What to Wear to the Gym?

Hey, it's me again. The least model-esque writer on this blog. But I'm back, and I'm still on my quest to lose my belly. I'll never be as rail-thin as UMan, but I don't have to be twice his size, either. Just an update - as of this week, I have lost 34lbs from when I started tracking last summer, and I am about to hit my first-stage goal. Now, if only I could wave a magic wand and make that stubborn, beastly muffin top disappear overnight...

Anywho... So we opened a new wellness center/workout facility in my little corner of nowheresville, and I've started working out a few times a week. My running pace is crummy compared to where I left off last fall, but it feels good to stretch my legs, even if it's just on the treadmill. I haven't worked with weights in years, so that's nice, too.

What that brings me to is this: What does an average joe wear to work out in? And specifically, what kind of underpants does one wear for running? I've asked UMan this, and he's one of those sickeningly thin people who doesn't have to work out, so that was a bust. So I'm going to talk about three pairs I have recently worn to the gym, and how they worked for me.

First is a Calvin Klein jockstrap. I have had this one for years, and it is the only "street" jock I own. It is mostly cotton, but it is wicked comfy (although it may not have enough room for someone as gifted as UMan). As far as workout wear goes, it does the job, and it didn't get all sweaty. I think I could like working out in jockstraps like this, if I had more of them. What do you gentlemen wear for running undies? Do you, O Reader, have any recommendations for running jocks that don't cost a fortune?

Second is a pair of UnderArmour 6" BoxerJock. These are entirely synthetic fabric, and they have a ventilated pouch. I like these, especially for running outdoors on a cool day. I wish they actually made my basket look like the guys in their ads, but I suspect I haven't got enough "padding" for that. I think I'd rather wear a jock more often than this pair, though.

Third is a pair I just got recently - a Jockey Sport H-fly trunk. The fabric makes the same claims as most athletic underwear - form-fitting, sweat-wicking, and so on. They feel nice, and I really like the way the H-fly pouch holds my bits, and makes my bulge look. They're good, but nothing super-spectacular in terms of workout wear.

So... What are your recommendations for undies for running? For gym wear?

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?  

Holiday Underwear Buying Guide

Buying underwear for someone is a very personal matter. Especially for guys, because (as much as I'd like to argue otherwise) they don't get new underwear all that often, so when they do it's important that it works for them and their body.  That being said, many guys have a strong preference for what style (boxers, briefs, trunks, etc) of underwear they wear.  Some don't care that much or may be happy with a number of different styles, but others care a lot.  So make sure you know your man well before buying.  Also, it is very important for you to make sure you know your man's size.  What he wears in pants may not be the same as his underwear, so make sure you check.  Also, snooping in his underwear drawer may not tell you the completely correct size as it's possible he may have some old undies lying around that no longer fit or never fit.  If you aren't going to ask him outright, make sure you look at a pair that you know fits him well.  It's important you get the right size because most places won't let you return it.

That being said, underwear is a great gift for the holidays and many people love to give and receive it!  So once you've figured out what style and size of underwear your man needs, there's still a whole lot to choose from.  I've broken it down for you based on the personality/type of man who might like to wear each pair.  Use this holiday underwear buying guide as a jumping off point for what to get your man.  While some of these undies may seem a little expensive to you, you're paying for quality so they're worth it.  

And finally, make sure you check shipping times and order early so it arrives in time!

 

For the Classic Man:

Ristefsky Macheda low-rise brief.

• This category is for the guy who likes to keep it simple.  He's not opposed to something with style, but he likes his comfort first.  
• Jockey has some great selections this holiday season for the man who likes to keep it simple.  The Jockey Classics briefs are simple and affordable.  And if your man's a little more adventurous you can get him them in some different colors.  I'm also loving the looks of the Jockey Echelon bikini brief.  Super modern and hip, but still classic and simple.  
• Another one of my new favorites in Ristefsky Macheda.  Their underwear is all about being simple and understated but still body conscious.  I really like some of the briefs they have for their retro flair.   I also love their low-rise brief (shown). 
• Another great option for the classic guy is /baskit/.  I would especially recommend (read my review) something from their Snugfit Seamless collection. 

For the Lover/Boyfriend: 

Embossment Boxer from Intymen.

