Healthier, stylish, and more comfortable to wear than briefs, boxers are enormously popular with men. According to Science Alert’s website, boxer shorts have also been proven, scientifically, the healthier option of all men’s underwear. First introduced to the world somewhere in the mid-20th century, the boxer has been around for a while, swiftly graduating from a clothing article that was always hidden away, to becoming a fashion accessory. Maybe its because it is loose and less revealing compared to briefs or singlets, boxers are the most compared and discussed. They are also mainly made from cloth with humorous designs, brightly colored stripes, or checks.
Men have a huge array of boxer shorts to choose from. The differences are usually based on their features. While some boxers depend on an elastic band to be held up, others are secured with a drawstring. Materials used for making boxers range from synthetics to cotton and its various blends, and even silk. Online retailers such as VKNagrani have become a popular choice for buying designer boxers, thanks to the excellent variety of styles, patterns, sizes and fabrics available.
Features of Boxers
The classic boxer has a longer leg to it, as it follows the short trouser style. This boxer is also loose fitting with the cloth standing away from the thigh instead of hugging body contours. The loose fit nature of the boxers allows for air circulation and cooling, something scientists have found to have significant health benefits, particularly for those looking to father children. The shorter, close fitting version of the boxer short is known as the boxer brief, which is a compromise between briefs and boxers, as suggested by the name. This guide confines itself to boxer shorts, rather than boxer briefs.
- Elastic: A boxer falls in either of two broad categories: either it has an opening at the waist or it does not. Many boxer shorts have elastic waistbands. Others go around your waist; however, those open at the waist have this broken at the front or have short elastic sections.
- Drawstring: Some boxers do not have an elastic waistband, choosing to have alternative support systems. Some have a drawstring in the waistband, allowing for the user to simply pull it tight and tie at the front. Other boxers also have an interesting twist to this theme: they use side tapes connected to the waist yoke, which is then pulled and tied.
Some boxer shorts have a fully open waist that has either a series of poppers or a button to keep the waistband closed. Just about all boxers have a fly opening at the front. However, there are some differences in the styles adopted in consideration of how they close.
- Yoke Front: They usually leave the fly unsecured, but they have snaps that help in securing the waistband. When closed, the fly cloth drapes over it to cover the fastening without further securing.
- Popper and Button: An alternative fully-opening boxer short is one with a popper for securing the waistband, along with a single button to close the fly. Continuous waistband boxers have the fly secured by a single button, but, in most cases, there is nothing. Like the yoke front boxers, cloth drapes over in such a manner as to effectively close the fly without requiring assistance.
Boxer Materials
Like any other clothing article, the boxer short’s cut is a reflection of your personality, budget and style. Synthetic to natural, plain or patterns, stylish or practical, the possible outcomes are virtually unlimited.
- Cotton: For many, cotton is the preferred fiber. It breathes well, is reasonably durable and comfortable next to the skin. A garment’s breathability is an important consideration for a cloth that is going next to the skin, since it will have to deal with some amount of perspiration. It is important to allow moisture to evaporate in order to improve wearer comfort, reduce the danger of fungal infections, and keep your skin healthy. Considering all the benefits, it is not surprising why cotton is such a popular material choice.
- Higher-Grade Cotton: For those willing to pay extra, there are higher grades of cotton available that give boxer shorts a luxurious feel. Mercerized cotton is one such cotton that offers an especially lustrous, smooth and almost silky feel. Sea Island cotton also produces very soft fabric boxer shorts.
- Cotton Blends: Despite their feel against the skin and sheen, even the finest of cotton will never achieve the hardwearing properties of polyester or nylon. One way to get around this is through combining cotton and synthetics together in one textile. This is why the cotton-poly-based boxers are so popular. Although they feel less luxurious than pure cotton, cotton/polyester boxers tend to last long and cost less.
- Synthetics: For the man who does not care much about the feel or texture and other advantages offered by cotton, the next practical, cost-effective choice garments are based on plain polyester or polyester combined with another stretchy synthetic. Although polyester is not as breathable as cotton, for most purposes it is a comfortable and adequate cloth, which offers good service for a number of years. Synthetics are also hardwearing.