Men's family briefs are a part of the wardrobe that has appeared relatively recently. It came into use in the 20-30s of the twentieth century. Few people know, but in fact, such panties are a derivative of boxer briefs, which were originally used as shorts, not underwear.
And now men wear these things as underwear. We'll tell you how to choose the size of family men's underpants and what types they come in in this article.
Set for men, art. 335-2, gray-beige, Set for men, art. 335-5, gray-white
A little history
Many people often ask the question: “Why are these panties called family panties? Could the whole family really wear them? There are several possible answers that have already become legends.
The first story says that in the mid-twentieth century, men often wore this item of clothing at home completely freely. They read newspapers in them, had breakfast, and watched TV. And the whole family saw their “head”, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. That is why, as some historians say, this name came to be among the people.
The second version says that the thing received this name because it could be passed from father to son when someone’s underpants became too small. The story is controversial, but it exists. Although in the nomenclature of garments of the 30s of the 20th century, this clothing was called nothing more than “simplified panties,” sometimes with the addition “smooth.” This describes both the appearance of the item and its properties much more accurately.
Much time has passed, and the appearance of these lower garments has changed significantly. Now it is no longer just something oversized that looks like shorts. Men's underwear not only began to look neater and more beautiful. It has become more physiological and correct.
It’s not for nothing that many urologists categorically prohibit wearing classic “Soviet” panties of this model. More and more experts agree that such a thing over time can cause more harm than health benefits.
Tips for choosing underwear for men
Next, we will talk about several important points that should be taken into account when choosing underpants for a man.
- Ideally, the composition of men's briefs should be 100% cotton. It is also possible to add a small amount of elastane, no more than five percent of the total. Cotton is a material that does not cause allergies, is soft, comfortable and not harmful to health. It absorbs moisture and allows the skin to breathe. Therefore, it is often recommended for everyday wear.
- Swimming trunks and boxers are models suitable for every day, provided that they are made of cotton fabric with a small percentage of lycra or other elastic thread or fabric. Such clothes do not rub the skin, do not cause itching or redness. When choosing panties for children, pay attention to the absence of bright dyes and the composition of the model. The label should say “100% cotton.”
- Before buying panties, carefully inspect all the details. Seams, elastic, stitches must be made with high quality, without protruding threads, cuts, holes or unnecessary elements. Buttons are only possible on the codpiece, but it is better not to choose such models. They are not comfortable to wear.
- Underwear for men should be purchased strictly according to size. We will explain in detail how to choose the appropriate size later in the article.
- We recommend having different underpants in your wardrobe. Some for sleep, others for every day. Separately - for sports. This will allow you to better maintain hygiene levels.
- If the panties purchased by size are uncomfortable to wear, chafe or pinch, discard them. This will harm your health.
- Is it possible to sleep at night in shorts? Yes. If they are comfortable and do not pinch, they do not leave marks from elastic bands or “pants”. Otherwise, such a thing must be abandoned immediately, as this will lead to unhappy consequences in the future.
In fact, choosing underwear for your man is a feasible task. It is important to know some key points. In particular: size, preference for colors or patterns. Take into account the fabric from which the panties are made. There are many materials on the market that are worthy of attention and those that are not worth buying.
Men's briefs art.304-7, red-blue
We tested different panties for two months
Illustration: Simon Abranowicz
All our lives we are faced with the problem of choosing underwear: we hope to find something in which we can walk without much embarrassment and feel comfortable. As a child, your parents bought you briefs, and then you most likely decided to switch to boxers or even briefs. During all this time, you have tried many materials, prints and non-standard models (some of you have definitely tried on thongs).
And yet we, and many of you, have not found the very pair with which any wardrobe begins. At the same time, it’s quite strange to think so seriously about underwear. This is perhaps the most embarrassing piece of clothing. And yet it is in your underwear that you go to bed. This is the item of clothing that is closest to your body. This is the last thing you take off before sex and what your partner definitely pays attention to. And it is the briefs that determine how comfortable your butt and genitals will be throughout the day and, therefore, how confident you will feel. Underwear should be comfortable, maintain a comfortable temperature and not cause feelings of shame. You have to spend so much time in your entire life to feel at ease and not in diapers.
Lucky for you, GQ editors have to wear panties too, so we've taken an obscenely deep dive into the topic of underwear. I had to try on all the panties from the mass market and luxury segment. We've come a long way from the days of Henry VIII, when he wore bejeweled underwear to highlight his talent and distract from a nasty bout with syphilis. Underwear is now more varied than ever, which is both a blessing in terms of choice and a heavy burden to find the best pair.
