Boxers Vs Briefs
[ 12 March 2008 ]
[Guest post by Audrey.]
Helping guys with their outward appearances is one thing, but I admit that it’s the more personal aspects of clothes and men’s health that guys really need help on. Whether it’s guys asking for advice, or girls asking out of some immature curiosity, everyone seems to be obsessing over the problem men have faced for years. What’s actually better — boxers or briefs?
Men’s underwear certainly has undergone a lot of changes throughout history, with ‘modern’ brief and singlet separates only coming into existence around the 1930’s. Before that, men had to endure things like loincloths in ancient Egypt, codpieces in the 16th century and union suits or long-johns in the Victorian era.
For some reason though, while we’re enjoying such a wide range of options for undergarments, guys seem to continue to wear the same old stretched out, hole-in-the-waistband underpants that we’ve clung onto for years. It’s time we broke this pattern though, lads! There’s no definitive answer to the boxers or briefs question, though – it really comes down to personal choice, or the choice of whoever is going to be seeing you in them at the end of the day.
So let’s check out the pros and cons of all your available options so you can make a well informed decision.
Boxers
The main advantage of wearing boxers is the health aspect they offer, which I’ll explain it in a little more detail for you later. Put simply though, boxers are technically a little better for you as the extra room they offer will let your man-parts air out and breathe, and they are significantly cooler as far as temperature in your nether-regions goes. One thing to keep in mind though is that an airier area down there means there’s a lot more potential for offensive odours to escape. Make sure you keep yourself clean and fresh down there!
You may not have realised, but boxers are also are more flattering for all you robust gentleman! The looser elastic band across the waist has a lot more give to them than the thinner, tighter elastics on briefs. A tight waistband will give you a fair bit of overhang if you have a bit of a spare tyre. Some nice, loose boxers will make you look better, particularly once your pants are off, increasing your chances for lurrrrrrrve!
Boxers have far more fabric than briefs, which can be tricky if you’re wearing tighter jeans or pants – the excess fabric will ride up into some sort of a mushroom cloud above your waistline. They also don’t give a lot of support, leaving you… well, DANGLING. Not really good for when you’re participating in any sort of physical activity. You don’t want to hurt yourself down there, do you?
For those of you who favour boxers, a few things to keep in mind: stay away from those tacky, crazy print boxers or anything with a cartoon character on them. While funny patterns and sexy slogans on your underwear can be good for a laugh, I guarantee they’ll be a complete mood killer when a girl unbuttons your jeans in the throes of passion. And think of how silly you’ll feel in a nightclub if your hipster jeans ride low and Yosimite Sam is peeking out at everybody. Secondly, silk boxers are not underwear! They’re alright for sleeping in if you’re into that sort of thing, but shouldn’t be worn under pants or jeans. Think of it logically – silk is slippery. When you walk around all day, your jeans will slide down and your boxers stay up with the elastic. You’re going to look ridiculous. Keep that in mind and stick with cotton, boy-o!
Briefs
Briefs are a popular alternative for guys who don’t like the freedom and space that a pair of boxers can offer. Due to their snug fit, they’ll stop your parts from uncomfortably dangling about when you’re pacing around your office, climbing stairs or going for your morning jog. Made in plain fabrics (never, ever, EVER buy patterned briefs unless you’re doing some sort of erotic performance at a hen’s night!), it’s difficult to go wrong or have them clash with an outfit. They’re just such an easy option to wear.
Their no-fuss ease of wear also means briefs are the underwear of choice for boys who lack the desire to go shopping. Briefs normally come conveniently packaged in sets of seven at your local department store or wherever it is you buy groceries. However, I’m a firm believer that like hair- and skin-care, the ones available at the same place you buy ham and milk and eggs aren’t necessarily going to be the best. So if you’re picking up undies when you’re refilling your kitchen pantry, you might want to rethink that.
They have a disadvantage as far as health goes though, for the opposite reason that boxers will do you well. Briefs don’t exactly have a lot of ventilation, causing problems in both health (see below) and cleanliness. I’m also not a fan of the way briefs are cut – leaving your inner thigh exposed leaves you open to horrible sweating and chafing if you’re wearing denim in hot weather or walking around a lot. It’s all about health and comfort, folks!
There is also a bit of stigma attached to guys who wear briefs – particularly ‘tighty whities’. They are commonly seen as ‘little boy’ underwear, so not exactly a good choice for a mature, strapping man to be wearing. Similarly, the swimwear equivalent is hardly appropriate for anybody over the age of eight!
