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228177_10151464640174744_864285407_nThe fourth week of the month means it’s time for boxer brief week on Underwear of the Week. The pair we chose this week was one with some color and fun waistband. That pair is the 2(X)ist No-Show Trunk. When we saw the the line, we knew that it had to be our underwear of the week. The colors are bright and fun! I think that when you love underwear like our readers, you don’t want anything boring. You want color, fun and not ordinary!

One thing that 2(x)ist is doing that I really like in the last few collections are the waistbands. They are not doing simple branded waistbands. They are using silicon imprints, colors and designs on the waistband. At times it seems like the waistband is most forgotten part of undies.

Reasons this pair is our Underwear of the Week!

  • Available in 5 Colors – Black, Pro Blue, Turquoise, White and Poppy Red
  • Made out of the (X)-Pel Wicking Fabric – 89% Nylon / 11% Spandex
  • Has the Original 2(X)ist contour pouch
  • Dual-printed logo waistband

Available on the 2(x)ist website for $28.00

 

 New Jockey, Olaf Benz and HOM + SALE STILL ON Dead Good Undies has some of the newest Jockey and Olaf Benz. Check out the new Jocky named after US cities.

Also the January clearance sale is going on as well, save up to 80% off

Shop at: http://www.deadgoodundies.com

 jan28-13-1 Check out another great pair from Andrew Christian. this time its the Vivid Fuse Brief for only $13.93.

Shop at: http://www.andrewchristian.com

 RMVday Ristefsky Macheda wants to celebrate Valentines Day with you by giving you free shipping Check out the new ranges!

Shop at: http://www.ristefskymacheda.com

 hero1-1 It’s not too late to take part in the 2(X)ist restock event “The joy of six” That is you buy six pairs and get 20% off your order and free shipping

Shop at: http://www.2xist.com

 Arb5-1.html.png One day left in the 20% off clothing! Check out the sales on rufskin and more!

Shop at: http://www.10percent.com

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This week’s Underwear of the week, we decided to so something that is a classic. The 2(x)ist Essential Thong is one that has been a staple in the 2(x)ist catalog. This is one of the first thongs I ever bought. It also is a thong I will always have in my collection.

Several things make it the classic it is. The first is the Y back, which made it the first thong with the back. Second it was one of the first thongs made by a main stream company. In the late 80’s/early 90’s there were boxers, bikinis and briefs and the beginnings of Boxer Briefs. Then thongs for men came onto the market, and for a big company like 2(x)ist it was a big deal at the time. Before that to get a men’s thong you would have to order them out of the back of a magazine or catalog (No there was no real internet at the time).

Here are our reasons for making it underwear of the week

  • A classic in the world of men’s underwear
  • Has the Y-Back design that makes it disappear under clothes
  • Made out of 100% cotton
  • Available in black and white

You can get this thong on the 2(x)ist website for $14.00

hero2(X)ist just released the new Love collection for 2013. With Valentines just around the corner it’s time to be thinking of what underwear you should wear on your date night! One reason to choose the new line is they are made in two signature silhouettes, the Contour Pouch Brief and the No-Show Trunk. One of the best things about the pair is the specially designed paisley waistband.

The pouch on the other hand is an contour pouch made to show off what you have! 2(X)ist says “this will make for one big celebration.” The colors available are red and black. The Contour Pouch Brief retails for $18 and the No Show Trunk retails for $24. Find these on on 2xist.com

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On the hunt for the perfect daily pair? Find your underwear match with our new, comprehensive guide to 2(X)IST’s Everyday Basics Underwear, exclusively at 2XIST.COM. From the pureness of the all-Cotton ESSENTIAL and PIMA Collections, to the active-readiness of STRETCH and TOUCH, there’s a comfortable option for every body, each starring 2(X)IST’s signature features for a superior fit. Visit 2XIST.COM now to survey 2(X)IST’s Everyday Basics Collections and Find Your Everyday Fit with 2(X)IST.

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When it comes to underwear, most well-endowed men feel slighted and disadvantaged by the choices they think they must settle on, and for the most part this is the product of the same concept that the majority of men, regardless of their penis size: They just don’t know enough about the options available to them in 2013.