And so, for almost two and a half months, we tested dozens of panties - from family pants to thongs. In this diary we will give answers to the most intimate questions, but we swear: all this is for a good cause.
Day 1
We started with a couple of mass-market briefs. We decided to stick to boxers, although many avoid them because they feel like combat sportsmen. In addition, some of the models rub the lower back very badly. Boxer briefs from the mass market cannot be called something outstanding, but what we really didn’t like was the lack of a codpiece. This part of the panties greatly simplifies the process of natural needs. But this couple completely ruled out this possibility. Therefore, if you are one of those who would not mind making your life easier, pay attention when choosing panties in nearby stores for the presence of this life-saving hole.
Day 2
Now we're testing Under Armor boxer briefs. It's nice to wear underwear from a sports brand because it makes you feel like you're a future World Cup and Olympics winner. This pair features branding on the elastic that gives free advertising to the brand every time you bend over. What pleased us was the presence of a codpiece (glory to the holes in the panties!).
Day 3
Today we're trying on 100% cotton boxers with signature Tommy Hilfiger elastic. They're comfortable, but it still feels like we're stuck in 1992. These are the kind of boxers your father might wear if he were American. And your mother would definitely buy you such underwear. After all, how can your son not buy such panties if they have some drawings or even a logo on them?
Day 4
It's time to return to the classics. Let's start with blacks. They claim that they are made of thin elastic material, which our hips certainly need. After all, we often encounter a situation where our underpants begin to bunch up while walking and rub our legs. And yet we were not deceived. The material makes it feel like our thighs are bare. Not the most comfortable feeling. It seems like at any moment someone could come up and slap you on the butt with a towel, because we have everything on display.
Day 5
On this day we were unlucky with the size. Someday, manufacturers will create a common size chart, but for now, most likely, only a hamster could wear these boxers. So pay attention to the numbers and letters on the labels.
Day 6
Now we try on a pair of Calvin Klein briefs and feel great in them. They are comfortable, but not tight. They glide and fit like a second skin. But then we decided to check the label and saw modal in the composition. We didn’t yet know what kind of joke this material would play on us. Later it became unbearably hot in my shorts. It turns out that modal practically does not breathe, and your genitals need ventilation. So the only salvation is to install a small air conditioner in Calvin Klein.
Day 12
On this day we decided to put on a pair of old-fashioned family pants. But almost immediately we decided to abandon this idea, because we felt very stupid in them. And of course they were white and had a silly pattern. Please note that in 2021 there is no longer a need to wear only white briefs. We choose black ones, in which we will feel more brutal, or gray ones, because they will make us look more dignified.
Day 18
It's time to try out a couple of MeUndies. Most likely, you could see these panties on some American bloggers on Instagram. Pretty hipster boxers. One pair has bananas on it, and the other has purple flowers. We don't really like such fun prints (but at 10 years old we wouldn't refuse this design), so we don't really want to show our bananas to people. MeUndies are made of modal, but very thin. Unfortunately, the designers forgot about the existence of the scrotum. It's a real problem when panties don't sit in this erogenous zone. The material does not cause discomfort at first, but then you get the feeling that your testicles are laminated. And again there is no codpiece. Is it so difficult to make a hole?
Day 23
It's time to do some very strange things. One luxury brand sent us a pair of black lace briefs. The first thing that catches your eye is the translucent butt. It looks like a Prince costume, but it certainly doesn't look like a royal outfit. It looks very ridiculous. But at the same time, there is a faint feeling of sexuality. Although it hardly looks like that from the outside. We appreciate lingerie that makes us feel sexier. There is nothing wrong. But being sexy all the time, at home and at work, is very strange. Therefore, we are unlikely to wear such panties again.
Day 26
Prince's briefs are not the only pair with which we cross the line of masculinity. We decided to check out the bikini briefs. They only have elastic on the sides: there is simply no other fabric to hide the hips. Yes, although the ass looks much sexier, but at what cost? Later we tested boxers with an odd sewn-in pocket on the codpiece, and then we moved on to briefs with jockey-style straps. These couples would fit well into a fancy dress costume. Some manufacturers focus not on comfort and versatility, but on design and visual perception. Bikini briefs are more like half a woman's bra than briefs. Wear these either for a Moschino show or for an advertising campaign, if you have a chic figure, of course.
Day 34
We're going back to testing classic boxer briefs and trying out a pair that turned out to be very comfortable. But the designers decided to add a cuff at the end of each leg. It was as if T-shirts had been pulled over my hips. The pressure is enough to make you feel uncomfortable. Panties should be invisible under your trousers, but such thick cuffs try to tell everyone that you haven’t forgotten about your underwear today. It is intimacy that makes cowards out of cowards.
