# Did something happen to tighty whities? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 13, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405 "2015-06-13T02:19:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/21 "2015-06-15T17:42:40Z")
White briefs (I don’t call them tighty whities, as they are not any tighter than the few boxer-briefs I own) are fairly common at Target & WalMart. The problem is, apparently most men on Long Island are stocky like me, so you have full racks of Small & Medium, half-filled racks of Large, empty racks of XL (40-42), and overflowing racks of XXL. The store buyers and distributors in this area are rather subpar and don’t seem to understand inventory control very well. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![ryankaminski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@ryankaminski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryankaminski)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/22 "2016-09-05T00:56:22Z")
I was just at Target and there were a ton of white briefs. The problem is that, even though I’m a sorta heavy, tall guy, even small briefs aren’t very snug. And I’m not about to buy boy’s briefs. I bought the small briefs but I’m wondering how smaller dudes buy underwear. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/23 "2016-09-05T01:23:36Z")
My husband wears them, and he likes them white, no colors for him. In the army, he wore the brown ones they were issued, and I think I finally threw out the last pair of those about a year ago. The boychik, who is not quite 10, likes boxer briefs. He has worn them since he was about four, and asked to try them. Now he likes the lycra-spandex ones, and is thrilled when we find prints he likes. I think he wore his Star Wars ones today. He is not quite 10, 5’1 tall, 120lbs, and wears a men’s medium. Personally, I like the boxer brief design, and I wore men’s boxer briefs for years until they came out with a women’s version of them, except when I was pregnant. I didn’t wear maternity underwear; I wore bikinis under my belly. I know many women who did the same thing. Anyway, I think boxer briefs have taken more market share from tighty whities than from traditional boxers. That’s just judging by the fact that I’m not the only woman I know who wore them, and the women’s version took only about three years to come out, but there has never been a women’s version of traditional boxers. I think boxer briefs appeal more to young men, just judging by the various prints and things they are available in, and the fact that that there aren’t too many “fun” briefs once you are out of the boys’ sizes. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/24 "2016-09-05T01:47:30Z")
Question is how did tighty whities ever become a thing to begin with? Who was sitting around thinking tighty whities are just the thing men need to wear? ---
**Author:** ![ryankaminski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@ryankaminski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryankaminski)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/25 "2016-09-05T02:10:14Z")
Why not? The socks are white, the t-shirt is white… why the undies gotta be different? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/26 "2016-09-05T02:38:59Z")
As a nurse, I see more men in their undies than most people do. Tighty whiteys are the choice of the over 60 set, boxer briefs mostly for the under 60 set, with a significant minority for boxers. Call it around 20% for boxers . **RivkahChaya** there are boxer briefs for women??? LINKY!!! **suranyi** my parents met when my Dad came in to the store where my Mom worked to buy new underwear. The story goes he told her it didn’t matter what they looked like, the only one who would see them was him. They flirted and blah blah blah HERE I AM! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/27 "2016-09-05T02:41:38Z")
Huh… I see quite a few racks of regular white briefs at various department stores and both \*-marts when shopping there. Plus of course colored or patterned briefs, for those who like the fit but not the white. **levdrakon** I blame old-time mothers. In their obsession to make sure the boy was always wearing clean underwear in case of accident, they conditioned whole generations to wearing a color that would easily telltale if they’d failed to change into fresh drawers. “That’s my story and I’m sticking with it” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/28 "2016-09-05T03:18:29Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > **levdrakon** I blame old-time mothers. In their obsession to make sure the boy was always wearing clean underwear in case of accident, they conditioned whole generations to wearing a color that would easily telltale if they’d failed to change into fresh drawers. > “That’s my story and I’m sticking with it” 😉 It’s funny because mom did always say, “what if you’re in an accident?” and my mom was a nurse so now I’m thinking, “you wouldn’t save me if I had day-old underwear?” Or, she’d tell the world, “I saved him but he had day-old underwear.” ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/29 "2016-09-05T03:22:12Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Question is how did tighty whities ever become a thing to begin with? Who was sitting around thinking tighty whities are just the thing men need to wear? Because 50 or 60 years ago, they were what young men wore – baggy boxers were for the old men, like your dad & grandpa. I think it’s partly a generational thing – when the current generation starts having sons, we may see them choosing briefs, rather than boxers like their dad wore. