The best men’s underwear brands to buy for every body type

Considering they’re the first thing you slip into every day, underwear is probably the last item in your wardrobe you put time into researching. It’s worth doing so. Getting the right pair in your armoury not only means you’ll feel better all day, but your clothes will hang better too.

The most important thing to remember when buying underwear is to be honest with yourself. This is the layer that sits closest to your skin, so if it doesn’t feel good, it’s time to edit. There are also clear signs that you might be wearing the wrong size altogether. If the leg bands dig into your thighs, you’re probably wearing a size too small. If your waistband keeps slipping every time you bend over, you’re either wearing a size too big or the elastic has gone (and it’s time to have a throwout).

Here, we break down the four major cuts and the men they look best on.

Briefs

Best for: men with larger thighs (and those who are, ahem, more well-endowed)

Forget those briefs your mother used to buy you, the new generation of designer styles on the market are sleeker and more stereotype-breaking than ever. And there’s a reason you’ve seen footballers who put in the legwork, such as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo wearing them in campaigns: they’re the best choice for guys with bigger thighs. If you’re repping thicker trunks, you’ll find underwear with legs tends to ride up during the day, causing a roll in the material that will show through slim-fitting trousers.

Briefs are also good for shorter guys, as they expose more of your legs, making them appear longer and you, therefore, taller.

Perhaps most importantly, this style is superbly supportive – ideal if you’re a cardio fiend. For day-to-day dressing we recommend going for a 100 per cent cotton pair, but look out for versions in a technical fabric for workouts, as these will wick away moisture from your skin. No man-made fibres, unless you’re particularly keen on getting a rash down there.

One thing to bear in mind is that different labels cut leg holes at different angles. And just like the arm holes on a Savile Row suit, this can affect the way they fit. A slimmer section of material underneath the waistband usually means less material at the back of the pants themselves, so these are more suited to guys with smaller posteriors (or one that’s continually being tightened up at the gym). If you are blessed with something larger back there, look out for briefs with slightly more material above the thigh area for more coverage behind.

Avoid those uber-trad Y-fronts that sit below the belly button. No prospective date wants to be reminded of their grandpa when you strip off for the night. For us, Tommy Hilfiger does briefs expertly, providing just the right amount of cuffing to the nether regions, without being too restrictive.

Boxers

Best for: maximum breathability