape
  • Soft padded logo waistband with metallic stripe
  • Made in the U.S.A.
  • Available in Black or White
  • Retails for $18.00

Find this pair at the Skiviz Site

Bylan-Ribkoff-Ibeza-trunks

As I opened the package I was overcome with the excitement of what was inside. The Dylan Ribkoff Yeah You trunk was soft to the touch and had a stretchy wide elastic waist band that proclaimed its designer.

I day of running around on the weekend was ahead of me. I put them on under shorts and a T-shirt and went on my day. They were snug and moved with me all day. They were so comfortable! The hugged me in the right places. The only down side was the tag in the back was the most annoying tag that I have ever worn. I ended up cutting it out ½ way through the day. The rode lower on the waist and were comfortable in gym and on a run. They have a solid construction and are stitched well and the knit stretched in every direction.

The  Large fits a 36-38. They were low on the waist and comfortable. They supported you like a trunk/athletic trunk should. It was nice that they were made in Montreal and not China.  These were one of the most comfortable trunks I have worn.

Pros:

  • Comfortable
  • Solid construction
  • Great for the gym
  • Made in Canada Eh!?

Cons

  • ANNOYING TAG!!

Ratings

  • Daily Fit – 8
    Sizing  – 9
    Construction –10
    Styling – 10
    Daily performance – 10
    Overall 9.9

These were furnished by Coveops for review.

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My love for underwear began at a young age. I remember the very first time I was in awe. I was 7 and saw an older cousin of my change clothes. He had on some bikini briefs and I just couldn’t take my eyes off him.  From then on I began to wonder what every guy would wear. I, of course, wore your typical Hanes and Fruit of The Loom briefs.

I used to love going to P.E in junior high and high school. Knowing that I would see so many types of underwear and the guys that wore them. That always got me just excited.

At the age of 16 I began working, and with my very first check I remember buying some trunks, which where fairly new at that time. From then on my curiosity about every type and cut grew bigger. Luckily I worked in a retail store so it made it easy for me to just buy something new when I could.

Now with so many brands, cuts, styles, prints and fabrics these days, I get excited. My collection is around 560. I do own a little of everything; briefs, trunks, boxerbriefs, jocks and thongs. And from many brands. Yet I must admit that I am more of a brief guy.

Now why do I own such a massive collection?   Well it’s simple.  Underwear sets my mood for the day.  Just knowing that I am wearing a fun style or print brings a smile to face.  I mean come on, a guy can also feel sexy;  whether you’re straight, gay or bi, I know that the underwear you wear helps.  Also knowing that as I go on with my day there is a guy who is wondering what I have on under my jeans.

688904-605-fI wear jocks regularly.  I am definitely not one of those guys that wears them just for athletic activities.  So I was eager to try out this one from Papi. I love the briefs I have by them, and knew the jock would be a great addition to my ever growing underwear collection.  Created in Miami for the guy that likes a little flair, Papi always produces some great styles and patterns.  The Pride collection has a rainbow colored waistband that shows your pride.

I wore this jock on a pretty average work day for me.  A quick stop at Starbucks to get my morning fix and then off to the office for 8 hours of fun.  Sitting at my desk with the occasional lap around the office to stretch my legs.  Exciting, right?  Throughout my day, I loved the way this jock felt in the front.  Papi underwear does a great job of supporting without flattening things out, and this jock held true to form in this aspect.  I did feel that the support straps in the back felt a little looser than I am used to.   Had to give them a tug a couple of times for adjustment.

The Pride Jock is available in black and red.  In a size medium, the colorful waistband was a good fit on my 31” waist.  Their size chart says a medium is for 32 to 34 inch waists, which may explain why the straps felt a little loose for me.  I feel like for those of us with the awkward waist size of 31” (really, who carries a 31 in anything these days?) a small might be a better overall fit.