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/30 "2016-09-05T03:56:47Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Question is how did tighty whities ever become a thing to begin with? Who was sitting around thinking tighty whities are just the thing men need to wear? When I was a kid white was about all they had - went with white T-shirts, I presume. I’m over 60, and I’ll take colors. And I despise boxers. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/31 "2016-09-05T06:50:09Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Question is how did tighty whities ever become a thing to begin with? Who was sitting around thinking tighty whities are just the thing men need to wear? Eh, they get the job done. Boxers don’t offer any undercarriage support and boxer-briefs strike me as stupid. Like they just took briefs and added extra fabric to the legs so they could say it’s something different. Plus the legs always ride up. For the basic purpose of underwear – keeping my pants off my bare ass and bits out of my zipper – they do everything I want them to do. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/32 "2016-09-05T09:53:17Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > . **RivkahChaya** there are boxer briefs for women??? LINKY!!! Yes - it’s quite confusing for new stockers at my store learning the difference between boys briefs and girls’/women’s “boy briefs”. Also sold under “boy-short panties” and similar variants. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/33 "2016-09-05T13:15:51Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Because 50 or 60 years ago, they were what young men wore – baggy boxers were for the old men, like your dad & grandpa. > > I think it’s partly a generational thing – when the current generation starts having sons, we may see them choosing briefs, rather than boxers like their dad wore. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/34 "2016-09-05T14:06:49Z")
I wear white briefs and have no problem finding them. They’re cooler in the summer than boxers or boxer-briefs. Also, boxers are old men’s underwear; you used to see old comedians wearing them in the “pants fall down” gag. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/35 "2016-09-05T20:58:33Z")
I have found that, while a lot of places sell briefs, they tend to be out of certain sizes (especially XL/size 40). ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/36 "2016-09-06T16:52:32Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Eh, they get the job done. Boxers don’t offer any undercarriage support and boxer-briefs strike me as stupid. Like they just took briefs and added extra fabric to the legs so they could say it’s something different. Plus the legs always ride up. > > For the basic purpose of underwear – keeping my pants off my bare ass and bits out of my zipper – they do everything I want them to do. Boxer briefs don’t have a heavy seam in the crease of your thigh. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/37 "2016-09-06T22:26:28Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > boxer-briefs strike me as stupid. Like they just took briefs and added extra fabric to the legs so they could say it’s something different. I was wearing tighty whiteys since I was a child until highschool (with a stopover for Underoos in the early elementary years). In highschool, I started developing some awful chafing from the tw’s, had no idea what to do about it so I suffered for a few years. Then one day when I got a new pack of the tw’s it came with a free pair of boxer briefs. I’ve never gone back since, and haven’t had the chafing problem since. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/38 "2016-09-06T22:30:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I wear white briefs and have no problem finding them. They’re cooler in the summer than boxers or boxer-briefs. Also, boxers are old men’s underwear; you used to see old comedians wearing them in the “pants fall down” gag. The Simpsons creators specifically put Homer into tighty whiteys because they thought it would be much funnier. They were right. One of the most humorous things on Breaking Bad (not a comedy, but it had its moments) was Walt in his tw’s. Wouldn’t have been nearly as great if he was in boxers. I’m guessing the old comedians wore boxers not because they thought they were funnier, but because they were less likely to come across as lewd or create a "wardrobe malfunction. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/39 "2016-09-06T22:52:55Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I wear white briefs and have no problem finding them. They’re cooler in the summer than boxers or boxer-briefs. Also, boxers are old men’s underwear; you used to see old comedians wearing them in the “pants fall down” gag. I can’t imagine how man-diapers could be cooler than boxers. I’m sure, as \*\*TBG \*\*says, in old TV shows boxers were less crude & lewd than mankinis. Nowadays, if you want a man to look ridiculous, well… ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405/40 "2016-09-07T02:11:22Z")
Like **Rivkah Chaya** ’s boychild, I have come to favor body-hugging lycra-blend undies, in either boxer-briefs or trunks, like so: (Slightly NSFW, since it’s, well, a dude’s crotch, sheathed in lycra): [https://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Klein-Mens-Modal-Trunk/dp/B000FEC95K](https://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Klein-Mens-Modal-Trunk/dp/B000FEC95K) > [@Broomstick](#): > > Yes - it’s quite confusing for new stockers at my store learning the difference between boys briefs and girls’/women’s “boy briefs”. Also sold under “boy-short panties” and similar variants. Just my opinion, but boy-shorts are just about the sexiest lingiere a woman can wear. Rrraugh! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-something-happen-to-tighty-whities/722405.md?page=3)