PRIDE-ful Undies

Hello friends, as this month of June is LGBTQ+ pride month, and many of you readers are part of the community, what better time than to feature all the great pride underwear out there?

There's a few standards that have been creating and selling pride undies for a while now. Joe Snyder has been making and selling rainbow underwear for many years. They have long been a staple for pride underwear and are one of the classic go-tos for go-gos. 

Last year, our friends at American Eagle had a great pride collection that supported the Trevor Project. This year they have a similar collection, and while it doesn't include underwear, there are still some great rainbow pairs available (but they do not support the charity this year). Levi's also brought back their Pride collection this year, with a 2 pack of boxer briefs with a rainbow waistband that supports The Harvey Milk Foundation and the Stonewall Community Foundation. 

What I'm most excited for though is a couple newcomers to the Pride celebration this year, they are MeUndies and 2(x)ist supporting the True Colors Fund and The Trevor Project respectively. MeUndies is bringing pride with a rainbow camouflage pattern (pictured above) on boxers, trunks and boxer briefs all at $24. 

2(x)ist on the other hand is keeping it a little more understated with simple designs with rainbow waistbands and straps (below). They did create a fun rainbow star print as well; however, it is already sold out. 2(x)ist is also offering 25% off everything currently in celebration of Father's Day (but it also applies to the new pride collection). 

I'm sure there's more out there, let us know what we missed in the comments!

Labor Day Sale at International Jock

Save big this Labor Day weekend at International Jock. Lots of brands on sale Emporio Armani, 2(x)ist, Diesel, Intymen, and many more! Sale ends 9/2/14

International Jock's Father's Day Sale!

Treat Dad (or yourself!) to some new undies, a swimsuit, or even lounge wear during International Jock's Father's Day sale. All of Dad's favorites including top brands like Calvin Klein, 2(x)ist, Emporio Armani, C-IN2 and more are available now for a limited time at 25% off. During the sale you'll find EVERYTHING from these major brands at the best prices of the year. 

Every dad could use some fresh underwear or an amazing new bathing suit to get ready for some summer fun in the sun. Shop now for the best selection. At these prices, International Jock's incredible selection of men's underwear and men's swimwear are sure to go fast.

The Jockstrap

The Jockstrap

(jock·strap - noun - ˈjäkˌstrap)

"A support or protection for the male genitals, worn esp. by athletes."

And also an exceedingly fucking sexy undergarment choice. (This added definition has not yet been approved by Merriam-Webster.)

The jockstrap has come a long way since its inception in 1874 by the Bike Company (who still manufactures jockstraps to this very day)! Originally designed for bicyclists and, as stated above, largely worn for athletic purposes, we have since reaped the benefits of the growing popularity and selection of the "fashion jockstrap."

Click to enlarge.

Almost every major underwear designer now has a collection of jockstraps to choose from. And some exceptionally rad companies have been popping up in recent years putting extra emphasis on their jocks, such as the glory that is New York-based company Nasty Pig (which was also my nickname in college.... Okay, that's not true, but I wish it was).

I encourage every man, gay or straight, to own at least a few jockstraps. Straight men should be aware that there are a slew of women in the world who love seeing a man's ass in a jockstrap or a thong and will squeeze and slap it with more zeal than the gruffest rugby player after a victory.

Not only do they look hot, but they can also offer great support. They can bring that package you're undoubtedly so in love with front and center. I find that C-in2 and DT do the trick on this one magically well. And jockstraps can also offer a bit of lift to those cheeks of yours.

Click to enlarge.

Jockstraps are also a wonderful choice to make during the hotter times of year. It obviously allows for a lot more breathability. Especially if you get one that's made of mesh. Andrew Christian's mesh air jock with "show-it technology" is one I highly recommend (also because of the aforementioned package amplification).

Now, among the gay community, the sexual lure of the jockstrap is a bit more obvious. It's like putting a spotlight on the goal. Now, that being said, I've encountered a number of people who associate "jockstrap" with "bottom." Not true. Watch more porn (yes, I just said that to gay men as if I needed to). Jockstraps are sexy no matter what your preferences are. I frequently wear them and I'll leave my preferences completely to your imagination. ... You're welcome.

I love wearing jocks. Yes, I'm wearing one right now as I write this. Wearing a jockstrap out and about (especially to work or on interviews, etc.) makes me feel sexy, confident, and is like my little secret that I carry with me throughout the day. Although, that secret tends to be let out after enough Stoli.

Some superior designers, in my ever-so-humble opinion, to turn to when purchasing jockstraps: C-in2, Andrew Christian, DT, ES Collection, Timoteo, and Nasty Pig, among others.