I was like most of these well endowed men, wearing boxers and boxer briefs that were one to two sizes too big in the waist so my bulge wouldn’t cause the legs to fit too tightly (I am not going to even mention basic briefs and our problems with those). But once I discovered the innovation of a trunk with a contoured pouch, my quest for finding underwear that fit me and my endowment comfortably began to take shape.

There are few articles out there relating to us well-endowed portion of the population, and the most prominent one currently available offers good advice, but I don’t think it goes far enough. So I have decided to come up with the best advice I can think of, based on my three-plus years of searching for the kind of underwear meant for guys like us, using pictures from my own collection as well as brand suggestions to help you get into the right pairs.

Tip #1 – It’s The Pouch, Stupid…

If you’re well endowed, the largest problem you experience with run-of-the-mill brands is they aren’t designed to put your equipment anywhere. Just as a handgun needs a holster to be carried safely, we “showers” need a place to carry our dangerous weapon. This means, the only underwear you should be buying feature a pouch that is visible to the naked eye before you put your hands on them.

Sure, some “experts” would suggest making sure the size is right on any pair of underwear with a contoured pouch, but I view this as advice that discounts your ability to think. Just know this, if you are hung, you better be damn sure the underwear you’re looking at has a pouch before you look at whether or not they have your size.

Your Best Options and My Favorite Pouch

It’s 2013, and just about every designer offers at least a few designs that feature a contoured pouch but not all of them are great for men with larger packages, so if all else fails, consider the following designs from prominent labels in men’s underwear which I myself routinely employ:

2(x)ist TOUCH Ultra Contour Briefs or Trunks (Or any other “Ultra Contour” piece they offer), on 2xist.com some older designs are still available that feature even better pouches.

Andrew Christian Almost Naked, NanoFit, Color Vibe, Air Sculpt, Cool Flex, & Trophy Boy

C-IN2 Profile Briefs, Sport Briefs, Street Jocks or the Personal Fit Factor Shower Brief

Calvin Klein Steel Collection, Body Collection, X Collections

John Sievers All Collections

N2N Bodywear Peformance X, Air, & Freedom Collections

Obviously For Men All Collections

My underwear collection is over 150 pairs deep, and while I have my favorite pouch, I like many more than just one. My favorite pouch is the Andrew Christian “Anatomically Correct Pouch” which is featured most prominently in the label’s “Almost Naked” line. The Anatomically Correct Pouch is formed by two seams that will allow all of your endowment to fall into place  and hang naturally. To me, this is the best pouch for us well-hung guys, but obviously it is far from your only option.

Tip #2 – Expect but Accept “Sticker Shock”

All of the underwear best suited to the needs of men who are packing heat has one thing in common, they aren’t cheap. To create the best pouch for well-hung gentlemen, like the Anatomically Correct Pouch from Andrew Christian or brands that only feature this sort of pouch (John Sievers, Obviously For Men) you need human innovation as well as fabrics that are meant to stretch comfortably without stretching out, and those things are expensive.

You can expect to pay similar prices to the Calvin Kleins and Armanis of the world, not because of name brand recognition, but because of the use of Rayon and Modal fabrics. Briefs, Boxer Briefs and Trunks will run you anywhere from 16-30 depending on design and brand. More important than your expectation of seeing those prices is your acceptance that this is what you must pay to cloth your larger than average package on a daily basis.

But before we move on to the next big tip, let me give you two inside tips to get the best prices and value from your new, properly fitting undies:

1. Wait for sales. The best place to shop for men’s underwear is online. You can buy Calvin Klein Underwear at 25% off nearly year round online, and the biggest underwear websites (Freshpair, MensUnderwearStore) have routine sales on all their brands and clearance sales year-round.

2. Wash Separately, In Cold Water, and DO NOT DRY*.Unless you’re 12 and still can’t wipe properly, there should be no reason to wash your designer underwear in hot water. *Do not dry on anything higher than “medium” heat if you must dry at all. If you’ve got a normal 8-12 pair arsenal of Rayon/Modal underwear with the pouch made for men like us, know this: That fabric dries quickly when the underwear is laid out neatly, because the fabric is thin, constant wash-dry cycles shorten the lifespan of the fabric and the seams that attach it to the waistband. If you do this right, those $24 Obviously trunks will last you twice as long as the ill-fitting Hanes you wear now and thus you’ll have at worst spent about the same amount of money.

