Temptation Tuesday: Boxers or Briefs?

The age old question. Let's talk men's underwear, shall we?

To fully understand the history of this battle, one must understand the history of the garment itself.

In 1925, Jacob Goloumb, founder of the 'Everlast' (sports equipment) designed a special loose-fitting leather short to be used by professional boxers. These shorts allowed greater leg movement, which if you are a boxer --you'd want to 'float like a butterfly;sting like a bee'-right?

As time--and underwear--wore on, manufacturers of mens undergarments introduced the jockey-style brief in the late 1930's. But issues beyond their tight-knit comfort began to um...arise.;)

Random studies indicated that the restrictive tightie-whities may create excessive high temperatures and restricted movement which in effect could cause lowering of sperm count. Uh-oh.

Further, there was some indication that consistent and undue genital pressure may have had something to do with testicular cancer risk. Though all of this remains unsubstantiated and simply theory, it was enough to spawn a new age for the "boxer!"

Since around World War II -- the popularity of the boxer came back due to its ease in movement and fabric content.

And so the battle of the boxer vs brief commenced.

 "Underoos" (knit brief) were introduced to appeal to the younger set of males with their cartoons and super-hero design.

For the older male, in recent years,boxers have made a comeback, utilizing patterns and design and well as the introduction of hip hop, which made baggy jeans and showing off your fancy boxers a sort of 'bling' to your butt thing.

I still don't get how that look is remotely comfortable!

Boxer's remain a  popular choice by many men and now, too, more women are reported to wear boxers to allow greater freedom of movement, greater air flow and style.

In recent years, as the popularity of men's undergarments surged forward to compete with the likes of Victoria's Secret (lingerie for women) and other like-minded  companies--designers such as Calvin Kline, Abercrombie & Fitch--even Hanes-- and Hilfiger made men's underwear a fashion statement to contend with.

 Introducing the latest--the boxer brief--a combination of the stylish free-form boxer and the knit comfort of a brief--this has recently become the underwear of choice for many men if you follow the sales. (Me? I kind of  go for the whole visual thing...)

Ads now run as many spots for mens undewear as do womens underwear. Male sports figures are featured predominately wearing their boxers or briefs of choice. *nice

No doubt about it...men's underwear has come onto the fashion scene with a vengence, just as it has with women's lingerie.

 And I have to say... I'm just as happy they have.

What about you? Are you a boxers or briefs kind of gal?

Or is commando your thing?

A.M.