So there you have it. The powerful forces behind the Men's Underwear Blog asked me to rant about jockstraps and I have done so. Now do yourself a favor, go buy one, look at your ass and package in a mirror, and thank me later.

Smooches, gentlemen, and thanks for reading! Love ya!

NY Times Talks about Shift in Underwear Ads

Watch this video from the New York times about a shift in men's underwear advertising.  They discuss a shift from the hyper-sexualized male ideal to a more relatable guy in underwear advertisements.  Have you noticed this shift?  I think I've definitely seen a change in some underwear advertising recently.  The ads are more quarky and fun and not as much about the sex.  But then again look at Andrew Christian; the sex is definitely still out there.  The truth is and always has been, sex sells.  So sure maybe some companies are switching up underwear ads, but does it work?   What sells you (or doesn't sell you) on underwear when you're shopping?  Let's get the conversation rolling boys.  

Not Your Grandpa's Long Johns

From left: Timoteo, Nasty Pig, 2(x)ist. 

With the snow falling down hard outside my window this morning, I thought what better day to pull out the long johns.  Long johns have really come a long way from what they used to be.  They're no longer the fugly, thermal white things that you're grandpa used to wear.  The long johns of today are stylish and you'll want to wear them.  They're form fitting and sleek, but still keep you warm thanks to performance fabrics.  So today I thought why not do a quick round up of some great long johns on the market this season.  Here they are:

• The Timoteo Sport 2.0 - comes in blue, white, and black.  This form fitting style has contrast stitching and pouch for an added flair.  They're sure to keep you warm as well as show off your assets with a rear seam and pouch stitching.  $36
• Nasty Pig - comes in red, black, and white.  These are a looser fit that is a throw-back to the older styles, but still style conscious and forward.  They have a snap fly for style (it doesn't open) that sure looks sexy and intriguing.  $39 at Jockstrap Central.  
• 2(x)ist Tartan long john - comes in black, white, and red.  This low-rise long john has a tailored fit down through the ankles, perfect to wear under your skinny jeans.  They have some style with the tartan waistband.  Functioning on pouch fly.  Normally $34, currently on sale for $25.50 from 2(x)ist.  

Functional Forms

Does form follow function? Or does function follow form? This is a question a lot of designers, engineers, and artists debate. Is it more important for something to be aesthetically pleasing, or for it to be supremely functional?

I think that we see a wide range of answers to this question in the underwear world. You have the posing straps, the barely-there items, or the new singlets with the seat cut out - all of which are about aesthetics and not function. (Alright, you might argue about the functionality of the ass-less singlet, but I'm not going there.) On the other hand, you have extremely utilitarian options, like your traditional tighty-whities, or - to take it one step further - the "union suit". Yes, I do own one, and yes, it is very warm and comfy when you have to work outside on frigid winter mornings in the Northland. And then there's the matter of full-cut boxer shorts, which are neither aesthetically pleasing nor functional, at least in my opinion.

Anyhow, right now I'm in my second pair of undies for the day. The first pair - grey cotton 2(x)ist trunks - was more toward the functional side, since I spent the morning driving and doing dirty work. Yes, I'm a country person, and yes, I do dirty jobs sometimes. When I'm doing such work, I choose undies that are comfortable and practical, and generally inexpensive, in case they get wrecked with animal byproduct. And when I'm driving long distances, regardless of whether I'm going to be doing hard work, I choose comfortable pairs. Because really, who wants to sit for hours and hours with a thong chafing in your crack while you drive?

The second pair, black CK hip briefs, is more aesthetically pleasing. It's not the most fancy pair I own, but it's one of my better everyday pairs. If I may say so, I clean up pretty good, and I like my undies to reflect that. Nice clothes should include nice undies.

If you were to look in my drawer, you would find a number of pairs in there for specific occasions/purposes. I have a pair of UnderArmour boxerjocks for race-day running. I have a gym-ready jockstrap from when I used to frequent the gym. I have a few pairs of cheaper undies for when I'm doing outside/dirty work. And I have a few pairs of "special occasion" undies (let the reader understand).

So... do you have specific pairs with specific duties? Are there times when you would wear one pair and definitely not others?

2(x)ist at GILT Today!

Today GILT launched their 2(x)ist sale.  You can get yourself some great new, colorful trunks and briefs from 2(x)ist for a fraction of the cost.  They're for sale in 3 packs from $29 (that's about $10 a pair).  The sale is on for the next 5 days, but act fast cause stock is usually limited, and popular sizes go fast.

What's GILT you say?  It's a members only online sale site.  Not a member?  Don't worry.  Sign up with our exclusive link to get instant access and a free account.  

