What Are the Different Types and Fits of Men's Underwear? (2024)

We pride ourselves on being underwear experts and put together a guide to help you find your perfect partner.

Underwear should comfortably feel like a second skin, so it's important to find the right fit and style for you - as no man should be constantly having to readjust.

Boxers

Designed for a generous fit, boxers are a very popular underwear type thanks to their relaxed shape. They're ideal if you wear loose trousers for the ultimate lazy Sunday comfort. But, avoid wearing anything too tight with boxers as the fabric can start to bunch, which will show through your clothing - and no one wants to have bunched-up underwear on display.

If you're worried about boxers being a little outdated, our modern-fit boxer shorts are designed for a slimmer, more contemporary fit for long-lasting comfort and style.

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Fun fact: this classic underwear style is so named because they resemble the shorts worn by boxers.

Boxer Briefs

Boxer briefs are a modern variation of boxer shorts, often made from a stretchier fabric, like micro modal or soft Pima cotton and have a fitted cut, providing support where it matters most. This underwear style is a go-to for many as the higher waist and upper thigh coverage makes them comfortable and flattering.

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The beauty of Derek Rose boxer briefs is that they feature thermostatic properties within the micro modal fibres. This means they’ll react to any changes and temperature and help to regulate your body heat, making them ideal for day-to-day wear all year-round. With ultra-fine threads and a fabric lining on the inside of the waistband, you’re also guaranteed uninterrupted softness.

Briefs

Designed to feel like a second skin, briefs ensure luxurious all-day comfort. With the leg holes of briefs curving up toward the top of the thigh, there's no risk of bunching. While there is vastly less fabric than boxers or boxer briefs, you can still expect plenty of support.

Trunks

Trunks offer the best of boxers, boxer briefs and briefs all in one. Supportive and able to keep everything in place, a shorter leg for flexibility, no uncomfortable bunching, and sits lower on the hips. What more could you want in your underwear? Trunks are becoming increasingly fashionable and are often more body-hugging.

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What to Look for When Buying Underwear

When it comes to buying the right type of underwear, here's what you should look out for:

Material

Pay close attention to what material your underwear is made from, as this can make or break how comfortable they are. Cotton is the most common fabric as it's lightweight, breathable, soft and will keep you comfortable no matter the weather. Silk is also a luxuriously lightweight material, and there's no finer experience than silk underwear. And, of course, micro modal is as breathable as cotton and as soft as silk, making it the perfect material for underwear whether you have an active or relaxed lifestyle.

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Support and Fit

The support and fit of your underwear are down to personal preference. You may find boxers the most comfortable due to their roomy and relaxed fit, or you may lean more towards briefs' support and higher-leg design.

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Top tip: you'll also want to test the elasticity of the waistband and decide whether you prefer high-rise or low-rise underwear.

Style

Ideally, you'll have plenty of different types of underwear to suit your lifestyle. From traditional boxers for relaxed days at home, boxer briefs for everyday activities such as going to the office, running errands or hitting the gym, to briefs for when you want to have a little more support.

We know some of you are devoted fans of a particular fit and style that you know will never let you down. Underwear is a personal choice, so wear whichever style you feel is most comfortable.

Colours

Underwear comes in a variety of colours, from classic black, white and grey to bolder patterns and vibrant hues. You can't go wrong with any. If you’re wearing a neutral outfit and want to add an element of fun that only you know about, you can choose to wear bright coloured underwear or a bold pattern. If you're wearing white linen trousers for a beach dining experience, then a pair of matching white underwear will be best. Or, if you want to keep it simple and fuss-free, black or grey underwear will be your best friend.

Underwear is a personal choice and the type you wear can make a big difference in how you feel and move for the rest of the day, so hopefully our tips can help you choose the right style and fit for you.

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Explore our range of men's underwear, fusing classic styles with sumptuous fabrics for the best underwear you'll ever experience.

What Are the Different Types and Fits of Men's Underwear? (2024)

FAQs

What are the different types of underwear for men? ›

There was a time when men's underwear was limited to just boxers and briefs, but now, there are about 7 different types. Boxers, Boxer Briefs, Briefs, Trunks, Jockstrap, G-String and Tanga.

