Whether you’re picking up a gift for your partner or you’re looking to treat yourself with a new pair of undies, choosing the right men’s underwear can be much more than picking a funky design.
Underwear can have a huge impact on your comfort and mood throughout the day, often making the difference between forgetting it’s even there or constantly having to pick it out of undesirable places!
So, what should you keep in mind when choosing the right pair of pants? Here are the key areas to think about when choosing the ideal pair of underwear or boxers.
The Fit
The fit and cut of a pair of underwear can be the deciding factor in how comfortable they are to wear. Still, it’s important to remember that everyone has different preferences on what they wear. Something that one person finds a perfect fit might be quite uncomfortable to another.
The main cuts of men’s underwear that you’ll find are:
- Briefs – short and on the tighter end of the scale.
- Boxers – long and often loose/baggy.
- Boxer Briefs – the middle ground, longer cut but usually tighter than full boxers.
Choosing between these is often a case of personal preference, so there’s really no right or wrong answer. If you’re buying a pair of underwear as a gift, try and stick with a style that the recipient wears regularly. And if you don’t have a clue, boxer briefs are your safest option.
The Material
Men’s underwear comes in loads of different materials, often differentiated by the underwear’s intended purpose. For example, underwear will usually be a cotton or cotton blend, while sports underwear will tend to be a lighter, more breathable material.
Typical materials that you might come across are:
- Cotton – breathable and absorbent, one of the most common materials you’ll find.
- Cotton Blends – other materials are often blended with cotton to reduce the cost. Try and stick to blends with a high percentage of cotton.
- Microfibre – super soft and fine synthetic fibre
- Modal – incredibly soft (you’ll have heard of it A LOT if you listen to ads on podcasts)
Almost all major underwear brands will also have their own proprietary material, which they vouch for. These will usually be some form of synthetic blend, which offer benefits for breathability and easy washing.
The Design
While the design of underwear won’t have a direct impact on comfort and is unlikely to be seen by many people, it can often be the deciding factor when choosing what pair to wear for the day. Wearing a design that you like helps you to feel more comfortable and confident.
Men’s underwear designs can vary massively, from simple block colours to complex designs. There can be a temptation when buying men’s underwear as a gift to lean into the novelty or overly vibrant side of designs, but if these don’t fit the recipient’s personality, then the underwear will likely stay in the drawer.
As with choosing any designs or styles in clothing, try and stick with what you or the recipient like best. While they won’t be on display quite as much as other elements of a wardrobe, underwear should still match the overall style of an outfit, as it mentally helps someone feel comfortable with what they have on.
The Brand
As with much of fashion, the brand of a piece of clothing can make or break a decision to buy or wear it. This is usually tied to a mix of perceptions on quality and status related to a brand.
Many larger fashion brands have underwear as a key part of their offering, such as Calvin Klein. Still, there is also a swathe of underwear brands out there to choose from. These can often be a better choice when it comes to quality and affordability. For example, online brands like BawBags and OddBalls offer huge ranges of men’s underwear, from simple briefs to strikingly design boxers.
When choosing a brand you haven’t shopped from before, make sure to keep an eye out for general reviews on quality and service.
Hopefully, these tips will keep you straight when shopping for the right pair of underwear so that you can stay comfy or find the perfect gift for your partner.
