Figleaves.com challenged TheChicGeek to wear seven different types of underwear over a week and report back his findings.
Underwear is a very personal thing, it’s interesting how something so small can have such a big impact on your appearance. The choice of underwear can make a dramatic difference to how attractive you are to somebody else and how you feel about yourself.
I don’t think we fully experiment enough as men before we settle on the type we think we like. The choice used to be whether to wear pants or boxer shorts, now there are so many more types and styles to choose from. You can get underwear that changes your shape and enhances your assets.
A recent survey from department store Debenhams had some sorry findings, it suggested that throughout their childhood and teenage years boys rely on their mothers to pick out their underwear. After a brief period of independence between the ages of 19 and 36 when men chose their own boxers or briefs, they then settle down and hand over the responsibilities to their girlfriends or wives. From then on, they are strangers to underwear departments. According to the report, men buy pants for a mere 17 years of their lives. Come on guys, we can do better than this.
During the Figleaves.com challenge, I decided to be very scientific, I pulled the boxes out the bag without knowing which one I was getting so I didn’t pick a type to suit what I was doing that day.
Here is my diary for the week:
Day One - Control
Description - Black Equmen - £32
Verdict - Suck it all in boys. When you first put these babies on it’s a bit like wearing cycling shorts. These are designed to contour any bulges and to hold you in shape. There is no room for movement but these feel comfortable and supportive without being too tight. They are quite nondescript, if somebody saw these on the bedroom floor they wouldn’t know what they were and you hopefully shouldn’t be sued by the trade descriptions act for being a secret fatty. It did a nice little bit of bottom lift and makes you feel firmer like you’ve been to the gym.The material could be a little more breathable though.
Read - TheChicGeek Feature - Control Freak - Shapewear for Men Click Here
Day Two - Trunk
Description - Figleaves Basics White Trunk - Pack of three £18
Verdict - Aside from the sexual side of underwear. I’m in the school of thought that you only wear underwear to keep your trousers from getting dirty. Trunks are extremely popular but I don’t see the point of so much material, just more washing and expense. Being slim they also look out of proportion but do look good on certain large body types and have become a modern classic.
Day Three - Silk
Description - Mansilk - £25
Verdict - The label states “Always wear underwear”, okay mum! First problem, even before I’ve put them on, “Dry Clean or hand wash with cold water, line dry”. This is a dated idea of sexy; mirrored ceilings and pink champagne on ice. Cute pattern on them with martini glasses and olives on a stick design. Very Playboy mansion, might add a bit of spice but not for everyday consumption - especially with the care instructions.
Day Four - Underpants/Slip/Brief
Description - Calvin Klein 365 Colourful pants - £15
Verdict - These are a classic pair of pants. Always comfortable, I like this style as you know where you are at all times. These are particularly colourful which is a contemporary style in this type of underwear and shows your playful side. They are fun.
The problem with coloured underwear like this is that it fades quicker and looks older faster than traditional white underwear.
This is the most youthful and attractive underwear on a slim body type, this is the hipster style as promoted by all the creatined gods of the underwear business such as David Gandy and David Beckham. One warning, be careful, these on an older guy can look a bit muttony.
Day Five - Thong - £10
Description - Black HOM Casual Thong
Verdict - Please, please, please don’t let me be run over today. Initial impressions- it’s tiny, this really is dental floss. This would not look attractive on anybody and was a relief to get off. It left those marks where they have been cutting into you, you could even see the stitching on your skin. This is the fetishistic side of underwear, certain men enjoy these for the feeling it gives while wearing. Men do not need to worry about visible panty lines in the same way women do.
Day Six - Boxer - £22
Description - Tommy Hilfiger checked boxer short.
Verdict - Very preppy, I feel like I should be standing half naked folding something in the dark in Abercrombie & Fitch. Felt like a skateboarder because they sit quite high above the waistband. They are comfortable but offer no level of support. It is interesting how women’s underwear is sold by sizing that takes into account what goes into them, men are presumed to be the same size and shape down there which just isn’t true. Our sizings go strictly on waist size, some men need more support than others (not going into too much detail!) and without that support it can be damaging.
Day Seven - Enhanced - £16
Description - HOM Black Addict enhancement pants.
Verdict - Looked like a black Venetian mask so no problem if I ever had a wardrobe malfunction on the Rialto. Resembled Mr Punch who lost the sausages. I could have had somebody’s eye out! Semi-thong like at the back with only half of my butt checks covered so you keep trying to pull them down, quite annoying. Also made from that slightly shiny, almost a bit creepy synthetic material. Can’t really see the point unless you’re wearing jogging bottoms or shorts and want that Alpha-male-in-my-pants look. Bring back the cod piece!!!
Conclusion - We are always going to be negative initially to something we are not used to. It was interesting to try the different types, but it is also worth mentioning that within those types there are different styles, colours and materials. It also made me think about the two sides of underwear, what we we wear for ourselves and what we wear for other people. It hasn’t made me reassess my knicker drawer but it has made me more confident in my choice.
Read TheChicGeek's How to Wear Underwear - Click here