Thonging, Obviously - A Review

The Obviously Geometric Thong is quickly becoming my favorite thong! While some guys may be hesitant to try thongs because of the idea of having a piece of string running up the crack, this thong is one I'd recommend for anyone, from novice thong wearer to the experienced thong connoisseur. I am proud to review this thong for you today.

This thong has a very "cool" design. It is bedecked with the a geometric pattern on the pouch. This particular design is made up of an array of colors, including gray, black, white, and a cool baby blue. Across the black waistband closer to the left hip, the brand's namesake "Obviously" is prominently but tastefully displayed in the same baby blue. The designer does a very good job of pulling the color scheme together in a cohesive and artistic manner throughout. The string of the thong is wider than some I've worn, so there's not as much discomfort as with some strings.

Obviously has created one of the most comfortable thongs I have encountered. The waistband is hardly noticeable, even after a long day; whereas many thongs have waistbands that are too tight and that leave an impression in the skin after just a few hours, this waistband is snug without being too tight. What is probably the thing that distinguishes this thong from any other I've worn is the pouch; while most thongs have a "barely there" pouch with hardly any fabric, this thong has a considerably roomier pouch, which Obviously calls an "anatomical pouch.". Usually, in my experience, when you get hard in a thong, there's no way to stay inside the pouch. But this pouch seems to expand as I do. The thong is made of a Modal/Lycra blended fabric, and I must say that it is super soft and has a nice "airy" feel. The fabric also wicks away sweat from the groin to keep things nice and dry. 

As far as price goes, this thong is a little on the pricey side. At roughly $25 a pair, this thong may not be for the novice who is unsure as to whether he wants to try thongs or not. However, as a more seasoned thong wearer, I can honestly say that I can see paying this much for a thong this comfortable and stylish. 

Overall, I give the Obviously Geometric Thong a 9 out of 10 based on the following categories:

Style = 10 (out of 10): very stylistic design with cool patterns and a good choice of colors

Fit = 10 (out of 10): anatomical pouch sets this thong above most others

Comfort = 10 (out of 10): very comfortable Modal/Lycra fabric blend

Value = 7 (out of 10): a bit on the pricey end, so not for the hesitant, but definitely worth the price for what you get

Get Inside Mario Lopez's Briefs - A Review

I'm sure that all of us have thought at some point in our lives "I wish I were Mario Lopez" or "I wish I looked like Mario Lopez." (Please, someone tell me that it's not just me who's wished these things!) I always recognized his good looks growing up watching "Saved by the Bell," but it wasn't until I was in college and saw the "are you staring at my ass" episode of "Nip/Tuck" that I began to fully appreciate the beauty of Mario Lopez. All of this rambling leads me to today's review of Mario Lopez's Rated M brand, specifically the Rated M Elementary Brief in black.

These briefs are quite comfortable. They are made out of a cotton blend (it includes modal and spandex). This blend works together to provide not only comfort but a nice, airy feel. The fabric helps to wick away sweat that might accumulate throughout the day, which is an added bonus.

The fit of these briefs is quite nice. They are some of the most well-fitting briefs that I have worn. They fit snug but not tight. They are a very classic brief in that they are very full in the rear and the sides; they are not a "low rise" style brief. These are the type of brief that I could wear to do most any activity - from desk work to gym time. They stay put throughout the day, so there is no need to worry about them bunching up or chafing/discomfort from unexpected shifting. The leg holes, a major downfall in a lot of briefs, keep their elasticity over time. It's also very nice to know that fabric wasn't spared to lessen the quality of the briefs - there is just enough fabric to cover what they need to cover without there being too much fabric to result in bunching up. These briefs help me to feign the confidence to say, in Lopez's words, "are you staring at my ass?" (Now, I don't think I have that great of an ass, but hey, a fella can dream right?)

As far as style goes, they are nothing that hasn't been done before. They are very simple and straight-forward with the only distinguishing factors being the logo printed along the waistband along with the slogan "For manful men and their very special guests." On this particular pair, the briefs are black and the logo, etc. are white. The piping is also black, so it just blends in, giving the briefs a solitary color throughout. There is an interesting fly on the briefs, but it seems to be more for stylistic purpose than for practicality; it isn't enough of a fly for an average-sized guy to utilize, let alone those who are more well-endowed.

