Eternal Brief Obsession

In the past it was a simple matter for guys to buy underwear and it all boiled down to the age old question: boxers or briefs?

Today, there are hundreds of styles for guys to choose from. Each has its own specific attributes, fabrics and designs. You might think that it might take a team of experts to know which ones are right for you.

Michael Kleinmann, Editor-in-Chief of The Underwear Expert blog broke down each style and what it means for you.

Briefs: most guys own at least one pair of briefs.

They’re the standard, go-to underwear
They come in a variety of rises, designs and colors.
They cover your entire backside and package, but leave the upper thigh and side of the leg exposed, so they’re comfortable to wear under just about anything.
Briefs are perfect for guys who need support or prefer to keep everything in one place but don’t care for the excess fabric found in boxer briefs, boxers or trunks.
A well-made brief can offer a much-needed lift.
Current offerings come in low, medium and high-rise.
For a little extra flair, specific cuts can accentuate the profile and back-side.
Perfect for: Moderate sports, everyday, dressing up, going out

Low-rise Briefs:

These sit below the natural waistline on the hips, so they provide just enough fabric to cover you up, and not much more. Many are engineered to enhance the package.
Wear with: Shorts, low-rise jeans and gym shorts

Mid-rise Brief:

The waistband of a mid-rise briefs sits at the natural waistline.
Wear with: Regular cut jeans, dress pants and board shorts

High-rise Brief:

The waistband of a high-rise brief sits right below the belly button, providing a more traditional fit.
A high-rise brief can streamline the waist, eliminating love handles and smoothing the stomach.
Wear with: High-waisted pants

Boxer Briefs:

A true boxer brief will cover about half of your thigh, but many boxer briefs now cover about a third.
They offer protection from chaffing during workouts and sports, and often are made with a moderate rise on the waist.
They provide just about the same amount of support as a standard brief, and provide complete coverage.
Perfect for: Moderate sports, everyday
Wear with: Workout clothes and gym shorts, and pants with coarse fabric

Boxers:

Boxers are loose-fitting underwear with no support, but more “breathability” than any other undergarment.
Many boxer shorts have an open fly, allowing the user an exit route with maximum ease.
Boxer short styles are varied, spanning from the underwear you may associate with your grandfather, to trendier, slim-fit cuts.
Perfect for: Everyday, casual sports, going out

Relaxed Fit: Boxers are traditionally slightly baggy, allowing for maximum leg movement.

Wear with: Baggier pants, pajamas, and shorts

Slim Fit: Boxer Shorts are now available in a slim fit, which create a loose fit, but are able to be worn under slim-cut pants.

Wear with: Slim-cut pants, tailored dress pants, shorts

Trunks:

Trunks are quickly becoming a favorite cut for underwear among men in the know.
Why? A trunk cut is a hybrid of a brief and boxer brief without the heap of fabric (in other words, they’re boxer briefs with short legs and a square appearance).
If you like briefs but want to try something a little different, consider trunks.
Perfect for: Everyday, dressing up, going out, moderate sports
Wear with: Just about anything

Jockstrap (Athletic):

Jockstraps offer complete frontal support and protection, but lack fabric to cover the backside.
They often lift the package up and away from the body, resulting in a cooler and dryer experience than basic briefs.
The pouch is harnessed with two leg bands that fall to the sides of the glutes on the upper thigh and connect between the legs to the underside of the pouch.
Cups can be inserted into some jockstraps for protection during rigorous activities like sparring and martial arts.
Perfect for: Rigorous Sports
Wear with: Uniforms, tight pants, bike shorts