Here’s the unfortunate truth: men, even the most fashion-savvy ones, tend to neglect what they wear under their trousers.
This is unfortunate, since not only does wearing proper underwear make guys look more attractive (yes, while most ladies might not voice it, they do care about what you wear under your clothes), it also offers certain health and hygiene benefits that definitely shouldn’t be overlooked.
In this article, we’ll be talking about the advantages (and certain disadvantages as well, since there’s nothing perfect in the world) of classic briefs.
This type of underwear has been a mainstay in men’s fashion – and for a good reason.
They might be simple, but they’re very functional, fit for the absolute majority of what you might be keeping in your closet, and yes – ladies love them (or, at the very least, they do prefer them over classic boxers).
But if you’re one of those guys who prefer going commando and needs more convincing to give up freedom in the pants, here are some major benefits of forgoing the habit and switching to wearing briefs.
Advantages of Wearing Briefs
1. They’re Good for Your Hygiene
This is for those of you who love going commando: wearing underwear as a whole is paramount for your health and hygiene. It prevents bacteria and infection from spreading, so those who wear underwear, have less reason to worry about the so-called “crotch-rot”.
Generally, wearing underwear made from natural breathable fibers is the best thing you can do for your buds down there – this type of underwear absorbs heat and moisture, keeping everything down there dry and as clean as possible, preventing the bacteria from spreading.
And – last but definitely not least – underwear does wonders to prevent chafing.
2. They Provide Good Support
Briefs are a type of short and snug underwear (and swimwear, if you’re interested!), with no extra material extending down your thighs.
This lack of extra fabric may put some doubt in your head about just how supportive of your nether region the briefs can be. I’ve literally heard a dude say he steers clear of them, because he’s not sure about their functionality, though he likes how they make him look.
Here’s the thing: it’s not the extra fabric down the thighs that guarantees good support, it’s the well-made crotch.
The often overlooked part of underwear shopping is that sizes actually matter. Your underwear should fit you right to support everything you’ve got down there.
If you buy a size too big – there will be no support, no matter which underwear you buy, not just briefs.
If you buy a size too little – you’ll be in discomfort no matter how you try to re-adjust it.
Choose your size well and you’ll see: the briefs will provide the support you need.
3. They’re Plain Comfortable
Briefs are designed to be as unnoticeable as possible. There’s no extra fabric to get caught anywhere while you’re wearing them. In fact – and this is why I’m such a drum banger for “choose the right size that fits well” rhetoric – when you put some time into finding the briefs that fit you, they should be like a second skin, you aren’t even supposed to know they’re there.
Briefs are also a good choice for fashionistas because they allow you to expand your wardrobe in a way boxers usually don’t.
They’re snug, tight, and unnoticeable under most types of clothing – so if you’ve been avoiding undergarments for fashion reasons, along with other types of underwear – here’s the blessing you’ve been looking for.
If not for anything else, wear briefs for the sake of your trousers – since they’ll ensure you won’t be sporting any sweat stains and wet spots at the most unfortunate of times. Really, it’s not just your junior that’s going to thank you for wearing briefs, it’s the rest of your wardrobe too.
4. The Variety is Mind-blowing
Briefs are one of, if not the, most popular type of men’s underwear out there – and that popularity comes with certain benefits of its own.
The variety of colors, fabrics, sizes, and styles is staggering. The companies know there’s a lot of competition out there so they do what they can to attract more customers.
For some, that means providing a cheaper option, for others – providing more quality and wider choice.
All you need is just a little time, and you’re bound to find something that’ll suit your tastes, no matter how indecisive you’re feeling and how picky you are.
Disadvantages of Briefs
As I’ve already mentioned above: there’s nothing perfect in the world. And neither are briefs. Wearing them does come with some disadvantages that may have you looking the other way. However, with the right choice, these disadvantages aren’t something that cannot be mitigated.
1. Might Not Offer Enough Breathability
Being tight and snug comes with some downsides along with the upsides of comfort: to provide that much-lauded support I was talking about earlier, briefs are usually made in a way that curbs the airflow.
This might lead to some discomfort, especially for those who’re only just trying their hand at wearing briefs. This is particularly noticeable when the briefs are made with synthetics such as nylon, polyester, or spandex.
2. You Might Get Rush
It’s not just breathability that could be faulty with briefs made out of synthetic fabrics. That trapped heat and moisture we talked about earlier (see #1) create a very friendly environment for the bacteria to spread.
The pelvic area tends to accumulate sweat, so ensuring your briefs will keep it dry and cool is paramount.
How to mitigate this? Choose briefs made from 100% natural breathable fabrics – either cotton or linen are fine.
Honestly, if you’re choosing to wear briefs made out of synthetic material, you might be better off going commando.