These briefs retail for around $16. They can be found at Freshpair. This price is not entirely unreasonable for a brief that fits so well and holds up so well.

Overall, I give the Rated M briefs a score of 8 out of 10 based on the following:

Comfort: 10 out of 10 - great fabric blend; doesn't bunch

Fit: 9 out of 10

Style: 7 out of 10 - nothing to make this brief stick out from others; awkward/pointless fly

Value: 9 out of 10 - great price, though not necessarily justified since they don't really distinguish from other pairs

Life Brand Bikini Briefs Reviewed

Today I'll be reviewing a brand and style that I've worn for years. Life Brand's Bikini Briefs were the first pair of non-traditional briefs in my collection. I remember browsing through the underwear aisle at my local Walmart. (That's right, Walmart). This brand awakened me to the world of underwear outside of tighty whities and the high school mandatory boxers. Imagine my shock when I saw such little fabric in an underwear choice. Even after several years, I still wear these bikinis from time to time. They are made out of a very comfortable cotton. They are great for lounging around. I would not, however, recommend them for exercise or any sort of strenuous activity. They are very durable and hold up to wash after wash. I have had my pack of Life Bikini Briefs for around 5 years at this point, and they still look like they did the day I bought them.

Life Brand's Bikini Briefs come in a 5-pair pack.  They can be found on the men's underwear aisle in most (if not all) Walmart stores.  Each pack comes in an array of colors. (My pack came in blue, light blue, navy, orange/red, and white).

Perhaps the most notable feature of these bikinis is the affordability of them. You can get a 5-pair pack of Life Bikini Briefs for roughly $10. That's $10 for 5 pairs, not $10 per pair.  The affordability of these underwear is perfect for the person who is just beginning to explore the world of underwear. They don't put much of a dent in the wallet and allow for experimentation with underwear choice without breaking the bank.

As far as fit goes, I wish that Life would take a little more care in that area. Their sizes don't really seem to be true to typical sizes. They run quite tight, but going up a size would be too large. I am normally a size small or medium, depending on the brand/style/etc. These bikinis are quite interesting in that there is very little fabric in the front (not much of a forgiving pouch; it doesn't hide anything or leave anything to the imagination), but there seems to be an excess of fabric in the rear. As you can see from the picture, they tend to bunch up in the rear from time to time. Additionally, the strings can become too snug after wearing them continuously.

Overall, I give the Life Bikini Briefs an 8 based on the following criteria:
Price: 10 out of 10 - you can't beat 5 pairs for $10
Fit: 7 out of 10  - could benefit from more accurate sizing and fabric cut
Comfort: 7 out of 10 - need more of a pouch, bunches up, strings become snug

-GeorgiaDude @georgiadudemub

Georgia Dude Reviews Good Devil's Net Jockstrap

Georgia Dude in his Good Devil Mesh Jock.

Hello guys! It's been a while. Today I'm reviewing the Good Devil Net Jockstrap. Now, I must admit that I'm relatively new to the world of jockstraps; I didn't get my first pair until back in October/November. I've come to really enjoy them. Also, I must admit that I don't work out (like, ever), so I'm extremely thankful for high metabolism. Anyway, here you go...

Talk about scandalous! Good Devil has taken what is already a barely-there style and made it even more "airy," as it were. When I first received this pair in the mail, I admit I was quite taken aback. Even I, who enjoys the more scandalous of underwear selections, was hesitant to attempt this pair. But I have given them a try and must say that I don't mind them. Here's the breakdown:

Fit:  As far as fit goes, the Good Devil Net Jock fits just like any other jock. However, once you get past the jock-esque style, you will notice that the pouch is significantly smaller than most. In fact, the pouch has just enough space for "the boys" and nothing more. That's because this jock is definitely not meant to be worn as a protective piece but rather as a way to "spice things up."

