Halloween at BodyAware

Hello friends, Halloween is almost upon us. Halloween, the time when it's okay to run around in just your undies and call it a costume. If your costume this year doesn't involve you stripping down, you might want to consider wearing some fun Halloween-themed undies underneath. Our friends at BodyAware have two awesome options this year: their Pumpkin patch brief (also comes in a jock style) and their sparkly trick-or-treat thong (comes in a brief as well). 

Both of these styles will make awesome additions to your holiday garb. I mean seriously, who can resist those adorable pumpkins with witch hats? They'll make a great addition to your trick-or-treat get up. BOO!

New Elite Sport Collection from Garçon Model

Our friends at Garçon Model have recently launched a new collection entitled Elite Sport. The collection contains briefs and trunks in a more muted palette than the brightly-colored hues that the brand has become known for. The waistband has also received an update with a sportier branding. We're really digging the new look.

Elite Sport introduces 4 new styles to the line and is made of bamboo. The briefs and trunks are available now for $28 and $32 respectively. 

NPH Strips to Skivvies at the Oscars

Did you miss the Oscars last night? Well then you missed out on some sexy man candy. Host Neil Patrick Harris stripped down to his tight, white briefs Sunday night for a stunt... who cares, Neil Patrick Harris stripped down to his briefs on live network television! And let's just say he's looking very toned and yummy. Enjoy!

Andrew Christian Spree Brief Review

So, I have to completely honest. I just bought this pair of briefs today and could not help but put em on and write a review. I've become a very regular customer at this men's boutique here in Alberta, Canada and have been having a lot of fun with shopping and having access to a lot of different brands all under one roof. So this boutique always has a lot of Andrew Christian and for good reasons - it has a broad audience they make a lot of different color, style and fabric combos.

I first fell in love with Andrew Christian when turned 18 and went to my first adult convention where I happened upon a booth with some Andrew Christian for sale. I was immediately drawn to the thongs and had my friend help me pick out the right one. I like to think this is the point in my life where I became an underwear fanatic, this was the tipping point and as such, Andrew Christian has a really close place to my heart as the reason why I fell in love with underwear. I still compare the quality of all of my thongs to the first one I got from AC. Now, onto the review. I will be reviewing the Almost Naked Spree Brief (with Snuggle Pouch).

I want to start with the sizing first because this is the first time I have bought an extra small (26-28) from AC. I usually buy a 28-30 in most underwear because that is usually the smallest size available and the same has been true with AC until recently. I'm rather glad I did just to try out an extra small, but also because I have a small waist (about 27) and the fit of these as you can see is very low in the front. Even though I do have a small waist, my legs and butt aren't small. The leg holes are a little tighter and I can certainly feel that when I put them on at first in the morning but I don't have a problem with them being too constricting; they move with my body. You should consider buying a size bigger if you are a 28 waist to have some more leg and butt room. Of course you may not need to worry about this if you plan to wear these to be flirty and they are coming off quickly.

As for the fit, they can be summed up with tight and bright. I'm a huge fan of tight-fitting, so this really hit the mark for me. At times I did find myself adjusting the back by pulling it up onto my waist, it didn't feel too skimpy or ill-paired with my regular dress clothes though. I felt really naughty wearing something so lightweight, barely there, so low rise and flamboyant - but that's what really attracted me to these. I would be careful, however, about wearing them too long since they are such a tight fit on the legs. But as I previously mentioned, if you are aware of your size you shouldn't have to worry about that and can enjoy the tight and bright feel of these briefs.

The construction is probably the most intriguing part of these briefs and they are expertly designed. The construction is very specific and it really shows in three aspects of these briefs which are as follows:

1. The waistline is not the typical elastic Andrew Christian logo style. Instead it is a simple single-color waistband that AC calls a crisscross band. The band dips down lower than an average brief showing some more skin in front.
2.  The pouch is designed as (again I'm going with what AC calls it) a "snuggle pouch" which holds everything in place a little higher up and out from the body instead of tucked in. This added push up caught my attention and I did see a difference through my pants - these were doing what they were designed to do. 
3. There is a well placed rear seam that is accents the butt and gives definition to each cheek. 

