If you haven't noticed, the world of men's underwear these days has become surprisingly complex, with more options to choose from than the paint section at Home Depot. You've got tighty-whiteys, boxers, hybrids, trunks, jocks, Supermans. And even if you've got your style game down to a science (and you're feeling comfortable), how do you even know if you're wearing the right pair of skivvies for your body? Could you be doing even better?
Yes, you could. A lot better. We called up Mark-Evan Blackman, the head of the menswear department at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, for his advice on the best underwear for any body type. Blackman based his decisions on two factors: which underwear will be the most comfortable for your body type (given the fit), and which underwear you'll simply look the best in. After all, clothes should give a man confidence, and the same applies to his drawers. And for more great style advice, check out the definitive style rules for men over 40.
Body Type: Medium Height and Weight
What to Buy: Boxer Briefs
Men of medium height and weight—all you mannequins out there—have the widest range of options. "They are the norm," says Blackman, "and the market is built for the norm." When it comes down to it, your choice is a matter of personality. "If that guy is wearing a brief, that's saying, ‘Look at all this.' If he's wearing a boxer, he's very much hiding his assets."
Blackman recommends the always-versatile boxer brief for getting the best of both worlds. They're comfortable, they're flattering, and they're not flashy in a way that suggests you're overcompensating for anything. But make no mistake: even if you're not super muscular, you're ready to wear something tighter than boxers.
Best Life pick!
Standard Boxer Brief, by Hugo Boss
$26; Buy now at amazon.com
Body Type: Thin and Tall
What to Buy: Knitted Boxers
"In many people's estimation, this is the ideal body type for fashion," says Blackman. The tall, thin man, the theory goes, can pull off any article of clothing of he wants. So if you're long and rangy like Adrien Brody, you can probably wear what you want. But Blackman recommends the knitted boxer. It offers a relaxed, comfortable fit, and the looser fabric will accentuate your thinner physique.
Don't confuse these with the woven boxer, however. Woven boxers are little more than pieces of flared fabric hanging between your skin and your clothing like drapes. (Yes, these are the same boxers your dad wears.) Ultimately, they're weak on comfort and even weaker on support. "Things flop around all day," says Blackman. "There's too much fabric." In short: if things heat up in your bedroom, you don't want to take off you pants and look like you're wearing a skirt underneath.
Best Life pick!
Cotton Sporty Knit Boxer, by Hanro
$70; Buy now at amazon.com
Body Type: Stocky and Short
What to buy: Briefs
Men of this build should definitely go for less. "Chances are you've got some musculature there," says Blackman, and that means showing off your bod. But hey: you worked damn hard for that body. You've earned those briefs, buddy.
Best Life pick!
Cotton Stretch Brief, by Tommy Hilfiger
From $21; Buy now at amazon.com
Body Type: Tall and Pudgy
What to Buy: Boxer Briefs
The key to looking your best is proportion. "If you're on the heavier side, if you have a longer leg, you should wear a boxer brief," says Blackman. It will tighten up the body, providing a more sleek silhouette for the wearer. Also: boxer briefs won't ride up on you like boxers do. We've all received—or dished out—enough wedgies for a lifetime.
Best Life pick!
Pima Cotton Boxer Brief, by 2(x)ist
From $14; Buy now at amazon.com
What to buy: Cotton Sport Boxer Brief by 2(x)ist
Body Type: Short and Pudgy
What to Buy: Briefs
If you have love handles and you're on the shorter side, you want as little coverage as possible. While a boxer brief will slim down someone taller, it will have the opposite effect on a much shorter guy—and bring to mind one of the most dreaded of adjectives of all: "round." Meanwhile, a brief will elongate the body and solve that problem. Bonus: you're also avoiding all of that uncomfortable bunching that comes from a boxer.
Best Life pick!
Men's Air FX Micro Hip Brief, by Calvin Klein
From $13; Buy now at amazon.com
Body Type: Ultra Skinny
What to Buy: Nothing. Go Commando.
If you're the type of guy who makes men like Iggy Pop and David Bowie look obese, well, kudos. "I don't think anyone wants to see that body type in underwear. Period," says Blackman. Rock star sex appeal demands as little coverage as possible.
So, if you were to wear a pair, he recommends the tiniest pair of briefs, to keep the proportion in sync with the body.
Best Life pick!
Enhance Brief, by Cocksox
$25; Buy now at amazon.com
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