Comfort:  This jockstrap is especially good for the man who likes the "barely there" feel. In fact, this jockstrap is the closest to commando I've ever been while still wearing underwear. It literally feels like I have nothing on. The mesh pouch makes it seem like my "boys" are just "hanging loose." (Forgive me for the cheesy word choices). And, of course, there's the typical jockstrap open back. The only negative thing I have to say is that the straps can become a little tight by the end of a long day, but nothing extremely uncomfortable.  

Style:  This is the first mesh material I've ever worn, so I can't say much as far as that goes. This jockstrap is available in four colors:  red, black, blue, and white. The Good Devil logo is displayed on the black waist band in the same color as the mesh material. 

Value:  This jockstrap goes for $21.00 on the Good Devil website. Personally, I can't see paying $21.00 for a garment of such little fabric.  If it were cheaper, say around $15, I would definitely put forth the money and buy more of them.

Overall, I give the Good Devil Jockstrap a score of 9 out of 10 based on the following criteria:  

Fit:  10/10 - nice "airy" feel

Comfort: 9/10 - only because the straps get a little tight by the end of the day

Style: 10/10 - vibrant color, simple design

Value: 8/10 

Out With the Old, in With the New

Today has been a productive day at my house: I have put together a shelf to store my DVDs that have remained in packing boxes since I moved to my house in July; I have almost completely taken down and stored away all of my Christmas decorations; I have cleaned my house; and most importantly I have organized my underwear drawer!

Drawer before organization

For those of you who have been following my posts since I began my internship, you will remember what my underwear drawer looked like back in October. For those of you who either haven't been following my posts or for those of you who can't remember what it  looked like, here is the picture that I took of it for your viewing pleasure. If you find yourself struggling to see an organizational pattern, don't fret. At this point, my underwear drawer organizational system was as follows: in the back left of the drawer are (I'm ashamed to say) the cheap Hanes/Fruit of the Loom briefs and boxer briefs; next to them, in the back right of the drawer, are the nicer, more desirable trunks; in the front left are the thongs, jocks, and bikinis; and lastly, in the front right, are the nicer briefs and some more trunks. While the system worked for me, I was still not completely happy with it. Especially after seeing how nice UMan's drawers are arranged, I began to question my system.  (For those of you who haven't seen his drawer, it's impressive!) Also, U<an continued to harp on the ridiculous amount of Hanes/Fruit of the Looms in the collection. 

Undies to throw out.

And that leads me to today. I've finally parted with (most of) those dreaded Hanes/Fruit of the Looms and am proud to show you my bag of them that I'm gladly parting with. There are approximately 20 pairs of briefs and boxer briefs in this bag. I was fully prepared to throw them away, until UMan suggested I try to sell them on Naughty Bids. So, for all of you who would like a piece of the Georgia Dude collection, let me know and I'll be sure to list them on there for you ;-). (My apologies for that shameless plug. But hey, I'm a recent graduate with an underwear obsession and credit cards and student loans to pay off. Every little bit helps!)

Over the holidays, I spent a majority of my time at my parents' house. That's right, a 20-something male spent his time off at his parents' house. (Obviously I'm single and have nothing going on in my life). During that time, I made several trips to Wal-Mart (the only form of entertainment in a small Georgia town). Ever the organizer (mixed with obsessive-compulsive tendencies), I ventured back to the home/office organizers section.  And that led me to the canvas boxes that have become such a popular tool in home organizing.  For only $1.97 a piece, I couldn't complain and knew I'd find a good use for them. Little did I know how good of a use I would find for them. In my time of unpacking from my visit home and cleaning the house of the Christmas decorations, I realized that the canvas boxes would fit perfectly in my dresser drawers, which led me to cleaning out and going through my clothes, especially the undies. 

Drawer after organization

So there you have it. I used 5 canvas totes for the underwear drawer (and 2 for my ties drawer and 1 for my dress socks and belts - as I said, very useful).  I have dedicated a canvas box for each style of underwear in my collection:  briefs; trunks; bikinis; thongs/jockstraps; and those few remaining Hanes that will only be used for camping and other outdoors activities where I would be concerned with ruining a good pair of undies. Who knows if this system will stick, especially as the collection grows and the canvas totes are no longer enough to contain it (a day that I welcome with open... pants?) 