So overall, the construction is well done and some of the best I've seen.

The AC site shows some of their briefs in action on their models with a bounce test about how they fare for jiggling and moving and I have to agree from my own experience with what the videos show. There is virtually no moving/bouncing or discomfort when moving in these briefs, everything stays in place separate from the rest of the body. Even though these are not the most covering briefs, I would love to hear how these work for other guys at the gym. I haven't had a chance to wear to the gym yet but would like to see what others might think. These would actually be really fun to wear out or on stage at the bar because as AC site says, the neon colors will glow under black light. Perfect for under your white pants. ;)

The fabric is another thing to note about this brief. They come in three colors: white, royal and black. They are made in a cotton-spandex blend while the yellow is made in 100% polyester. This is done once in a while and keep in mind I am reviewing the cotton-spandex blend in blue/pink. Online this fabric does look almost velvety, and at first I was hesitant about that, but in person it is a lot softer. Both the body of the brief and the waistband are made from the same material, so it does all feel like one piece of fabric which is very comfortable down there.

My last comments about this brief is actually a con, and that is that these are a LIMITED EDITION brief and this will be the only time you can get it!! I recommend you get it while your size is still available. And one other thing, they are ~$27 on the AC website so also a little pricey but in my opinion, these are the kind of brief that you would want at least one of to try.

MY RATING: 9.6 (out of 10)

Recommended for: feeling naughty and flamboyant. 

COMFORT: 9.5

CONSTRUCTION: 10

DURABILITY: 9.5

DESIGN: 10

APPEAL: 10

VALUE: 8.5

Mckillop YUCA Brief Review

A couple months back we introduced you to the new YUCA collection from Mckillop. Today I'd like to offer my review of the YUCA hosta brief. I haven't had much opportunity to sample Mckillop underwear before this, but I have to say they treat their craft with pride.  Every pair is custom made to order and is truly a work of art. This is a great system because it means they'll basically never run out of your size; if you want it they'll make it. And moreover, it didn't take that much longer for them to arrive (considering they're made to order and all).

My first impression of these undies is that they're amazingly soft. In fact, that's the reason I chose to put them on for the day; the fabric is just so soft and smooth to the touch. Excuse me a second while I touch myself... mmmmm. Where was I? Ah yes, the fabric. The fabric is awesome. Just generally these are some damn comfy undies.

How do they fit? Again really no complaints in that department. As for how they fit, they're an interesting cross between a full brief and a skimpy brief. You may wonder what I mean by that, let me explain. The back and sides are what I'd classify as more of a full brief; it's large, full-coverage. Your typical brief. But the front actually takes a turn towards the more skimpy. It's not super skimpy by any means, but there's much less coverage compared to the silhouette of the rest of the brief. I like this contrast. Also the pouch is constructed in such a manner as to give you shape and lift. My package looks HUGE in these things. It's not obnoxious or fake looking, but it definitely has an enhancing effect. The key here is the briefs are form fitting along the perineum allowing the pouch to perfectly cup and lift your balls forward along with the rest of your goods. Again it doesn't feel or look fake, it's a perfect design. The legbands are much thicker than your average bands. I don't mind this actually. They are, however, not super tight. Again this is not really a problem. They're not so loose that your junk is falling out, but they stay away from being so tight that they make you muffin top around your legs (if you've experienced this you know what I'm talking about).

