We spend a lot of time on this blog discussing what to wear and how to wear it but I wanted to take a step back and discuss what's underneath your clothes, or more specifically, your pants. Let's talk underwear, a lot of guys give little thought to their underwear even though it is worn everyday (or most days...). Instead they choose to continue to wear what they've always worn since childhood, tighty-whities or oversized boxers usually made from a low quality cotton. Underwear made of good quality are the foundation for your outfit or look. You'll feel drier, better supported and comfortable throughout the day leaving you to focus on the things that really matter like being awesome. There are a wide variety of quality brands that address your underwear needs, regardless of whether you prefer briefs, boxers, trunks, boxer briefs or some other style.
I researched the characteristics of the underwear I use for exercise and those same features can be applied to everyday wear. You want something that stays dry, breathable and comfortable. When looking for a good pair of underwear for everyday wear or exercise, you should look for something made with one or more of the following materials:
Polyester
Nylon
Rayon
Microfiber
Lightweight cotton
Micromodal
Spandex
Elastane
These fabrics provide the comfort and support you need to keep you focused on your daily activities. Some other things you should consider when shopping for underwear are:
Support - some brands have a pouch or the crotch is reinforced to keep your jewels stabilized throughout the day in order to reduce friction and the need for adjustments.
Moisture-wicking - this is the process of pushing wetness away from the body to the exterior of the fabric so it can evaporate, it is easier for the wetness to evaporate from the fabric than between your underwear and skin, this will ultimately keep you drier.
Odor elimination - as your body heat rises throughout your day, you'll want underwear that won't trap odors and leave you with swamp crotch.
Seamless - seams are uncomfortable, look for underwear that is constructed from one piece of fabric.
Form-fitting but not tight - this will allow your underwear to move with your body like a second skin and not ride up.
Breathable - your jewels will get air which will help it stay drier longer.
Quick drying - if your underwear do become damp man-made materials like those listed above will dry faster than cotton as cotton absorbs and takes longer to dry (lightweight cotton is an exception).
I know there are a ton of brands out there and the choices can be overwhelming, click on this link to identify a few brands to get you started: www.menshealth.com/style/the-best-mens-underwear.
In addition to wearing quality underwear, some other things you can do to look and feel your best include having a solid shower routine, trimming the hair around your jewels (hair traps moisture with leads to odor), and using a talcum powder to absorb moisture (talc that contains asbestos is not used in today's consumer products, source: American Cancer Society).
Lastly, quality underwear should be replaced about every 12 months or when you notice the bands aren't as snug as they used to be or the color starts to fade.
Comment below with your grooming tips or favorite underwear brands.
Stay stylish friends...