Every once and while, I get a glimpse of my male friend’s underwear, either in the laundry room or when their waistbands are visible. Even in this booming era of underwear marketed towards straight guys, and with increased interest noted in the media, the vast majority are still wearing the same Hanes and Fruit of the Loom boxer briefs that they’ve been wearing for years. This is simply mind-boggling to me.
When I first discovered a brand that wasn’t Hanes or Fruit of the Loom, I switched to that and never looked back. It was easy for me. I understand that others, however, might need to take baby steps on the road towards underwear nirvana. So I’m not advocating for all straight guys to immediately throw out all of their underwear and spend hundreds of dollars to replace it with Andrew Christian. Instead, I believe that every guy needs to start with one high-quality pair and go from there. I would aim for spending $20 on a popular brand like Calvin Klein, MeUndies, Under Armour, or Mack Weldon. There are very few guys new to the underwear world who could pick out a pair from one of these brands and not like it. While this may seem pricey, I’d rather spend $20 on a great pair that will last longer and make me look great compared to $2 on a pair with a waistband that wraps after one washing and isn’t form fitting at all.
Once you’ve realized what you’ve been missing, it’s time to start fixing that underwear drawer. Whenever you feel like you’re able, buy another pair of underwear and throw an old pair out. After a while, if you want to branch out, start looking at trunks and briefs. I’ve found that women like these styles the best because guys usually look best in them, particularly when they’re something beyond whitey tighties. Do some research on different brands and discover the one that’s right for you (UNB can help with that). If you’re a college guy on a budget like I am, it’s still possible to afford better undies. You can check out places like TJ Maxx, where there are usually upscale brands on sale, and CheapUndies, which offers daily deals on great brands.
Together, we can break loose from the chains of Hanes and Fruit of the Loom. Most of us would not wear ill-fitting, cheaply made, or drab clothing, so why would anyone do that with underwear? Guys, step your game up. Your girlfriend will thank you. Your package will thank you. And even your wallet will thank you in the long run.