Style wise these briefs are on point. The body of the brief is basic black everywhere (or white if you go with that version) with a simple black waistband. There is a simple logo on the waistband centered in the front. But there is also an element of fun to them: the pouch. The pouch has a floral mesh overlay (it is an overlay, so the pouch is NOT sheer) with contrast stitching. It does bring emphasis to the pouch without being vulgar. In a few words they are simple, classy, and understated. A perfect combo. What about value? Well yes these undies are custom made to order by hand, so don't expect them to be dirt cheap. But the quality here is much better than much of the competition. You can tell these are made with love and by people who pride themselves in their work. Every last detail is perfectly done. So with that in mind, I think $40 CAD (around $38 USD) is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for these undies. This collection is limited edition, so go get them while they last!

MY RATING:
Overall, I give the Mckillop YUCA briefs a total score of 9 based on the following criteria:
FIT -- 9 (out of 10) - Great fit.  Nice cross between skimpy and full cut brief. Loose legbands. Enhancing pouch.
COMFORT -- 10 (out of 10) - Amazingly comfy fabric.
STYLE -- 9 (out of 10) - Basic with some style.  Simple, classy, and understated.
QUALITY -- 9 (out of 10) - Handmade to order. Great attention to detail.
VALUE -- 8 (out of 10) - A little pricey, but worth it if you can afford it.

 ********** 9

For Sale: Walt's Briefs from Breaking Bad

With the Emmy's last night, many are lamenting the hit TV series "Breaking Bad" is finally coming to a close.  Well it doesn't have to end for you.  Auction website ScreenBid will be selling several items from the series, including Walt's underpants.  The bidding will start at $250, but you can bet they'll go for a whole lot more.  

Underwear shows up a lot on screen.  We'd like to know what famous underpants (from TV or movies) you would like to own. Share your thoughts below.

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.

Brief Boys Review Stonemen New York Brief

New York Brief

Stonemen

Avg. $37 US

Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton review the Stonemen New York Brief, a unique handmade cut from Australia.

Patton: I wish I’d thought to wear these when I was actually in New York. I thought about it on the plane. Such a missed opportunity.

Mitchell: You keep saying New York. Are you afraid to tell people you went to New Jersey?

P: I took the train into New York whenever possible. Think about it: I could’ve mooned the Chrysler Building with the Chrysler Building.

M: How meta.



P: And – another nice thing, had I worn these in New York – they’re superb for lots of walking. They have a great cut that’s very supportive, never slip, and hug and hold everything in place.

M: Yes, those Aussies at Stonemen really know what they’re doing. To be honest, I was wary of another undergarment that is focused more on the pretty picture or pattern than the engineering, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well-made these are, all around. The pictures on their website make them look a little rubbery and formless, but they might just be over-Photoshopped. In person, you can tell that these are as light and flexible as any other cotton brief.

P: Agreed. It’s amazing how well these fit, especially for a low-rise brief. And they’re gorgeous. I remember when you used to wear Ginch-Gonch all the time. Cute underwear, but not the greatest quality. These are light-years ahead. The only thing I’d point out is that there’s no obvious pouch design, yet it’s weird how, once you put them on, this doesn’t seem to be a problem.



M: I expected to feel confined in these, too. There must be a magic spell at work, though, because they’re quite roomy.

P: I kind of want to buy all of them. Well, almost all – I probably don’t need the ones with hummingbirds on them. But the cityscapes, the sunsets, the nebula, stampeding stallions, ocean waves – I need all of them, for sure. It’s kind of like buying a cool t-shirt, except you need to be on a pretty intimate basis with your friends to show these off.

M: And most of those come with multiple waistband choices. Speaking of the waistband, by the way, another nice feature is that the seam rests on the hip, which is a nice change from briefs that tend to scratch at the base of your spine. So far, these haven’t bothered me.

P: Anybody who stocks up on them will also be helping the environment. For every pair they sell, Stonemen donates one Australian dollar to nonprofit conservation groups intent on preserving the oceanic ecosystem.

M: They’re big on that in Australia.

P: Almost as big as they are on awesome underwear.

M: You know, the more I think of them, the more I like them. Even the way the screen print continues all the way around, a full 360º like a panorama – they’re truly a work of art.

