Boxers

By Josh Riverside

Boxers are very popular today, considering they have only been used during the last century. There is an unofficial debate over which is better, boxers and briefs, and so far, boxers seem to be winning. Read on to see why many men are switching to this comfortable underwear.

Boxers are said to present a more adventurous choice of design in today’s market, where personalization of items is a good marketing tool. It pervades even the world of art – the artist/ photographer Storm Thorgerson once featured a Boxer dog in designer boxers on a beach as part of his exhibit (which featured many other parodies of men and animals).

Many people regarded wearing boxers as taboo for a long time before they were finally accepted as definite alternative to briefs in the latter part of the twentieth century.

The popularity of boxer shorts has transcended more than the local tailor shop. As we have seen over the past few years, sports apparel companies that release underwear lines are already featuring boxer shorts, as it said to aid in the rigors of many sports ordeals. It seems that the era of jockstraps and supporters, which were prevalent only years ago, is gone. (Back then, men were advised to wear supporters that hug the genitals to provide protection.)

Results medical experiments also recommended boxer shorts, since they aid in airflow, avoiding the arrest of spermatogenesis. Brief-style underwear allegedly causes scrotal hyperthermia and can lead to clinical sub-fertility. How practical can wearing boxers get? Strong brief fans may argue otherwise, as these boxers may not be very helpful in hiding an erection or may cause uneasiness due to too much movement of the penis.


Boxers provides detailed information on Boxers, Boxer Briefs, Boxer Shorts, Silk Boxers and more. Boxers is affiliated with Military Shoulder Patches.

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Boxer Briefs

By Josh Riverside

You may be among those who previously thought there are no differences between boxers and boxer briefs. You may even think that men used to wear only briefs and that the selection for undergarment designs are more suited for women than men. But times have changed, and men, too, are given the option to choose among several undergarment styles.

You can find an assortment of boxer briefs on the market today, from those with Spiderman prints to more conservative, clean-looking white ones. So why exactly do boxer briefs differ from any other underwear?

From the name boxer briefs, we can infer that this is a fusion of the boxer-type and brief-type underwear. Boxer briefs somehow resemble the cycling shorts worn by athletes or professional players. They cover more area, from the waist down up to the thighs, and feature the snug-fit characteristic of briefs. You can normally see this kind of underwear on mixed-martial artists and wrestlers.

This is the alternative for those individuals who don’t like the looseness of boxers but want more skin covered. This is not a new type of underwear, however, since its use has been traced back to as early as 1910. They are descended from the uniforms worn by horseback riders.

Most teenage Americans are showing preference for boxer shorts for their flexibility to be used during athletics as well as in everyday activities. The largely predominant R&B and Hip-hop culture may have an influence on them also, as Hip-hop and R&B artists are known to endorse the freer lifestyles that boxer shorts may connote.

Boxer briefs are also available in their knitted versions. They can also be worn as sleepwear. Since the point in selling underwear has shifted from comfort and durability to sexiness, boxer briefs are not as popular as g-strings. They are, however, the preferred and prescribed undergarments by religious institutions with strict standards, such as the Mormons who follow a strict doctrine that considers underwear as having religious significance.

Normal store prices for boxer briefs range from about $10 – $19.


Boxers provides detailed information on Boxers, Boxer Briefs, Boxer Shorts, Silk Boxers and more. Boxers is affiliated with Military Shoulder Patches.

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What Colour Part 6: Blue

By Ivy Mills

Roses are red, violets are blue. Red gets a rose’s glory and, like the violet, blue shrinks into the background - literally. Red objects appear closer than others and blue objects appear farther away. Artists use this little trick to bring depth to their paintings.

The contrast between red and blue give the illusion of depth perception.

Being red’s antagonist, blue symbolizes relaxation, peace and tranquillity. Blue gives the illusion of credibility and professionalism, and so, became the most popular colour to be worn in court.

Blue can represent authority, business, security, stability and trust. It can also leave an stodgy, conservative and judicial feeling.

Blue helps us to communicate on an emotional level and get in touch with our feelings. Blue brings truth, loyalty, harmony and patience to the home.

