Men’s fashion has been making strides in recent years, but what about undergarments for men? Are there still just underwear in that category, or perhaps there are new garment types as well?
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ToggleThese are some of the questions everyone wants to answer, but is somewhat afraid to ask. Just like ladies, we men also need underwearing essentials for various reasons. Some want a good lightweight support while others wish for a thermal layer that doesn’t compromise their fit.
Join us on this blog to cover everything you need to know about different types of men undergarments and why each one is best suited for a particular case.
Introduction: How Many Types of Undergarments are There for Men?
The men’s undergarments market has always been very traditional and functional. If you ever ask a retailer for men’s undergarments other than underwear, chances are they might think you have lost it.
However, due to recent fashion fluidity, there are multiple tops and even tights for men in the market. Some are compressional in nature and are perfect for athletes, while others are just comfy underlayers, either for moisture wicking or warmth.
Here are some common types of undergarments for men other than underwear:
- Other than underwear, undershirts are probably the most common undergarments for men. They are valuable pieces that act as a barrier between your outerwear and your body. They help smooth out your fit and absorb sweat.
- Shapewear, although traditionally associated with women, is now also available for men and gaining high popularity for those who want to smooth out their silhouette.
- Vests are another everyday undergarment for men; they serve as clean underlayers for shirts and hoodies and are available in many color options. The most popular colors are white and black.
- You might think leggings are for women, but you are totally wrong. Leggings were meant to serve as a light covering for legs, and perhaps you would be shocked to know that many men wear them, especially where high mobility and warmth are required.
Popular Men’s Underwear Types
Since the focus of men’s undergarments has always been on underwear, let’s discuss some of the most worn and liked underwear styles, and when you should wear them.
1- Briefs:
Briefs are classic and timeless men’s undergarments that refuse to go out of style and functionality. They are also called tighty whities and are considered best for daily wear and tight dressings, where full coverage for the buttocks is absolutely needed. They are characterized by their high leg openings, which facilitate free range of motion.
Historically, briefs were made using 100% cotton, and even now, this tradition still seems to survive. If you don’t want a cotton brief, then you only have two options: either go for the cotton-spandex version or contact custom underwear manufacturers to get your desired underwear type.
> What are Y-fronts and do men still wear Y fronts?
Y-fronts are briefs with an inverted Y-shaped opening at the front. Yes, these may look outdated, but they are still worn and cherished by men of every age.
2- Boxers:
Who doesn’t love a nice quality boxer? These underwears have been around since 1944 and are designed to provide that airy feel without snug fitting.
However, due to the high comfort factor, you might think boxers are great for workouts and sports, but that is entirely wrong. See, boxers have a looser structure and are made using woven fabrics, which means, when put under stress, they begin to deform.
Boxer briefs are made using cotton, but in modern industry, poly-cotton blends are preferred because of their wrinkle resistance and durability.
3- Trunks:
Trunks are the dream underwears of any modern man looking for generous support and contemporary fashion. Currently, they are one of the most widely used and worn for a multitude of reasons, ranging from everyday wear to casual beachwear.
Since trunks are made using elastane-based fabrics, their lower-cut, tight-fitted design becomes a feature suitable for high movements and fashion.
> What is the difference between trunk briefs and trunks?
There is virtually no difference, as both are the same underwear types; however, many people like to call them trunk briefs due to their snug-fitting, supportive feel.
4- Boxer Briefs:
Boxer briefs have been the talk of the town for a while now; these are perhaps the only underwear that are best for both daily wear and physical activities. But the question arises, how are they so good? Well, Boxer briefs are precisely what you might be thinking, an underwear type that resulted from the union of boxers’ comfort and the practicality of briefs.
Here are some key features of boxer briefs:
- Exceptional Support & Coverage
- Elastic Waistband that automatically adjusts
- Longer seams mean fewer chances of fabric bulk
Boxer briefs are rarely ever made with pure fabrics because if they were, then the entire design would fail. That’s why only advanced fabrics such as poly-spandex and nylon-spandex are used.
Related Read: Discover Ultimate Comfort: A Guide to Trunks Briefs vs Boxer Briefs
5- Jock-Strap:
Jock-straps are those high-impact underwears worn by athletes for support and well-needed protection of the groin area during sports and strenuous physical play. A jockstrap type of underwear is typically characterized by a front pouch and elastic straps that go around the waist, and interestingly, they are made using performance fabrics like poly-spandex, but their front pouches are often cotton-based for a soft and light feel.
All in all, you can say jockstraps are great for sports reasons but very unsavory for daily wearing routine due to their minimal coverage and occasional rashes that come along with their fitting.
6- Contemporary Underwear Options:
You might see tons of modern underwear for men, but if you take some time, you can analyze their designs. You would come to know that most of the time, it’s just an addition of new and improved fabrics. It’s not bad, but to brand them as a new underwear is wrong. But there is one valuable thing that came out of it, right? Eco-friendly men’s underwear types.