2xist Colour 50% off Sale

For a limited time only, 2(x)ist brand is having a 50% off sale on its Colour line. Supplies are limited, and so is the sale. So head on over to 2(x)ist and get your colour on! (Oh, and keep in mind that 2xist offers free Standard Shipping to orders of $50 or more!)

-Georgia Dude

PS. Stay tuned for new posts from our sexy new contributor Georgia Dude

Bluefly now on The Daily Hookup!

Today I want to share with you a new sale, Blue Fly is now available at the Daily Hookup.  Blue Fly has a great selection of men's underwear right now, including undies from D&G and 2(x)ist.  And you can get it now at half off Blue Fly prices.  All you have to do is go over to The Daily Hookup and buy the deal.  Get $150 to spend at Blue Fly for only $75.  And you don't have to just buy undies, Blue Fly has lots of other great designer clothes for sale.  What have you got to lose?  Don't wait, the sale ends in 5 days!  Just thought I'd share the deal.

25% off 2(x)ist Athletic

25% Off ATHLETIC at 2xist.com. No code required, sale ends 9/16 at 11:59 p.m.

Tomorrow is National Underwear Day!

Hey guys.  Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of National Underwear Day brought to you by Freshpair.com.  What are you going to do to celebrate?  If you're in New York City you can head on over to their pop-up event at 315 West 57th Street.  You'll be able to get yourself some free undies from top brands and sponsors like Calvin Klein, Rated M, C-IN2, and 2(x)ist.  The event runs from 11am - 7 pm.  Can't stop by tomorrow?  They'll be doing it the next day as well.  That's right, National Underwear Day is so big this year it's actually going to be two days (August 22nd and 23rd)!  Check out the official website for more details.  And for those of you not in NYC, you can still celebrating with 25% off top brands at Freshpair.com.  Also be sure to wear your best pair tomorrow in celebration.  

What will you be doing for National Underwear Day this year?

It's Thong Season: Reasons To Wear a Thong

What lots of men don't realize is that one should diversify their underwear wardrobe.  Many men find a particular style or brand that they like and they stick with it.  But every type of underwear has it's time and it's place, including thongs for men.  

Now I'm not one of those guys that wears a thong every day (although there are guys like that - more on that later), but I do realize that thongs have a time and a place and I am not afraid to wear them.  Today I wore a thong, and that got me thinking about thongs and their place.  

Today wasn't going to be a thong day for me, but it ended up that way, and I'm glad it did.  I originally put on a pair of skimpy briefs (that I was planning on reviewing).  But then when I put my skinny jeans on, I realize there just wasn't space for the briefs - they were bunching up.  So with a bit of effort, I took off my jeans and briefs and grabbed a thong.  The jeans went on a lot smoother and fit better, no uncomfortable bunching.  Now of course not every guy has jeans as tight as I do, but this brings up a bigger point that you should tailor your underwear choice to work with the rest of your outfit.  Thus you should be willing to be a little versatile in what you wear.  

With hot summer days around the corner, thongs (and other skimpy undies) have the benefit of keeping you cooler due to their minimal coverage.  My thong came in handy today when I found myself out doing yard work.  I ended up hot and sweaty.  If I had kept the briefs they would've held all the sweat against my body, but the thong makes for a much more comfy experience in the heat.  They could also be useful for workouts for the same reasons.  

I have a friend that wears thongs on an almost daily basis.  And when he's not wearing thongs he's wearing something else that's skimpy, like a jockstrap.  He tells me he wears thongs because they make him feel hot and they're "crazy comfortable".  He also loves the support in the front and the air in the back.  I have to agree.  There is no other underwear for men that is as supportive and liberating as a thong.  

While thongs for men used to have a stigma in society, they have now become a lot more mainstream and acceptable.  Gone are the days when they were relegated to the realm of male strippers and could only be found in sex shops.  Now you can pick up men's thongs made by mainstream brands like Jockey, 2(x)ist, or Calvin Klein at stores like Target or Macy's.  So while I'm not suggesting you be like my friend and wear a thong every day, why not give them a try if you haven't already?  

Semi-Annual Clearance at Bare Necessities

Get up to 50% off at Bare Necessities semi-annual clearance sale.  Brands like Papi, New Balance, and 2(x)ist are included in the sale.  Check it out!

Perfect Package

Here's hoping you got the perfect Christmas package.