Blue is a wonderful colour for a bedroom. It encourages rest and relaxation and makes time go by more quickly. Be careful to incorporate other colours as well though - an overdose of blue can lead to sadness and depression.

It also acts as an appetite suppressant - so you are better pre-pared to battle those midnight cravings. Too bad I painted my bedroom sunshine yellow! Maybe it’s time for a makeover...


Ivy Mills has been researching chemical sensitivity and natural alternatives for over five years and has brought her knowledge to the marketplace in her company, Valhalla Essences. Her personal experiences have fed a passion to help others with the same problem. Ivy welcomes others to share their stories and experiences on her blog, Peaceful Power.

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The Best Men's Swimwear - From a Woman's Point of View

By Anne Clarke

This article is about the best men’s swimwear out there. Let me first say that I am a woman. Therefore, I am not judging the best men’s swimwear based on how comfortable it is, but on how appealing it is to any onlooker.

The "Speedo"

I swam on a swim team and played water polo in high school, so let me say that “speedos” have a special place in my heart. I love them! Let me rephrase that -- I love them only when they are being worn for sport. This sort of men’s swimwear was most definitely not made for simply hanging around on the beach.

Also, there is a certain way that a “speedo” should be worn. It must be worn low. In fact, the men who wear the “speedos” in the best possible way are California men. California men know how to wear their men’s swimwear – they wear their “speedos” super low and tight, and they usually reveal just a little bit of butt-crack. Pardon me for saying so, but “speedos” look great when worn this way, especially if the wearer has a swimmer’s body! “Speedos” should never be worn higher on the hips than they are in the middle – this is a horrible look and creates a bit of the “banana hammock” look.

Also, there are fantastic “speedos” out on the market now that are of a square shape rather than a U-shape. These square “speedos” look good on many body types.

Note: I have put the term “speedo” in quotes because “speedo” is actually just the brand – it is not the type of suit. Speedo makes suits for women, as well (this is similar to how we call tissue "Kleenex" and bandages "Band-Aids").

Surfing Shorts

Lace-up surfing shorts are a great sort of men’s swimwear. Practically any man can wear surfing shorts and look good, even if he is not out surfing. The long length of surfing shorts and the adjustable lace-up front make them ideal for most men. The only problem is that they do not allow a man’s thighs to ever see the sun, so his thighs remain white, all through the summer.

Tip: Yes, super low surfing shorts can look very sexy, but do not wear them obscenely low. Also, do not wear them so low that you must also wear your underwear beneath them. Nobody wants to see your underwear hanging out of your suit! Besides, wet cotton briefs boxers are very uncomfortable and take a long time to dry.

Swim Trunks

As far as men’s swimwear goes, swim trunks are the most basic sort of swimwear. This does not mean that swim trunks are not great men’s swimwear. Men of any age can wear swim trunks, from young boys to old men. Swim trunks are great because they usually have a lining so that they are very comfortable and less revealing. Many swim trunks have elastic or drawstring waists, so they are easy to put on and to adjust. Also, swim trunks are a good length – they are not too terribly short, but you can still tan your legs. They are not too terribly long – you can still swim laps around the pool and be comfortable in them.

The Thong

All that I have to say about the thong is -- do not wear one! A thong should not even be included as an article of men’s swimwear.


Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on swimwear and fashion, please visit Bikinis and Swimwear.

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Men's Bathing Suits

By Jimmy Sturo

Buying the right size, style and material for bathing suits is important, especially if you are a professional swimmer. There is a wide range of men’s bathing suits to choose from, so it takes a little time to figure out the right type of bathing suit. Here are a few guidelines that may be able to help you decide what type of bathing suit would match your style and needs.

Before measuring yourself, don’t forget to remove all your outer clothing. Stand in front of the mirror and make sure the measuring tape is not twisted. The tape should be secure but not too tight. Since the size of most men’s bathing suits is based on waist measurement, you need to get this right. In order to do this, bend to one side to find your natural waistline. Then while standing straight, measure your waistline just above the hipbone or about an inch below your natural waistline. This should verify the right waist size before buying a bathing suit.