• This is the category for that special someone in your life or just that guy who you know will love and appreciate some sexy undies.
• Some of my favorites are Good Devil and Intymen.  I personally love the Embossment boxer from Intymen (shown).  Once he's done unwrapping them you can unwrap him.  
• Another good option is Doreanse, a French brand that is newly available to the American market exclusively through Audace.   The name literally means "golden bay".  They have all sorts of sexy undies including my favorite Jungle Brief.  Stay tuned for an upcoming brand profile of Doreanse. EDIT 12/16/10: Doreanse is NOT a French brand, it is just a French name.  The brand is actually from Turkey. 
• Another great new-comer on the market is Croota.  They stock some super sexy bikinis (which are basically thongs) called second skin.   I'm also really digging their WW-III collection, which has military-inspired cargo pockets on the sides. 
• For the super daring and open guy, there's the new K'Mando brand of underwear.  This is just a pouch for his goods and nothing more.  They are quite comfy, but not for everyone. 

The Fun Guy:

Lick brand Check Brief.

• This category is for the guy who likes to have fun.  He's adventurous and not afraid to take risks.  That goes for his fashion choices as well.  He's daring and confident in his appearance.  There's a lot of great new styles out there for this guy.
• Grundies is a great new brand from Australia.  I especially like their aussie collection like the trunk with the Austrlia flag or the trunk with a cock (rooster) printed across the pouch. 
• Another great new brand is Lick, which has four collections: Leisure, Individual, Classic, and Kinky (thus their name Lick).  I personally really like the Individual collection, especially the Union brief and the Check brief (shown).   
• Stonemen has also just released some great new beach-inspired styles, a great way to feel like you're on a vacation this holiday season.  Read what I have to say about them here. 
• And another one of my favorites is Popduds.  These are screen-printed undies with original artworks on them.  You can read my review here.  

The Fashionable Man:

James Tudor retro boxer.

• This category is for the guy that's all about style.  He's all about refinement but also isn't afraid to have a little fun with his fashion choices.  
• James Tudor just released some great new retro-inspired undies.  I personally love this brand with all it's funky details like the fully functional button flies (great for easy access).  I'm particularly loving the new retro boxer (shown).    
• Another great brand for the stylish guy is 2eros.  They're underwear is all about refined style that is still very form flattering and original.  I really like the looks of their newest Icon 3 series. 
• And finally there's the habitual favorite aussieBum.  This brand offers a lot of great stuff.  Some fits into fashion, some is more fun.  All in all aussieBum is just a great brand.  But their stuff is very personal, so make sure you know your man well before buying. 

The Sporty Guy:

• This is for the guy who is athletic and likes to do sports.  He is very body conscious and keeps in good shape and is proud of it.
• My favorite underwear for working out is Equmen brand briefs because they support and wick well.  Check out my review here.   

Attention Chicagoans: Want to Play Dodgeball in Your Underwear?

In celebration of Jockey's new men's sport collection known as "Unordinary Underwear for Unordinary Athletes" and in observance of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Jockey is challenging all Chicagoans to play dodgeball in their underwear.  Jockey is hoping to break the world record for the largest dodgeball game.  To break this record they need 1,200 players to participate in this event on September 25th.  For each player that signs up, Jockey will donate $5 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation*.  And they're also gonna be giving away free undies!  So if you live in Chicago, get out there and go participate in this great event.  It's a great cause, and really who can pass up free boxerbriefs?  To find out more information, check out Jockey's Facebook page and RSVP at the Facebook Event.   

Jockey String Bikini Review

A few weeks ago I got a few new Jockey brand underwear so I'll be doing a few reviews in the coming weeks. My first review is for Jockey's Elance String Bikinis.

These undies are great from the start, not only are they affordable but they come in a great two pack which gives you even more bang for the buck. I'll admit for several years I haven't been a big fan of the string bikini/sport brief style underwear. The fabric on the butt seems to always ride up on the other brands I've tried. But the Jockey's were different, these never moved nor came out of place, instead staying perfectly in line. I have found that I like string bikinis for running and other activities when you're feeling a little more coverage than a jock. This style allows full leg movement, yet keeps everything in its proper place.

Speaking of staying in line, lets talk a bit about the construction of the strings. The strings start with a wide waist band that rides below the waist. The fabric that the strings are made of is a thick but breathable cotton, which has stood up great to repeated washings. They feature a lined front and a single layer back. The strings have a great construction that will last no matter what you do in them.

The overall look of the undies is superior to other brands I've had in the past. I like that these are thicker than others and have a very clean look to them. While string bikinis may not be as sexy as a nice g-string or jock, they certainly offer their fair share of sexiness. I would recommend these to athletic people, and really anyone who likes briefs but likes to spice it up a bit.

