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Men's Undergarments Buying Guide

What better place to start when getting dressed than underpants  and undershirts Add some socks pajamas and possibly a robe  into the mix and you're all set to lounge, sleep, and do whatever your day may throw at you. Like everything else you wear, undergarments are a matter of personal taste, so wear what you feel best in. But do consider this, a men's undershirt  will protect that expensive (and possibly custom made) dress shirt and boxer briefs  will keep those expensive new grey flannel trousers  from having to be dry cleaned after every use.  It makes sense, doesn't it?  Read on about your choices in the underworld of fashion.

Sizing

We all know men have it easy with sizing--nothing complicated like women's clothes. Typically if you are a medium for one brand of shirt, you will be the same size for a different brand. See a few basic rules of measurement below.

  • Undershirts: For this item of clothing, you'll need to know your chest size to figure out if you're a small, medium, large, or extra large.
  • Underwear: Mostly sized by the waist in inches. If you know your pants size, you'll be fine when buying underwear.
  • Socks: Generally one size fits all. Occasionally dress socks will come in two sizes- S/M and L/XL. Buy according to your shoe size.

A Few Notes on Fabrics

  • Cotton:  Very comfortable for warm weather. It is natural, breathable, and can be woven in a variety of ways.
  • Flannel : Warm, soft and great for lounging. It's made from cotton, wool and/or synthetic fibers and frequently appears in plaid prints.
  • Spandex:  A tight and stretchy synthetic material. Lycra  is a popular brand of spandex. It's great for clothing that will hug your form. Synthetic fibers tend to trap odors and may not breathe as well as natural fabrics, but some clothing items, especially activewear is designed to help your body breathe.
  • Nylon : A durable and inexpensive synthetic that can be silky and form-fitting.
  • Silk:  Warm, luxurious, soft and often imitated. It stains when wet and is therefore not great for all undergarments. But if you want the silky feel, many synthetic silk-like garments can be gentle on your skin and your wallet.
  • Wool : Very warm, natural, breathable and variable in quality. Merino wool, especially when blended with cotton, can make a perfect cold weather garment. Cheap wool can be itchy and make you sweat.

Undergarment Styles

Boxer Shorts 

  • A roomy, classic style.
  • Preferred by the man who opts for freedom over support.
  • Not the best under dress pants Too much freedom isn't always a good thing.
  • Available in a wide variety of fabrics (silk cotton polyester etc.,) and prints (stripes bunnies etc.,)

Briefs 

  • Perfect for keeping everything under control.
  • A simple, well-fitting pair can make you feel good and look good.
  • Can be worn with loose pants and during active sports.
  • Best bet is 100% cotton. 

Boxer Briefs 

  • A perfect compromise for the modern man. This style provides a bit more coverage while still keeping everything in its place.
  • Widely thought to be the hottest kind of men's underwear.
  • Great anytime and for any body.
  • Mostly available in solid cotton colors.

Thongs 

  • For the truly confident and slightly kinky man.
  • No panty lines!
  • Some men find them uncomfortable.
  • Concerned about the implications of wearing a thong? GQ's Style Guy calms your fears.
  • Silk or cotton are the usual options.

Active Underwear 

Undershirt Styles

Tank Tops 

  • Comfy and pit-stain free.
  • May look cheap under translucent dress shirts.
  • Casual  enough to wear with bathingsuits  poolside.

V-Necks 

  • Great under shirts with a bit of a lower neckline.
  • Don't pair with a v-neck sweater otherwise it may show up through the shirt.

Crew Necks 

  • Perfect when you want to unbutton a button but not show your chest hair; great for layering
  • Make sure you always have a good amount of these on hand; the rattier shirts can be worn at home and the newer crew necks  can go under your button-down shirts.

Long Sleeve Undershirt 

  • Great for guys who work in cold climates  and harsh outdoor conditions.
  • These thin shirts are also good to use when working out  and can be utilized for layering.

Loungewear

Flannel Pajamas  and Robes 

  • Cozy, warm, classic and soft.
  • Any man can wear plaid pajamas  without feeling silly.
  • Your girlfriend or partner may steal these!

Silk Pajamas  and Robes 

  • For the confident man who wants to be swathed in good fabric.
  • Expensive and not machine washable.

Terrycloth Bathrobe 

  • A towel-like material will envelop you in post-shower comfort.
  • You may not want to put your suit on and go to work.

Satin Pajamas  and Robes 

  • Satin resists water better than silk and can make you feel like a king.
  • Unlike silk, synthetic satin can be thrown in the machine on the gentle cycle.

Socks

Dress 

  • Thin, high socks should match your dress pants and not your shoes.
  • Argyle  is a good way for you to get funky without taking too much of a fashion risk.
  • Skip the ankle socks and pick  mid calf  or full length

Tube 

  • Simple athletic socks.
  • Buy them in bulk and they'll always match.
  • The more padding, the more support.
  • A little added synthetic fiber will keep them in shape.

Ankle Length 

  • A truncated variation on the tube sock.
  • Many socks are designed to be no-show  so that they can't be seen when you are wearing sneakers.
  • A little more stylish than the tube--especially when wearing shorts.

Knee High 

  • For a fun, retro basketballer look.
  • Keeps your calves clean.
  • Important for soccer (need to have a place for those shin guards ) and baseball.

Speciality 

Related Guides

Special Sizes for Men's Clothing

Clothing

Workout Apparel for Men

Accessories

 

External Links


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