It is a Tuesday morning in a standard department store. Most guys are shuffling toward the wall of gray, black, and navy boxer briefs. But things are changing. Quickly. If you look at search data or sales figures from boutique retailers, you'll see a massive spike in men wearing panties for reasons that have nothing to do with costumes or jokes. It’s about comfort. It’s about fabric technology. Honestly, it’s mostly about guys finally realizing that "menswear" has been pretty stagnant for about fifty years.
Standard boxers bunch up. They’re thick. They create heat. For a lot of men, especially those with active jobs or a preference for slim-fit clothing, the traditional options just don't work anymore.
Why the Shift is Happening Now
For a long time, the conversation around men’s undergarments was stuck. You had two choices: baggy boxers or the "tighty-whities" your dad wore. Then came the boxer brief revolution in the 90s. But even those have limitations. They’re often bulky.
Retailers like Hom, Joe Snyder, and even mainstream brands are seeing men gravitate toward "bikini cuts" or "cheeky" styles. Why? Because the physics of it makes sense. Panties—or whatever you want to call low-rise, high-leg openings—stay in place. They don't have all that extra leg fabric that rolls up into a painful denim-and-cotton sausage around your thigh.
It's a utility thing.
Think about the rise of athleisure. When you're wearing tight joggers or tailored suit pants, a pair of thick Hanes is going to show every single line. Men are becoming more conscious of their silhouette. It’s not just vanity; it’s a refinement of style that women have dealt with for decades. Now, the guys are catching up.
The Fabric Factor: Silk, Modal, and Lace
If you’ve only ever worn heavy cotton, you’re missing out on the actual science of textiles. Most men’s underwear is made of 100% cotton. Cotton holds moisture. It stays wet. It chafes.
When men start looking into the world of panties, they find Modal, MicroModal, and Silk. These materials are breathable. They wick moisture away from the skin. Some guys prefer the feel of satin because it reduces friction against their trousers. It’s a sensory upgrade that most men didn't even know was an option.
💡 You might also like: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
What about the fit?
This is where it gets tricky. Men’s anatomy obviously requires more room in the front than traditional women’s lingerie provides. However, many "men’s panty" lines—yes, they exist—are specifically engineered with a pouch. They take the aesthetic and the lightweight fabric of a bikini or thong but add the necessary structural support for male biology.
Brands like CandyMan or Body Cage have leanings toward the more provocative, but others are focused purely on the ergonomic benefits. You’ve got to find the right balance between the stretch of the fabric and the support of the cut.
Breaking the Social Stigma
Let’s be real. There’s a lot of baggage here. For decades, the idea of men wearing panties was relegated to the "secret" or "taboo" category. It was seen as a punchline in sitcoms. But as gender norms soften and the "metrosexual" evolution of the early 2000s turns into the "gender-fluid" fashion of the 2020s, that stigma is evaporating.
Younger generations—Gen Z in particular—don't really care about the "rules" of the clothing rack. If a piece of clothing fits well and looks good, they buy it. This shift is reflected in the marketing of major brands like Calvin Klein, which has moved toward more unisex imagery and designs that blur the lines between traditional masculine and feminine styles.
I’ve talked to guys who started wearing them for marathon running to prevent "chub rub." I've talked to guys who wear them because their partners suggested it. The common thread? Once they try a pair that actually fits, they rarely go back to the bulky stuff.
The Practical Benefits You Didn't Consider
- No Rolling: High-cut legs mean no fabric rolling up your leg as you walk.
- Temperature Control: Thinner fabrics like mesh or silk keep things significantly cooler.
- Space Saving: They take up about 1/4 of the space in a dresser or a suitcase. Seriously.
- Minimal Lines: Perfect for those skinny jeans or slim-fit chinos that are still somehow in style.
It’s not all about the "look." It’s often about the fact that you forget you’re wearing them. That’s the hallmark of a good garment. If you’re constantly adjusting your underwear throughout the day, your underwear is failing you.
The Difference Between Lingerie and Daily Wear
There is a distinction to be made here. Some men are looking for the aesthetic of lace and bows—a more traditional lingerie feel. That’s a valid choice, but it’s a different market than the guy looking for a sleek, nylon-spandex bikini brief for his daily commute.
📖 Related: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
For daily wear, you want something with a high percentage of Spandex or Elastane. This ensures the garment moves with you. Look for "seamless" options. These are game-changers for anyone who sits at a desk for eight hours a day. No seams means no pressure points. No pressure points means no itching or red marks at the end of the shift.
Finding the Right Size (The Hard Part)
If you’re a man buying panties designed for women, the sizing chart is your worst enemy. A "Size 6" doesn't mean anything in the world of men's waists. Generally, you have to look at the hip measurement.
Most men will need to size up. If you wear a Medium in men's, you're likely looking at a Large or even an XL in women's cuts, simply because the waistband needs to sit lower and the fabric has to stretch further.
But honestly? Just buy the ones made for men. The market has exploded recently. You get the same fabrics—satin, silk, fine mesh—but with a "contour pouch." This avoids the "squish" factor that can actually be unhealthy for sperm count and general comfort if the garment is too tight.
Health Implications and Comfort
There’s an old myth that tight underwear is inherently bad for you. While excessive heat isn't great, the support provided by a well-fitted bikini or panty style can actually be better for some men than the "free-swinging" nature of boxers. It reduces the risk of certain types of strain during physical activity.
The key is breathability. If you choose a synthetic fabric, make sure it has a cotton gusset or is a high-quality "breathable" tech fabric. Trapping moisture is the enemy. It leads to jock itch and general discomfort.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If you're thinking about making the switch or just trying it out, don't go buy a 5-pack of the cheapest thing you find. You’ll hate it.
👉 See also: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
Start with a modal bikini specifically designed for men. It’s the "gateway" garment. It gives you the feel of the fabric and the freedom of the cut without the fit issues of a garment designed for a different pelvic structure.
Check out brands like Savage X Fenty (their men's line is surprisingly diverse) or MeUndies. They offer cuts that are very close to a traditional panty but with the "pouch" space guys need.
Pay attention to the "rise." Low-rise is usually better for men because it sits under the "gut" rather than trying to wrap around the waist, which is where most men're broader than women.
Once you find a fabric you like—whether it’s the coolness of silk or the softness of modal—stick with it. Your skin will thank you. And honestly, nobody else is going to know unless you want them to. It's the most private style choice you can make.
The goal is to feel better in your clothes. If a "feminine" cut provides a more "masculine" level of comfort and performance, the labels on the rack don't really matter. We're moving into an era where functionality beats tradition every single time.
Stop settling for the "standard" if the standard is leaving you with a handful of bunched-up cotton every time you stand up from a chair. Experiment with different cuts. Try a high-leg brief. Try a satin bikini. You might be surprised at how much of a difference it makes in your daily confidence when you aren't fighting your own clothes.