Decide carefully what type of bathing suit would be appropriate for your needs. For example, if you’re into some serious water sports like surfing, get some board shorts. If you can afford it, try to go for high-quality sanded polyester coated with water repellent. The board shorts should also have reinforced stitching along seams and stress points.

If you’re a competitive swimmer, high-performance bathing suits, with blends of nylon or spandex, such as Speedos and tight-fitting briefs, maximize speed in the water and improve glide times. For training, buy your normal size, but for competitions, buy a bathing suit at least one size smaller than your training suit. Also make sure the suit is equipped with flat and locked stitches in order to prevent drag and skin chaffing in the groin.

Men’s bathing suits, like women’s, are also available in various styles, designs and types though options are generally uniform in comparison.

Speedo, actually a swimsuit brand name, may be the most popular bathing suit for men. The name is now used as a generic term for any briefs-style male swimsuit. Speedos can be identified by the V-shape feature in the front and form-fitting solid back, and are mostly made of Lycra or spandex composite. They are typically worn below the lower waist, and are secured by a drawstring and thin banding at the upper thighs.

Board shorts are basically half length pants but normally longer than briefs, shorts, or Speedos styles. They may also have a baggy appearance and typically extends to the knee area or a little above it. They are popular, but not exclusively, for water sports such as surfing and wakeboarding. Maybe that’s why they are called board shorts. The skater punk fashion of the 1990s and 2000s has also immensely popularized these pants.

Jammers are normally worn by professional swimmers which enable them to gain speed advantages because of its Lycra or spandex composite. They extend from the mid-waist to the area above the knee and have more water resistance than other types of men’s swimwear.

Briefs are normally meant for men’s underwear but they can also be used for bathing suits too. The reason behind the popularity of briefs lies in their practicality, which offers an almost parallel degree of support from jockstraps. So, many people find it comfortable to swim with briefs as bathing suits.

With many bathing suits to choose from in the market, it’s worth taking the time to find the right style and size for you; a little time spent choosing will give you a lot of good use and enjoyment from your new bathing suit.


Bathing Suits provides detailed information about bathing suits, bikini bathing suits, men's bathing suits and more.

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Adding A Touch Of Fashion To Your Life

By Robert Brand

Fashion is a simple concept. You dress yourself and your home in clothes and accessories that are ‘in’. By using the trendy brands and designers out there, you may think it is quite easy to do this though. In fact, in order to add fashion to your life you need to know a thing or two about it. Sure, you could go out and just purchase items that you like and that have a highly recognizable brand to them, but if you do not combine items in the right way, you could be a walking disaster. But, then again, not all of us have been schooled in knowing what fashion is and what disaster is.

Besides taking fashion courses, you can learn a lot about fashion right online. No need to purchase all of those trendy magazines if you can find answers right online, right? Honestly, look for the things that you like the most. For example, do you like how colors work together? Do you enjoy patterns? Do you like to be comfortable or are you willing to forgo this for high style? By using the styles and patterns you enjoy the most, you are sure to create a look that is truly your own, in a good way.

To keep fashion within a budget, look for your favorite designer and then find pieces that have the same texture and cut that are not name branded. Because they will look like that of the high priced designer they will still give you the high fashion sense that you are looking for with a much smaller expense. You can find similar looking pieces everywhere so this is not necessarily a difficult process.

You can add fashion to your home by taking the same concepts that you enjoy using with your outfits and using it in your home. By using the same fabrics, colors, and styles, you can take an average, dull looking home and make it something fabulous and definitely worth sharing.

No matter what you do, adding fashion to your life can be a great way to add a sense of life and style to your everyday existence. If looking good is a quality that you want then you can find it when you look for ways to add fashion into your life. You’ll be surprised at how easily you can do this! Since most of us are on a limited budget, you’ll see that finding unique pieces that fit within your life that are not weighted down with designer labels are out there as well. Fashion can be your friend if you give it a chance.

Robert Brand
Fashion Directory

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The Origin of Underwear

The Unofficial Gentleman's Guide to the History of Classic Skivvies

A man's merit is largely determined by the clothes he wears. So, logically, a man's undergarments provides the necessary foundation for his outward appearance.