They are just as good as those made with traditional fabrics, but with no remorse at all. Bamboo, Modal, and Rayon are extensively used and researched to make not just underwear but also t-shirts, blouses, and even lingerie collections!
Are Cotton Underwear Just As Good As Polyester Ones?
Before comparing cotton and polyester underwears, first, we have to understand the properties of each fabric:
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> Cotton
Cotton is a natural fabric that is known for its high breathability and gentle feel on the skin, but it is prone to tears.
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> Polyester
After cotton, polyester is the most used fabric in the textile industry. It is highly durable and offers exceptional moisture wicking.
Since cotton and polyester both offer different sets of properties, it is understood that clothes made by them are also inherently different, but when it comes to underwear, the answer to “are cotton underwear as good as polyester ones? becomes a little complex.
- See, cotton types of men undergarments are highly soft and airy, but due to their molecular structure, they absorb and retain moisture inside, which might not sound so bad, but the accumulation of sweat is the leading cause of rashes and chaffing.
- Whereas polyester underwears are highly durable and wick moisture away from skin, keeping you dry throughout, but unlike cotton, they give off an artificial feel, which many people absolutely dislike.
So, to say which kind is better is a personal matter. If you are someone who sweats a lot under there, then you should definitely get polyester underwear, but for general daily wear, cotton remains the undefeated option.
However, if you want cotton’s breathability and polyester’s moisture-wicking at the same time, then you can get poly-cotton underwear. In fact, there are many custom manufacturers who make such underwear on demand; you can even get printed designs if you want!
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Which One Should You Choose?
Selecting the right underwear for yourself can be tricky. However, if you go at it, one step at a time, then it’s guaranteed that you can make such a fine underwear collection that is ready for every and all occasions.
Here’s what you need to consider:
- Different types of underwear are for various lifestyles. Suppose you are living a sedentary life, then boxing is best for you. Why? Because they provide the most comfort and are suitable for active lifestyles, you need to focus on either low-cut or high-cut underwear with advanced fabrics.
- Your fashion sense also plays a massive role in this; boxer brief types of men undergarments are best for both casual and formal dressing, whereas trunks are great for beachwear and occasions where you want to show off your underwear.
- The place you live in also dictates your choices; you can not wear long underwear types such as boxer briefs in summer, as it will be a sweaty and very unpleasant experience, and similarly, you can’t go around wearing brief types of men undergarments in winter.
- However, the most crucial factor is your personal preferences and comfort. While it’s true that not all underwear types are best suited for everybody, at the end of the day, if you feel comfortable and secure in them, then that’s precisely what you should go for.
But for the sake of convenience, consider this quick table:
Underwear Style | Best for Body Type | Ideal Use |
---|---|---|
Briefs | Lean, Muscular & Average | Everyday wear, work, hot weather, under fitted pants |
Boxers | Slim, Tall & Athletic Legs | Lounging, sleeping, casual wear |
Boxer Briefs | All Body Types | Everyday, office, sports, cold weather |
Trunks | Athletic & Shorter Legs Builds | Gym wear, casual, under fitted pants |
Jock Straps | Muscular & Athletic Builds | Sports, high-intensity workouts, under athletic gear |
Conclusion
Whenever we talk about undergarments for men, we immediately think of just underwear. Although there are other undergarments as well, since most men only ever like to wear underwear underneath and sometimes plain vests, most people don’t even know how much this niche has expanded.
Interestingly enough, you can say the men’s undergarment market kept its sheen and relevancy by mass producing different styles each year, you may find underwears with eco-conscious fabrics, or ones with even tri-blended sportswear fabric, and owing to such innovations, now there is virtually underwear for anyone and any use case.
Additionally, finding the right one for yourself is not as tedious as it may sound. You just need to make a list of your requirements and match it up to the available underwear types in your supermarket.
FAQs: Understanding Men’s Undergarments.
1) What is the best men’s underwear for everyday use?
Briefs are considered the go-to choice for daily wear. Since they are highly versatile due to their small-cut designs, they can be worn for both casual settings and professional occasions. Just remember to get cotton-made briefs if your lifestyle is not hectic. However, always opt for polyester underwear due to its durability and moisture-wicking abilities.
2) What are some of the best underwear for formal dressing?
You can’t just wear any type of underwear under your formals. Get those with minimal seams and stitches as they will provide that sleek and smooth look needed for formal gatherings. Briefs & Boxer briefs are some of the underwears falling in this category, but make sure to keep an eye out for boxer briefs as they tend to roll over and make a mess underneath.
3) Can men wear leggings as undergarments?
Yes, Men can absolutely wear leggings as undergarments! Long gone are those days when only women could wear leggings. However, men’s leggings are a bit different, made using a gusseted crotch for comfort and a neutral fit around the hip region, along with the use of thicker fabric for those cold days and physical activities.
4) Does Fabric matter in underwear?
Yes! Fabrics matter a lot in underwear and other garments as well. Think of it from this perspective: Garments are what fabric is. Can you imagine cotton underwear being stretchable like spandex underwear? No right? This is why fabrics matter so much, as they grant the final feel and functionality to underwear.