It was in the mid 1980s that the boxer short was perceived as fashionable due to the Launderette Levis commercial which starred English model and musician Nick Kamen who stripped to his blue boxers.
The boxer brief is in my opinion the most fashionable because it benefits from a body hugging fit, whilst also featuring the flattering longer leg. The most important aspect of tight fitting underwear is that they are good quality, such as Calvin Klein or Emporio Armani, because if they lose their shape the result is truly awful.
For most men the vital characteristic of underwear is the comfort factor. Briefs provide the most support, which some men find comfortable and is best suited to sport. The downside is that they contain tight elastic around the legs, and for many men can feel too restrictive. Unlike briefs though, the boxer brief does not have tight elastic around the legs.
Instead they rely on the elasticity of the fabric to provide enough support, making them more comfortable. Boxer shorts provide the most freedom, which some men find comfortable but others find provide too little support. Although boxer shorts are loose, they are not made from stretchy fabric, which means that they do not allow extreme movements. In addition, boxer shorts have a rather nasty tendency to ride upwards which is most unwelcome.
A more scientific approach is the effect of underwear on male fertility. Some studies suggest that tight underwear negatively affects sperm production because of the increased temperature. On the flip side, a study in the October 1998 Journal of Urology concluded that underwear type is unlikely to have a significant effect on male fertility. So by way of a conclusion, the brief is ideal for sport and toned bodies, the boxer brief provides all round comfort and fashion whilst the boxer short is only for the die hard fans.
