The metro
I am wearing the new Calvin Klein briefs as I write this. That's probably too much information for a first sentence but since this article is about men's underwear, I must defy my conservative upbringing and tackle something private.
There's never really been any literature on men's undies, unlike women's lingerie where topics have ranged from cleavage support to what to wear when you want to seduce in the bedroom. I know this because I edit a women's magazine.
So for the purpose of this article, I gathered three different designer briefs and test-wore them so I could impart empirical evidence on the subject matter.
Note that this is about briefs, so you won't come across any material on boxer shorts because I never really took a liking to them. I don't understand their appeal because they don't give much support and, honestly, that's a lot of fabric to wear under trousers
I am partial to Calvin Klein underpants, having worn them for years, especially the ones with the red waistbands. But I've also taken a liking to this new pair from Calvin Klein's Body Relaunch line. The low-rise trunk sits comfortably under low-waist jeans without peeking through. The waistband is comfortable and doesn't pinch, I just wish the logo wasn't so in your face. The shape makes the derriere look taut, but since they did away with the tag on the waistband and replaced it with printed product information, it looks like I have some scribbled tattoo on my buttocks.
Overall, I like them and would love them more if I had the physique of Garrett Neff who models them in the Calvin Klein campaigns. Maybe Calvin Klein should create underwear that tones the butt when you wear them so we can all have physiques like Mark Wahlberg and Neff without hitting the gym. I also tried DKNY's sports brief (below left) made with stretch cotton and poly mesh. I like the way they look - the logo is subtle and I like the thin red line that runs along the top of the waistband.
The box says they have ergonomic styling. I don't know what this actually means but maybe it has something to do with the feeling of not wearing underwear when you actually are, but still getting support.
While the DKNY brief is snug, it has a perforated surface which allows the skin to breathe. And like sports tank tops, it has a quick dry property, which is essential if you're prone to sweating. The sizing is a bit tricky, so I recommend trying them on at the store first if they allow it.
I've never been a David Beckham fan, even during the heyday of the metrosexual when he was the poster child. I could never get past his voice, which to me still sounds prepubescent. And so it was with much reluctance and chagrin that I approached the shop clerk at the men's underwear section of Takashimaya Singapore and asked for the David Beckham underwear. Fortunately, the shop girl had no idea who Beckham was and asked me if it was a new brand.
So I was left to fend for myself and thankfully there were shelves of Emporio Armani underwear. I picked up the Seamless brief, which I saw Beckham wearing in an advertisement (top left). The design is nice and I like how it integrates the waistband into the brief itself. I also like how the brief doesn't tug when in movement. It's kind of like going commando minus the feeling of something on the loose.
Your masculinity is still packed nicely, much like Beckham's in those billboards that caused traffic chaos in Milan. However, since I am not a fan of logos or designer monograms, I find the EA logo and the trademark eagle a little too large at almost two-inches. But overall they are not a bad pair of drawers.
I've probably revealed too much already. So let's just stop there.
Shopping list
Calvin Klein, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, tel: 2808 4699
DKNY, World Trade Centre, Causeway Bay, tel: 2895 1388
Emporio Armani, Chater House, Central, tel: 2532 7711
