Guide to Mens Boxer Briefs and Trunks
The boxer brief style of mens underwear was influenced by the long johns worn by men in the Wild West. It is designed to cover a half to two thirds of the top leg or thigh with a body hugging fabric so that it offers full support. The boxer brief was modelled by Mark Wahlberg in the seminal advertising campaign by Calvin Klein featuring Kate Moss. Trunks have a similar design, except for a shorter leg.
Whilst briefs are elasticated around the legs, boxer briefs and trunks use the tension of the thigh to stay in place. This makes for a more comfortable pair of underwear as briefs can sometimes pinch around the groin. Trunks are even more popular than boxer briefs, appearing in most underwear ad campaigns. The shorter leg gives a more sexy and streamlined look, and offers enough freedom for a more energetic lifestyle. For many men briefs can be slightly too revealing, whilst trunks provide more fabric whilst offering a flattering cut. Read a full comparison of briefs, trunks, boxer briefs and boxer shorts.
Styles of Boxer Briefs and Trunks (brand comparison)
Trunks and boxer briefs are designed with a snug but comfortable fit, yet some styles can have a looser fitting fabric whilst others have a much tighter fabric (added lycra creates a tighter fit as opposed to 100% cotton). In addition some designer brands prefer a very small leg, and in some cases a cut away as opposed to a straight leg. The classic fly for mens underwear has been the keyhole fly due to its high level of convenience. It is very fashionable though to have a moulded fly due to its very flattering look, whilst boxer briefs lends itself very well to a button fly.
Trunks and Boxer Briefs from the Designer Brands
All the designer brands offer a wide choice in trunks (and boxer briefs to a lesser extent), providing you with many different styles and cuts to choose from.
Calvin Klein Underwear has a classic mens range called the 365 which includes boxer briefs and trunks that sit snugly on the waist with a keyhole fly. The Body Stretch and Pro Stretch trunks are tighter fitting than the 365, and have a shorter leg portion. The Steel Cotton range of mens underwear consists of a low rise trunk with an even shorter leg for a very sexy look. Their flexi fit range is slightly looser fitting and consists of a boxer brief with button fly.
Emporio Armani underwear offers trunks and boxer briefs in a choice of different flys for most of their different ranges. On the whole, their mens underwear has a closer fit than Calvin Klein. In addition, the leg on the trunks and boxer briefs has a slight cut away effect. The boxer brief has a much wider waistband than the trunk, with an oversized eagle logo.
D&G mens underwear offer snug fitting trunks but do not offer the longer boxer brief. The skin sensation trunk sits quite low on the waist and has a very short leg. Ted Baker offer a ribbed cotton boxer brief with button fly called the Cesar, as well as truinks with a moulded pouch. Duchamp, a premium mens accessories brand, have a range of vividly coloured boxer briefs with a button fly. |