Tip #3 – Educate Yourself about Design, then Open Your Mind (Hint: I’ll help w/both)

Your education has been started with Tip #1. So, by now you unequivocally know that you shouldn’t be wearing any underwear that does not come specially designed in one of several ways to hold and support your large equipment comfortably. And of course the pouch is and always will remain the most important feature of any pair of underwear for men who are well-endowed. But a contoured or specially made pouch isn’t the only design element in men’s underwear that can be beneficial to those of us who require that extra room. It layman’s terms, not all pouches, are made with us in mind, are created equal. To get the best pouch for your boys, it may require you to open your mind about what underwear designs you need to try, I had to and did.

With very few exceptions (certain brands), if you’re well-endowed and searching for underwear that will give your boys the most room and do so in the most comfortable fashion, you need to be buying briefs, and once you’ve totally opened your mind, the skimpier they are, the more comfortable your package will be. Instead of wasting lines convincing you why you’ll appreciate the switch, I’d rather explain why briefs (and even skimpier options) are best for those of us well hung individuals.

Think about the appearance of the letter “U” both in lower and upper case, then think about what the pouch portion of a brief looks like. The larger the “u” or “U” shapes get, the larger the pouch becomes, and for well endowed men, we are best served by the biggest U possible. In underwear design this is achieved almost solely by the “cut” of the brief, chiefly the distance between the top of the leg opening and the top of the waistband. The larger the distance, the smaller the ‘u’ shape of the pouch, conversely, the smaller the distance, the larger the U. Here are two examples of this design concept from the same brand, 2xist: Example 1, Example 2. Now I could go on and on about this concept and how important it is for well-endowed men to remember when underwear shopping, but I won’t, I think you get it. I will only say that if you have accepted the concept, you may have your mind opened to trying jockstraps as something you can wear for a day’s length, and gasp, maybe even trying a thong! But because design concepts change a bit for jocks and thongs, I’ll devote a smaller article to those later.

Tip #4 – Lastly, Embrace Your “Gift” and Start Having a Sense of Humor about it.

You’ve made it! Congrats! So now that you know that A.) You don’t have to suffer through the rest of your life wearing underwear made for the 98%, and B.) you know enough to successfully explore your options, it’s time to embrace your “gift” and enjoy your new underwear. I am over three years removed from these discoveries, and throughout that time, I’ve learned to have a sense of humor about “my gift” if for no other reason than my underwear forced it upon me.

Most of the underwear that is either made for men with large packages or at least accommodates them, are going to end up showing your goods off. I remember when I got my first pair of Andrew Christian briefs in the mail and tried them on, and all I could do was laugh at my reflection in the mirror. And while I will contend to the death that at least I remain humble about the size of my package, as do most of us in the “well-endowed crowd” (pardon the silly rhyme), far too often, such ‘required humility’ is what is holding us back from wearing the underwear that is best suited to our needs.

So use this guide, and go get yourself some better fitting underwear. Your body will thank you!

NOTE: If you enjoyed this read more in our Endowed Series

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 Inner_r1_c1 Save 25-50% off during our clearance event!
Treat yourself to 25-50% off savings on select closeout and discontinued items during our After Christmas Clearance event.Shop at: http://www.skiviez.com
dec27-12-1 Coupon Details: Take17% OFF these items NOW. Must enter code 17HANGOVER12 at checkout. Coupon code MAY not work with Paypal or Google checkout. Please make sure there are no extra spaces before or after the coupon code. May not be combined with any other coupons or offers. While supplies last. Offer subject to change at anytime without notice. Offer expires: January 3, 2013 at 11:59pm PT.

Shop at:Andrew Christian

 12272012_topx-EM 2(X)ist wants you to show the top styles of 2012! Check out the many collections that were best sellers for 2(X)ist

Shop at: http://www.2xist.com

 SONY DSC Croota is giving you 20% off your order. “As our appreciation for your continuous support in 2012, we would like to offer all our customers 20% OFF on ALL our items.

Please visit  www.croota.com  or  www.croota.us  and use code CROOTA2013 when checking out to take advantage of this offer!”

shop at: http://www.croota.com

This post will be updated through out the day and night. So keep checking back and see the updates!

