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!

Brief Boys Review Big Boys Boxer Brief

Boxer Brief
Big Boys
Avg. $22 US


Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton review the standard boxer brief from Big Boys, which “conforms to your shape and gives you all the support you need.”



Patton: Let’s start with the obvious. Did they conform to your shape?

Mitchell: I think these would conform to a wide variety of shapes. Thanks to the, let’s say, spacious pouch design, there’s plenty of room, big boy or not. Normally, I don’t find boxer briefs very supportive, but these surprised me. They’re as comfortable as a brief.

P: Agreed. Consumers will be surprised at just how much you can stuff into these things, and yet have them remain comfortable. I think the fabric goes a long way in this, too, as it’s stretchy yet incredibly soft. I’m not big on boxer briefs, either, since they can sometimes feel like pantyhose, but these aren’t suffocating at all, nor do they ride up as the day goes on.

M: I noticed that, too. And there’s not super tight elastic in the legs, either. It was nice not to feel like my legs were losing circulation. And when do you wear pantyhose?

P: The one thing I will say about the pouch, though – and this is just a personal thing – is that it’s more or less an erection generator. There’s a lot more movement, during the day, and it’s a lot harder, if you’ll excuse the pun, to ignore what’s going on down there.

M: Well, I enjoyed the extra freedom, and didn’t encounter any distractions. Though if you’re undressing with an audience, be aware that the fabric is a little see-through. For the more bashful, I’d suggest one of the darker colors.

P: I’m fine with see-through fabric, but when you combine it with that weird crease on the pouch, suddenly it’s not so sexy.

M: Yeah, I’m not sure what’s up with that. It makes you look a little pointy.

P: Seems like it could be a simple fix, too. Either way, this is definitely not a family friendly, or even roommate friendly, pair of underwear. Not much is left to the imagination.

M: Still, though, it’s a simple defect in an otherwise comfortable, flattering pair of underwear that brings out the shower in us all.

P: And the grower, apparently.

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

 BOTTOM LINE /  The perfect choice for guys looking for extra space.

Valentine's Eye Candy

Happy Valentine's Day guys!  Here's some eye candy to enjoy.  Are you wearing something special today?

Brief Boys Review TBJON Thong

Thong
TBJON
Avg. $15 US



Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton brave the thong from TBJON, whose garments “enhance and accentuate the male form.”



Patton: Call me cynical, but I think by “enhance and accentuate” they mean “ignore the existence of.”

Mitchell: I think you’re being a little unfair. They don’t ignore the existence of the male form, per se – just what goes in the pouch.

P: Fair enough. But that seems like a major oversight to me, since most consumers of men’s underwear would need to take advantage of a pouch, and this one isn’t much more than a teency triangle of fabric. A very nice fabric, by the way, but not quite enough of it.

M: It does need a little more stretch, or a different design with more adequate space. You’re right, though – it’s a very luxurious fabric. Though the grid texture can be a bit rough if you’re not used to wearing a thong and you have sensitive skin. Overall, though, once I squeezed myself into it, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed wearing it.

P: I’m surprised, too. I couldn’t handle it at all.

M: I’m not so sure it’s all about the front end, anyway. I get the impression that, while this is a Canadian company, it’s targeted more so at the California bodybuilding crowd, where it’s not so much about showing off your package as it is about showing off your muscles.

P: And that it does, but I’d prefer to do both. I guess I’m still on the lookout for a comfortable thong.

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

 BOTTOM LINE /  A well-made thong for guys who want a tighter fit.

NOTE FROM UMan - In my experience with TBJON thongs, some fabrics are stretchier than others.  The fabric the Brief Boys tried isn't super stretchy, but other fabrics such as this one are.  

New Singlets from Barcode at UnderBriefs

Sponsored Post

UnderBriefs has singlets from Barcode Berlin! Designed in Berlin and made in Europe, you've liked their jock straps and briefs. Now, UnderBriefs is happy to add the Barcode Berlin Ringer Trikot singlet to its collection. Providing a distinct style and an artistic interpretation of sports and fetish wear, they're available in black/red, white/blue, and red/white. UnderBriefs offers free shipping to customers in the US and Canada.

Calvin Klein Commercial to Debut During Super Bowl

For the first time ever, Calvin Klein is running a commercial during the Super Bowl. The new commercial features model Matthew Terry and is highlights the new Calvin Klein "Concept" line.  This new collection features styles in breathable microfiber and cotton stretch with a new smooth, seamless design.  You can get the collection now from MensUnderwearStore.com.  Above is a preview of the commercial, be sure to watch the big game for the full version.  

What do you think of this new commercial?  Are you excited to see the full version on Sunday?