P: Well said.

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

 BOTTOM LINE /  Beautifully made in every way, and worth every Australian cent.

Brief Boys Review E=FU8 Pleasure X8 Cut

The Pleasure X8 Cut
FU e=fu8 Underwear

Avg. $88 US

Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton review the Pleasure X8 Cut from e=fu8 Underwear, the brief that “Adam would have worn when banished from the Garden of Eden.” Stitched by hand in New York City, the Pleasure 8X Cut “feels like a perpetual caress.”

Mitchell: From a visual standpoint, this is a beautiful pair of underwear. The combination of the white fabric and the royal purple trim is a stylish contrast, and you might find people lingering on the waistband to try to read the equation.

Patton: To the eighth power indeed. They are gorgeous, and even the shape is unique. The designer calls it a cross between a low-rise brief and boyshorts, but it’s really just a very short trunk.

M: They’re definitely low-rise—possibly the most extreme low-rise article of clothing I’ve worn in a long time. If you’re looking for a pair of briefs to wear under your girlfriend’s ultra-low-rise skinny jeans, look no further.

P: That does belie some problems, however. Not the least of which being what your girlfriend doesn’t have but your boyfriend certainly does. There wasn’t a lot of room in here. I felt mashed up against myself throughout the entire day.

M: There isn’t that much pouch space is there? I think that’s just what you have to expect from a pair like this, though. You have to give up a little modesty. My pet peeve was the waistband material—the elastic was very coarse and scratchy, and I really wouldn’t have minded how low-rise these were if the waistband wasn’t riding the base of my shaft all day. I guess I expected higher quality materials from a brief with such a hefty price tag.

P: Agreed. I felt like a lot of adjusting was necessary, and this is probably why. I kept playing the “do I cover my ass or my pubes?” game. Which can be a fun game—just not at work, or when you’re at the chiropractor.

M: It’s a shame, too. I really loved the TLC that went into these. Each pair of e=fu8 is made by hand in New York. But from a production standpoint, they’re still a little rough around the edges. This pair was only worn twice and already one of the seams began to separate.

P: That is frustrating, I agree, because overall they really are sexy. Despite the lack of room—or possibly because of—they imbue an unexpected sensuality. Throughout the day I was very aware of how I felt, how others perceived me, etc. Even the non-functional fly adds to that allure—it feels like everything could just tumble out at any second, but it’s quite secure. It’s the kind of brief that makes you want to bend over and pick something off the floor.

M: Nothing wrong with that.

P: I certainly didn’t think so.

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

 BOTTOM LINE /  If you have the cash and prefer to support underwear handmade in the US, go for it.

Babcock on my Cock - A Review

Today I'd like to tell you about a new brand and give you a little review.  Babcock Bodywear was started by a guy who, as he tells me, has a bit of an underwear fetish (don't we all?).  So he toured some factories of other companies and then went back to Hawaii (where he lives) and took some design classes.  After spending months designing he was able to realize what is now Babcock Bodywear.  They launched last summer with four main designs: boxerbriefs, briefs, jockstrap, and polyester/mesh briefs.  They are currently only available online, but are hoping to be in stores with more styles later this year!  Today I'm reviewing the polyester briefs - I have them in black with green.  

The polyester briefs are basically big-holed mesh briefs.  Think basketball/athletic short type material but with even larger holes. The fabric reads as mostly opaque with sort of small polka dots throughout, which are actually holes. While this certainly isn't an original idea, I like the panache that Babcock has with the styling of these briefs.  Instead of just doing a simple black elastic trim on these, they've chosen to do a colorful green trim with a colorful white and pink waistband (there are other fun color combos as well).  It makes them a lot fresher and sportier.  They feel sporty while not seeming like something you'd actually wear for sports.  These briefs come in four fun color combos!

