There’s a secret war being waged. It’s been going on for thousands of years while we go through life blissfully unaware that someone—something—is out there jockeying for a place in our quiet existence.
The battle to determine how best to cover our men’s genitalia continues to rage.
I was at a big Valentine’s Day chat on the Midnight Seductions Authors group Saturday- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midnightseductions -and just happened to post a pic of two truly hot guys in their underwear—one in boxers, one in briefs. The caption read: boxers or briefs?
This little pic generated some hoots and hollers, lots of playful chatter, with women lining up on one side or the other. By the end, however, we’d all decided commando was the true preference. And that should probably end this blog post right here and now. Nope. I’ve got lots to say on the subject of underwear. Stand back, give me room.
Here in the South, a lot of our guys still cling to the traditional whitie tightie—pun intended, and that’s just fine with me. I think I’d be really upset if ol’ Bubba stripped down to a thong. To each his own, of course, but there’s something oddly comforting about those bright white Fruit of the Looms. They’ve been around for quite a while, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to become obsolete any time soon. At least I hope not. Besides, on the right man, they’re not going to stay on him that long anyway. Commando is indeed where it’s at.
People have actually written about the history of underwear. Men’s and women. When I saw that, I kind of figured they’d start out with the old stand by—the fig leaf. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a reference to it anywhere, although I did see a nice pic in a men’s muscle magazine the other day with a guy standing in front of a waterfall wearing nothing but a leaf. I kept imagining him taking a step back and the force of the water knocking that leaf right off his…
Well, the caption said it was a fig leaf, but unless it’s some variety of fig tree I’m not aware of, that leaf was way too big—which made me wonder about the fig leaf cover up in the Bible where Adam and Eve hid their nakedness behind the leaf as a result of their shame over eating the forbidden fruit. The metaphor being pejorative in nature, of course. It didn’t hide much. In other words, everyone saw their shame.
Leather loin cloths were around seven thousand years ago. Now, I know some men wear leather today, but to me that would be pretty sweaty—and not the good kind of sweaty either.
The ancient Greeks used wool to cover their manhood. Talk about chafing! I’m beginning to wonder about who invented baby powder. But that’s for another blog.
Today’s underwear can be over the top and sexy as hell. In addition to those whitie tighties, boxer briefs, and plain old boxers, men now have a choice in a range of explosive color and style. How about thongs, jockstraps, and slingshots? Mesh, please? The pic up top is a sheer mesh jockstrap. It comes in a variety of colors too.
I love the slingshot. I even used that design in my latest book, Latin Rhythm. Here’s the snippet:
Wet, black hair buffeted his shoulders. His swarthy skin glittered with water droplets in the dazzling sunlight. Ripped muscles moved up and down his torso with fluid grace. And, oh my god, barely-there fluorescent orange-and-black swim briefs left nothing to the imagination. His bulky load packed into a tight slingshot said it all.
Want to see a slingshot and some other sexy male underwear? Take a look at this site: http://cocksox.com I so love the header. Although I do have concerns about what that guy is reaching for—or is he scratching?
For a look at male underwear over the ages visit: http://manstouch.com/mensunderwear/historyofmensunderwear.html I particularly love the slide show on this site. There’s one image/painting of a man looking a bit Sir Walter Raleighesque (not sure how to spell that), and his dog is in the pic. The dog seems to have homed in on what I can only describe as a codpiece. Gives new meaning to the term ‘boner’ and looks a lot more like the dog’s lunch than anything else. I guess this look helped with advertising a man’s size too. But as a woman, I’d have questioned the authenticity of the packaging. Hell, I do that now!
Any way you cut it, men’s underwear has changed over the years. It makes me wonder if men pay attention. Well, I guess they do or there wouldn’t be a need for all the changes. But I suspect a man decides early on which style suits him best, and all the wilder variations are reserved for playtime.
I’ve got a kid who lounges around in silk South Park, X Box, Rolling Stones, and Bugs Bunny boxers. And that’s just for hanging out. He prefers the boxer briefs for actual underwear. The men in my life have mostly worn briefs. Although, a few have enjoyed the freedom of boxers. In the early nineties, there was a trend amongst young women (sixteen to twenty-five, I’d say) to wear a pair of men’s boxers on top of their jeans. Thank God that trend is over!
So what’s your SO’s preference? Is he into the form fitting briefs or those loose-fitting boxers? How about the combination boxer-brief? Have you ever purchased him a pair of naughtier-than-hell thongs? Did he look at you like you’d lost your mind or grin and put them on, following up with a sexy dance just for you?
Ya’ll will have to excuse me now. Bubba is calling.
For a look at my slingshot-wearing hot Latin hunk, pick up a copy of Latin Rhythm at Pink Petal Books. http://pinkpetalbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=84
February 16th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Unlike women, however, men have all sorts of things that can get tangled up in zips or trapped in awkward places.