"I'm Addicted" - You Choose the Winners

Hey guys.  You may remember a while back we ran a contest with Vocla Underwear to give away some Addicted underwear.  Well we got so many great entries we can't choose the winner, so we're leaving that up to you.  We've created an album on our Facebook page, so head on over there and "like" your favorite photo(s).  The top three photos (in terms of "likes") by Valentine's Day (2/14/13) will be declared the winners.  So go "like" your favorite now!  

Brief Boys Review Yorkies Binary Brief

The Binary Brief
Yorkies
Avg. $29 US


Brief Boys Mitchell and Patton review the Binary Brief from Yorkies, “for men who are going places.” The Binary Brief boasts a “hidden horseshoe-shaped cup” that “provides a little additional lift up front.”


Mitchell: Apparently, men who are going places in the digital age need more advanced underwear that “puts the total package up front.” While there are a lot of anatomical lift designs out there, these provide lift and support without any of the complicated straps and strings we’re used to.

Patton: Exactly. The “horseshoe-shaped cup” isn’t much more than a pocket, and is surprisingly un-intrusive. Though I didn’t exactly feel like I was going to get a promotion or anything, but maybe I was wearing the wrong jeans.

M: Me neither. Though it’s impressive that Patrick York, the owner and designer of Yorkies, has given himself a promotion with this entire project. His 2011 Kickstarter campaign was a huge success, and he’s currently operating and manufacturing in the Bay Area. I’m pleased to see he’s turned it into a full-fledged business in so short a time.

P: That may have a lot to do with the appearance of the brief. Graphically, they’re very stylish – all black and white, covered in binary text, with a QR code stamped on the right hip. With the lift offered by the pouch, this is a pair of underwear to show off, but from a design and structural standpoint, there’s really not much more here than a basic brief.

M: Agreed. The cut, fabric, and fit all seem pretty standard. Though I will say I was surprised to find out that they were polyester rather than cotton, since they’re incredibly soft. So that gives them a little bit of a performance boost.

P: But definitely not something you’d wear running or anything. Especially not with that extra inch or so of fabric between the pouch and the seat. After a while, they threaten to sag.

M: By the way, did I tell you I scanned the QR code?

P: No. Did it lead you somewhere secret?

M: That’s what I was hoping, but it just brings you to the Yorkies website. Which, if you’re wearing the underwear, I’m assuming you’ve already seen.

P: What if you’re scanning someone else’s underwear? Maybe they should offer customizable QR codes that lead to whatever online profile you choose.

M: In case you get lost and you don’t remember your name?

P: Or maybe the website is fine.

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

 BOTTOM LINE /  For guys who want to show off their assets with more style than a solid color brief.

Out With the Old, in With the New

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

Drawer before organization

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

Undies to throw out.

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

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

Drawer after organization

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

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

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

I'm ADDICTED - Giveaway!

MUB is partnering up with a new online underwear store Vocla to bring you a special end of the holidays giveaway.  Our "I'm ADDICTED" sweepstakes launches now!  If you aren't familiar, Vocla is a great new designer underwear store that offers many great brands like ADDICTED, Andrew Christian, D&G, and more.  If you're a new customer you can get 10% off with coupon code "10new" at checkout. And they have free worldwide delivery on ADDICTED brand underwear!

Which brings us to the sweepstakes.  To enter simply send us a picture of you in your favorite undies to underwearblog@gmail.com with subject line "I'm Addicted" and you'll be entered to win one of three pairs of ADDICTED underwear from Vocla.  Special consideration will be given to creative photos.  Entry period is from December 31, 2012 - Midnight (CST) January 11, 2013.  Decision of the judges is subjective and final.  There will be three winners, one pair each.  There will be a claim period after the winners are selected, if the prize is not claimed during this time it will be forfeited and a new winner will be selected.  Contest is open to those 18 and older in the countries to which Vocla delivers (consult their website for details).  

The Stockings Were Hung... Eye Candy

Hope the holidays are treating everyone well.  Sorry we haven't had time to make up a gift guide for this year.  We've been so busy preparing some exciting new things for 2013 for you.  Stay tuned for an after Christmas giveaway.  In the meantime, enjoy this eye candy entitled "Winter Breeze" from one of my favorite artist Paul Richmond.  And be sure to check out his work online.  

Tommy John on GILT

A Tommy John sale just launched on GILT today. The collection features lots of great basics for guys, including trunks, briefs, and stay-tucked tees.  The collection is in basic colors like black, white, grey and red.  Great gift for the man in your life this holiday season.

No familiar with GILT?  It's a invite only flash sale site.  Don't have a membership?  Don't worry, it's free to join and you can sign up using our exclusive invite link.  Enjoy.