The fit is pretty average.  They're just your standard brief.  I feel that the leg holes might be cut a little too large (especially in the smaller size I wear) - they're meant for someone with much larger thighs than I have.  While this didn't happen, I felt as though I might fall out the leg holes at any moment.  So I definitely wouldn't recommend these for something where you need a lot of support, but they're fine for daily wear.  While the pouch is not lined, it has a functioning double-layered fly which serves a double purpose for modesty (the overlapping fabric makes it so that your manhood at least appears covered).  

Now I know what you're thinking. Polyester briefs?  Those must be itchy.  Not at all in fact.  They did a really great job with the fabric selection both for style and comfort.  I didn't even realize these were polyester when I had them on until I went and read the site and label.  The fabric is super lightweight, I had to check a couple times throughout the day to see if I still had them on.  With the lightweight fabric and the holes I feel like these may become a go-to pair of briefs for me this summer.  They'll be perfect to wear on those hot sticky days under a nice pair of shorts (lots of ventilation). 

As for the value?  The quality is great with lots of higher end detailing.  But the $19 price point isn't ridiculous compared to some of the competition.  I'd say these are definitely worth your investment for a fun, sporty pair of undies for knocking around in this summer.  

MY RATING:
Overall, I give the Babcock Bodywear Polyester Briefs a total score of 8 based on the following criteria:
FIT -- 8 (out of 10) - Basic fit. Large leg holes, afraid I might fall out.
COMFORT -- 8 (out of 10) - Great, lightweight fabric perfect for summer wear. Fit issues.
STYLE -- 10 (out of 10) - Stylish and sporty take on the mesh brief.
QUALITY -- 9 (out of 10) - Good materials, held up well.
VALUE -- 9 (out of 10) - Well priced for the quality and detailing.

 ********** 8

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

Brief Boys Review Calvin Klein

Panel Stripe Hip Brief
Calvin Klein
Avg. $24 US

Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton give the run down on the Panel Stripe Hip Brief from Calvin Klein, “a comfortable, supportive, and enhanced fit made from 95% cotton and 5% elastane.”

Patton: What exactly is elastane?

Mitchell: Apparently it’s just another name for Spandex. At least according to Wikipedia.

P: Fancy.

M: So everybody knows Calvin Klein. They call themselves pioneers of the “wholesome underwear look.” It’s pretty safe design, but good design—very well made, very durable. If you’re looking for something relatively basic, it’s an appealing brand.

P: Basic, but not totally conservative. They’re low rise—but not ultra-low rise—and fit snugly under a pair of jeans. They even have an extra seam for each cheek that more or less works like a jockstrap, lifting and providing a little more definition than the average brief.

M: Really? I didn’t think it was very flattering. It kind of reminded me of wearing a diaper. Not that I’ve done that recently.

P: Of course not.

M: I do think they’re true to size, like all other CK products I’ve tried, but they have a generous amount of stretch, which makes them prone to sagging now and then.

P: I guess it depends on your preference—sometimes a little extra stretch can prevent a brief from ending up in your ass crack. But it can also bunch up under your junk.

M: There is that. From the wrong angle they sometimes have a weird camel toe thing going on.

P: You mean moose knuckle?

M: My mistake.

P: Plenty of room for the whole kit and caboodle, though. However, while there’s a spacious pouch, the fabric’s elasticity gives that weird pointy effect—where your junk looks like a cone aimed at the floor. But at least these are versatile for all package preferences. Whether you stash it to the left, right, or over the balls, you’re good to go.

M: What do you mean stash it?

P: When not in use.

M: Of course. You’re right though. While it’s not something to be ashamed of, the CK Hip Brief is definitely more about comfort than appearance. The pouch isn’t as shaped as others, nor is it as flattering. But you can go through a whole day at work without that trapped, suffocated feeling you sometimes get with a brief, and the tag is barely noticeable.