Overall, I give the Jockey Elance string bikinis a total score of 9 based on the following criteria:

FIT -- 9 (out of 10)

COMFORT -- 10 (out of 10)

STYLE -- 9 (out of 10)

QUALITY -- 9 (out of 10)

VALUE -- 9 (out of 10)

Jockey.com states:

Comfort meets modern design for a masterpiece combination worth trying. As soft as your favorite bed sheets, this string bikini feels irresistibly smooth against your skin. Minimum coverage front with full coverage back. Made for the daring man with the ultimate sense of style, this string bikini is sure to fit like a glove.

Jockey: Retro Collection

I just received this mailing from the folks over at Jockey, they have a brand new line of underwear with retro inspiration coming out on August 15.  But as a special for online customers only, you can get yours now!  Check it out now.  

Unzipped: Everyday Underwear

Hey guys! Its Chandler here. Today I'm here to talk about "Everyday Underwear." I mean the kind that is affordable and the kind that you have a drawer full of. For me I keep it simple. If you were to come up to me on most any given day and ask me what I'm wearing, there is a good chance I would say one of the following. Either the Elance bikini from Jockey, or the C9 white cotton trunks. You may ask why I stick with these two. I love the Elance because it is very thin, very small, and very comfortable. They come in a three pack which is great and can be found at most any department store. I think I normally pay $17.00 for the pack. Be on the lookout for a review for the Elance in the next few weeks. On to the C9's I love these trunks because not only do they look great, they've held their shape perfectly with a years worth of washing. Mine are white and have a wrapped waist band which gives them a great clean look. They are fly-less which to some is a downside, but you quickly get accustom to it, so it really isn't that bad. I got my trunks at Target, they come in a two pack and sell for around 9 dollars. So now that you know what I'm most often found wearing. What do you all wear? Do you change it up daily or like me do you have your regulars and save the rest for special occasions? Let me know, I always love to hear your feedback.

--By the way, for those of you who don't know what I look like, that is me in the pictures.--

Jockey Ad

I'm not sure when this Jockey ad is from, but I thought it was fun.

Jockey to sponsor Underwear Affair

Jockey International recently announced its sponsorship of City of Hope’s Underwear Affair, a 10k run/5k walk to support research for cancers below the waist. In partnership with City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, Jockey hopes to raise funds and awareness for prostate, colorectal, cervical, uterine and other “below the waist” cancers.

Dressed only in their underwear, thousands of people are expected to participate in the race on August 2, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.

Everything from shorts and t-shirts, to tank tops and Jockey undies are welcome at the event, but participants are encouraged to get creative and have some fun with their running or walking outfits. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding costumes and top fundraising efforts.
At the end of the course, all participants are invited to the EXPOsed after-party where participants can celebrate their efforts and boogie well into the night.

To learn more, visit www.uncoverthecure.org or call 323-822-CURE(2873).

Coming soon from Jockey...

Jockey has teamed up with Urban Outfitters (a popular, trendy clothing store that specializes in urban-style clothing) to bring you some new briefs. The briefs are retro '70s inspired and come in three packs. There are three different three packs with different color combinations. The three-packs are in corresponding colors with contrast banding and a comfort logo waistband, all packaged in the signature plastic tube. Stay tuned for a review.

Bare Necessities: 25% off Jockey

Although this sale lasts much longer than today (it goes until 1/1/08), you can still take advantage of 25% off select Jockey at Bare Necessities.

Seasonal Changes in the Pants

Well it is once again time for another installment of Unzipped, so give me a sec to get my pants off, and we can have some fun. This week I thought I'd show you what I'm wearing, so the above photos are of what I had on this week. Last week I told you all about the new Undies from aussieBum, and on Monday I got a pair of the orange ones, so you can see those. Later on this weekend I'm going to post a review about them...just a hint (I love them.) On Monday I wore a pair of Jockey Elance Bikinis, which are my favorite style of underwear. Those are the white ones in the pic. On Wednesday, I wore another pair of new aussieBum's which are pretty cool, and I'm pretty sure everyone who has seen me in them wants a pair. On Thursday, I wore the ball lifter from WildmanT which I'm working on a review for, these guys are pretty fun. They give great lift and are so comfortable. And well on Friday, as any decent man does, I went commando, 'cause who really wears underwear on Fridays anyways?

So my topic of discussion for this week is: Since fall has started I've noticed a lot of guys switching their underwear. From boxers to briefs or from commando to boxers, or if you're me, I switched from bikinis and jocks to boxer briefs. So what do you all do, do you like to change it up or keep it the same?

So as always let me know, what you're thinking, the responses to last week's post were great. Keep them coming. So I've gotta go put my pants back on, and remember to always "Rock Out, With Your Hard Cock Out!"

