Your underwear forms the foundation of your outfit, and how comfortable you feel in your clothes has a LOT to do with making the right choice of underwear. However, with the wide variety of styles, cuts, fabrics, colours, and prints out there, making that choice is not the straightforward decision it once used to be. Apart from the obvious question of whether they look good or not, you also have to factor in long-term comfort, support for your privates, the right range of movement and concealment, as well as keeping sweat and body odour at bay.

Faced with all these decisions, knowing what will not only fit your body type, but also fit seamlessly into your personal style is half the battle won. There are several styles for you to choose from, which is where we, at MensXP, can be of assistance. Our guide to underwear styles can help narrow down your options, taking your underwear game to the next level by helping you make all the right choices.

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This classic, standard style that we all know from our childhood is made for comfort and support. The best briefs for men  are defined by their distinctive Y-shaped front, elastic waistband, and just enough fabric to cover the essentials (namely your package and backside!) while leaving your upper thighs exposed.

Pros: Thanks to their excellent support and minimal coverage, they're the underwear of choice if you're wearing slim-fit jeans or fitted trousers. They're much less likely to ride up as compared to other styles, so you won't have to keep adjusting them either. 

Cons: Although available in a variety of cuts and colours, they're not the most visually appealing garment to own, and can also accentuate stocky figures.

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Boxers are shorts that are designed to be loose-fitting, airy, and roomy, with an elastic waistband, and straight leg openings that extend down the legs to varying degrees. They usually have an open fly, to offer the wearer an exit route with maximum ease. 

Pros: If you're chilling at home on your day off, nothing feels more comfortable than a pair of boxers. Breathable and roomy, the best boxers for men offer a freedom of movement that is simply unmatched.

They're also perfect for men who don't like revealing underwear thanks to the increased coverage they provide.

Cons: Due to their baggy nature, they tend to bunch up uncomfortably underneath your trousers. Another problem that arises due to them being loose and free is sweat, which falls off your body and gathers in the most uncomfortable places.

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If you combine the best features of boxers and briefs, you get the best boxer briefs for men , a hybrid style that retains the longer leg of the boxer as well as the snug fit of the brief.

Pros: Highly versatile and universally flattering, they're the reigning champions of the underwear game. They offer tons of support downstairs, and can be worn as part of any outfit without fear of unwanted sweat, body odour, or bunching up.

Cons: Although they're less prone to riding up than most styles, you might experience it if you sit for an extended period of time. This happens because they extend further down your legs than briefs, which end in the natural crease between your legs and torso.

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This style sits somewhere between briefs and boxer briefs, perfect for those who can't bring themselves to choose between the two. Trunks are a newer style of underwear, but one that's quickly gaining popularity. The best trunks for men  have the skin-hugging fit of briefs with legs shorter than boxer briefs, creating a simple square-cut silhouette.

Pros: The body-hugging fit means that they can be worn comfortably with slim-fit trousers and denims while still offering enough room for gents who hate constriction. The close fit has the added bonus of preventing sweat from soaking through, enhancing your comfort.

Cons: Finding the right cut and size of trunks is the key to ensuring your comfort, because a low-cut variant leaves you open to the risk of public embarrassment every time you bend down (unless you wear your shirts tucked in for the rest of your life). 

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Although the underwear styles mentioned above are what you usually find on store shelves or online, that's not where your options end. There are a whole host of styles that aren't as common, but can still be valuable additions to you underwear drawer based on personal preference. After all, the key to selecting the best underwear for men  is to find options for every possible scenario!

For men who like the freedom that going commando affords them but are not quite ready to take the plunge, options like the thong, bikini brief, and g-string are worth looking into. These styles also work best for men with well-sculpted bodies who like to show off the results of their hard work, as they provide maximum exposure while still protecting your modesty. Whether you want to flaunt your stuff or just enjoy freedom when you walk around, this is the way to go.