Men's underwear and men's lingerie: styles, sizes, and materials
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Briefs, boxer briefs, booty shorts, jockstraps or thongs: the styles mainly differ in coverage and fit. A commercial buying guide on sizing, material and care. Intended for adults.
Men's underwear is rarely bought consciously. Usually, it comes in multipacks, in the same size as last time, and only when the previous set is worn out. That works fine until you're looking for something different: a model that doesn't show under tight trousers, something for sportswear, or a set for a specific occasion. At that point, you'll encounter an assortment with terms that not everyone can distinguish. Below, you'll find what practically distinguishes the models, how sizing works, and what to look for in material and maintenance. This article is intended for adults considering a purchase.
An overview of the models
The difference between the models mainly lies in two things: how much they cover and where the fabric fits.
Briefs — high leg opening, fits at the hip. Little fabric, barely shows under trousers.
Boxer shorts — leg extends to the upper thigh. Prevents chafing between the legs; the classic choice for daily wear.
Booty short or body short — shorter than a boxer, higher cut at the back. Fits tighter and snug without legs.
Jockstrap — front panel with a waistband around the hips and two straps under the buttocks, without a back panel. Originally sports underwear.
Thong or G-string — minimal coverage, narrow strap at the back. The model with the least fabric.
Mankini — a one-piece suit with shoulder straps. In practice, almost always a gag gift, not wearable clothing.
Numbered or lettered sizes (S, M, L, XL). This is the system to pay attention to if the garment fits tightly and is worn for a longer period. The Pride underwear (€ 9.95) comes in medium, large, and extra large; the Amsterdam underwear (€ 14.95) in two sizes. For these types of items, it pays to measure your waist size in centimeters instead of relying on your trousers size — these two often differ for underwear.
One size. Works due to fabric stretch and is intended for a broad middle ground. Fine for novelty and party items; for something you wear all day, a true size is more comfortable. Products like the Stud Undies with fake flap (€ 14.95), the Elephant Undies with sound (€ 19.95), and the elephant men's brief in leopard print (€ 9.95) fall into this category: fun for a bachelor party or birthday, not intended as a replacement for your daily set.
Practical rule of thumb: if you're torn between two sizes and the model is tight (booty short, jockstrap, thong), choose the larger one. A waistband that's too tight will cut in, and you'll notice it within an hour.
Material: what to look for
The fabric composition determines how it wears, how quickly it dries, and how long it stays in good condition. What you'll encounter in practice:
Cotton or cotton blend — breathable and soft, but absorbs moisture and therefore dries slowly. Pleasant for daily use, less suitable under sportswear.
Polyester, nylon, and microfiber — thin, smooth, and quick-drying. These materials show less and retain their shape, but are less breathable than cotton.
Elastane (also known as spandex or lycra) — almost always present in small quantities, for stretch. More elastane means more stretch and a tighter fit.
Mesh and net fabric — airy and slightly translucent. Requires careful washing because it snags easily.
When choosing, consider what you'll be wearing it for. If you're sitting in an office all day, breathable material is more important than a smooth line. Sports or warm weather? Then quick-drying wins.
Washing and extending lifespan
Underwear almost always succumbs in the same way: the elastic waistband loses its stretch. This is rarely due to wear from wearing, but due to heat. A few habits that make a difference:
Wash at a low temperature and always follow the wash label in the garment itself — that takes precedence over any general tip.
Avoid the dryer for items with a lot of elastane. The waistband is the first thing to give out.
Use a laundry bag for mesh, net fabric, and anything with hooks or buckles, so it doesn't snag on zippers in the same wash.
Fabric softener degrades elastic fibers over time. It's better to skip it for stretch materials.
Hang flat or gently to dry instead of wringing it out.
For novelty and party items with print, appliques, or a sound module, also remember: first check if the component needs to be removed before washing.
How much to buy at once?
For daily use, a set of six to eight pieces in the same size is the point where you no longer have to think about laundry planning. If you're buying for a store or for resale, multipacks per size are more efficient than individual pieces: the men's body short underwear with 8 pieces in 2 colours and 4 sizes (€ 250.00) is such a package where you get a size distribution in one go.
Buying for a gift and don't know the size? Choose a one-size item or a gag gift. That's more honest than guessing a size that doesn't fit.
Brief overview
Situation
Model
Material
All day, office
Boxer shorts or briefs
Cotton with some elastane
Under tight trousers
Briefs or booty short
Microfiber
Sports or warm weather
Jockstrap or booty short
Polyester, quick-drying
Gift, size unknown
One size or gag gift
Not critical
Further reading
The range is available in the collections Men's Lingerie and Underwear & Boxers; the broader clothing category can be found under Clothing, Shoes & Accessories. Do you want to know which sizes of a specific item are in stock, or are you looking for a larger quantity for your store? Email info@verpakkingdeals.nl — we will gladly check the current stock per size for you.
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