I welcome any comments on my progress in my ongoing endeavor to have an impressive and brag-worthy collection and in my attempts at organization of one of my favorite things. And I hope that this post inspires some of you to clean out those drawers and get your life more organized. Happy 2013 everyone! Let's make this year one for the books!

~Georgia Dude (georgiadude.mub@gmail.com)

A Christmas Underwear Conundrum

A few weeks ago, I mentioned to UMan that I thought it would be cool for the staff of the blog to submit a picture of pieces of their underwear collection hung upon their Christmas tree. Apparently he thought I was joking, because when I sent the picture to him, he said, "Haha wow. You did do it! Post please!" So here I am, posting the picture of my "Underwear Tree" for your enjoyment. (I apologize for the picture not being the best quality. My good camera is out of commission, so my iPhone camera has to suffice for now). 

"The undies were hung on the tree with great care."

And in keeping with the Christmas theme, I would like to discuss the Christmas underwear gifting concept. We are, after all, in the season of giving. I, for one, find underwear gifting to be a very intimate situation. I wouldn't buy underwear for just anyone. Nor would I accept underwear from just anyone. It is highly likely that my association of underwear being an intimate is because it's one of the last things that separates us from being in our most vulnerable state. I mean, if I'm in a state of dress in anything less than my undies (naked), then I really trust the person who is with me. Not to mention, very few people even get to see me in my underwear, especially my more exotic pairs (the bikinis, jocks, and thongs, of course). 

For most of my life, my grandmother has given all of us underwear for Christmas. Normally, they are those tacky seasonal boxers from Old Navy or someplace similar. Now, I side with UMan on the boxers situation - I find them tacky and completely atrocious and furthermore will not wear them. Needless to say, my grandmother giving me the holiday boxers is far from the intimate underwear exchange that I have in my mind. So this year, I told her, "Please don't give me underwear this year. I'm way to picky with my underwear." 

Were I to do an underwear exchange, I would hope it would be with one of two groups: either a bud with whom I have shared the fact that I have an underwear obsession or a significant other in which case the underwear exchange could turn into something even more intimate and exciting. 

So what say you? What are the readers' perspectives on the underwear gifting conundrum? Also, feel free to post pictures of your "Underwear Trees." Oh, and if anyone cares to send me a Christmas underwear package, I like anything other than boxers ;-)

Review of Piado Briefs

Today I will be reviewing the Piado briefs. Many of you loyal followers may remember a giveaway that Men's Underwear Blog did about three years ago.  Well, fortunately for me, I was one of the lucky winners. I will be reviewing the exact same pair that I won through that giveaway. This is a special review for me because these very briefs are the ones that started my underwear collection. Now, I must admit, my underwear collection hasn't grown that quickly, but I'm hoping to improve that soon (and quickly).

The Piado line is unique in that it is a "green" underwear line. Their undies are 94% bamboo in their make-up, which makes them lighter and more "airy," enabling the boys to breathe. It also makes them lighter and gives them that "barely there" feeling. They call their collection the "Colors of Life" collection, and they design their undies with the inspiration of life, energy, and freedom. They seek to be an underwear company that "is earth conscious and works hard to do its share of preserving the Planet." They come in 4 color choices: red, orange, blue, and green.

The fit of the briefs is snug. Not overly tight, but definitely snug. They have a tendency to ride up and settle in the crack over the course of the day. (Honestly, I personally don't complain about that - I strangely enjoy that - but it might not "settle" well with others). The pouch is adequate for me, but as someone who is a grower and not a shower, pouch size is rarely an issue for me. These briefs hold up over the course of an 8+ hour day on one's feet, but they may not be the ideal underwear for all occasions. Something really nice about the briefs is that they have held up for 3+ years of washing and drying. They have held their color and their shape in that time despite continuous "normal" wear and regular machine washing and drying.

