Men’s Underwear

Once upon a time, in days of dragon slaying and fair maidens, what men wore under their clothes was largely irrelevant. Yet thankfully, times have changed and now even the most blokey of men are aware that a little more effort is needed when selecting under garments. Fashion houses and department stores have captured this change in attitude and have provided a huge selection to choose from, so there really is no excuse anymore there is a style, type, selection and price for all. Thank goodness indeed that times have changed and with the UK men’s underwear market currently worth 647 million GBP a year, this is a trend that is just set to keep on going.

There are so many choices of men’s underwear available, though the most enduringly popular are boxer shorts.  Boxers fulfil so many of a man’s underwear requirements that there are few men that don’t have at least a few pairs in their underwear drawer. They’re comfortable, modest, convenient and, assuming you buy the right size, they eliminate the age-old problem of wedgies, where the fabric rides up between the wearer’s buttocks. Facts like these mean that the frequently asked question “Boxers or Briefs?” tends to get a reply of the former from most men.

There is a huge range of boxer shorts on the market, with all tastes catered for. Baggy or tight, plain or patterned, from cheap and cheerful to the more expensive designer end of the market. Many men feel that a pair of Y-front briefs doesn’t really offer enough coverage, as they are cut very high around the crotch, just enough to cover the pubic area. Boxer shorts score points in this area by covering a little bit of thigh as well, in order to keep everything tucked away.

The advantages of Y-fronts, on the other hand, are perhaps less apparent to some.  That said, many men swear by them and wouldn’t even consider another style of underwear. The lack of coverage that some complain about is valued by others as a matter of comfort. As long as you wear the right size, there is no reason for anything to be left uncovered and the cover that briefs give offers a bit more support than boxers, lifting everything upwards and tucking it in neatly.  Though it has been said that wearing briefs contributes to a lowering of male fertility, it is only one of a great many factors, and there is no shortage of men who wear Y-fronts and could point to a healthy young family and tell you that their choice of underwear never harmed their procreative prospects.

It really comes down to what you prioritise in your choice of underwear, and it’s a good idea to have a mix of different styles in the drawer. If you value greater support, then a pair of Y-fronts are your best bet.  If, however, you prefer greater freedom of movement, the boxer short is better for you.  Depending on the situation, your choice may well vary from day to day.