Day 35
Over these days we have become very sensitive to the elastic bands of our panties. Some pairs have them so narrow that they leave a tight pattern on the waist, like the marks of an SUV. And sometimes the belt is very wide and thick and you feel like an elastic band is scratching your lower back. It will be difficult to explain to a girl that these are cowards and not a playful massage therapist. Especially when you look like the owner of a boxing belt.
Day 41
The next pair of boxers was too long. My thighs were suffering from the heat like never before. Now we understand how professional cyclists feel in their tight shorts.
Day 45
2(x)ist are just another Instagram coward. We decided to try out the classic black boxers, which turned out to be very comfortable and looked decent enough. In this pair, the codpiece looks elongated, like a sock. It turns out that when you put them on, your penis looks like the top of a witch's hat. Or even on the nose of your panties.
Day 52
Next we try on a pair of Tommy John with a horizontal codpiece. It seems like this is the technology of the future. You don't even need to unbutton. It's not a shame to show off such cowards to your friends. The main thing is don’t show them the codpiece technology, they’ll probably figure it out on their own.
Day 60
For today - camouflage briefs. In such cases we agree either to hunt or join the army.
Day 62
We try on a pair of swimming trunks, on the packaging of which the cabin boys fold the sails. Again we didn’t get the size right, but we were pleased with the blue and white stripes, like on sailor suits. I really want to go on a trip to the Pacific Ocean. If your goal is to be groovy and playful, then abstract and geometric patterns are for you. We also tried on a pair with red stripes on the sides to feel like real car pilots. It's probably a real problem that many men are not willing to get naked and show their underwear. We ourselves are surprised how some guys can show up on the beach in shorts with a children's print and feel at the peak of bliss. Although most often these are owners of the most expensive Jaguar or Lamborghini.
Day 68
This pair features a buttoned codpiece. It seems that your household is in reliable safety, but there is so much hassle with this unfastening.
Day 69
If you want to make a picture out of your causal zone, then this pair is for you: the boxers depict a sky with clouds. It takes the most confident guy to build a gateway to heaven on your body. And although it should be cool in paradise, our feet again begin to get incredibly hot and sweaty. The feeling that the penis is suffocating under the clouds. Despite the manufacturer's attempts to combine the material and the printed print, it still failed. But for comfort you need a simple human feeling of coolness.
Day 70
We've found a pair of luxury boxers that claim to "bring together softness and nature." It sounds tempting. They are also not too long and breathable. The waistband of the panties is covered with fabric, which raises them several notches in our rating. And most importantly, they do not have a cutting seam on the back. How annoying is this strip that constantly rubs between the buttocks. In terms of fabric, we haven't had silk underwear from 1988 before. The fact is that manufacturers have tried to imitate the feeling of silk, making the panties smooth, as if your body is in massage oil. This model reminds us of Jean-Claude Van Damme's boxers from Double Impact, where the actor appeared in black silk underwear. The associations are dubious, if you remember the plot of the film.
Day 72
This concludes our test. We checked every panty we could find. We have chosen three winners: Tommy John, Nick Graham and Hanro. They combine the best functionality of boxer briefs with breathable material. Like other clothes, panties wear out quite quickly, so you have a bunch of underwear in your drawer with pills or stretched elastic (despite the fact that manufacturers promise astronomical wear resistance). Let's be honest: even when you buy a new pair of boxers or trunks, you still prefer the old (and usually cheap) briefs that make you feel at home. And you shouldn't be ashamed, because no one cares what kind of underwear you wear under your jeans. Unless, of course, these are lace royal panties, which can still be left for a romantic evening with a girl. The main thing is that your sets are different, and that hers looks many times more expensive.
First published on the American GQ website.
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How to determine the size of panties
Let's start with the most important thing - the size chart. How not to get confused and choose the right size of underwear. To avoid making mistakes, when purchasing family panties, consider the following parameters:
- waist size (in centimeters);
- volume of the hips (pelvis).
You need to be able to measure your waist correctly. Take a tailor's measuring tape and use it to measure the narrowest part of the torso - a couple of centimeters below the navel. But the volume of the hips is measured differently - here we measure the widest, convex part of the buttocks.
It is better to measure volumes twice or thrice to ensure that the data is correct. And a small life hack: if you don’t have any tailor’s tape in the house, take any cord, measure the volume, and measure the data on a school ruler. Attach the lace to the ruler and you will see your dimensions.