What style of underwear do most men wear? ›

Boxer briefs are a mix of boxers and briefs and offer the advantages of both styles. Briefs are the most prevalent form. Boxers are also a popular choice for underwear because they fit more loosely and are more comfortable to wear.

How should underwear fit for men? ›

Guys should wear underwear that fits their bodies. Too loose and the underwear will bunch and fold, too tight and the result is chafing and overheating (which is bad for your reproductive health). The right underwear will hug your body where you want it to, and give you room where you need it.

What are the 3 types of briefs? ›

Four types of briefs: Discover your perfect brief style
  • 1 – Rio briefs. Rio briefs are your 'standard' underwear. ...
  • 2 - Full briefs. High-waisted briefs streamline your tummy and waist. ...
  • 3 - Shorts and hot pants. Shorts have more leg coverage and offer full coverage at the back. ...
  • 4 - Thongs.

Which type of underwear is best for testicl* support? ›

Brief and Boxers Briefs

Briefs and boxer briefs provide support for the scrotum but trap heat. This is because the testicl*s are prevented from sagging away from the body to cool.

How do you know what underwear suits you? ›

To choose comfortable underwear, make sure you get the right size and pick a fabric that's soft and breathable. If you don't know your size, measure your hips and check this against a sizing guide. Look for underwear with firm elastic, so they'll stay in place throughout the day.

What underwear is best for a 60 year old man? ›

Briefs: Briefs are a classic and timeless choice for older men. They provide ample support, cover the entire buttocks area, and are great for those who prefer a snug fit. Briefs are perfect for those who want maximum comfort and minimal fabric.

Is it better for a man to wear boxers or briefs? ›

Briefs provide support when you're doing anything that requires a lot of movement, while boxers provide more freedom of movement which can be just right for more leisure-y moments.

Should men's underwear be tight or loose? ›

The official answer given by health experts and medical professionals is "somewhere in the middle of tight and loose." Experts recommend that you make sure you have properly fitting underwear, meaning your underwear should not be so tight that it leaves deep marks in the skin.

What brand of men's underwear is most popular? ›

10 men's underwear brands we love
  1. Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein can talk dirty to us anytime. ...
  2. Hanes. The workhorse of the underwear game, Hanes is iconic and popular because it always provides solid comfort and support. ...
  3. Ralph Lauren. ...
  4. Lululemon. ...
  5. Uniqlo. ...
  6. Sunspel. ...
  7. J. ...
  8. Tommy John.
Jan 24, 2024

How many pairs of underwear should a man own? ›

Therefore, a general rule of thumb for men is to have about 14 - 20 pairs of underwear on hand. Of course this can vary depending on if you work out daily, as well as travel frequency. The three most popular underwear styles for men include boxers, briefs, and boxer briefs.

Should men wear underwear under pants? ›

Some men may prefer to always wear underwear for added support and comfort, while others may find that they're more comfortable going without. There's no right or wrong answer, so it's really up to the man to decide what works best for him.

Which is better briefs or trunks? ›

Which are more comfortable: briefs or trunks? Briefs are said to fit better for tall men who have long legs. However, if you are short in height and have comparatively slim legs, trunks are a more suitable choice for you. For most men, comfort plays the most significant role.

Which is better briefs or boxers? ›

Boxers are loose-fit underwear that allows for better scrotum freedom, and which is why it is better for men and fertility. On the other hand, shorts allow the support needed for physical activity, and they are less constrictive than briefs. They allow better fertility in men and are quite comfortable.

What is a tight men underwear called? ›

Boxer briefs (sometimes spelled boxer-briefs or called tight boxers, also known as A-Fronts) are a hybrid type of men's undergarment which are long in the leg, similar to boxer shorts, but tight-fitting like briefs. They emerged as a style in the 1990s and are commonly worn for sports and as every-day underwear.

What is the fly in men's underwear for? ›

Commonly called a 'Fly', it is also called a 'dart'. It is nothing but a covered opening in front of the underwear. A convenient and prominent feature, its main function is to help you take care of your business during the urinal breaks. Popular designs are vertical fly, horizontal fly, and Y-front fly.

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