Pros:

  • great support
  • bright colored waistband
  • polyester/spandex blend feels great

Cons:

  • leg straps felt a little loose

Ratings:

  • Daily Fit – 8
  • Sizing – 8
  • Construction/Materials – 10
  • Styling – 10
  • Daily Performance  – 8
  • Overall: 8.8

This jock was provided by Papi Underwear and is available for $20 at http://papiinc.com.

2win-graffiti-brief

Aussie brand 2wink Australia took the concept of graffiti street art and turned it into underwear, entitled Graffiti Briefs and Graffiti Freedom Jock.

The graffiti artwork is front and center capturing immediate attention with it’s busy, bright and bold colors. Released in a low rider brief and the company’s “Freedom Jock” a jockstrap that is 50% and 50% brief ! The Freedom Jock includes “Cock pocket technology” that lifts and pushes out, giving a larger look to one’s manhood.

The graffiti photoshoot took place with hunky model Lee Stram whom has become renowned with the 2wink brand. “Lee took the redeye from Sydney to Perth, with less than 3 hours sleep we had him up against a graffiti wall taking shots before the sun rose at 6am. I was amazed at Lee’s commitment to his work and stamina ” said Co-owner Carl McNeill.

The 100% Aussie-made Graffiti Briefs & Freedom Jock are made from a cotton, spandex mix. The Briefs retail for around $24.50AUD and the Freedom Jock for around $25.95AUD (free worldwide shipping), and are available exclusively online at www.2wink.com.au.

2WINK AUSTRALIA GRA#1A90BB12WINK GRAFFITI BRIEFS2wink GRAFFITI BRIEFS WALL

XXX BJH_6315By @billiesoniq

My story starts in a small town just outside Seattle, back in 1990. I had just moved to a new town, starting a new school. There isn’t much to say about this backstory – my mother started a new career, and I was the last child still young enough to live at home.   As a single mother, she felt it necessary to get me exposed to as much ‘guy stuff’ as possible. This meant that I was supposed to at least ‘try’ sports, boy scouts – anything and everything that would supplement her idea of what I was missing without a father figure in the picture.

Up to this point, I thought it was torture. I didn’t want to go out for sports, I didn’t want to chase after a ball, or learn to light a fire with steel wool and a rock. I wanted to read books, write stories, and learn about these new computers that the last few schools I had attended now had. That was, until Joe Joe came along.

Soon after we moved to this little no-name town, my mother befriended one of the local neighbors. He was an athletic man, about 28, with a permanent tan. He choose a bicycle as his only means of transportation. At the time, he played it off as a way to keep fit; adulthood now leads me to believe that he had no other options at the time. Regardless, I was immediately drawn to him. He was a guy’s guy. He swore without regret, and went shirtless to the grocery store. To me, he was the exacting idea of what a real male should be.

Which leads me to my first inkling of interest in men’s underwear. At one point in the summer prior to my first year at my new school, my mother and I were invited to a local swimming hole by Joe Joe and two of his buddies. We packed up our swimming clothes, hopped in the car, and Joe Joe lead the way to a secluded lake, about 15 miles away. After a quick unloading of the vehicle, mother and a few girlfriends met up and started to drift towards a cabin. Confused, I started to follow. No one had told me what was going on. Joe Joe, noticing my confusion, called me over. I remember this part pretty much like it was yesterday. He tousled my hair, pointed to another cabin, and said, “Hey little man. The men’s cabin in that way. You’re a guy, you come with us.”   Honestly, this was the one of the first times I was included as ‘one of the guys’. Not willing to miss this opportunity, I followed the other guys, and Joe Joe, into the small cabin.

Once I was there, I was unsure what to expect, and certainly not expecting what I saw. I walked in, and there were at least 6 guys, all different ages and sizes, in varied states of undress. Obviously, seeing a bunch of guys in that state was rather embarrassing for a 10 year old, especially since my brothers and father were not really around for me to be accustomed to that.