   JOCKSTRAP CENTRAL BLACK FRIDAY EVENT STARTS EARLY – 20% OFF STORE WIDEForget battling the lines for a deal – shop online! Jockstrap Central is having their biggest sale ever and it’s starting early. From Thursday at noon right until midnight (North American EST or Global GMT -5:00) on Friday, November 23rd they’re offering 20% off of all products.The best thing is you don’t have to be in the United States to take advantage of this shopping tradition, they ship worldwide!This sale is simple – no discount codes to remember, simply visit Jockstrap Central and you’ll find all their gear listed with it’s original price crossed off and the sale price listed. Just remember that during this short sale, no discount codes will be accepted – double dipping just isn’t cool!

Shop at: http://www.jockstrapcentral.com

   Designer Drawers is giving you 25% off your entire purchase from Nov 22-26th. SHH you didn’t hear it from us but from 6 AM CST – 8 AM CST they are giving you 40% offyour order. Get up early and shop!Shop at: http://www.designerdrawers.com
   Don’t miss out on MensUnderwearStore.com’s Biggest Sale of the Year!!Enjoy 25% off ALL 2(x)ist, Male Power, Grigio Perla, Clever, Cover Male, Pistol Pete, Skmpeez, Punto Blanco, Rated M by Mario Lopez, &Magic Silk. PLUS, 25% off tons of select styles from Diesel, C-IN2, Emporio Armani, & N2N Bodywear!Shop at: http://www.mensunderwearstore.com/shop/holiday-sale.html
  Erogenos is having a 25% off sale till Sunday Nov 25th! This is on all orders and Worldwide Free shipping!Shop at: http://www.erogenos.com
  Black Friday Sale! Start EarlyFor 5 days only, get 50% to 75% off everything at SKMPEEZ. International shipping available + Free Shipping for North American orders of $50 or more. Start Shopping!Shop at: http://www.skmpeez.com
  Buy 4 Pairs from Saxx and get one pair of Ultra Underwear and Free Shipping!Shop at: http://www.saxxunderwear.com
  Black Friday & Cyber MondayGifts with Purchase
Friday Nov. 23rd and Monday Nov. 26th we are having 2 – 1 day Sales that are offering 2 different Gifts with purchase
Visit our Online Store Both days to see our offerings.www.MckillopUnderwear.comHappy Thanksgiving to all of our American FriendsShop at: http://www.mckillopunderwear.com
Gregg Homme’s
Black Friday
BLACKOUTGregg Homme is giving Sexy Black this Holiday Season with a Black Friday BLACKOUT Sale.Exclusively for our Gregg Homme Men.Enter the promo code “BLACKOUT” at check out to receive  20% off on all BLACK underwear.Shop at: http://www.gregghomme.com
  Cocksox is having a pre-Xmas Sale. you get 10-30% off the entire range until Dec 9th, While supplies lastshop at: http://www.cocksox.com
   His Room is giving you 20% off Calvin Klein and Spanx. Check them both outShop at: http://www.hisroom.com
  10Percent.com is giving you 25% off site wide. Check out all the undies, active wear and other gifts!Shop at: http://www.10percent.com
   2(x)ist anyone? It’s a 25% off sale and you get it off everything site wide!Shop at: http://www.2xist.com
   If in NYC check out the Rufskin store and get 20% off your order!
   Wyzman is giving you 15% off all items and FREE Shipping on all orders!Shop at: http://www.wyzman.com
  This is it—our biggest sale ever!
We’ve got door busters starting at just $7 and have marked top brands at 25% off. These deals won’t last long, so put your order in today!2(x)ist Pima blowout—starting from $7
Good luck trying to find a pair of 2(x)ist cheaper anywhere else! We’ve got the Pima No-Show Brief and Pouch Brief at just $7, and the No-Show Trunk is just $9. That’s over 50% off the original retail price!All Kyle underwear is just $8
Trunk? Brief? Jock? Doesn’t matter! All Kyle underwear is 8 bucks for a limited time. Stock up today!All Skiviez underwear is just $10
The Skiviez Cotton Stretch Basics line is available in a dizzying array of color choices, but not price points: they’re all $10! Grab your favorite color before it’s gone.25% off 2(x)ist
We’re not done yet. The rest of 2(x)ist is 25% off for a limited time. 2(x)ist doesn’t go on sale often, so grab these deals while you can!25% off other brands, too
Save 25% off Papi, Clever, PPU, Pikante, and Rated M brand underwear during our super holiday event. It’s our biggest sale of the year, so enjoy it while you can!Give a Skiviez gift card—a perfect gift!
You’ve asked for ’em, so we built it—you can now give the gift of a Skiviez gift card. It’s perfect for when you want to get something for that special underwear fan in your life but aren’t sure of the size or color that they would like. Available in values from $25 to $500, gift cards ship free. It’s an attractive, plastic card that’s easy to carry in a wallet and it never expires. Buy a gift card today!Shop at: http://www.skiviez.com
  Dead Good Undies is giving you buy 2 get one free of HOM. Also check out the new ErogWear in stock. Check out their site for Xmas shipping info:shop at: http://www.deadgoodundies.com
   Deal By Ethan is giving you 15% off sitewide. Just use code thanksgiving15 at checkoutShop at: http://www.dealbyethan.com
   Black Friday Starts TodayWe appreciate your business.All remaining in-stock Wildmant Underwear and Swimwear is now 40% off at Mensuas.Shop for Wildmant at Mensuas and save today.