P: Ugh. The tag—I always try to buy tagless. But yeah, this wasn’t that big of a deal, which is surprising. Overall, though, I agree with you. Aside from the fun stripes—including the matching waistband—these are everyday, wear-to-work briefs.

M: But still stylish enough to be seen at the gym.

P: Precisely.

M: So would you recommend them?

P: Well, I tend to work a long day. I get dressed somewhere between six and six-thirty, go through a nine-hour work day, and don’t really end up in PJs until eleven or so. The only… let’s call it recess I get in all that time is while I’m at the gym. There aren’t many briefs that stay comfortable during an entire 21st Century day, but these do.

M: I agree. You should probably change before you head out for drinks, though, or any other special occasions.

P: Undressing occasions, for sure. So how about the score?

M: Here’s what we came up with:

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

 BOTTOM LINE /  Embodies today’s basic fit. Extremely comfortable, but not the sexiest pair around.

Bum Chums on My Bum - A Review

Hey boys, it's been a while since I've done a review.  Today I want to share with you some of my favorite briefs as of late. The briefs in question come from Bum Chums, a relatively new British brand.  I profiled them in January, and one point that I'd like to highlight again here is that unlike many other brands, Bum Chums doesn't farm out their manufacturing but instead makes everything locally in Yorkshire, England. This really makes a difference.  

I tried out the Fruity hip briefs in blue-berry.  They also come in a couple other bright, vibrant colors like cherry red, pink peach, lemon lush, and plum purple.  The fit and fabric of these are the two main reasons I love these briefs so much.  They are what is known as a hip brief.  They hit you right on the hip.  They're not too high and not too low.  The leg cut outs are higher than a fuller rise brief.  The pouch space is ample but not too much that it's baggy.  Same goes for the bum.  I have a rather small bum but the fabric still contours to my curves without sagging.  But it will also stretch to accomodate more of a bubble butt.  The briefs fit true to size.  They really kept the modern man in mind when cutting this patten. 

These briefs are super comfy and great for a variety of activities as well as just everyday wear.  The fabric is thicker than most briefs, but it actually works very well.  I feel well covered by these and the weight of the fabric is nice.  But they're not too weighty and they still breathe well in the summer. The entire front actually has a double layer, which helps the brief keep its shape and hold all your goods in place.  The feel of the fabric is due to the unique nylon/elastane/lycra blend that they use.  They've created a really unique fabric unlike any I've seen before, and it really works.  The waistband is likewise thicker than usual to match, but is oh-so-soft.  The interior tag is basically a sticker stuck to the waistband.  It falls off in the wash, but I recommend just removing it right away (I think you're supposed to actually).  The leg bands are perfect; I never even notice them.  In fact I really don't notice these briefs at all other than the fact that I feel supported and not flopping around all day.  

As for the style?  Like I said they're far from a classic cut.  They're really made for the modern man to work with modern clothes (like low-rise jeans).  The style really comes from the unique hip cut of these.  And the fun colors don't hurt.  They're very stylish but understated, I think any man would feel comfortable wearing these.  

These undies are very high quality.  I've had mine for almost a year now (this review is long overdue, sorry) and they're just like the day I got them.  Seriously.  And these are one of my go-to briefs too, so they do get a fair amount of wear.  For around $26 USD a pop these are well worth it.  Get them! 

MY RATING:

Overall, I give the Bum Chums Hip Brief a total score of 8.5 based on the following criteria:

FIT -- 9 (out of 10) - Awesome modern hip fit.  Perfect for the modern man. 

COMFORT -- 9 (out of 10) - I don't even notice they're there.  

STYLE -- 8 (out of 10) - The style comes from the unique cut.  Modern.  Colorful. 

QUALITY -- 10 (out of 10) - Like the day I got them after a year of wear.  

VALUE -- 9 (out of 10) - Well priced, especially for the quality.  Get them!