-Chandler

Jockey on sale at BareNecessities

The Jockey back to school event is not happening at BareNecessities.  Stock up for back to school with 25% off all Jockey brand products.  This offer ends 9/9/07, so there's plenty of time for you to shop.  And you may remember a review of Jockey that shows that Jockey is no longer the same "dad-brand" that it used to be.  So if you haven't tried Jockey in a while, or if you need some new ones to replace the old, now is an excellent time to do so.  

Unzipped

Hey guys, it's me Chandler. This is the first post in a series of weekly roundups that I'm going to try to do every Friday. The posts will be titled Unzipped. They are going to be about, well me (to be honest), stuff like what I'm wearing, brands that I'm digging, styles that I love, and just random underwear/swimwear/sportswear occurrences in my life. It's going to be a way for you, the reader, to get to know who I am, well a little about who I am. So here goes, and I wanna hear from you guys. You can tell me what to wear, and I might just wear it, and tell me what styles and brands that you're into, I'm here to be your muse, so let me amuse you! The title means exactly what it says, this is my unzipped letter to you...

Week One:
Currently Wearing: Nothing but my Jockey Elance Bikini Briefs and a smile

It has been a long week, and Friday is finally here. For some reason this week my N2N red swim briefs and I have become inseparable; I've worn these guys everywhere, and yes I do wash them nightly. If you haven't tried anything from N2N, let me be the first to tell you, "Dudes you're missing out". These things are uber-sexy and uber-low rise, after wearing these guys all day they have fallen to well below the top of my dick, how much sexier can you get? I really don't know. Okay, so its safe to say that N2N is my favorite underwear/swimwear brand, and if you ever get anything from there, you'll absolutely love it. So did you see the new David Beckham pics? I know you did since we posted the suckers on here a couple days ago. WOW those were some great pics, I just wanna get me a pair of those briefs he had on, then maybe I'll be able to bend it like Beckham. Well this week I found a great store offering some great brands at discount prices, if you're looking for basic 2(x)ist, Rips, Calvin Klein, or Ralph Lauren underwear, check out your local TJ Maxx stores, they have these brands at well below retail prices.
I'm gonna keep this installment of Unzipped pretty short since it's the first one, but first let me tell you about some of the posts I'm working on for the next two weeks. The first story is about tanlines, I know we all hate having them and I know I hate seeing a girl, or a guy with bad ones, so I've got my top picks for suits that will either leave you with great sexy tanlines or none at all. Another story I've got is "Designer Underwear, is it worth it and whats so special about it." And the one I'm looking most foward to, "Me and My First Thong," so I've never worn one, but I'm about to give one a try, who knows if I'll be a convert or not, let me know which brand you think I should try. I've also got a few swimwear and jock reveiws in the works, and a profile on the Marc Ouest collection. So see you guys next week.

And be sure to tell me if it was worth me leaving my pants "unzipped" for you guys.

Peace, Chandler

PS- The pic is of my N2N swim briefs, that I'm in love with.

Father's Day Sale at Bare Necessities

Bare Necessities is having a great father's day sale going on. They've been promoting it a lot on popular websites, so you may have already seen an ad for it. But here's the deal. They have 25% off on Calvin Klein, Jockey, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, 2(x)ist, C-IN2, DKNY, and Mansilk. And they aren't just a few select items from these lines, as far as I can tell pretty much everything that they have in stock from these brands is on sale. So that's a great deal. No matter what type of father you have, you'll be sure to find something that suits him at Bare Necessities. Go to this page on their site for easy navigation of the sale. I especially like their offerings from Calvin Klein (I really like this boxerbrief because of all the fun prints it comes in). So check it out. They also have a convenient place to find out what shipping method to use to have it arrive on time.

Designer Underwear

Why buy designer underwear? Why not just buy Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Jockey, and other such brands? That is the question that I am often asked. Well there are a lot of reason to buy things besides generic brands. First off there is the quality and comfort factor. You are more likely to get quality and lasting underwear if they don't come in a three-pack. But you do also have to keep in mind that not all expensive underwear is good quality (but in my experience, most of it is). Second, there is the sexy factor. Usually designer underwear tends to look more sexy because it is better fitting and just that whole designer label thing (but there are some people who are so sexy that they can make any underwear look sexy). But this last reason, is what I consider to be my most interesting and most sincere answer. In a country (the USA) where everything is run by money, many dream of owning expensive things, including designer clothing. The thing is, designer clothing can be quite expensive. But if you buy designer underwear you don't necessarily have to be rich to own it because usually underwear is the most inexpensive thing that a designer makes. Also, if someone sees a designer label on your waistband they will assume that you must be wearing all designer clothing. Because after all, not very many people wear designer underwear and Wal-Mart everything else.