Shop at: http://www.mensuas.com

   Use code BLACK at WildmanT and get 25% off your order till Sunday!Shop at: http://www.wildmant.com
  Take an additional 20% OFF everything on AndrewChristian.com. Must enter code 20thanks12 at checkout. Coupon code does not work with Paypal or Google checkout. Please make sure there are no extra spaces before or after the coupon code. May not be combined with any other coupons or offers. While supplies last. Offer subject to change at anytime without notice. Excludes Underwear of the Month Club. Offer expires: November 27, 2012 at 11:59pm PTShop at Andrew Christian
  More than 1000  briefs, boxers, swimsuits, tops on sale for the next 24 hours.The clock is ticking and supplies are limitedShop at: http://www.audace.com
  Happy Holidays! From our team to your family.30% OFF Everything* enter promo code: THANKS12 at ABCunderwearGifts for the entire family, new boxers and loungewear just in time for Holiday giving! Now through Tuesday Nov. 27th, 2012

Shop at: http://www.abcunderwear.com

Wow! what could be better than a jump start on holiday gift buying? 3 days only, special offer from No Limits Underwear a BIG 30% off your total purchase, including items that are already on sale!  Includes a  BONUS gift for you, these 3 days only. Share this offer with your friends!30% Off
Click HERE to go to our store!
Offer Expires: Midnight Nov. 24th.
Use Coupon Code HOLIDAYShop at http://www.nolimitsunderwear.com
  C-IN is letting you pop into Friday! They are giving you 25% off all Collections!Shop at: http://www.c-in2.com
  UnderGear wants you to skip the lines and shop online! Save 20% off your order and get free shipping. Use Code U2VEShop at: http://www.undergear.com
  Male Basics is having a 25% off site wide sale! Just use code THANKS at check out.Shop at: http://www.malebasics.com
  Pacific Jock is having a 30-55% off sale This weekend. Save on some of your favorite brands!Shop at: http://www.pacificjock.com
  Baskit is having a Black Friday and Cyber Monday, 40% off everything including the new Active Collection.

Shop at: http://www.baskitwear.com

  International Jock is giving you 25%-50% off designer underwear sale.

Shop at: http://www.internationaljock.com

  Black Friday Sale at NuWear, 25% off sitewide. Just use code Blackfriday at checkout

Shop at: http://www.nuwear.com

  Timoteo is giving you free shipping anywhere in the wold on all order over $50

Shop at: http://www.timoteo.net.

I don’t have to tell most people in the U.S. that it is COLD! This year has been the year of Long Johns. Not the ones your father used to wear. But really fashionable ones that fit great and keep you warm. The 2(X)ist Tartan line is one that has the classic styling of long johns you know, but with a fun tartan waistband. I will say that these are a little on the tame side of the long johns spectrum. However, sometimes classic is a good thing!

The Tartan line is available in Black, White and Scotts Red in a 100% cotton blend. It also has a fully functional fly and cuffed leg bands. The retail on the 2(X)ist site is $34.00

2(X)IST Special Correspondent Daniel Garofali reports from The 2(X)IST Fashion Show 2013 in New York City, taking in the sights, sounds, and celebrities from this exciting evening of what’s next for 2(X)IST. Daniel checks in with host Jenny McCarthy, 2(X)IST Creative Director Jason Scarlatti, and 2(X)IST All-Star Models right before all the action hits the catwalk, plus more!