Commando is just too uncomfortable. And you look like a lunatic “freeing yourself” when it all goes wrong!
February 16th, 2010 at 6:29 am
Ohhhh, Ouch! Good point, OTC. Back before the waxing craze came along, I recall having an issue with a zipper myself. lol I used to know a guy who went commando. But he loved au naturale in general.Slept naked, walked around his apartment naked. I think he would have gone to work naked if possible. He looked really odd dressed in his Brooks Bros. suit after seeing him naked for hours on end. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Give me the tightie whities. I like something left to the imagination so it can be unwrapped. Sling shots just don’t seem masculine to me, and boxers just remind me of regular shorts.
Faith Bicknell-Brown´s last blog ..Let it snow!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Me? I prefer tighty whities or boxers. I mean do REAL men wear those little baggie thingies??? Totally GET that models would wear a thong or a bag deal but REAL MEN? No. I don’t know of a single man who would be caught dead wearing something like that.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 16th, 2010 at 8:28 am
I think I’m a boxer-brief-woman, Faith. I like the way the leg part fits against the thigh muscles. But the way it clings is what I like most. When IT is so confined, it’s kind of fascinating to watch IT spring outward. LMAO…I so love it.
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Boxers and briefs have their place. But so does commando. lol. Whitie Tighties are a preference in the Deep South it seems. Although many men of the younger generation have gravitated to boxers.
I think I’d prefer boxer briefs for the hubby if I could talk him into wearing them. They’re just plain sexy.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Some men do wear boxers, Regina. I’m trying to think if size has anything to do with it. Or maybe some men just prefer the “free falling” feeling. lol I think a man looks more attractive in something snug fitting, though.
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:35 am
The photo of the lovely crotch was a little much for me this early in the morning. I’ll have little else on my mind for the rest of the day. Love the picture.
Me? I’m a boxers girl. Nothing sexier.
Wonderful blog, Tess!
Carol´s last blog ..Eat Your Heart Out, Carrie Bradshaw……
February 16th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Yeah, Lisa, I believe Fruit of the Loom has the South sewn up. Wonder if there is a study on that. As in what part of the country buys the most of one or another. That would be interesting. Yep, boxer briefs are wonderful, very sexy. Commando is great, but as OTC pointed out, not comfy when zipping up. lol But I think I’d only prefer commando when it’s, shall we say…NECESSARY???? lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Damn, Carol. I had you down for a brief gal. All that pent up flesh just waiting to be unleashed. lol I think my kid has got the right of it. Boxers for lounging, boxer briefs for actually getting dressed and going out in the world. lol
And so sorry you must go to work thinking about the slingshot model’s wares. Stay out of the bathroom. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Love the post!!
I like my man in boxers. I know damn well what’s underneath and I love when he strips them off to reveal it. There is something sexy about keeping it hidden until the need arises for him to reveal it all.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:10 am
There is just something hysterical to me about a grown man in tightie whities. I guess it is the male equivalent to granny panties. I prefer the commando good to go look
Margie
February 16th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Hiya, Shiela,
Do you buy him silk? I so love the feel of silk. Can’t have a man running around in plain cotton boxers, now can we? lol And yep, ripping those suckers off fits in with the bottom line preference by everyone—commando. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Well, now, Margie. Some men are just set in their ways. Their mama’s bought them their first pair. lol Can’t go against Mama, can we?
I like to look at the underwear section in stores. I love the way there are so many patterns and colors to choose from these days. So you can keep the tightie, without it being whitie. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 10:07 am
You bet I have, Tess. Black silk is my preference.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:22 am
This was too funny, Tess. My hubby loves to go commando in the summertime. No chafing there.
The mesh briefs made me wonder who’s going to hand wash them. They’d tear in the washer. (I know, how boring, but it would get expensive to keep replacing them!)
February 16th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Ooooooooooooooo, Shiela. Love black silk.
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Oh, Cate! Talk about raw, summertime lovin’. Whew! I am so ready for summer. Finding a commando guy would definitely work in the Southern heat. lol
I think the hand mesh are a bit sturdier than they look. Some sort of nylon fabric. But I don’t think I’d mind hand washing them at all. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 16th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
LOL, great blog. Commando gets my vote, forget the zipper, button fly all the way. BTW, Tess, it’s free ballin, lol and mamma has no place in this conversation, LMAO.
February 16th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Button fly! Those are sexy. I have a scene in my book where….mmmm…never mind. lol
Free ballin’. Good Lord, colorful tonight. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Umm. Yeah. Rott is a button fly, commando guy and I love it!
Lex Valentine´s last blog ..Hey, Moderator! Ban Me!
February 18th, 2010 at 4:00 am
Well, looks like the commando issues have been solved. So all you guys reading this who want to go commando should run out and by button fly. lol
Thanks for telling us about your ever available packaging, Lex. lol
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!