Mighty Tighty Whiteys

[USS Triumphant]

I heard someone the other day speak casually of "tighty whiteys", with the implication that grown men don't wear them, and it went without dispute from the large group of people in the discussion. I don't generally give a lot of thought to my underwear aside from making sure they are clean and whole. But this made me wonder. I wear "tighty whiteys", with the exception of three pairs of colored briefs that I bought on a lark. My dad wore and I assume still wears "tighty whiteys". Despite trying not to look at anyone else, I did notice in passing that almost all of the guys that I had high school gym with wore them.

Has something changed where these are not considered appropriate for grown-ups anymore? They certainly seem to sell a lot of them in adult sizes. Maybe they aren't considered in fashion anymore? Or do guys wear a different style of underwear while they're dating than they do when they are married? I know about the cliche of guys having a ratty pair that they won't get rid of, but this isn't quite that. Do women not like the white briefs? My wife and I were married in high school and neither of us ever really participated in the adult dating scene, so sometimes I miss these things.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

For me, i wear boxer-briefs and have for years. Regular briefs just ... look too childish and ... for a different time. I used to wear boxers before i went to boxer-briefs. Much more comfortable.

 

[Scout101]

I can't speak for the women, but as for me personally, I go with the boxer-briefs. Have since sometime in high school or college, I think. A little more freedom, but without the total anarchy of boxers.

I wear regular briefs (although not white, usually) on occasion, but basically only when playing sports, keeps things a little more contained and under control...

 

[nevermore]

I have never known a man who wore tighty whiteys. If a man stripped down to reveal tighty whitey, I would probably have to leave the room to stop laughing. They are shockingly unattractive and look either juvenile or geriatric.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Boxer-briefs. Tighty whiteys look weird on an adult.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

So have boxer-briefs surpassed regular boxers in popularity now?

 

[RapidNadion]

I haven't owned genuine tighty-whities since grade school. I followed the path some have already mentioned: graduating to boxers in junior high and high school (sometimes silk boxers for the three weeks they lasted before tearing) before slowly transitioning to the hybrid solution, boxer-briefs, which is what I still wear today. I also still wear boxers, but generally only when I'm not planning on anyone else seeing them - I prefer the look of boxer briefs when I'm "entertaining."

None of my undergarments, however, are white. I agree that it conjures up images of either prepubescence or "excessive seniority," and I stick with black, blue, and gray.

You're welcome, everyone, for the over-share.

 

[Kestra]

Has something changed where these are not considered appropriate for grown-ups anymore? They certainly seem to sell a lot of them in adult sizes. Maybe they aren't considered in fashion anymore? Or do guys wear a different style of underwear while they're dating than they do when they are married? I know about the cliche of guys having a ratty pair that they won't get rid of, but this isn't quite that. Do women not like the white briefs? My wife and I were married in high school and neither of us ever really participated in the adult dating scene, so sometimes I miss these things.

I'm 26, and I don't think I've ever known them to really be popular. So yeah, not in fashion with my age group at least. I'm married and my husband has definitely never worn them while we've been together. We got together when we were 19 so it's not necessarily some adult dating scene thing.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

So have boxer-briefs surpassed regular boxers in popularity now?

Usually when this topic comes up (once or twice a year) it's overwhelmingly boxer-briefs both in terms of what men wear and what their partners (male or female) prefer.

 

[ITL]

I've never worn tighty whiteys. I'm a boxer-briefs kinda guy.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

So have boxer-briefs surpassed regular boxers in popularity now?

Usually when this topic comes up (once or twice a year) it's overwhelmingly boxer-briefs both in terms of what men wear and what their partners (male or female) prefer.

Well ... they just ... look hot!

 

[Lindley]

I've always worn briefs, but they aren't tight. Tried boxers once and didn't care for the the either/or problem, and never devoted much thought to the matter since.

I wasn't even aware there *was* a hybrid option. Maybe I'll try it. I doubt I'd like having my thighs constricted, but who knows.

 

[RapidNadion]

I've always worn briefs, but they aren't tight. Tried boxers once and didn't care for the the either/or problem, and never devoted much thought to the matter since.

Like, dress-left/dress-right either-or problem, or something else?

I wasn't even aware there *was* a hybrid option. Maybe I'll try it. I doubt I'd like having my thighs constricted, but who knows.

You know, I get that - I had similar worries. But as long as you get the right size, they're wonderfully comfortable, providing a nice middle ground between the control of briefs and the freedom of boxers.

I sound like I'm writing commercial copy.

 

[Lindley]

Like, dress-left/dress-right either-or problem, or something else?

I don't know what that means, but probably.

 

[Amaris]

I wore tighty whiteys up until a few years ago, when I discovered the joys of boxer briefs.

J.

 

[tharpdevenport]

I don't wear them*.




* = in fact, I don't wear any underwear.

 

[RoJoHen]

I can't speak for the women, but as for me personally, I go with the boxer-briefs. Have since sometime in high school or college, I think. A little more freedom, but without the total anarchy of boxers.

I wear regular briefs (although not white, usually) on occasion, but basically only when playing sports, keeps things a little more contained and under control...

Same here.

I have started wearing regular briefs (not white) when I go to the gym.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I have worn tighty-whitey briefs all my life and continue to do so although recently I did buy some boxer-briefs. Hey my boys need a house!

Besides if any of you saw me in just my underwear, believe me my underwear would be far down on your lsit of complaints.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I have always worn briefs, and always will.

 

[Daneel]

I still have some tighty-whiteys, and I do wear them on occasion. Comfort-wise, I've never had any problem with them, and as for whether or not they're juvenile -- what do I care? Besides, (most) people aren't going to see them anyway.

I generally just stick with briefs. I can sleep in boxers, but I've never liked wearing them as undergarments... it just doesn't feel right for me.