Boxers, Jocks in Whitie Tighties. A Brief History of Mens' Underwear
By Gypsy Willow
A Selection of Mens' Underwear
Interesting Books on Mens'Underwear
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Historical Progression.
Underwear and outerwear were originally the same thing, a twist of material placed around the hips to protect the modesty of the wearer. By the Middle ages a simple pair of pants was invented with ties at the waist and loose leg holes. By the time of Henry the Eighth, the cod piece was developed to protect the male genitalia. It became more and more exaggerated, especially in the case of Henry the Eighth who suffered from syphilis. The large capacity was said to allow him to wear salve soaked bandages to treat the condition not because of his Royal endowment. Lesser mortals used the spare capacity to carry money and other valuables besides the family jewels.
By the late 19 th Century, both men, women and children were wearing the Union Suit an all in one garment with a convenient drop flap at the rear, this was the precursor to the long john pants named after a famous boxer of the time. At the same time the jockstrap was invented by a gentleman from Chicago who took pity on the bicycle jockeys of Boston who suffered personal injury while riding over the cobbled streets. Later a moulded cup was added to prevent injury when men played with balls, especially when hard, as in baseball and cricket.
The Hanes company developed a superior form of the long john which quickly became a favorite but with the advent of WW1 the troops were issued with button fly drawers adjusted by ties at the hips. Most men then favored these undergarments. However in 1935 an apparel engineer invented the Jockey brief underpants which became a roaring success and sold in huge quantities. It is in fact, the 75th anniversary of the Jockey brief this year, 2010, which are known as Y fronts in the UK.
Underpants never looked back and by the 1970's colored underwear appeared and elasticated materials were used. This gave rise to form fitting undies like speedos, dubbed budgie smugglers by Australians,The Australians are very fond of this native bird.
Today the range of mens' underwear is immense. Not only is it worn under the clothing it is often on display by younger men who wear the saggy pants look. Not every one's favorite look! Now fashionable underwear with comfort is available in all colors and designs. Some , like the square pants example, obviously designed for the man with a sense of humor!
Undergear
Through the years
Mens Underwear Paraphenalia
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Comments
Hi Hello hello, nearly as colorful as womens' isn't it. Thanks for stopping by
grand views, my friend and we women were way overdue. O.O
hehe
informative hub. I like men in boxers but my exes are all tighty-whitey guys. my sons both switched to boxers, I know because I did their laundry as teens when they switched and I was the one to buy them as teens.
I find the speedo types for men really embarassing. haha, I'm glad none of my men ever favored them. :p
Glad you liked the hub lounn, it was fun writing it and I have toned it down a lot! My guys are boxer types too, but not the Square pants variety. Thanks for the comment. (I agree Speedos are yuck!)
I wonder if there is a personality type that goes for speedos that somehow you and I are lucky not to have stumbled into.
In fact, that would be quite an interesting Hub - what personality of men like what kind of underwear. I'm not up for it anytime in future, but if you like the idea, research and make one, I'd sure come read it. :p
also to add, wish I'd seen it before you toned it down O.O
Ha Ha, It was too hot for hubpages. My Faggots and Peas recipe got rated"Adult"!! I'm doing a Butterfly Garden one at the moment to restore my reputation but guess what might be next! Thanks for the suggestion.
You're adorable when you're unpredictable and shyly risque. Too funny about the Adult rating on your recipe.
It's no wonder I'm a solid reader. :D I'm in for butterflies. I love them, so you'll see me there when you make it.
Thanks again Iounn, stand by! Fasten chastity belts!. Have you checked out the extra videos at the foot of the video I posted? mmmm!
haha, now I'm off to do that (can't resist!) and then I seriously have to get to my house-cleaning. I'm goofed the whole day off (well, my days start pretty late because I sleep in lol) online here.
but it's been time well-spent. :D
ran through american models 2010. the guys with tats were really hot, I'm partial. and the guy of middle-eastern descent (top model of the year, Adam)... zomg...
hey, do you remember the guy that kept trying to run up the wall in The Full Monty? now THAT was perfection. I own that movie and have probably seen it like 20 times. My favorite character was Dave, though. I would have been rooting for him too in the clubs. :D I loved his relationship with his wife, how much he loved her and how much she loved him.
Well well...I'm sorry you toned it down..what are we missing? I'm a Calvin guy when it comes down to it..and hate those boxers with buttons to undo (what a pain when caught short). Just wondered if you had ever looked at the Gossard range of womens bras and undies - interestingly there is a Gypsy range-very sexy! Good fun hub!
Have fun!!
Hey Jamie thanks for coming by. I shall check out the Gossard Gypsy range. I love sexy undies. Glad you enjoyed it. Like I told Iounn, my faggots and peas recipe got rated "Adult" so you can't be too careful!
Well according to Lounn my personality is now all over the shop! You must be very careful with faggots, they need gentle handling and can break easily when cooking!
I'm from Wales I've had lots of experience with faggots! I love them to bits. You can find Faggots most saturdays at Cardigan Market. I am sure you would enjoy them as you obviously have had experience and you know how to handle them. Just checked my hub it is still flagged with a warning that it may be deemed "Adult" and not be up to Hubpages strict standards! Thanks for the comment!
Lots of fun - as long they can 'breathe' right!
Good point billy. Perhaps the Scots got it right! Thanks for coming by.
Great history of mens' underwear but I think I have to go for the sponge-bob underpants. Ha Ha !!! Well done.x
Thanks Dim. Just a bit of fun like the Sponge Bob undies! X
Being a true traditional Onesie guy myself I must stand up for tradition and beliefs such as changing one's Onesie twice a year. There is too much laxity in the world of late and those who opt for the once a year change should be frowned upon.
And GW, please contact and tell me how I have nicked someone's phraseology? I assure that I have not copied from anyone and if you point me to an example, I shall be devastated. Look forward to your comment :-)
No Dimitris what I meant was that no one should nick yours! I think you should change your onesies on Saturday night after your weekly bath whether you need to or not!
Hi Gypsy Willow. Thanks for the cool hub. I kind of wonder exactly when men's briefs became a fashion statement? It's a great market though!
Quite Property-invest! Thanks for the comment.
Very informative..ta !! I personally love to see a man in the tight Calvin Klein type shorts...nothin else !! Particularly think white is very sexy . NOT with socks on though !!
Totally agree Bambino. Hope you enjoyed the hub. Thanks for coming by.
Interesting hub G.You left out those of us who go"Commando"however...You really Got me with!"Later,a moulded cup was added when men played?with balls,especially when hard?"Kinda brings up a rather risque image :)voted up and useful
Dean
Ha ha ha cheaptrick. I was naturally talking about baseball and cricket of course! Can't imagine what you were thinking!
Loved the hub. Thanks for teaching me about stuff I never knew I didn't know about. Rated up and awesome. Well done!
Hi toknowinfo, glad you learnt valuable info from my hub Thanks for the up and awesome!
Love the pictures... As long as a man does NOT wear a COD PIECE... I am fine.... LOL.. Fabulous hub, very well written and very enjoyable.
Happy Easter no matter what city you are in right now!
Thanks, I'm near Sacramento Ca escaping the 34'f weather up at the Lake. Glad you had a giggle!
Last Word
Hello, hello, 2 years ago
Thank you for a good selection and history of the underwear.