I started to stammer. I didn’t know how I was supposed to react, and Joe Joe, who had now become sensitive to my confusion on this whole situation, reacted in probably the most constructive way any father figure could have ever done. He pulled me aside, and simply laid it all out for me. His words, as best I can remember, were simple, and flat out honest. “Billie, here’s the thing. Guys change in front of each other. Everyone looks, and everyone has the same junk. Don’t be shy, don’t stare, and don’t worry if people peek at you. It’s all out of curiosity, and that’s ok.”

At the time, it really helped. I wasn’t really into it for the sexual part, at the time; what really fascinated me about the situation was that all these different guys were all wearing different underwear than me. Until this moment, I had only known of ‘tighty whities’ that my mother had been buying for me to wear.

Older guys were wearing what I came to know as boxers; the teenagers that were there had on briefs, like me, but wait – they were in different colors! How cool was that? It was then that I saw my first bikini brief, colored brief, and even a makeshift boxer-brief. I didn’t know what they were called at the time, of course. I did know, though, that I wanted to see more. I wanted to try more.

Over the next couple months, both goals came to fruition. Between soccer practice, baseball, and physical education in school, I was a casual observer to almost every brand, style and type of underwear available to the 10 to 16 year old age group. I gained a sense of courage from the experience as well. It was that year that I convinced my mother how I was old enough to buy my own underwear. I decided in my mind that this was something special to men, and that as a man, it was up to me to decide what I should wear under my jeans, and what I needed for sports.  It was also the year that I had to find out what a jock strap was, how to wear it, why we needed them, and how attractive they actually were. Believe it or not, Joe Joe was helpful in that area too, since he was the only man in my life that was willing to tell me how things were. With a bit of fear in my mind, but a sense of manliness, I was able to walk over to his house, sit down in his living room, and tell him that school needed me to get a jock, and ask how that worked. Thankfully, he was just as cool as before. He offered to go with me, but in the end, I was able to man up and get one on my own. I even figured out the sizing of the waist and cup, all without help.
After that shopping experience, I was pretty much hooked. By age 16, I had easily 30 favorite pair; I was confident, unashamed, and completely interested in any store that carried variety. Of course, by then, I had also realized the attractiveness that comes from the right guy in the right set of undies, and the appeal and feel of certain styles and brands… but that’s another story for another time.

NOTE: Brief Tales are posts from our staff and readers in what got them into underwear. If you have a story you want to share email us at timothym@underwearnewsbriefs.com and let us feature your story.

cocksox-backstage-bikini-cx16md

I LOVE Cocksox and when I reviewed the Backstage Waistband brief I knew I was going to have to review this pair. Cocksox has really out done themselves with this line. They have taken their classic styles and made them with a new fabric. It’s been a gamble that may not have paid off. But like most gambles when it does it’s amazing.

The Backstage Bikini is made out of the same material as the Waistband Brief a 95% Modal 5% Spandex blend. Which is super light and very breathable. It feels like you’re wearing nothing. One thing about modal, and I said it in the other review; I was worried that it wouldn’t hold the shape of the famous Cocksox pouch.  Not only did modal keep the shape it felt amazing. Since I had already tried the waistband brief , I wasn’t too worried about this one. The cut was a little higher then I normally wear, I’m not a big string bikini wearer. I wasn’t sure how it would look on me. To my surprise it didn’t look too bad. I have tried other string bikinis before and when I looked in the mirror I was like this is just for my eyes only! Luckily this one didn’t do that to me.

Much to your surprise I didn’t wear this pair to work. I know you guys are super shocked. Instead I wore it on a weekend. Specifically a Saturday when I knew I would be running around.  The pouch just feels amazing. I love the way it conforms to my body. I don’t know how they came up with the pouch but it’s one of the best ever. Being active throughout the day it held up great. The modal material breathed and in the hot Atlanta weather you definitely need something that doesn’t drive you crazy.

Sizing as with most Cocksox is pretty much spot on. They follow their sizing guide pretty well. So if you get the size listed you should be fine. They also follow standard sizing. In the last few years I haven’t had any issues with them at all.

