In 2024 I underwent a “stripping” of my varicose veins in both legs. In removing the great saphenous vein the surgeon had to cut deep into my inguinal region on both sides. My understanding was that the cut was a bit larger and deeper because I had already undergone a similar operation in the mid-90s.
Recovering from the operation, I decided not to wear underpants in order not to excessively irritate the two cuts, with the stitches and dressings. It would appear that not wearing underpants is now called going commando, and it is claimed that it “increases ventilation and reduces moisture”.
During two weeks I wore loose fitting light-weight sport slacks, with no underpants. I remember some years ago being obliged to wear a kilt (in the “true Scotsman” style) in public. It was very “refreshing”, and I enjoyed the whole experience.
But now I asked myself, why do men wear underpants?
Wikipedia tells us what underpants are, but not why we wear them. I learned that there are a multitude of different designs and colours. I wear (wore) white briefs, in what I’ve always thought of as “M&S style”. Boring, but at least I have managed to avoid (so far) diapers.
Wikipedia does point to a separate entry on the more general topic of underwear (undies or smalls to some of us). Where we learn that underwear serves to keep outer clothing from being soiled or damaged by bodily excretions, to lessen the friction of outerwear against the skin, to shape the body, and to provide concealment or support for parts of it. Not sure about the “bodily excretions”, but I guess this is linked to unmentionables, another term for underwear. However, I love the reference to body “parts”.
Topics such as this, are full of interesting titbits. For example, I didn’t know that underwear can be have a religious function, and that the jockstrap was invented in 1874 to “provide comfort and support” for bicycle jockeys riding the cobblestone streets of Boston, Massachusetts. If my mind could “boggle”, it would certainly be “boggling” now.
I also learned that modern men’s underpants were invented in the 1930s, by an “apparel engineer”. I must have blinked when underwear became a fashion statement in the 1970s and 1980s. There I was thinking about comfort, practicality, and price, whilst the world was focussed on sex appeal.
What do the experts tells us?
The Victoria & Albert, no less, has a webpage on the history of men’s underwear. I learned that until the early 20th century, shirts were regarded as undergarments, serving the purposes of protection and modesty, and as indicators of wealth or social status. I didn’t realise that buying a M&S shirt, was me just trying to show I was not a manual worker.
Not included in the “expert” opinions, but often mentioned by the “popular classes”, underpants are very useful for avoiding that “valuables” get stuck in zips.
I’m not sure it was a good idea to “ask the expert”, but here are few morsels:-
- One expert called underwear “inner wear”, obviously goes with “outer wear”, but pointless
- Briefs give tailored trousers a streamlined look
- 20% of men wear the same underwear for a week (that’s one-in-five!!!)
- Underpants protect against irritation, dirt, germs, and fungal infection’s
- Many suggest wearing tight underwear in bed is not a good practice for the body’s “well-being and hygiene”
- Men who wear looser-fit boxer shorts have higher sperm concentration but a lower follicle stimulating hormone level than men squeezed into tight underwear
- Suggestion to wear different types of underpants for different occasions, work, sport, etc., and always wear matching colours
- It’s recommend to wash underpants by hand, and dry in natural air and light
- Buy new underpants every 6 months
- Never try on new pants while going commando.
So what did I decide?
Not sure, but I might consider moving on from plain white M&S style, but… who knows.