**********8.5

Guest Review: M-N Briefs

Today I'd like to introduce you to an enthusiastic new guest contributor Tantalus.  If all goes well and you like what he has to say, I'm hoping to make him a permanent part of the MUB team!  Please let us know your thoughts.  ~UMan

Uman previously reviewed M-N’s line of trunks.  As you might remember from the review, the trunks are cut high enough that they almost look like a longer brief.

Tantalus in M-N briefs.

Their briefs, however, are a good deal shorter.  As far as the fit goes, the angle in the back is much more severe than the trunks leading to an accentuated butt.  The inner thigh cut is still rather conservative.  Men with ample junk: This design is practically made for you.  The design has a pouch in the front and enough fabric around it on the inner thighs so that you won’t hang out the sides.

Comfort-wise, these briefs have a feel very similar to their trunk counterparts.  The fabric is the same: a cotton-elastane blend that stretches nicely without digging into your skin.  They stay reasonably close to your skin even after a full day’s wear, a welcome change from some cheaper band fabric. In short, the basics on this underwear all function well.

The style of this range hasn’t changed too much. The specific style I’ve been wearing, Street Squares (Pictured), has a vertical stripe-seam on the pouch.  All of the briefs also have a seam directly down the center of the brief’s backside (a key difference from the trunks) that does a great job breaking up the print in an edgy way.  It makes whoever is checking out your backside think, “Wait, what? I gotta look again!”  Finally, there’s some interesting double-stitching going on in the thigh elastic; the creators of this line clearly paid attention to every detail.

The briefs are extremely well made and tend to last, much like the trunks. Everything fits tightly, and each stitch and seam fits extremely well with the overall design and enhances the cut.  The elastic is durable and lasts. Men with junk in the trunk, though, beware – you might have to make some adjustments throughout the day.

TANTALUS' RATING:

Overall, I give the M-N Azure Range Brief a total score of 9 based on the following criteria:

FIT -- 8 (out of 10) - Brief, severely cut in the back. 

COMFORT -- 9 (out of 10) - Soft and smooth fabric.  Ample pouch keeps everything in place. 

STYLE -- 10 (out of 10) - Distinct and edgy look.

QUALITY -- 10 (out of 10) - Well made. Great attention to detail. 

VALUE -- 8 (out of 10) - Slightly expensive, but worth the investment.

**********9

New Gear from BumChums

Back in December I briefly mentioned one of my favorite new brands Bum-Chums in my holiday gift guide.  Today I'd like to spend a little time to tell you a bit more about the brand and some of their new collections.  Bum-Chums is a British company, but recently they have exploded across the pond to the United States as well as Australia and Europe. Perhaps one of the most unusual but key aspects of the Bum-Chums brand is the location of manufacture; Bum-Chums manufacture all their high quality products in Yorkshire, England, and can therefore truly claim to be a wholly British brand, a fact not lost on the company’s founders Craig Hendry and Gareth Dickinson, who consider the British origin of their underwear to be an intrinsic part of the brand, so much so that the Union Jack is proudly prominent on all their product labels!

Bum-Chums undies come in a number of lines and styles: there is the celestial line, which features metallic fabrics; there is the fruity line, which features bright colors; the sneak peek is just like it sounds, a sneak peek through mesh fabric; and the classic collection is basic colors. 

In the past couple weeks Bum-Chums has launched two new lines: In2Cooler and Tool Belt.  The Tool Belt is my favorite of the two.  It comes in three colors: red, blue, and white.  The pouch is made from a solid fabric in this color while the back is made from black mesh that connects to the pouch in the back as well as in a unique manner across the front (see images).  This style is very unique; I haven't seen anything like it elsewhere.  And it's just so damn sexy too (not to mention comfy).  It retails for £18 (~$27 USD).  

If you're looking for something that is stylish and sexy while still allowing you to be comfortable, I highly recommend you try some Bum-Chums gear.  I've had the chance to try a lot of their collection and so far I love it all.  Stay tuned for a full review of one of their products coming soon!