Michael Kors Launching New Men's Underwear Collection Soon

It seems that everyone who is anyone in fashion has to have an underwear at some point, it's like the sign that you've arrived.  Kind of like how it seems that ever celebrity and their mother has to launch a fragrance line.  Anyway, top American fashion designer Michael Kors, known mostly for his women's handbags, shoes, and of course his prominent role as judge on Project Runway, is now branching into the men's underwear world.  The collection is very basic and consists of briefs, boxer briefs, and boxer shorts as well as an assortment of different undershirts.  All the styles come in three colors: black, white, and powder blue.  Nothing very original or outside the box.  It seems that Kors is aiming to get in with the other department store staples like Calvin Klein, Hilfiger, and more recently 2(x)ist.  The question is will he be able to do it?  His new collection is very basic and far from innovative in my opinion.  I feel that the type of man he's marketing towards won't be so willing to branch out and try a new brand -- the guy who I think would buy his brand is certainly not an underwear connoisseur and thus probably has his brand that he sticks with year after year.  If I was in the market for basic underwear I certainly would branch out and try a brand new brand.  It will be interesting to see how Michael Kors fares against more established brands in the same category like Calvin Klein.  The line also comes in two and three packs, which gives you an idea of the target market.  The new collection is available for pre-order or Kors website for between $26 - $34.  It should be available in department stores like Nordstrom, Macy's and Bloomingdale's soon.  Below is a teaser commercial for the new line.

Smart Undies Shopper

I went on a huge shopping spree yesterday when I got back to school... I was in the mood to get some new undies. When I shop for undies I usually have a goal. The goal for me yesterday was to get some jockstraps. The jock that I already own is this 2(x)ist All Star jock in white. I really love the feel of jocks and think they will be great for the summer! Let me tell you I ended up ordering a ton of undies!

Now we all get those emails from the different underwear stores with different sales they are having. I feel like I get at least 2 emails from different places a day. It is so tempting to just keep buying undies every time you get an email. But the rule I follow is always wait till the item you want is on sale or get it if it is under $15.

In total I ended up getting 14 pairs of underwear for $94 including all the shipping. I looked at different stores and compared all their sales and got the best price! I ordered from a total of four stores and can't wait for everything to come! This is my last big order of stuff for the summer when I'm at home. So with a haul of 5 briefs, 1 sports brief, 3 trunks, 5 jocks I think I am all set for a few months!! Just remember, underwear sites have sales all the time, make sure you pounce on the ones that will get you the most undies for you buck!!

-Matty

The Only Boy In Briefs

Today we're pleased to welcome new poster Matty to the MUB team.  Here's his first regular post, he guest posted a couple weeks back here.  Let us know what you think!

Being a college student I know I am in the minority when I wear briefs. Most guys in college wear boxers or boxer briefs. I like when I wear briefs because it makes me feel so much more cute. Something about being different than everyone else makes it exciting. With warmer weather on the horizon, wearing the least amount of fabric also won't do any harm.

My favorite briefs are these 2(x)ist contrast fashion no show briefs. They have an amazing blue color that any guy would love! It is bright enough to brighten up your day. The comfort factor of these are off the charts. If I could, I would wear these briefs every day. They fit comfortably under jeans and then when you are home, they are great to lounge around in. When I go to bed I love to have everything in it's place so to speak. With these I can fall fast asleep in total comfort. It is safe to say I really love these briefs!

I have just started to get into briefs again and I plan on getting many more! At the moment 2(x)ist is my favorite brand, but who knows what great undies I will find next?

-Matty

2(x)ist at GILT today

Today marks yet another underwear sale at GILT.  This time from 2(x)ist.  While they often have sales of 2(x)ist, this time around they have a lot of great pairs for sale (not just basics like usual).  They have camo no-show briefs and trunks in three colors as well as sports briefs.  It looks like everything comes in a three-pack today for about $29-$35, which is a great deal considering normally it costs about that much for one pair.  If you aren't familiar, GILT is a membership only website, so if you don't yet have an account, you can sign up for one for free using our exclusive invitation link here.   The 2(x)ist sale is good until this Saturday (4/23) at midnight.  But you should act now as desirable pairs and sizes will sell out fast. 

Great Deals on 2(x)ist at GILT

Once again, 2(x)ist is available today on GILT.  If you're not familiar with the site, it's a place where you can get designer clothing for super discounted prices.  But you have to be a member to take advantage of the sales.  If you aren't already a member, it's free and you can sign up using my exclusive invite link (not just anyone can sign up, you need a link).  I happened to notice that they're selling 2(x)ist today and there are some pretty great deals.  Like a 3-pack of long johns for $36 (shown) or a 6-pack of no-show trunks for $36!  But you'll have to act quickly as things at GILT usually fly off the shelves.  Just thought I'd let you know.