Not your Father's Underwear

Since moving to California in 2001, I have taken noticed of a renaissance of sorts in Design. The revolution of Design has afflicted art, architecture, technology, and fashion. Modern art is seen in common Americana; SHAG. You can find SHAG putting a new fresh look to Pink Panther or see the 60's aesthetics back in vogue in your cocktails. You can read about ecology friendly pre-fab home designs in Dwell. What about modern home kitchens and baths, just check out HGTV. Even your phone is getting into the act with Apple iPhone. So, it's no surprise that underwear has taken a leap in its design and fashion senses. On the personal level, I've acquired a fashion sense that includes Prada, JP Todds, ETRO, and now aussieBum and C-IN2.

Underwear design (if you want to call it that) what used to be a novelty bent on the silly sexy bedroom frolicks, has become ever more forward. Just look at the latest products from aussieBum, C-IN2, Toot, as brands whose designs take into account advancements in prints, fabrics, form, and cut. Cotton mixed with synthetic fabric for stretch and comfort. Low-rise briefs, a perfect corollary to one's Banana Republic or J Crew jeans, are now as 'in' as they are worn 'under' your other designer wear. There are low-rise boxer shorts too to complement your low-rise Prada slacks. And what is this 'Sling' anyway by C-IN2, technology meets form and function is what. Well, you'll have to decide. For me, I have decided that this is an exciting and fascinating time for the vitalization of underwear. There is so much creative energy thrown into this space, evident by an explosion of new makers and designers. Even old traditional names like Fruit of the Loom, Jockey, are competing with the likes of coutour designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and D&G. Unimaginable ten years ago, I now have to decide what underwear to chose to go with my clothes and function for the day.

In post script I ask one final question. Do you still call it "Underwear?" Well, no longer. A new name has been bestowed upon this once hidden layer of clothing that keeps your good clothes from getting soiled. Fashionistas now call it "foundation garment" (as read in WallPaper issue). As the name suggests, underwear is no longer shamefully hidden, but proudly forms the foundation for all your other fashionable layers of clothing. We must all have a hip label for men's new modern Design products.

Not your old Jockeys

Greetings, fellow men’s underwear enthusiasts. As a personal friend of Uman, I, AndyUndy have been given the opportunity to serve as a guest critic for Men’s Underwear Blog, and generate some healthy difference of opinion. My latest acquired pair of skivvies is a trunk style from Jockey. I must commend the company on this since they have come a long way from the white-bread-briefs of our parents’ generation. These trunks/boxerbriefs (The fine line between the two in this case is compounded further by the length of your thighs and how you wear them) are on the whole quite good.

The most outstanding quality is the fabric blend: 86% polyamide / 12% spandex / 2% polypropylene. This may not mean much unless you’re a textiles engineer, but let me tell you it feels wonderful. The material has a great substance; it’s soft, breathable, and oh-so-stretchy! It is sure to retain its shape for years. The waistband and leg bands are incorporated into the material of the underwear. They are not merely elements sewn together. In addition, there are no side seams whatsoever. Therefore, the construction is practically flawless.

The fit by contrast is a bit surprising. These trunks have a strong tendency to rise up. (This is what I alluded above) Even the image on the product tag shows the waistline totally smothered. This fit is a bit dated given that “low rise” is all the rave these days. The leg bands have the same problem of not staying put. There is also no allowance made for one’s “naughty bits.” Many trunks have something of a pouch but these do not, and with all that polymer fabric, there isn’t going to be any give in the near future. I suppose the flip side to this is more support but that quality just isn’t working out in this case.

At the Jockey store this trunk came in two flavors; Indigo and fire engine red. The waistband and leg bands are adorned with an analogous tricolor stripe; a very nice touch. (Unfortunately I have not seen this feature on the website.) What is available online is just as nice though. The price is comparable to many of the more exclusive names on the market, which may or may not be justified. Personally I would not buy them at the suggested retail price. In closing I would like to say that the trunk’s strengths exceed its shortcomings. If you are very ..err… closely attached to trunks, these are a great fit for you.

MY RATING:
Overall, I give the Jockey Next to Nothing Boxer Brief (1156) a total score of 8.5 based on the following criteria:
FIT -- 6.5 (out of 10)
COMFORT -- 9 (out of 10)
STYLE -- 9 (out of 10)
QUALITY -- 10 (out of 10)
VALUE -- 8 (out of 10)

********** 8.5