As with all designer underwear, the next question is that of price. After I received my free pair of the Piado briefs from the giveaway, the first thing I did was to look them up to see if I could somehow add some more of them to my collection. Because I was just starting off my collection, my uninformed mind was blown away by the price - $20 for a pair of briefs?!  Over time, I have come to realize that $20 is an average price for a designer pair of briefs.

So, keeping all that in mind, I give the Piado briefs a rating of 9 (out of 10) based on the following categories:
Style - 10 (out of 10): Bright, vibrant colors that don't fade in the wash
Comfort - 9 (out of 10):  Soft, unique bamboo fabric
Fit - 9 (out of 10):  Good fit, snug but not overly tight, tendency to ride up over the course of the day
Quality - 10 (out of 10):  They are very well made
Price - 9 (out of 10):  A little pricey for my budget, but not outrageously expensive

Review of Undz Briefs

A while back we asked you to submit applications to be MUB interns.  Today we bring you the first of our interns, Georgia Dude.  Here's what he has to say about himself in his own words "I’m 23 and a recent college graduate now living my life-long dream as a teacher. I teach high school English to the current generation of over-tested students. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve had a fascination with underwear. I determined long ago that when I got my first “real” job I would actually start building a real underwear collection. I’ve been a faithful MUB follower since I was in college. In fact, I even had the fortune once of winning a MUB contest where I won a pair of Piada briefs, which were my first pair of designer underwear. I’m extremely excited to come aboard the great staff at Men’s Underwear Blog!"  Please let us know what you think of his first review!  And stay tuned for more from our new interns! 

Canada is not often a name that we associate with quality underwear (or with underwear at all, for that matter). The Undz (pronounced undeez) brand is a relatively new name on the market. Earlier this year, in my never-ending quest for new and exciting underwear, I stumbled across this great brand of underwear. Founded in 2010 in Montreal, the Undz brand believes that “you shouldn't have to take out a loan in an effort to fulfill your trendy underwear collection desires.”

As a recent college graduate and new to the workforce with limited funds, I can completely appreciate this belief. The Undz brand comes in two styles – briefs and boxers, which are more like trunks. If you’re looking for a way to add some color to your underwear drawer, then Undz is a great choice for you. The brand has a variety of fun colors, ranging from plain white, black, and gray, to pink, green, blue, and purple in their more traditional styles. Recently, the brand has added the “fluffy soft waistband” model to its boxer/trunk selection, which comes in newer, more exciting colors than their traditional models. What’s more, the color holds after continuous wear and washing.

Harkening to their belief that quality underwear should be affordable, the price of this underwear ranges from just $5 for the classic briefs to $10 for the “fluffy soft waistband,” with other price options between. And for just $1.99 processing and $5.99 for shipping across the US and Canada regardless of order size, it’s affordable to shop this brand. As far as fit goes, the Undz brand is made really well. Don’t just take my word for it, though. I have a friend who is dedicated to the 2(x)ist brand; I urged him to order some of the Undz briefs, and he now is a firm believer in Undz and even compares them to the 2(x)ist briefs.

From personal experience, these underwear are great for extended wear. The brand seems to stay true to size; I am a small (28-30), and their small fits me perfectly. They fit snugly (but not constrictively) at the waist and have the perfect amount of fabric, so it’s not too tight nor does it have too much fabric where it would bind. The briefs do not appear to have much of a pouch. In fact, my friend who is dedicated to the 2Xist brand was hesitant to try them simply because they lack an obvious pouch. But as he has learned, there is adequate room in the briefs. The briefs are better than most for all-day comfort because they stay in place. Wherever they are in the morning, they will be there in the afternoon. And what’s better than a pair of underwear that doesn’t ride up over the course of the day?!

Overall, I give the Undz brand brief a 10 based on the following scale:

Fit – 10 (out of 10) Snug fit without being constrictive

Comfort – 10 (out of 10) Great for extended wear. No extra fabric, so they don’t bunch up. Smooth fabric blend helps repeal sweat. Ample room.

Style – 10 (out of 10) Distinct, simple, and clean look.

Quality – 10 (out of 10) Very well made.

Value – 10 (out of 10) Very affordable and will last for a while, so worth the investment.

-Georgia Dude

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