A history lesson...

Underwear, apparently, reflects our society. One can only guess what ancient people wore under their robes and tunics. Throughout early Greece, Rome and Egypt, one rule held: the higher your status in society, the more clothes you wore. Slaves often wore nothing at all. The status-conscious Victorians took underwear to fussy extremes of modesty and functionality. It was the era in which underwear became an "unmentionable" and the term "lingerie" came into use.

Men's underwear has not always been a fashion statement. Any kind of undergarment that did not bulge, sag, chafe, gap, bind or shrink in the wash was deemed adequate enough. A man's needs were generally simpler then, and the classic long-handles with the posterior two-button flap were worn just about anywhere except blatantly out in public. Well, in reference to the modern-day boxer short, have times really changed so dramatically?

Ancient Beginnings

Would it be so wrong to assume that Adam's legendary fig leaf was the first article of underwear? YES! Why? Well, mostly because it didn't go under anything. The precise origin of men's undergarments is very difficult to pinpoint. One thing is certain: the male anatomy has always served as the blueprint for the design of his underclothes. Specially fabricated for the contours of the body and made of resistant, washable fabrics, men's underwear has always been chiefly practical rather than decorative.

Approximately 5,341 years ago, loin cloths were a common sight. Some mountaineers hiking through the Tyrolean alps in 1991 stumbled upon the frozen corpse of a man believed to be from that era. Among the tattered remains of his clothing was a leather loincloth. The loincloth is without a doubt the primary antecedent to contemporary underwear. Even as recently as World War II, the loincloth had enjoyed continued popularity among the Japanese, who wore something similar under their uniforms.

Men's underwear, like many of today's products and technologies, was greatly improved during the course of both World Wars. WWI introduced to soldiers the first shorts with buttons on a yoke. Years later, adjustable tie-side shorts were issued to WWII troops for summer wear. These two types of undergarments were so popular that returning soldiers continued wearing them. Plus, the war years spawned the introduction of new fabrics, such as rayon, to complement cotton. Much of this all but replaced the union suits that entire families wore from ankles to wrists.

Towards 1920, however, convenience and comfort were getting more emphasis. New designs with less buttons and easier accessibility mushroomed during this time period. Some early woven cloth union suits had open crotches, for obvious hygiene reasons, held with buttons. Soon after came the various closed crotch designs: some simply draped over the buttocks and stayed loosely closed due to fabric overlap, others sported a d-shaped flap down the rear crotch seam with a single button to keep it closed.

With the advent of the 20's, young men who were keen on dancing most likely wore underwear made of sturdy nainsook, a new woven cotton fabric. At the same time, many men and boys were still wearing various union suits. Correct sizing was determined through the measurements of the chest, waist and trunk(a circular measurement over the shoulder and under the crotch).

By the 1930's, a Vermont-based factory named Cooper's Inc. patented a y-front man's undergarment with overlapping fly. Available in both long and short length knitted drawers, these briefs -- as they're so called today - were introduced under the Jockey trademark. Soon enough, gentlemen everywhere were being advised to shop only at stores that displayed the Jockey statue in the window or at the counter.

Introduced in Chicago in 1935, the Jockey brief sold 600 packages on a day in which one of the worst blizzards of the winter was hitting the city. Thirty thousand pairs were sold in the next three months, a precursor to its enduring popularity that thrives to this day.

Elsewhere in the world of drawers, someone decided to eliminate all the buttons and put in a waist-encircling elastic band, similar to the shorts worn by prize-fighters. Hence, the boxer short emerged and has since enjoyed a massive popularity.

Near the middle of the 20th century, electric knitting machines replaced water-powered equipment to produce more underwear at a vastly quicker pace. During this era of WWII, American troops discovered that the freshly washed white underwear that they hung out to dry attracted enemy fire. A wartime ad for Jockey headlined: "Target: White Underwear" and explained why the armed forces switched from white underwear to OD(Olive Drab), because the latter color blends in with its surroundings more effectively. But more changes were afoot in the underwear business after the war….

