# Why no love for briefs (underwear)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 19, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861 "2011-09-19T21:02:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/21 "2011-09-20T07:07:28Z")
> [@Illuminatiprimus](#): > > Have you tried boxer briefs? Much, much more comfy in both respects (I can’t wear boxers, they don’t give you any support). I’ve thought about them. Maybe if I somehow become single again and I’m concerned about impressing the ladies. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/22 "2011-09-20T08:35:45Z")
The third option: [Trunks](http://www.google.com.au/search?q=trunks+underwear&btnG=Search&tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=&bih=&gbv=1). The only kind of underwear for me. Much better than boxers _or_ briefs. I’ve had nothing but compliments on my underwear choices since I took up wearing trunks. ETA: Like the boxer briefs mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/23 "2011-09-20T09:15:49Z")
Eh, briefs for me. Boxers serve no discernible benefit, unless you feel you need that extra layer of protection between your junk and your zipper I guess. I like that the briefs keep everything packed up neatly, without my wedding tackle swinging around like a runaway construction crane. My life has enough variables as it is. And honestly, in 27 years of life, it hasn’t come up in conversation all that often. For whatever reason, random people on the street appear relatively unconcerned with my choice of underwear. ---
**Author:** ![And\_his\_buzzer\_goes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/and_his_buzzer_goes/32/377_2.png) [@And\_his\_buzzer\_goes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/And_his_buzzer_goes)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/24 "2011-09-20T11:00:47Z")
I choose either mostly depending on temperature. In winter I choose tight boxers/trunks to have that extra bit of fabric around the legs. In warmer settings I go for briefs to avoid that extra piece of fabric. But tight fitting is a must, not only to prevent swinging, but _sticking_ as well. That’s really uncomfortable. ---
**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 20, 2011, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/25 "2011-09-20T11:20:18Z")
> [@And\_his\_buzzer\_goes](#): > > I choose either mostly depending on temperature. In winter I choose tight boxers/trunks to have that extra bit of fabric around the legs. In warmer settings I go for briefs to avoid that extra piece of fabric. Ha! You must be from one of those wimpy southern states. Up here in Minnesota, where we have **real winters** , the choice for winter underwear is red flannel long-johns – full length, wrists to ankles. And yes, they still come with a flap in the back! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/26 "2011-09-20T13:56:19Z")
‘Granny panties’ used to be [quite sexy](http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m305/llaaksonen/?action=view¤t=VisibilityPerfect.jpg). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/27 "2011-09-20T14:01:04Z")
I’ve never understood how guys can wear boxers. I think I’d feel like I was wearing two pairs of pants. That said, Y-front briefs make me think of diapers. It is not a good look. I’ve been buying MrWhatsit boxer briefs for years now. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/28 "2011-09-20T14:01:22Z")
There are plenty of tight fitting briefs that “keep your junk in place” and don’t look ridiculous. Some are even really cheap and can be bought in a 3-pack from froot of the loom or something like that. I wear boxers mostly, but I have a few pairs of nice fitting briefs that work well under tight fitting pants, or when I want to look sexier in my underwear at night for whatever reason (use your imagination). So no, I don’t hate briefs, or particularly love boxers. But some briefs are UGLY. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/29 "2011-09-20T14:19:17Z")
Many of my childhood holiday memories are partially ruined by memories of my father in tighty whities and a sweater (or no shirt at all), depending on the season. I think some briefs can work, but they can NEVER be white. I never wear white underwear, and I’m a chick. It’s just… ew. Why white? Colored undies are much more attractive and interesting to look at, and they hide stains better. Why white?? ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/30 "2011-09-20T14:22:07Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > :dubious: But I’m not wearing underwear to be sexy. I’m wearing it to keep my junk firmly in place. Which is why I don’t like boxers. Exactly. I have tried boxers and can’t deal with all that flopping around. I am saddened to learn there’s all this hate for briefs. My wife bought boxers for our boys, now (in ther 20s) they still wear boxers. So all you folks who think brief wearers are “mama’s boys”, the tide has turned. These days the guys wearing boxers are following mommie’s lead. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/31 "2011-09-20T14:27:33Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Many of my childhood holiday memories are partially ruined by memories of my father in tighty whities and a sweater (or no shirt at all), depending on the season. > > I think some briefs can work, but they can NEVER be white. I never wear white underwear, and I’m a chick. It’s just… ew. Why white? Colored undies are much more attractive and interesting to look at, and they hide stains better. Why white?? Agreed. Dark colored underwear are the way to go. Especially if you are going to wear briefs, let’s see some black, dark grey, deep blue, etc. ---
**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 20, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/32 "2011-09-20T14:38:00Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > (Except that I wonder about the part . Do actual sales figures back this up? > Not that many years ago, I worked in sales accounting at Target, and briefs outsold boxers.) Not sure. I would guess that there is a correlation between age and type of underwear. I use briefs and boxer-briefs (which I like, but not in the summer). ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/33 "2011-09-20T15:00:49Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Colored undies are much more attractive and interesting to look at, and they hide stains better. ..so the stains - do they add to the attractiveness, or just make it interesting if you can make out a silhouette of Elvis, or the Madonna holy toast bread stamp? ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/34 "2011-09-20T15:38:54Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I think some briefs can work, but they can NEVER be white. This. White Y-front briefs, especially if they have that little double colored stripe around the waistband, look like something a six-year-old boy would wear. It’s just not an attractive look for anybody past puberty, IMO. I think the only guys who can look good in white briefs are dark-skinned or very tanned guys, and the briefs must be brilliant, dazzling white with no stripes around the top. Pale white guys…ugh, no. And don’t let them get gray (the briefs, not the guys). 😃 My favorite choice to look at for guys’ underwear is colored boxer briefs. Preferably dark colors like black and dark blue. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/35 "2011-09-20T16:18:55Z")
I need briefs for the support, or else I’ll bruise my knee. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/36 "2011-09-20T20:58:47Z")
Another vote for boxer briefs. The best of both worlds. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/37 "2011-09-20T21:04:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Another vote for boxer briefs. The best of both worlds. They are indeed, the shizzle. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/38 "2011-09-20T22:00:28Z")
Briefs chafe and cause sweating in the crotch area. It only took a couple of deployments to the tropics and a case of the infamous “crotch rot” for me to eschew them forever. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/39 "2011-09-21T04:04:55Z")
Boxer briefs for me. As if anyone cared. ---
**Author:** ![And\_his\_buzzer\_goes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/and_his_buzzer_goes/32/377_2.png) [@And\_his\_buzzer\_goes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/And_his_buzzer_goes)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861/40 "2011-09-21T08:29:00Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I think some briefs can work, but they can NEVER be white. I never wear white underwear, and I’m a chick. It’s just… ew. Why white? Colored undies are much more attractive and interesting to look at, and they hide stains better. Why white?? I knew someone out there was with me on that respect. I never wear white undies, but it’s not easy for a guy to find decent underwear with nice colors - and I don’t mean tiger stripes. They’re all the samy grey,blue,black. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-briefs-underwear/596861.md?page=3)