Winter is around the corner. I know certain parts of the US and Europe are already feeling the bite of winter. So, it’s time to start thinking of underwear to keep you warm. If you are like me Long Johns have always been something that you dread to wear. I say this because they never fit well and always felt like I was wearing another pair of pants under my jeans. My solution to this was to wear running tights as opposed to long johns.  While this is not ideal it fit better and kept me warm.

 

We now flash forward a few years and long johns have started to be fashionable. Companies are starting to pay attention to them and making them with a better fit and in colors/patterns. There are pairs you could easily wear as loungewear with out anyone knowing they were long Johns. Here are a few pairs to check out:

Mundo Unico – Do you want something that fits great but is classic in styling. Check out the Long John 96101101. They will keep their shape and keep you warm at the same time. Available in Black, Navy and White. Made from 93% cotton/7% Spandex. The pair retails for $45 on the Mundo Unico Store Site.

2(X)ist – Maybe you want just a little flair in your long johns, check out the Tartan Long Johns.  2(X)ist has almost traditional pair, I say traditional because it has a fly front. But the pair is not traditional because of the great tartan waistband. It is available in white and black, with a fly front. Made from 100% cotton. Available for $30 from the 2(X)ist website.

MaleBasics – If you want a performance pair of long johns then the MaleBasics Microfiber long johns are just the ticket.  These feature a “special uplift technology. Made out of 78% nylon and 12% spandex, so they will move with you through out the day or what ever activity you are going!  Colors Available are Black, and White and cost $42. Find these on the MaleBasics Site.

Narciso – Narciso maybe a company you may not know to well. They are based out of Argentina. Their take on underwear is very interesting. They call the long johns “Long Boxers.” These long boxers are full of stripes. It is ranges from subtle to wild! These are some long johns you wouldn’t mind the world seeing. Finding them maybe harder but Erogenos has a few pairs for $42.

Timoteo – We all know Timoteo makes really great undies, but did you know he just released new long johns in his Sport 2.0 collection?  These long johns have the Sport 2.0 waistband and a pouch in an accent color. The main colors are Black, White and Blue. Made out of 96% cotton and 4% spandex. Available online for $36

Frank Dandy – If you are looking for something WILD then you need to check out Frank Dandy. They have solid long johns but the ones to check out are the Cavalaras (skill and day of the dead looking), Jaguar animal print (on a solid orange background), and Comic Square (a quilt/patchwork pair in two colors). These are def  not your fathers long johns! These have to be seen! Made out of 95 % Combed Cotton / 5 % Elastane. Available online for $59.

These are only a few pairs of long johns. There are many more being released. If you have a favorite pair leave a comment here. We can’t cover them all but think one of these will be perfect for you!

Are you a fan of 2(X)ist underwear? If so check out the newest release from them, it’s call the Vivid line. The two styles shine in high gloss with a striking, colorblasted silicone-embossed waistband atop a solid-hued, boosting body.

  • Available in Contour Pouch Brief and the No-Show Trunk
  • Colors: Black, White, Victoria Blue and Hot Pink
  • Two-toned Silicone on Microfiber waistband with repeat 2(X)IST logo
  • Soft-Fle(X) Cotton: 90% Cotton / 10% Spandex

The Brief is $24 and the Trunk is $28 from 2(x)ist

If you read this blog then we know you love underwear. Wouldn’t you like to buy underwear and have some of the proceeds go to a  great cause? Well, 2(x)ist is doing just that with the Touch line! They are giving 15% off all the orders to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation supports Breast Cancer Research.

We got to talk a little to Jason Scarlatti about why they are giving back to the community:

“Our inspiration for the 2xist brand has always been a man who is sexy, masculine and confident – and there is nothing more sexy and that exudes confidence more than a man who is supportive for social causes.

Supporting the fight and education of breast cancer is common with female brands, but we wanted to offer men the opportunity to make a statement and show support. Earlier this year we had released the TOUCH collection, and during a weekly PR discussion we asked ourselves “what can we do to be a part of the fight against breast cancer.”  The answer was simple.  Our navy blue colorway, features a bright pink waistband.  It is a sexy and a candid way for men to show support.