Several things I really liked. The first one is the Modal fabric. This was an amazing choice for Cocksox to use. When I felt the samples at Magic in February, I knew it would be great. Next is the pouch. As I stated the pouch only made the pouch better. It’s perfect for working out or having an active day. Next is the waistband. I love that they created a branded waistband that was different. Their previous ones have been Cocksox in the center, but this has a silver band with new font for the Cocksox name. This matches the metallic luster of the fabric.  The only thing I didn’t like was I hope they make more colors in these!

Pros:

  • Amazing Modal Material
  • Great Cocksox Pouch
  • New Waistband

Cons:

  • Need more colors

Ratings:

  • Daily Fit – 10
  • Sizing – 9
  • Construction/Materials – 10
  • Styling – 9
  • Daily Performance  – 10
  • Overall: 9.6

Cocksox furnished this pair for review.

 

Jack-adams-racer-brief

Jack Adams has a very unique style since they have come onto the market. They are not afraid to put their take on classic styles of underwear beginning with jocks  and now the brief. Thew new Bodyflex Brief  isn’t your every day tighty whitey.  This brief has been designed for an active guy. That is it gives great support while being super stylish.

Reasons to check out the Bodyflex Brief

  • Has an ergonomic, body-conscious fit is designed for maximum support
  • Made with a lightweight mesh material that keeps you dry and comfortable in any activity.
  • The Bodyflex brief is racy and sporty, while providing excellent support and comfort.
  • Leaves enough room in the front and covers comfortable in the back for a perfect fit.
  • Made from 88% Polyester and 12% Spandex.

This pair is available from jackadamsusa.com for $23.00

C-in2-hand-me-down-profile-brief

I love working with Mens Underwear Store. They are a retailer, in the last year,  that we have been working with on many projects. They approached us about doing a review and the pair they furnished was the C-IN2 Hand Me Down Brief. I got the pair and the first thing I noticed was a new package. C-IN2 has created a new package for online retailers. It’s smaller and easier to mail. Which is a good thing on shipping costs.  This may not seem like a sexy thing but its great to know companies are taking shipping and recycling into account for the public.

The pair itself had a burn our type of material, meaning it was sort of see through. But not so see through to make it wild.  The color was the second thing I noticed. I’m not really a fan of brown underwear. It’s just a personal thing with me. I prefer much brighter color underwear. This how ever won’t interfere with my review. The pair itself felt really good. I wore it to work for the day. I was super excited to try these. The fit was better then I expected. I have had plenty of C-IN2 but this one had a fit that lives up to the name Hand Me Down. The distressed cotton felt like it had been a pair of mine for a while. It just felt amazing. This was the first time I had any from this line and won’t be the last time I get some!

During the day the pouch felt great and didn’t constrict or bind.  The brief held it’s shape and felt as good at the end of the day as the beginning. I definitely think this will be good for office days and also active days.

Sizing fit me pretty well in this pair. I think, and I’m still trying to confirm it, that the sizing for C-IN2 has changed over the years. If I remember correctly it was typical sizing for the US, but this pair I received was an XL and fit my 36/38 waist perfect. I have reviewed some other pairs that were Large and they didn’t fit as well.  Large is listed as 34-36 and extra large is 37-39. So make sure you pay attention to the sizing chart when buying your pair.

Things I loved about this pair are quite a few things. The first is the fabric. C-IN2 has done a great job picking this fabric (60% cotton/40% Polyester). The first time I put it on it reminded me of some of my favorites that have that broken in feel. Its one of the few times I have put on new underwear and this has happened. Next is the pouch. Too many times I get a pair of underwear only to have the pouch not fit right, be too small or bind me. This one did none of those things.  The last thing I liked that I didn’t think I would be was the waistband. It was a little thick and rough at first. But after I put it on it felt great and didn’t bind or roll.  Whereas, the only negative of the review was the color of the brief. Which is really minor but it won’t stop me from wearing it.

