Men's Undergarments

Sure it may be fun to run around naked on occasion, but when you leave the house, it's probably a good idea to cover up. Underpants  and undershirts  are the perfect place to start when getting dressed. Add some socks,  pajamas,  and possibly a robe  into the mix and you're all set to lounge, sleep, and do whatever your day may throw at you. On second thought, you might want to leave the PJ's and robe at home and then go conquer the world.

Contents [Hide] 1 There Is Underwear Style? 2 Sizing 3 A Few Notes on Fabrics 4 Underpants 5 Undershirts 6 Pajamas and Robes 7 Socks 8 External Links

There Is Underwear Style?

Like everything else that applies to your naked body, undergarments are a matter of personal taste. And like all matters of personal taste, cultural forces often try to dictate what how you should look. Don't do it, man. Stand up for yourself and wear what you feel best in. Of course, if other people are going to be seeing you in these clothes, you can decide if you want to take their opinions into account. But if you have a significant other who keeps on buying you new clothes that look totally different from your old ones, maybe it's time to take a bit of a hint.

But do consider this, a men's undershirt  will protect that expensive (possibly custom made) dress shirt  and boxer briefs  will keep those expensive new grey flannel trousers  from having to be dry cleaned after every use.  It makes sense doesn't it?  Read on for our comments on your choices in the underworld of fashion.

Sizing

We all know men have it easy with clothing sizing--nothing complicated like bra sizing.

• Undershirts: When it comes to underwear you'll need to know your chest size to figure out if you're a small, medium, large, or extra large.
• Underwear: Mostly sized by the waist in inches. If you know your pants size you'll be fine when buying underwear.
• Socks: Generally ones size fits all. Occasionally dress socks will come in two sizes S/M and L/XL. Buy according to your shoe size.
• For Big & Tall men: Check out the Special Sizes for Men's Clothing for leads on where to find large underwear.

A Few Notes on Fabrics

• Cotton is very very comfortable for warm weather. It is natural, breathable, and can be woven in a variety of ways. Some very particular men find it a bit too rough against the skin.
• Flannel is warm, soft and great for lounging. It's made from cotton, wool and/or synthetic fibers and frequently appears in plaid prints.
• Spandex is a tight and stretchy synthetic material. Lycra is a popular brand of spandex. It's great for clothing that you want to hug your form. Synthetic fibers tend to trap odors and may not breathe as well as natural fabrics.
• Nylon is a durable and inexpensive synthetic. It can be silky and form-fitting. It does not breathe as well as natural fibers.
• Silk is warm, luxurious, soft and often imitated. It stains when wet and is therefore not great for all undergarments. But if you want the silky feel, many synthetic silk-like garments can be gentle on your skin and your wallet.
• Wool is very warm, natural, breathable and variable in quality. Merino wool, especially when blended with cotton, can make a perfect cold weather garment. Cheap wool can be itchy and make you sweat.

Underpants

Underpants Styles
Boxers  A roomy classic style. Preferred by the man who opts for freedom over support. Not the best under dress pants. Too much freedom isn't always a good thing. Available in a wide variety of fabrics (silk,  cotton,  etc.,) and prints (stripes,  bunnies,  etc.,)	Briefs  Perfect for keeping everything under control. A simple, well-fitting pair can really impress in bed. Best for under loose pants and during active sports (but for really active sports consider compression shorts or a jock strap ). Best bet is 100% cotton.	Boxer Briefs  A perfect compromise for the modern man. This style provides a bit more coverage while still keeping everything in its place. Widely thought to be the hottest kind of men's underwear. Great anytime and for any body. Mostly available in cotton solid colors.	Thongs  For the truly confident and slightly kinky. No panty lines! Some men find them uncomfortable. Concerned about the implications of wearing a thong? GQ's Style Guy calms your fears. Silk or cotton are the usual options.	Underwear for Sports Runners may want to buy running shorts  with a built in liner rather than wearing underwear.  For other active sports consider a jock strap.  Compression shorts  are the latest craze. They hold everything in snugly and are popular with professional athletes.

• Current trends towards no-fly  underwear can be less convenient during the day, but give you an alluring silhouette.
• Check out About.com's picks for the top 10 boxer shorts, top 6 briefs, and a general guide to what your underwear says about you, supposedly.

Undershirts

Undershirt options
Tank Tops  Comfy and pit-stain free. Look cheap under translucent dress shirts.	V-Necks  Great under shirts with a bit of a lower neckline. Don't pair with a v-neck sweater.	Crew Necks  Perfect when you want to unbutton a button but not show your chest hair.	Long Sleeve Undershirt  Great for guys who work in cold climates and outdoor conditions.

Pajamas and Robes

Loungewear
Flannel Pajamas  and Robes  Cozy, warm, classic and soft. Any man can wear plaid pajamas. Your girlfriend or partner may steal these!	Silk Pajamas  and Robes  For the confident man who is worth being swathed in good fabric. Expensive and not machine washable.	Terrycloth Bathrobe  A towel-like material will envelop you in post-shower comfort. You may not want to put your suit on and get to work.	Satin Pajamas  and Robes  Satin resists water better than silk  and makes you feel like a king. Unlike silk, synthetic satin can be thrown in the machine on gentle.

Socks

Options for Your Feet
Dress  Thin, high socks should match your dress pants, not your shoes. Argyle is a good way for you to get funky without too much fashion risk. Skip the ankle socks, and pick from mid calf or full length.	Tube  Simple athletic socks. Buy them in bulk and they'll always match. The more padding, the more support. A little added synthetic fiber will keep them in shape.	Ankle Length  A truncated variation on the tube sock. So your socks aren't poking out from your shoes. A little more stylish than the tube--especially when wearing shorts.	Knee High  For a fun, retro basketballer look. Keeps your calves clean. Important for soccer (need to have a place for those shin guards) and baseball. Not great for soccer dads who never actually get on the field.	Speciality  Synthetic fibers wick away sweat. There is a sock designed for every sport: running,  hiking  and skiing,  tennis  and basketball.  If you've got the cash these may be a good idea to prevent blisters and other injuries.

External Links

• GQ -- Style Guy answers all your questions about underwear.
• Love to Know -- How to buy men's underwear, if you didn't already know.