There are 3 styles available for this offering. A no-show trunk, an Ultra-contoured pouch brief, and a no-show brief.  2(X)IST will contribute 15% of total sales of this program directly to The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.

We believe every little bit of effort, awareness and support counts and are eager to do more in the future.  Thank you so much for your interest and opportunity to talk more into this.  The items have been on sale for only one day, and we are seeing record high numbers. ”

Find these pairs only on the 2(x)ist website.

Some of you may be thinking, “What double standards?” and to you, I would respond that there is a common consensus about male underwear that perpetuates terrible stereotypes, curtails freedom of expression, and produces the feeling of forced conformity among most men.

Take for example, in 2011, Men’s Health Magazine issued an “Underwear Style Guide” which can still be found here. The outlet offers eight different links, one of which is, “What women think of your underwear” written by something called Sarah Miller. Among her musings that serve to perpetuate the double standard, as well as all of the terrible (implied or not) stereotypes mentioned above, here are some of the “lowlights”

  • Describing the perfect pair of men’s underwear according to her: “I’m cotton, I don’t have (patterns or statements), I’m clean, subtle, and preferably white or blue.”
  • “Women’s underwear is supposed to set off body parts to flattering, exciting effect. Men’s underwear—is supposed to keep hairy, sweating parts of your body from touching your clothing. Period.
  • “Don’t wear bikini underwear. Yes, the French president is getting it on with a major fox. This is no excuse to let their most unfortunate habits reach our shores. If you find yourself having any fun at all while you’re buying your underwear, you are buying the wrong underwear.
  • “Follow your underwear mantra: plainly styled, subtly patterned, clean.

Now Ms. Miller has routinely been criticized on “second-hand” news websites like Jezebel.com and I say, more power to them. What you might find shocking however, is that Ms. Miller’s “hard line” on a woman’s view of a guy’s choice in underwear is very much mainstream. If Miller’s comments aren’t revealing enough, Jason Scarlatti, the Creative Director at one of the industry’s biggest labels, 2(x)ist, has also noticed this terrible double standard. He cites the example: during last year’s launch of the 2(x)ist Valentine’s Day LOVE Collection hosts of a prominent morning show twice referred to a pair of basic, red briefs as “racy unmentionables.”

Now when I originally began writing this, I wanted these to be the two supporting examples of a problem just about all of us know exists, before delving into “why” it does, and in Part 2, how it might be fixed. But I can’t. It appears Men’s Health, (a magazine with a huge (and largely straight) subscribership, no less) didn’t want to stop at Ms. Miller’s musings as they have an entire website with various quizzes and lists that do nothing to distance themselves from the perpetuation, either-although not all of the content does this. I don’t want to say that I am against giving men the information they previously haven’t had when it comes to helping them make better decisions about their underwear choices. What I dislike is when, within those “helpful” lists, articles, etc., operate under the assumption that men must think a certain way when it comes to their underwear choices.

There are two main reasons why the American public views men’s underwear as “taboo” and why this notion (however poorly thought out it is) consequently, should be instructive to men when they are purchasing their underwear.

Let’s face it, the biggest reason the American public views men’s underwear as “taboo” is because it views the male sexual organ as one of the most taboo objects in the country’s cultural vernacular. Depending on your age, the penis is something that is comical, ugly, ‘gross’, inappropriate, or all of the above. So perhaps it shouldn’t be a shock then that most in hetero-America view the underwear that covers the penis, as equally comical, ugly, or inappropriate. This 1-to-1 relationship is “baked in” to our culture’s largely “Puritan” foundation, but this is where the double standard comes in.

Traditionally, we have been guided by our puritan sensibilities on all things once perceived to be taboo. Now it seems, our puritan sensibilities tell us that the only thing considered “taboo” is what men cover their still-taboo penises with. Disagree with me? Just take a look at the evolution of modern swimwear among the two sexes and you’ll see what I’m talking about. A man’s underwear and its proximity to his penis in the minds of our still-puritan-selves means it must therefore downplay the penis, and whether that is accomplished by style or color, we (apparently) shouldn’t care.