It is important not to tighten the cord or tape when measuring your waist and hips. After all, underwear should fit loosely without squeezing blood vessels.
After all the necessary measurements have been taken, panties are selected according to the size charts. The standard size chart for men's underpants of any model usually contains the following indicators:
- waist - from 65 to 105 centimeters;
- hips - from 86 to 124 centimeters.
There are foreign grids containing letters. To avoid confusion, we will give a few examples. If a person has a waist of 90 cm with hips of 100-110 cm, this is size L. In the Russian grid this is size 52.
It is important to remember that sizing grids are different in many countries. Therefore, when purchasing panties, consider the country of origin. This can significantly affect the outcome of the purchase. This is especially true for those cases when purchases are made in online stores, without the opportunity to try on the item.
When buying men's underpants on the website of the BINITA clothing factory, it is almost impossible to make a mistake in the size. For each item there is a convenient size table, which contains both Russian and international data.
Color and pattern
There is a large selection of men's family briefs in online stores. You can purchase models in any colors and patterns. To make the right choice, follow these simple tips:
- classic colors - checks, stripes, small patterns - suitable for all ages and shapes;
- bold prints, inscriptions, images - for confident people and youth;
- plain colors - black, dark blue, gray, gray melange - a universal option for every day.
If you are choosing panties with a man, invite him to choose not only the usual colors. Manufacturers offer two- or three-color options. And they look great.
On the website you can buy knitted men's family briefs in any color. All models are made of high-quality 100% cotton, taking into account all physiological and anatomical features. Elastic bands and accessories do not interfere or put pressure on the groin area.
Men's family panties art. 948
Buy men's underwear in Kyiv: types of panties
Let's look at the popular models of this season and the materials from which they are made:
- Briefs (classic model, which can be made of cotton, microfiber, elastane and many other materials);
- Hips (a universal model, most often made from cotton);
- Joki (made from silk, cotton, bamboo, etc.);
- Thongs (made from nylon, polyamide, spandex, etc.);
- Boxers (made mainly from cotton, elastane, satin and viscose);
- Tanga (made from cotton, polyamide, elastane and a number of other materials).
When choosing underwear, be sure to take into account individual characteristics, such as allergies and skin sensitivity.
Fabrics
Most often you can find men's family briefs made of cotton. However, manufacturers have other, no less interesting variations of fabrics. We'll talk about this further.
Cotton fabrics for men's underwear
Cotton is a natural material extracted from the cotton plant. It is twisted into threads. And the thinner the thread, the denser and softer the cotton fabric will be. It does not cause allergies, is pleasant to the body and is not expensive.
Chintz and calico are derivatives of cotton. The same natural materials. By the way, men's satin family briefs are also cotton. Therefore, when you come across similar names, feel free to buy such things. They do no harm.
But cotton also has its disadvantages. He hesitates. Poor quality fabric wears out quickly and does not follow the silhouette of the body. But the addition of elastic materials - viscose, lycra - makes clothes more durable and stretches better.
You can determine the quality of cotton fabric yourself. Take the clothes in your hands, pull them on and look at the light. You should not see rips, holes, knots or other unnecessary inclusions.
Seeing the word “mercerized material” on a tag or label, you can have no doubt about its quality. This suggests that the fabric was specially sanded and smoothed. Such things cost more than usual.
Synthetics
Elastane, lycra, spandex are all artificial fabrics. Many well-known brands are often used to make underwear. These materials hold their shape well, wash well, dry quickly, and do not shrink. But panties or T-shirts entirely made from them are not suitable for daily use. Such clothes do not absorb moisture and the skin does not breathe well in them. Which in the future can lead to troubles from the genitourinary system.
Meryl, or microfiber, is another synthetic material. However, it is more secure. Pleasant to the touch. The skin in such panties can breathe. But here it is important to choose the right size so that nothing squeezes the body.
Mixed materials
By mixing several types of fabrics, manufacturers achieve improved performance characteristics of the item. For example, adding synthetic fibers will make cotton stronger and softer. The panties will wash better and not wrinkle.
Among the mixed fabrics the following are distinguished:
- Modal is soft, pleasant, absorbs moisture remarkably, is elastic and does not shrink during washing. Doesn't stretch, doesn't wrinkle. Its properties and appearance are similar to viscose.
- Lyocell is a fabric made from eucalyptus trees. Comfortable, silk-like. It is not often used in its pure form because it is expensive. More often it is mixed with elastane or modal.
We hope that our tips will help you choose family briefs for your man and not make a mistake in your choice.