Boxerbriefs
There’s frankly not much I can say about these without repeating what I’ve already said about boxers and briefs. But these are my top tip choice for underwear as they basically take the best parts of boxers and marry them up with the best parts of briefs to leave you comfortable and happy all day long.
They feature a great boxer shape, which is especially good for wearing under denim jeans. but since they fit more snugly than traditional boxers, they still keep you from moving around the place as you go about your business. What more could you possibly want?
Keeping your ‘bits’ healthy
Penis, testicles, sperm, scrotum. There, I’ve said them all so that’s that out of the way and we get down to business properly. Feel free to pause and giggle to yourself before reading on!
Much debate has gone on with the boxers-or-briefs battle regarding the impact of your choice of underwear on penis size and sperm count. For those worried about size, I can assure you that your choice to wear more snug-fitting underwear won’t impact your development of a sizable ‘implement’. Actual size only depends on things like your body’s natural development, and you can’t change your DNA. So if this is what you’re basing your underwear decisions on, then fret not. And besides, there is no actual proof that bigger or longer is necessarily better – it all depends on your lover and what they personally prefer.
But while tight underwear won’t stop you from being some impressively equipped Adonis, there is some truth to the rumour that wearing briefs can lower your sperm count. And I know, this is a tricky topic to talk about, but it’s time I sorted this out once and for all for you. The male body is designed how it is for a reason. The growth and development of strong, healthy swimmers is quite dependant on temperature, so having your testes located down in their sack keeps your sperm away from the heat your body generates. This is also the reason why you’ll notice your manly bits shrinking up and coming closer to the rest of you in the colder weather — to keep their temperature correct for healthy man-parts. Consequently, wearing briefs means that your boys are up and against your body and don’t have room to move away. While this only will marginally impact your sperm count and strength, it may be the straw breaking your camel’s back if you and your partner are struggling to get pregnant. Doctors always recommend switching to loose boxers if you’re planning on starting a family.
Audrey xoxo
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Much needed article, Audrey!
Nothing more unattractive than guys who swear that Looney Tunes satin boxers are the height of classy underwear.
I’d have to say that I’d be a bit worried if my husband wanted to wear tidy whiteys all the time. It’d be like having a 5 year old in the house at laundry time.
P
x
My boyfriend wears satin boxers, as sleep wear and as everyday underwear, and I must say I don’t like it much. Boxers while they allow for more air flow, also provide less support as you mentioned. Unfortunately this seems to allow the male parts to move around as they wish. My boyfriend then feels the need to reposition them, ALL the time. I find it disgusting, but apparently I just don’t understand…
Thanks for the informative critique :)
Perhaps my boyfriend would enjoy reading it too, well… I can only hope.
Boxer briefs FTW!! I’m with Audrey on this one.
Boxer briefs are so hot! Boxers are good too. Yeah up tighty whities not so much.
i wore my boyfriend’s briefs on-a-day-when-i-was-out-of-underwear & they felt really “organic”.
i don’t like boxers & boxer briefs so much – but i would love him even if he was wearing a sack :>
I have to say – I prefer guys wearing boxer – briefs, but to me I think it’s really cute if they have their favorite cartoon characters on. But then again, I wouldn’t want a guy to do that when he is any older than past 25 or something like that. I suppose it is how your girlfriend views them, but I completely agree with desert_rose, it is mortifying when you are standing there with a group of guys and they start adjusting themselves.
Boxer briefs are hot on a guy. And I had an ex-boyfriend once who only wore tighty-whiteys and it made me cringe every time I saw them… they looked so much like something you’d expect to see a child wearing, it’s a huge mood-killer. They’re not very flattering to a lot of body shapes either – you basically have to be ripped to pull it off. Please, guys, no tighty whiteys! SO unsexy.
i think gents in boxers is a terrible idea, especially because the loose-but-thin fit enhances the seemingly inevitable jiggling found on too many. hell, i don’t know what anyone who isn’t about twenty pounds underweight or hard-toned should wear, because i don’t look at them naked nor would i want to. i am going to guess that they’re welcome to stick to the humorous characters in order to cultivate that “funny guy” schtick that girls [who aren’t me] seem to enjoy.
for the toned body, a black boxer brief or pleasantly fitted black brief is good, but when bright colors are strayed into in brief territory, things get a bit too male stripper.
for the underweight (often hipsters falling into this class), american apparel brightly colored briefs are charming, but never ever in white. white is often too transparent and leads to shadow-crack, which is disgusting.
of course, cleanliness is paramount— i say that i detest boxers primarily for this reason; if briefs get damp from, er, sweat or “leakage” the unpleasantness is forced upon the wearer and hopefully would prompt him to change the undergarment immediately. boxers, on the other hand, can be repositioned and thus can build up odor, which is extremely conducive to not getting laid. neither are wookie legs, so if you don’t wax (which all boys should) then stick to a boxer brief, or just keep your damn pants on.
