The history of men’s underwear is pretty interesting and has had quite the evolution. What started as a basic undergarment intended to keep things comfortable and clean down there, has now become a niche clothing line, with several styles, fabrics and features to choose from. So, the evolution from the primitive loincloths of antiquity to the modern-day boxer brief and performance underwear can be seen as a natural progression that has advanced along with changing styles, levels of comfort, and practicality. In this piece, we will take a closer look at the intriguing evolution of men’s underwear, going down into the history of underwear for men and highlighting the various steps and trends that have influenced the clothes that men wear until today.
1.The first garments: loincloths and tunics
The history of men’s underwear goes all the way back the ancient civilizations, when the main function of the underwear wasn’t to serve as a fashion statement but to protect and cover.
- Ancient Egypt & Mesopotamia:
Some of the earliest examples of men’s “underwear” are basic loincloths constructed out of linen or animal skins. Garments were worn like loincloths and were hooked onto the waist and provided minimal covering.
These were used by Egyptian and Mesopotamian men as underwear to keep modesty, particularly in public airings of their clothing.
- Ancient Greece & Rome:
The Greeks and Romans followed suit with more complex garments known as the loincloth. These early clothes were put on under tunics and gave some freedom of movement to the wearer.
Roman soldiers, for example, wore loincloths of leather or cloth to ensure comfort during battle.
- Middle Ages:
Medieval Men In the middle ages clothing for men was somewhere between knee and ankle-length. They wore under-clothing that was crude white linen or roughly woven wool.
Wearing the braies— a baggy type of undergarment — was a la mode. It was worn under the armor and was fastened with a cord at the waist.
2. Renaissance and Early Modern Period: Briefs Appear
Men’s undergarments changed with fashion in the Renaissance. The emergence of fitted garments also led to the invention of more comfortable undergarments.
- The 16th Century:
In the 1500s, European men began wearing undergarments that were more form-fitting. A fashion featuring the "codpiece" emerged. This piece covered the genitals and was often stuffed to spectacular proportions.
The codpiece (which grew more ostentatious over the years) was typically worn with hose or breeches and served as sign of both virility and social standing.
- The 17th Century:
Men’s underwear had grown more scanty by the 1600s. “Breeches” and “hose” were in frequent use, though the codpiece had started to fall out of favor in the 1600s. “Instead, men wore tight-fitting undergarments called pantaloons or drawers that were more similar to what we would consider boxer shorts today.
3. The 19th Century: The Dawn of Modern Underwear
The Industrial Revolution brought significant shifts in the way people dressed and men’s underwear started to look more like what we recognize now.
- The Boxer Shorts (1850s) came about :
In the mid-19th century, men’s undergarments began to assume a more recognizable modern shape. A "union suit," introduced in the 1850s, was a one-piece choice that covered both the top and bottom of the body and offered warmth and comfort in winter months.
The “boxer shorts” came along at the tail end of the 19th century and provided a looser style. These were based on shorts which had been worn by boxers when they took to the ring to box, and were adopted as a more comfortable and practical replacement for the tight fitting drawers which preceded them.
- The Briefs Are Introduced – 1930s:
The first authentic briefs were the 1930s. These form-fitting drawers, made from cotton or silk, were a hit thanks to the snug fit and the support provided for the male form.
The influence of Hollywood culture also greatly contributed to the popularity of briefs: stars such as Marlon Brando and Clark Gable helped make the design fashionable.
4. The Middle of the 20th Century: From Boxers to Briefs
The 1950s was a time of change in men’s underwear, when the styles of the century past were replaced by fresh and exciting new concepts.
- 1940-1950: The Age of the Briefs:
Underwear After World War II, the standard for men’s underwear evolved to be briefs. This close and clean-fitting appearance was appreciated for its convenience and comfort.
The advent of fancy underpants with elastic, gussets, and stretch materials helped briefs cut into the market share of traditional undershorts.
- Boxer Shorts vs. Briefs:
The confrontation over boxers vs. briefs hit a fever pitch in this era. Where boxers provided a loose, airy fit, briefs were the athletic and supportive option.
By the 1960s, briefs were more ubiquitous, particularly among young men, as they came to symbolize youthfulness and physicality.
5. The 80s and 90s: The Emergence of Boxer Briefs
In the 1980s and 1990s, the landscape of men’s underwear completely changed, and new technology, new styles, and hybrids emerged.
During the 80s, the boxer brief was brought onto the scene which offered all the trappings of both boxers and briefs in one. Boxer briefs afforded the generous space of boxers and the snug support of briefs.
Boxer brief was an instant success because of the diversity and comfort. It was the perfect option for guys who wanted to look modern without giving up that supportiveness or comfort.
- The Role of Advertising:
Then in the 1990s, iconic underwear ads with high-profile celebrities — from Mark Wahlberg to David Beckham — brought underwear fashion further into the mainstream.
The "sexy" underwear model emerged, and brands such as Calvin Klein introduced standout, iconic advertising campaigns, turning underwear into a major fashion statement.
6. 21st Century: The Performance Underwear Boom
The new millennium saw dramatic technological developments that would alter the world of men’s underpants forever. Fabrics, fit, and design all shifted toward function, comfort, and, well, health.
- Moisture-Wicking Fabrics:
The search for both performance and comfort brought the creation of moisture wicking fabrics. These were fabric made of polyester and nylon blends that were made to keep men dry and comfortable, even during times of exertion.
Several newer brands, such as Different Touch and Lululemon, started selling performance-based underwear, with designs that promised to wick moisture, promote breathability and resist odors.
- Compression and Support:
Compression underwear was another fad to see popularity in the 2000s. This kind of compress garment can be wear before or after training, and also promote your post training recovery.
Compression shorts popular as workout wear and under uniforms for athletes and active people who required extra thigh and groin support during physical activities.
- Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Alternatives:
As awareness of the environment expanded, many underwear brands started incorporating sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled materials.
Consumers started to care about eco-friendly options in response, encouraging companies to do the same while also being transparent about where they get their ingredients.
7. What the Experts Are Saying About Men’s Underwear, in All Its Forms
The future of men's underwear is bright as fashion, technology and sustainability are rapidly changing.
- Smart Underwear:
One of the most exciting new trends in men’s underwear is the emergence of “smart” underwear. The garments have sensors that monitor body temperature, heart rate and other vital signs. It’s early days, but smart underwear could change the way we track our health and fitness.
- Gender-Neutral Designs:
And then there’s the trend toward gender-neutral underwear. Brands are also taking cues from what will attract everyone, regardless of their gender: offering more inclusive sizing, for example, and more general styles.
- Comfort Over Fashion:
Fashionable underwear is certainly in demand, but many men are focused more and more on comfort. Hence brands are introducing softer, more breathable materials and an ergonomic pattern for a more comfortable fit.
Conclusion: The End is the Beginning
From the simple loincloths of early civilizations to today’s boxer briefs and performance wear, men’s underwear has traveled through the ages. It’s interesting to imagine how something as commonplace as a piece of clothing, at one time considered nothing more than a necessity, has become an opportunity for personal style, comfort, even technology. Looking to the future, one thing is certain: men’s underwear isn’t done changing, with fashion trends, new materials and the increasingly important role of comfort and performance pushing the category even further.
Whatever transient phase may be in store, one thing’s for sure: men’s underwear is a necessity and will be well into the future when you continue to select from a wide range of underwear styles.