Manufacturers of men's undergarments started putting more and more emphasis on their respective brands' recognition, each with their own special little feature to entice prospective purchasers. Bauer & Black urged men to "avoid midsection sag" with its "Bracer", made of two-way stretch latex. Hanes had "Givvies", made from bias cut broadcloth that "gave" with every movement. Healthknit paired MacDee bottoms with matching Kut-Ups shirts, which had an inverted V-notch to fit snugly around the brief's pouch with the shirt tucked in. Perhaps the most noteworthy of them all were the briefs with the naughty name "Reis Scandals". This was to be underwear's coming of age, to finally be associated with sex appeal.

With the dawn of the 1950's - along with the end of the war shortages - boxer shorts and briefs were flying off the shelves and puritanical white underwear was overshadowed by a variety of colors and patterns. Manufacturers were experimenting with rayon, Dacron, and the new DuPont nylon during this time, although cotton remained the main constituent.

At the beginning of the last century, whole one-piece union suits cost $1.00 each. For over 50 years, the price of men's underwear remained at $1.00 or less, per garment. Then in the 60's, the prices started to creep up. Jockey was selling its Super Briefs for $1.50. Other brands followed the example, and it's been an upward trend in pricing ever since.

Underwear is a fashion mainstay today. All manner of bikinis, briefs, thongs, strings, boxers and jockstraps are available for the modern man's tastes and preferences. The vast majority of brands employ young, lean, nearly nude male models as their selling point. Calvin Klein, Sauvage, DIM, Punto Blanco, Tommy Hilfiger, Jockey, JM, HOM and a myriad of others post their sex-drenched ads in magazines and on billboards everywhere. Today, sex sells just about anything, and it would be more than safe to assume that it all originated with our society's embracing of underwear.


Source: http://www.wyzman.com

The Merger Of Art And Designer Clothing

By Kingston Amadan

The human figure has been portrayed in art for centuries. From the anatomically precise sketches of pre-modern Da Vinci and post modern sculpture of Damien Hirst to the telling facial expression and body language of Caravaggio, the human form has been explored and exploited both inside and out. Whether early Pollock or pornography, abstract or offensive, the body has managed to inspire a great body of work. Recently, the human body has been transformed from captive to living canvas, or rather wall space in the gallery of life through the merging of art and fashion.

As the evolution of human consciousness becomes more ingrained in contemporary art, individual tastes in esthetics often take a backseat to the message that is being conveyed. While one is no less important than the other in achieving a sense of balance, this is especially true where art and fashion intertwine. By it's very nature, fashion is only as merited as the function it serves. If something meets the criteria of being "in fashion", it reflects the prevailing style of the day. A out of date fedora is still an out of date fedora whether it says, "Von Dutch", "Cleveland Indians" or nothing at all. But what happens after these standards have been realized? Is there still room for exposition?

Currently, there are few designers in the market who are able to combine the relevancy of contemporary art and designer fashion, though public demand is high. While certain segments of the population consider art as an observation of life, others see it as a source for depicting the merits of positive social change. Regardless of which view, if any, one subscribes to, the clothiers who manage to merge the messages of art into their garments and do so not at the expense of fashion will likely enjoy a great deal of success.


About the Author: Kingston writes for http://www.reformapparel.com you can also read more of his articles at http://re-formyourworld.blogspot.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Starting An Art Collection

By Corinne Cain

Identify what kind of art you like. The following techniques can help you determine what that is:

1. Visit 3 to 6 museums displaying different types of art. Finish your visit by purchasing postcards in the gift shop that reflect artworks that are attractive to you. Toss these cards in a bowl, and don't look at them again until you have visited formation.

• Subscribe to magazines that focus on the type of art you want to collect.

• Don’t rush to acquire art. For many, it’s a lifelong pursuit.

Starting a Contemporary Art Collection

Contact museum curators or art professionals in your area who do not sell.

1. Build a relationship with these professionals by attending lectures where they assemble.
2. Discuss your interest in collecting contemporary art and ask for their recommendations.
3. Listen for names being repeatedly identified as quality artists.