Yay! Boxer-briefs are the best!
Boxer briefs are by far the best look, I think. Very sexy in plain black. Woo!
What do you wear Audrey?
Great article Audrey! I don’t have strong opinions on cut, but old/holey/baggy are dreadful. And I love a man in Speedos! Cory Hutchings anyone? ;-)
Hahahahaha.
Actually couldn’t stop laughing.
I prefer cute boxers at night (feels silky) and boxerbriefs of the day.
:)
Caitlin – Bonds brand plain black boxer briefs allll the way!
Though I do admit I have a pair of Pirates Of The Carribean boxerbriefs I love to wear sometimes. (blush!)
Oh Audrey! You funny boy.
Okay so confession here, my 24 year old boyfriend with whom I live, still has his underwear bought by his mum! I just realised how worrying that really is! This weekend will require a trip to the men’s department of Myer I think…
I definitely support the boxerbriefs all the way. & gentlemen, cotton please! We don’t want to meet no stinky incubated man parts courtesy of lycra & elastane.
& for any girls shopping for mens’ undies (for their man of course… though on washing day I have been known to borrow a pair from the boyfriend & was both delighted & disturbed by the abundant fresh air around my lady parts) think simple. When we want plain, comfy, practical, everyday undies & bras, we go for Calvin Klein & BONDS... So, should be the same for the boys but in boxerbrief form!
Hooray for Audrey & undies ooh ooh!
Note to all you girls who’re wearing your boyfriends’ undies sometimes – we think its really kind of hot and cute when you do that!!!
hehe my boyfriend wears the same underwear as you :p plain colour boxer-briefs are definately the best look for most guys. sometimes i steal them from him to sleep in, they’re pretty comfortable!
boxerbriefs are without a doubt the sexiest underwear for men…especially from aa. that’s all my boy wears.
mmm grey cotton CK boxer-briefs ;)
Teehee Audrey you said penis! :P
Clearly boxer briefs are the way of the future!
yes. ugh! i can’t believe people wear satin boxers still. i swear i would break up with someone if they wore them!
Yay! What a great post.
I’m a huge fan of boxerbreifs, though I sometimes have a soft spot for cute, colorful breifs. Boxers, eh, they’re okay, I just dont like seeing them hanging over pants. Yuk!
Haha, and I was mildly dissapointed that ‘going commando’ was not mentioned at all!
Audrey, you’re totally my hero now!
Boxer-briefs are my personal favorite. I just can’t stand the thought of a guy’s parts just hanging there when he’s wearing boxers, and briefs make me think of little boys, but boxer-briefs are totally sexy. This article was surprising, but much needed!
When gentlemen fellers try to stuff their ginormous baggy boxers into their skintight drainpipes, making them look like they’re wearing nappies underneath, kind of proves how a lot of men really are pretty clueless to having a fashion mind of their own, as “briefs aren’t cool, innit”. So big up to you for bigging up briefs, at least a bit. Although I don’t think the whole boxers vs briefs debate is going to be too harmful to sperm; Victorian women and bicycle couriers have it a lot worse off.
hahahahahah!
watch ‘john tucker must die’ and you’ll know more about boxers vs thongs!!! hehehehe
Great article :D
I have a question though, say I want to go shop for a great pair of new un-mentionables for my boyfriend. Where is a good place to start looking?
Christy — Department stores tend to have the best selection; they’re definitely the place to go first!
mm! i’m all about the briefs (exboyfriend) but currently am in love with a boxers. should i dump him? (just kidding!)
i think AA briefs are the most adorable underwear. i don’t want no kids, anyhow! my ex accidentally left behind his clothes last time he came to visit and i’ve officially adopted the two pairs of (clean!) briefs that were included. so comfy!
really, though, as long as one’s boxers or briefs or hybrid undies aren’t all worn out and dirty-even-after-you-clean-them kind of old, it’s fine with me.
that picture freaks me out. that guy is a.) too thin & b.) DOESN’T HAVE A BELLYBUTTON or he barely has one.
erin lynne — It’s a mannequin!!! ;D