Pros:

  • Incredible Fabric choice from C-IN2
  • Great contour pouch
  • Comfortable waistband

Cons:

  • Color and that’s just a personal preference

Ratings:

  • Daily Fit – 10
  • Sizing – 8
  • Construction – 10
  • Styling – 8
  • Daily Performance – 10
  • Overall – 9.2

 

Mens Underwear Store furnished this pair for review. It retails for $22.00 and is available in 9 colors. I reviewed the Voodoo.

interview IV league

The pair of underwear I am reviewing is the Inter View IV League Brief in Red (also available in white).  Before trying these on, I enjoyed the feel of the cotton and spandex fabric as I took in the overall style and construction of the brief.  The fabric was extremely soft and stretchy with two strips of red piping running along the left and right side of the pouch and a small seam holding the pieced pouch together.  The waistband is approximately 2 inches in width with the brand name in bold white lettering woven into a red stripe going around the waist.  The red stripe has white, black, and blue stripes above and below the red one.  This is my first pair of Inter View underwear and I loved being able to try them.

As I put these briefs on for the first time, I felt something odd in the pouch area.  So, being the curious sort, I looked.  Wow!  There is a built in pouch inside the pouch.  Hmmmm…how do I work this?  After a few seconds I had it figured out.  Now, with everything inside this pouch that their website describes as a pouch enhancer I was set to go.  I have to say that the pouch enhancer was a nice surprise and did work as intended as everything was up front and at attention in a nice manner.  The inner pouch is more of a loose pocket than a pouch.  It was comfortable and nice.  I have other enhancing underwear that I do not wear because it rubs my skin and causes chafing.

While wearing this pair of underwear, I went about a normal day of traveling to work nearly an hour from home and being there several hours.  Overall, I spent about ten hours in this pair.  It was a busy day filled with lots of movement and activity.  The pair fit well around the waist without being all tight and nonstretchy.  It was very comfortable all throughout the day.  The leg openings were quite comfortable and stretchy enough to conform and were just right.  The pouch consisting of two pieces of fabric sewn together with a center seam is soft, comfortable, and conforming.  The inner pouch was comfortable all day with zero problem feeling weird or odd while wearing it.  You could wear it without using the inner pouch, as well.  The fabric is 95%Cotton and 5%Spandex and extremely soft and conforming.  I was surprised it was so soft, actually.  I liked that this pair covered the front and rear fully.  This seems to be a reinventing of the basic brief in a new and modern form that I have not seen since the late 90s brought on more and more briefs with no fly.  The crotch area is rather slim, which I love, where the pouch and rear meet and fits tight to the body.  I believe this pair would hold up well during normal and active use.
I received a size medium in this brief.  This size should cover around 34 pant size.  Sizing was probably not true to size as I am a true large in underwear.  This is the first time I have ever said to size down in underwear.  LOL!  Seriously, check their sizing chart carefully.
I loved the soft fabric as it was stretchy and conforming to the body.  The pouch and inner was perfect and should accommodate any guy without any major issues.  The leg openings were comfortable and larger than normal, it seems.  The way the crotch area felt between my legs was nice and fit well making sure everything was in place and not bunching up like your typical brief.  The waistband was nice and created a visual interest with the red, white, black, and blue stripes.

 

Overall, this was an excellent pair of underwear and I felt sexy comfortable while wearing them.  Inter View has hit on a great product and everyone should try them.  Check out their website as they have a sale going on.

Pros

  • Style
  • Fabric
  • Fit
  • Inner Enhancer Pouch

Cons

  • None

Ratings:

  • Daily Fit – 10
  • Sizing – 8 (they were a medium and I am a large or extra large in all other underwear)
  • Construction/Materials – 10
  • Styling – 10
  • Daily Performance – 10
  • Overall – 9.6

 

Inter View furnished this pair for review