• Attend exhibitions at contemporary art galleries in your area. Ask for information about any work that interests you. This will help you understand what the artist intended for his or her work "to say."

• Go to national and international art fairs to gain additional exposure to contemporary art. Ask for information on work that interests you at these events as well.

• Contact prominent local contemporary artists working in a medium you like and ask them to identify their "hot picks."

• Supplement your efforts by reading art publications such as Art in America, Art Forum, and Art News, as well as magazines directed toward just one kind of medium, for example, Fiberarts or types of art for example, Latinarte, Native Peoples and American Indian Art magazines.

• Join ancillary museum groups focused on contemporary art. These events allow you to experience what experienced collectors of contemporary art have chosen. Travel to other cities with these groups to gain an even greater understanding of contemporary art.

• Do MOST of the steps described above before purchasing for your collection.


About the Author: Corinne Cain is the principal of Corinne Cain, Ltd, a nationally recognized firm affording expert appraisal and consulting services on Fine Art and Native American Art. Her background includes an MFA and MBA from Southern Methodist University. Ms. Cain is also the proprietor of http://Savvycollector.com, a nationally known secondary art market dealer.

Source: www.isnare.com

Adaptive Clothes Blending; They Change Color While You Wear Them

By Lance Winslow

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you go out with your friends and find that you are wearing clothes, which do not match and are actually obnoxious when you look at them together? Have you ever gone to a party and you find you stand out way too much and wish you could blend in better?

Did you know that the military is working on adaptive soldier uniforms, which change color depending on the terrain? For instance if they are in a desert then they turn tan color, yet if they move into a forest area they turn a shade of green. If they are walking along a road they would turn black on top so that an aircraft over head would not notice. Pretty cool features yes? Of course and this could save lives in our military and it makes a lot of sense.

Now then in the future these technologies will be transferred into the public sector, in fact currently some of these technologies really are. In the future consumers will be able to buy adaptive clothing just like the military will have. Imagine if you could match your friends clothes and blend into your surroundings. Indeed some may want to be loud and attract attention and in this case your clothes would pick a color that was not in the room and then go for that instead. No more accidentally wearing the same dress at a party. Consider all this in 2006.


Lance Winslow
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

5 Rules of Shopping

By Sheila Dicks

Everyone likes a bargain and it is this time of the year, when sales are in full swing that we head out to the stores in search of a great bargain. The question is, are you really getting a bargain when you buy clothing that doesn’t fit well – a pair of boots at seventy percent off but a size too big – or a sweater that you will never wear because it doesn’t match a thing you own.

Before you hit the stores looking for bargains, decide how much money you want to spend. A great sale has the potential to be a spending trap that will leave your pocketbook empty and your closet overstuffed with items that you will wish you had never bought – like the boots that are too big and keep slipping off.

Here are 5 shopping rules that will help you come home with clothing items that are real bargains that will make you look and feel good.

Rule #1. Know exactly what you need. Take inventory of your clothing and write a list of items that will expand your wardrobe – a red top that you can wear with five other items in your closet.

Rule #2. Buy only what you need. If you have five white t-shirts that are in good condition and exactly the same cut you probably don’t really need another one.

Rule #3. If you are working with a budget stay away from that great plaid, flowery or embellished bag if most of your wardrobe is patterned and none of the colors in the bag match the clothing you already have.

Rule #4. Don’t be seduced by a low price. No matter how expensive it was if it doesn’t fit don’t buy it. You might find the best looking designer jacket at a low, low price but if it’s the wrong color or it doesn’t suit your body type you will not likely wear it.

Rule #5. Shop prepared. If you are shopping to find a blouse to match a certain pair of pants, wear the pants shopping. Or if you are buying a skirt wear heels or take an appropriate pair of shoes with you to get a better idea of how the skirt will look.


©Copyright 2006 Sheila Dicks
Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women feel more confident by dressing to suit their body type. To get tips on how to dress slimmer and find your best styles get a copy of her ebook "Image Makeover" at http://www.how-to-dress.com or go to http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to get the Free Report "7 Things Your Girlfriends Won’t Tell You About Beauty and Fashion".

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