# Guys: Tell me about your underpants **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463 "2009-05-24T15:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/81 "2009-05-27T19:03:48Z")
Boxers. Used to wear briefs, but they keep everything all squeezed together, which isn’t so great in the summer. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/82 "2009-05-27T19:37:07Z")
I was raised on briefs, but a friend talked me into going 100% boxers all the way. I haven’t looked back since. They are way more comfortable. I tend to go for fun patterns. Right now I’m wearing musical notes, from FunBoxers. J. Crew is my favorite brand, but their selection lately has been rather lame. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/83 "2009-05-27T19:48:58Z")
> [@stuthehistoryguy](#): > > I made the switch from tighty whities to boxers about a year ago when I hooked up with a rather attractive woman. It was easier than trying to jettison my gauche-but-convenient Hanes without being exposed as more of an utter dork than absolutely necessary. Among the g’s and the hipsters, briefs are much more fashion-forward than shorts. The [American Apparel brief](http://store.americanapparel.net/4415.html) being one highly visible incarnation. I am still curious about the undershirt question; it seems so unbalanced otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/84 "2009-05-27T19:51:37Z")
Boxers only. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/85 "2009-05-27T20:05:34Z")
Boxers only. Grew up wearing briefs. I switched in my early 20s because my now-wife, who was at the time just a friend with whom I was enormously smitten, mentioned that she thought briefs looked silly on guys. We’ve been together for 13 years and married for 10, so I think I made the right call. I’m sure that if her first time seeing me without pants had been in briefs, she’d have left me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/86 "2009-05-27T20:59:34Z")
Ok, it’s been a while since I’ve done this, but I went that extra mile for the SDMB. I smelled the inside crotch of my pants today before and after wear. I’ve worn these pants for roughly 5 days so far (admittedly, just to work and back) and I can’t smell a thing on them. It smells like fabric. That’s it. It smells no different than the thigh or calf parts. I can understand if you play sports or live in Texas or San Diego, but in cool climes, why would your clothes smell? Hell, I can still smell the soap on me from my shower last night. Are you guys, like, really overweight or something? Why do you smell so badly? ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/87 "2009-05-27T21:12:34Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Ok, it’s been a while since I’ve done this, but I went that extra mile for the SDMB. I smelled the inside crotch of my pants today before and after wear. I’ve worn these pants for roughly 5 days so far (admittedly, just to work and back) and I can’t smell a thing on them. It smells like fabric. That’s it. It smells no different than the thigh or calf parts. I can understand if you play sports or live in Texas or San Diego, but in cool climes, why would your clothes smell? Hell, I can still smell the soap on me from my shower last night. Are you guys, like, really overweight or something? Why do you smell so badly? I’d be less concerned about the crotch area than I would the part facing the crack of your ass. And really, there’s not the slightest bit of apprehension when you go to zip up after you’ve dropped a Count Dooku? Also, commando style at work? What do you do? I couldn’t imagine interacting with my coworkers knowing I had an unfinished basement. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/88 "2009-05-27T22:46:01Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > Also, commando style at work? What do you do? I couldn’t imagine interacting with my coworkers knowing I had an unfinished basement. I’ve done it. They’re not going to know and after a while it’s no big deal. I’m thinking I maybe shouldn’t have been reading this thread, especially with the upcoming get-together. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/89 "2009-05-28T03:07:59Z")
I for one am not overweight, and I’m pretty obsessive about body odor. Which is why I always have a layer of fabric between me and my trousers. As **Kimmy\_Gibler** notes, you’ve got two egresses that might cause odor issues for you. More power to y’all if you’re daisy fresh. Someone upthread mentioned not wearing t-shirts. The whole point is that the funk and sweat is captured in the tee, so your expensive shirts don’t reek. Same concept with undercarriage garments. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/90 "2009-05-28T03:32:50Z")
I wore boxers for the longest time but as jean styles finally moved away from the baggier style into more fitted styles, I switched to boxer briefs. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/91 "2009-05-28T06:37:44Z")
Boxer-briefs or boxers. My wife prefers the look of the boxer-briefs, but boxers are more comfortable, especially when it’s hot. Briefs are uncomfortable for sitting because the seam runs right where the pressure is the highest, right on the crease of your ass. I went through a phase in high school where I wore bikini-briefs and similarly tight small underwear. I have an excuse; it was the 90s. I was on the swim team so my Speedos were practically smaller than my underwear anyway. I’ve also worn [_fundoshi_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundoshi) before, which are surprisingly comfortable. I think those suckers could catch on elsewhere too. Something for everyone: look great for the ladies or gay men, and you can’t get much more manly than making your own underwear out of a single piece of cloth with none of that womanly sewing necessary. Plus, self-adjustable pouch. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/92 "2009-05-28T08:09:46Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I can’t speak for the commando folks, since I never go underwearless due to a youthful episode of zippered-penis syndrome According to my husband, it takes just one such episode to teach a guy the importance of undies, and tucking first and then zipping. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/93 "2009-05-28T14:34:05Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > I’ve done it. They’re not going to know and after a while it’s no big deal. > > I’m thinking I maybe shouldn’t have been reading this thread, especially with the upcoming get-together. I’m checking Expedia for flights to California. No particular reason, of course. ---
**Author:** ![carlotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/94 "2009-05-28T21:15:16Z")
Have I mentioned that I love you guys? I have laughed so hard at parts of this thread. [wanders back off into underpants reverie] ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/95 "2009-05-29T01:09:52Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m checking Expedia for flights to California. > > No particular reason, of course. Don’t get too excited. I haven’t done it for over a year. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/96 "2009-05-29T01:57:35Z")
I sometimes like to match my Box4er Briefs with my clothing, either shorts or shirt, or in ensemble. Usually the gray, black, or red. I sodon’t like teh all cotton ones, the loose ones, I prefer Hanes with the stretchy close fitting support, makes my package look and feel good, can’t tell your wearing them otherwqise… no binding in the joint. I was a tighty whitey until the boxer brief epiphany. Well, except for those neon purple, green, and pink, snakeskin on black man panties that my girlfriends in the 80’s made me wear. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/97 "2009-05-29T12:44:06Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > Don’t get too excited. I haven’t done it for over a year. 😉 Then I think you’re due. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/98 "2009-05-29T12:58:15Z")
Mine…jocky shorts, worn till holes emerge in the fabric, and the elastic wears out. I take the oldest ones on business trips, as I can jettison the worst ones after wearing, hus lightening the return load. As for brands, I haven’t seen any big differences between the brands, so I buy what’s on sale. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/99 "2009-05-29T13:55:25Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > Then I think you’re due. Well there is a dopefest coming up next month… Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Shadowfyre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfyre/32/9972_2.png) [@Shadowfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadowfyre)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463/100 "2009-05-29T15:00:57Z")
Grew up wearing briefs. Then I hit puberty where I’d get erections at the drop of a hat. Erections are majorly uncomfortable in briefs. It’s like trying to stretch your legs out in a too short sleeping bag. So I switched to boxers. They have plenty of room for the inevitable erections and allow air circulation to keep everything cool and dry. My job is mainly sitting in front of a computer so I don’t need to worry too much about support. However, I do have briefs for working out where I do require more support than usual. I have forgotten to put briefs in my gym bag. Working out in boxers is NOT comfortable to me. I’ve tried boxer briefs but the legs kept rolling up. I’ve never had problems with my boxers unless my pants were too loose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-tell-me-about-your-underpants/497463.md?page=4)