The second reason why the American public views men’s underwear as taboo is an extension or consequence of the first reason, and it’s an unfortunate one, at that. What I am referring of course, is the public’s reflex to commentate on the sexuality of the man who decides to do his own thing, and “have fun” shopping for his underwear. The linear thought process might go something like this:

  • Guy is wearing a contour brief/bikini brief/thong/jockstrap. –> He is probably gay. –>He is gay? –> Oh, then I’m not surprised/those look kind of good on him actually…

-OR-

  • Guy is wearing a contour brief/bikini brief/thong/jockstrap. –> He is probably gay. –> He’s not gay? –> Wait, you’re sure he’s not gay? He has to be gay. –> What the hell is he thinking, wearing those?

You see how prevalent this problem is? The prevailing wisdom when it comes to this one topic is one of rampant homophobia, which is only then curtailed if the guy wearing the non-conforming underwear has his homosexuality confirmed. But make no mistake. Whether you are gay or straight, the double standard applies to you, because if the average American woman (or straight man) The prevailing wisdom when it comes to this specific topic is colored with homophobia which were to walk into a gym locker room after you’ve just slipped on a pair of bikini or sport cut briefs with a contour pouch, you are going to be judged, no matter what you look like in them.

The double standard that men have to deal with when buying their underwear is likely not thought too much about, but for men who do, or at least want to buck the conventional wisdom with their choice of underwear, they have to do so while consciously knowing they could be ridiculed for their decision, and it’s a problem steeped in homophobia which has yet to be addressed on a large scale. I’m optimistic about this though, because as online shopping the easier it is for conforming men to expose themselves to underwear blogs like this one at the top of their Google searches, as well as the large online underwear stores that will expose them to the growing trend in men’s underwear, which is: No! You don’t have to conform!

 

In Part 2 to follow, I will discuss what I think might be some of the best solutions to the problems (double standards) I laid out in Part 1. 

I got the chance to meet up with Jason Scarlotti from 2(X)ist at Magic this year. He walked me through what is going to be new for 2(X)its this year. They have, as you would expect, a lot planned. One of my favorite things I saw is the new swimwear. They have taken patterns and such and are making stripes out of them. The pair in particular is made out of Fish! It’s one of the more creative things I’ve seen in a long time. It’s definitely something outside of the box.

This is list of what is coming this year. I don’t have pics for everything yet but you can guarantee that when it all comes out we will have Style Brief or write up about it.

  • Basics
    • Basic 100% are going to be offered in three packs, Will be available at Macy’s and Blomingdales,
    • Styles will be: no-show, contour pouch, new boxer brief, which has a fly
    • Tanks will come in 2 packs
    • Made in cotton/spandex
    • Available in black, red, white and black stripes
  • Speed collection
    • Made from a moisture wicking fabric
    • Has a printed elastic band that goes form one color to the next
    • Available in a jock , no-sho brief and trunk
    • Double printed waistband
    • 5 colors
    • Will be released in Spring
  • Sail
    • Designed with yarn dyed stripes for nautical
    • Has a pop of color on waistband
    • New brief called sculpted brief, has leg opening that tapers down (see picture at the side)
    • This makes it look like you are wearing a skinny brief
    • Available in a brief and no show trunk, and tank as well
  •  Cabana
    • To be released in May next year
    • BRIGHT waistbands with microfibre yarn dyed stripes with silicone 2xist logo
    • This line has really bright colors and also fun beachy stripes
  • Every two months they are adding in prints and patterns. Some of the patterns coming are:
    • Bandana blue and red
    • Navaho waist band
    • Tile print – all over with solid and solid with tile waist band
  • Touch collection
    • New colors for spring and adding a yack thong
    • Colors include, purple orange, red and green
  • Swimwear
    • Adding fun colors, nautical stripes with exposed elastic waistband
    • Prints in stripes with school of fish print Navy and White (see pic above for School of Fish)
    • Bandana – Similar to the print collection is being made into swim. It will feature bandana swim print
    • Nautical – with Nautical knots stripes. Available in bikini, trunk and boxer
    • Plaids – yarn dyed plaid. Available in a bikini and woven boxer
    • Herringbone pattern will be made in woven fabric, also in bright colors
      • Smaller in knits a compact herringbone
    • Gold – The gold underwear line is being made into a swimwear line.
      • New with cargo pockets and all gold accessories and gold waistband is in side
      • Available in a square and bikini

This is a lot but don’t worry as the year progresses we will update you when these are all out. We don’t have dates on everything yet or pictures. So stay turned