Guide Note

Boxer Shorts are loose underwear with an elastic band mainly worn by men. There are a wide variety of styles and designs including the boxer brief. Most recently, women have found the boxer short to be of comfort and have worn them in place of pajama bottoms.

Fast Facts

1. First created in 1925
2. Lost popularity in the 1930s after being replaced by briefs
3. Returned in popularity in 1947
4. Allow space in the jock area
5. Known to be better for sperm count because they allow natural scrotum temperature regulation

Boxer Shorts 101

Boxer shorts became a popular choice for men's underwear in the late 1940s and saw a resurgence due to a 1984 Levi's ad that showed model Nick Kamen in only his blue boxers. While the trend grew, a new type of boxer came on the market to compete, the boxer brief. Boxer briefs have the style and coverage of a boxer short but the tight fit of a brief.

The Details

Boxer shorts and boxer briefs both have a variety of fly fronts. Some have an open fly while others have metal snaps or buttons. Fabric for boxer shorts varies from cotton to silk while boxer briefs are mainly produced with jersey knit or cotton/polyester.

Popular Boxer Brands

• • 2Xist
  • Calvin Klein
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Hanes
  • Jockey
  • Fruit of the Loom