A BRIEF/UNDERWEAR GLOSSARY

There are many variations on a theme that are not listed below.

Traditional Brief

This is the traditional men's underwear. It has a full rise, covering the body from the waist to the top of the thigh, and has a working fly.

Traditional Boxer

The traditional boxer is a full rise with a 3" inseam. It loosely covers the body from the waist to just above mid thigh. It always has a working front fly.

Boxer Brief

The new boxer brief has the styling of the traditional biker pants, but cut a little shorter and fits like a brief. It may have a front fly in the design of a brief fly.

Full Cut Boxer

This boxer has a fuller cut including wider leg openings. Sometimes there is a U-shaped panel between the legs to reduce binding and increase wearing comfort. Traditionally has a fly front.

Tapered Boxer

This slimmer cut boxer has tapered legs to show off one's physique. Side vents offer comfort and leg freedom. It may or may not have a fly front.

Mid-Rise Brief

This is a lower sitting brief. The waistband sits approximately 2" below the waistline, just at or above the navel. Other than that, it has all the styling of a traditional brief including a working front fly.

Low-Rise Brief

With the new low cut pants on the market, this style has become very popular. The waistband rests on the hip approximately 3" below the waist. It still has side fabric, and the legs are traditional brief legs (not high cut). It may or may not have a front fly.

Bikini

The men's bikini style is cut lower than a low-rise brief. The top elastic sits approximately 4" below the waistline - below the navel. It still provides full rear coverage. The leg has a high cut design and the front never has a working fly.

String Bikini

This style is the lowest cut and least coverage of the men's underwear styles (thong and jock strap excluded). It sits approximately 4" below the waistline and has no side panels. The leg openings go all the way up to the elastic waistband, which is a "string" style band, connecting front and back panels. Full seat coverage but without a working fly.

Thong/Jock Strap

This style has an elastic waistband and a front cup. The front cup panel is kept in place by a tape, which goes through the legs and attaches in the center back on the waistband. This is a style used in athletics for more support, or when minimal coverage is desired.