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 ;-)

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Sorry for the delayed guide, but better late than never right?  And there are after all 12 days of Christmas, so while there may not be time everywhere to order in time for the first day, you can still make it before the end. 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.

This year I have a great list for you, I believe I've only mentioned one of these brands before.  So in addition to being a great gifting guide, this is also a good guide of some new brands to try for yourself.  

For the Classic Man:

Naked boxerbriefs.

• 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.    
• Undz is a newer brand on the scene.  They are very basic but still funky and stylish.  Also, one of my favorite parts of them is they don't cost a lot ($4.99 a piece).  So if your man needs lots of new undies, this is perfect.  I personally really like their briefs.
• Another brand that I'm really loving lately is Naked.  They make very simple yet comfortable undies.  When I wear these I feel like I'm, well naked.  They truly feel like you're wearing nothing.  I personally really like their boxerbrief fit (shown).   

 For the Lover/Boyfriend:

Body Aware Curacao briefs.

• This category is for that special guy in your life - or just that guy you know will appreciate sexy undies.  But as I've mentioned before: know your guy; not all guys like sexy undies.
• I brand that has recently come to my attention is TBJON.  They specialize in really sexy undies meant for your sexy activities.  I really love their thongs.  The lyte and kol styles are great.
• A new brand that makes some pretty sexy undies is Mckillop.  They only make jockstraps and pouches (jockstraps without straps).  I really dig their colorful power jocks - currently on sale for $15.  
• And finally, a really sexy line is Body Aware, which has recently come to my attention.  There's an exhaustive catalog - they've really got something sexy for everybody.  Personally I really dig the Curacao briefs (shown).  But there's a ton to search through there, so go check it out!

 The Fun Guy:

Marek+Richard Underdog 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.
• A new brand hailing from the UK is Bum-Chums. These undies are really fun and colorful. They have bright colors in their Fruity collection and metallic fabrics in their Celestial collection. These undies are for the guy that loves to have fun in (with) his pants choice. 
• A new-comer on the scene is Marek+Richard.  The company was founded earlier this year by two young fashion designers who met while studying at school together.  I really love their fun new take on things.  Especially loving their underdog brief (shown) that combines mesh and cotton jersey for a very unique, runway look. Also they're currently having a sale. 

The Fashionable Guy:

• 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.  
• My first selection comes from Spanish brand XTG Extreme Game, a clothing brand specializing in daring designs.  I really love the subtle refinement that this brand brings to many of their undies.  I really love their blackletter brief.  It's a really fun fabric that is lightweight and semi-transparent.  Very fashionable and refined. 
• While far from new, I'm always a fan of DT Clothes (formerly known as DT Jocks).  They have some really fun and funky asymmetric undies that are very fashion-forward in my opinion.  

So there you have it folks, those are my suggestions for what to get your man this holiday season.  Happy shopping!  

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.   

Give a supportive gift...

Jock Strap Central suggests that you buy a jock for that special someone this season. One can never get started with their holiday gifts too early, especially since there are some great early bird specials. JSC gives you the option to gift wrap your purchase, and if you order before December 9th, you'll get 10% off your purchases using discount code XMAS2007 .
*Note: This post has been edited as of 11/12/07 due to factual errors.

Boxers or Briefs?

The age-old question answered, in a board game...? Yes, that's right. This game will have your friends revealing all sorts of things about themselves that you never knew. Great icebreaker for parties. This would also make a great gift for the underwear lover in your life. You can buy it for 19.99 at Amazon.

Gifts for Valentine's Day

So a while ago one of my readers asked what were some hot undies to get for valentines day for his boyfriend. As you probably know this holiday has become a holiday all about sex, love, and romance. So of course why not buy your boyfriend some undies as a gift to reflect this. Well here goes...

Ginch Gonch
Ginch gonch is a great place to find really sexy underwear for valentine's day. They have low-rise briefs, regular rise briefs, boxerbriefs, and matching tops. I recommend the low-rise briefs for valentines day or the regular briefs, especially the valentine colored ones:
-The all new Devil Reds (shown above).
-Star Fucker
-and Pink.

ABC Underwear.
ABC Underwear has some nice sexy underwear. Especially the Backless Microfiber Pouch. Also check out the list for Valentine's Day that they have made here. This list has lots of sexy things for you and your to wear and get it on with each other in.

Victorine Lingerie.
This place has some really sexy treats to wear. I especially think you might like the Shorts Chaps & Posing Strap or the Mans Brief Thong which comes off like a charm.

Also, Fresh Pair has a huge selection of underwear and they have put together a special list for Valentine's Day. It is a really good list so it is definitely worth you checking it out.

Also jockstraps are really sexy and they provide nice easy access to the ass for fucking (if you are gay). This jock from Baskit is very nice.

Hope this helps you all out and happy shopping and happy Valentine's Day (sorry this is so late, but I was on a trip w/o internet).

Also, while shopping keep in mind that the less material is usually sexier and the more it flaunts the stuff the better. Also remember that it needs to be easy to take off, if that's what you want to do ;)

Poll of day:
What are/did you getting/get your Boyfriend for Valentine's Day?

iBoxer

iPods are one of the most successful gadgets of all time. Apple has made millions of dollars off of these handheld electronics. Many companies have decided to capitalize off this success by making all sorts of clothing and accessories for this new trend. The trend has now expanded to your underwear. Yes that's right, I'm not kidding. Now these iBoxers by Play come with a pocket designed specifically for your iPod listening pleasure (although you could use the pocket for any number of small electronics as well). I think this is a very fun and novel idea. I'm not sure how practical it is but it would be a great holiday gift (even if just as a gag) for any gadget lover in your life. I like the fact that although these are boxers they are still very fitted (but not quite boxerbriefs) to avoid the bagginess that is often associated with boxers. They can be purchased for twenty-two dollars here. Enjoy.

Poll of the day:
When and how would you use this pocket (if you would at all)?

The Patriot

What imageries come to mind when you think of fourth of July? Backyard Barbecue, parades, and of course the 'stars and stripes.' Every porch in America will have the USA flag waving in the wind on July 4th. You must be wondering what the connection is between underwear and the American flag.
Well, I'm not suggesting you wrap your tush with the Old Glory, that is sacrilegious in the highest order, but you can show off or hide your patriotism by getting your hands or more appropriately your bottom in one of these patriotic underwear. These come in all styles and by a variety of manufacturers.

Even the fashion designer Tommy Hillfiger has put out a couple of very tasteful renditions just in time for our nation's celebration. So get your butt in under-gear and don you red-white-blue. I will strut a pair of my own on this glorious holiday.