Holiday Gift Guide 2013

It's that time of year again; time to get everyone gifts.  I'm sure like me, you are all pressed for time. Well don't worry, we have an excellent holiday gift guide. So if you're looking to get that special man in your life some new underwear this holiday season, look no further. And hey, underwear is the gift that keeps on giving because you'll get to enjoy them on your man as well! 

Here's some of our favorite men's underwear options this holiday season:

KW: Strike Zone Briefs

Ken Wroy

Ken Wroy underwear is a new line hailing from New York. They just released some awesome new patterns that come in both brief and trunk designs. The fabrics they use are oh-so-comfy. And the fresh prints are sure to turn heads. 

MB: Hound Trunk

Male Basics

Male Basics is another great pick this holiday season. They have a great new geometric collection that plays off of traditional patterns (chevron, houndstooth, etc.) in bold new ways. There are a lot of styles to choose from.

Kiniki Berkeley Thong

Kiniki

Kiniki is not for the faint of heart. This sexy collection brings a lot of new prints updated for 2014. They specialize in skimpy, form-fitting cuts that are both body flattering and sexy. This brand makes some of my favorite thongs. 

M+R Woof brief

Marek + Richard

Marek + Richard has been a favorite of mine this past year. Their undies are just a lot of fun! The brand is very bold and playful. I especially love the Game Boyz and Woof collections. They have everything from modest styles that cover to bold styles that reveal. 

Mack Weldon brief

Mack Weldon

I recognize that some men are not as bold as I, and that's where Mack Weldon fits. They have awesome basics that are great for any man. I especially love their briefs; they fit well and keep me comfortable all day. They aren't my favorite in terms of appearance, but they are great basics. 

So there you have it! Hope this helps you in your search for new undies for your man this holiday season. Which ones will you be getting your man?

The Top Men's Undershirts for Winter 2013

It's getting to be that time of year again where we have to start layering to stay warm. An essential part of the layering process is your foundation layer. Now I'm not much of an undershirt guy, but when it gets to be cold out like it is now they are essential. Here are my top 3 picks for men's undershirts to keep you warm this winter.

RibbedTee

1. RibbedTee

I've mentioned this fantastic brand before.  RibbedTee is by far my favorite undershirt out there that I've tried. In fact, this is the undershirt that convinced me I should wear undershirts again. I'll even wear these shirts in the summer when I'm dressing up. What does it for me is the fabric, the ribbed fabric hugs your body perfectly without being restricting. And the length is perfect for tucking in and not pulling out. My favorite is the classic v-neck in grey. And the cost is unbeatable; get a 2-pack for $20. 

2. Mack Weldon

My second pick is a newcomer on the scene this year. Mack Weldon makes great basics for men, check out the Brief Boy's review of their briefs. Mack Weldon undershirts are super soft while being super thin and form-fitting, unlike a lot of undershirts that tend to be bulky and uncomfortable under clothing. They're a great length for tucking-in and a great overall fit. They are high-quality and durable. However, at $32 a pop they are a bit expensive for daily wear. I like the v-neck in white. 

UnderFit

3. UnderFit

This is another brand that has recently come to my attention. UnderFit undershirts come in both crew and v-neck designs. Currently they are only available in classic white. They are very lightweight and form fitting. I like the sleeve length on these as they are a little shorter than some of the other shirts I've tried (for example, Mack Weldon). At $25 a shirt they are a little more affordable; however, I feel that the fabric is not as high quality as that of Mack Weldon. That being said, they are a great basic choice and will last you well. My only complaint quality-wise is that the printed on tag wore off after washing. This is not really a functional problem, but just an indication of quality. 

So there you have it, these are my favorite undershirts for winter. What are your thoughts on wearing undershirts? What are your favorites?

Brief Boys Review Mack Weldon Brief

Mack Weldon Brief
Avg. $19.50 US

Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton review the Mack Weldon Brief, a pair of “smart underwear for smart guys.”

Mitchell: After I figured out how to get these on, I didn’t want to take them off.

Patton: There is that first step, though – they are kind of baffling when you first look at them. The trick is finding the little tab with the Weldon logo, right next to the fly. The W faces out. Otherwise, it’s really easy to put these on inside-out. I’ve worn them to the gym a couple times and feel a little sheepish, standing there trying to decipher my underwear.

M: I don’t think anybody minds.

P: I do.

M: Well, nobody else. But seriously, there’s really no other way you can go wrong with this brief. They’re one of the most comfortable pairs I’ve worn in years, and are very stylish. Mack Weldon pride themselves on their “fusion between old-school quality and modern day technology,” and they have every right.

P: Definitely. The fabric is a jersey made from cotton, Modal, and Lycra – an antimicrobial blend that’s incredibly soft and manages moisture extremely well. I normally wear them around the house, at the office, whatever, but I also wore them hiking once, and they’re not a bad substitute for higher-performing athletic briefs.

M: I agree. Also – you know I have a waistband thing – I’ve never encountered such a comfortable, nonintrusive waistband. Just the right amount of stretch without any of the usual scratchiness. The sizing label is printed on the fabric itself, on the outside. My only concern is that, over time, the waistband could warp and/or lose its elasticity.

P: I don’t know… they seem like they’re pretty well engineered. But only time will tell, I guess.

M: I’m not arguing that at all – these are very well made. I just, you know, wonder. Can a pair of underwear be perfect?

P: No pair is perfect, but these are pretty close. Mack Weldon put a lot of love into these briefs. They’re meticulously designed, extremely well-made, and – you can tell – will fit almost any guy. They even have a dart at the base of the crotch which gives a little more of a pouch shape than conventional fry-front briefs.

M: I did wonder what they’d come up with if they tried to make a brief with an actual structured pouch. With all the skill and energy that went into this pair, they might actually create the perfect pair of men’s briefs.

P: Only if they added a “this side out” label right across the butt, just to prevent confusion.

M: Until someone else wonders what “this side out” means…

P: All they have to do is ask.

 FIT /  Excellent
 COMFORT /  Good
 STYLE /  Excellent
 QUALITY /  Excellent
 VALUE /  Excellent

 BOTTOM LINE /  Superbly crafted with attention to detail you only get from master clothiers.

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.  

Mack Weldon Brings Back Basics - New Brand Profile

Mack Weldon is a new player in the game that's aiming to take the men's underwear world by storm.  Mack Weldon thinks it’s time to get back to basics with, well, basics. At a time when men have become a legitimate fashion consumer force, why are millions still settling for less when it comes to what they wear under all those well-tailored suits and name-brand jeans? It’s a question Brian Berger and Michael Isaacman have been contemplating for some time.  And their conclusion? The creation of Mack Weldon, an online men’s essentials line developed with fit and function at its core, featuring the fundamental pieces that compose the base of any outfit: undershirts, underwear and socks.

“Shopping for underwear is a necessary evil that typically requires going to a department store or mall. Once you are there, it gets worse – a sea of merchandise, loud, flashy colors and inconsistent product that never fits the same,” says Brian Berger, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mack Weldon. “As a brand, we want to deliver a superior, more convenient customer experience driven by great product and an online relationship.” While I don't agree that underwear shopping is an evil, I do agree that I want my underwear shopping to be painless and fun!  

The line is exactly what it aims to be, basic.  And that's definitely a good thing.  Mack Weldon aims to make basics that you can depend on.  With a specially formulated 18-hour jersey fabric, underwear and undershirts retain their shape after repeated wear and wash with a minimal amount of shrinkage. For such a basic line, I'm quite impressed with their color offerings.  Definitely worth checking out.  Also their website is just fun.  I've had the chance to try some Mack Weldon, so stay tuned for a review soon!