Last night, the fashionisto Kenneth Cole threw a garage party at an event space across from his Kenneth Cole Production headquarters on 11th avenue. This, however, wasn’t just some ordinary A-list celebrity party. Hosted by Cole, Adriana Lima and Jozy Altidore, the party was actually for raising funds for the St. Luke’s Hospital in Haiti (which I’ve been to!)
Many people wouldn’t probably know from first glance that Kenneth Cole is actively involved in helping raise funds for the people of Haiti, but he’s actually been on the board of amfAR for nearly 30 years.“Given my involvement with St. Luke’s and work with amfAR, there has been opportunity to cross over,” he said, “It’s about how our resources can add up to something bigger in the ordinary course. The goal is to create a sustainable cross-section of initiatives that support each other.”(Vogue)
Adriana Lima joined Cole as the event’s cochair for the night, equally as excited for the night’s festivities and bringing awareness to the beautiful place and people of Haiti. “We shot a campaign for her and then decided to stay an extra day to see Haiti, and I really fell in love with what I saw. Despite the hardship, the poverty, and especially since the hurricane [in 2010], there is such a happiness that you can see in the people. That’s something that inspires me.” (Vogue)
It’s always a beautiful thing to see people coming together for a greater good higher than themselves, especially when it’s an influential fashion community showing us the power of love, reciprocity and genuine love for the people of the world.
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 VKNagranihave 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.
Today we have an international Bomber submission! Take’s take a look at Moh Yusuf from London:
His cousin Taibat (who submitted him for Bomber) said, “Moh Yusuf is a keen style enthusiast living in London.”“He identifies his style as a mix of the 1920s Chicago and the Classic British Style.”
Let’s check out more photos below:
I can dig it! For his styles, you can check him on Instagram @mohtechnix. What do you guys think of Moh Yusuf from London?
Fashion Bombsher of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of male Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.
Are you all planning to check out Ride Along 2 tomorrow? Our favorite stylish actresses, reality TV stars, and ATLiens were on hand for the film’s screening in the city.
Let’s see what they wore!
Tika Sumpter was pared-down and chic at the screening in all-black. She doesn’t need much to look gorgeous.
Porsha Stewart kept it surprisingly simple in a denim button-front shirt, moto leggings, and black kicks. Cute and casual!
Stevie J likes to wear his sunglasses at night clearly! He wore shades, an army green bomber with black trim, and Jordans. I liked this.
A camo hat, army green and black jacket, and Givenchy boots gave some flair to Monyetta Shaw’s classic white t-shirt and jeans.
Newly-engaged Demetria McKinney and Roger Bobb had a chill night out in relaxed ensembles.
I’m always here for a red lip accenting a black and white ‘fit, but wasn’t too keen on Shamea Morton’s shoe choice here.
Hilary Duff was smoking hot as she arrived at the AOL Buildling to discuss Season 2 of Younger in a $720 Alexander Wang Zip Detail Dress and Brian Atwood Tamara Sandals:
She threw a Michael Kors trench over her shoulder.
Her dress has zip details on the front and at the slit.
Her sandals are fashioned out of patent leather.
She looks fantastic. Work it, Hilary!
What do you think?
Mariah Carey shopped it up in Beverly Hills in jeans, black lace up booties, and $4,221 Balmain Red Leather Jacket:
Werq, Mimi!
The faux double-breasted silhouette is shown in vibrant red leather with a grainy texture. Gold-tone hardware stands out and finishes the piece on a supremely glamorous note.
Amberley wrote, “Hey FBD! I don’t know if you’ve seen the black-owned restaurant posts from I Don’t Do Clubs, but it’s pretty awesome & it’s garnering up great business for these restaurants!
I think it would be great if Fashion Bomb Daily did something similar with black-owned boutiques! I know you highlight a lot of designers of color (which is great), but I would love to see some stores too. After seeing that Valentino post on your site, I’m pretty much at my wit’s end with the fashion industry. I’m ready to support my own. Just a suggestion! Keep up the great work!”
That’s a great idea! Back in the beginning days of the site, I used to do tons of Boutique Spotlights, particularly in New York. Stores have come and gone in the past 10 years, and we’re past due for a refresher.
While I know of several, including New Orleans’s own Exodus Goods (518 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130; (504) 309-2995):
And Garb, which is also in LA (2108 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130; (504) 301-9174):
Jasksonville, Florida’s Meow and Barks Boutique (1537 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207; (904) 704-8222):
Nashville, Tennessee’s Violet Flower Boutique (500 Madison St #105, Nashville, TN 37208; (615) 457-1432):
Tags in Atlanta (225, 2140 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309; (404) 883-3836):
Michelle New York (376 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217; (718) 643-1680):
And Harlem Haberdasherry (245 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027; (646) 707-0070):
I know there are WAY more that deserve a spotlight.
Let me know of your favorite local black owned brick and mortar clothing boutiques (brick and mortar means they are an actual physical store; it’s ok if they have a website as well) by leaving a comment below. Please include whether they carry luxury goods or are mass market. I’ll compile the list for the ultimate guide for black owned clothing boutiques around the country.
Thanks for the suggestion, Amberley!