BOXERS: UNDERWEAR IS THE NEW OUTERWEAR

It’s 2024 and underwear has become the new outerwear with boxers leading the charge as the unlikely hero of men's fashion. There are a few bad guys on the loose and no we aren’t painting a picture of a crime scene. We are talking about the men’s boxers that have escaped the bedroom and taken over the streets. 

Yes, your checkered unmentionables are having a moment in men’s fashion right now. They are fast transcending their traditional role as underwear and venturing into outerwear. After all, why should the unmatched airy feel of a boxer be restricted to closed doors? 

Remember the ‘90s trend of flaunting underwear straps? The 2020s have upgraded this street style, with boxers eclipsing the briefs. Pop sensations Justin Bieber and A$AP Rocky are leading the charge, sporting boxers as shorts, paired with baggy jeans, oversized shirts, hoodies, or jackets. But what sparked this shift, and will the trend stick?

Ever wondered why this underpants style is called boxer shorts? Well, boxers originated in the late 19th century as a practical undergarment for athletes. Jacob Golomb, the founder of Everlast, is credited with designing the first boxer shorts in 1925. Golomb's elastic waist trunks were intended to replace the intolerable leather-belted trunks worn by boxers at the time. The elastic waistband was designed to improve footwork during boxing, which is why the underwear became known as "boxer shorts". 

Traditionally, men’s boxers were considered an intimate garment, hidden beneath pants and shorts. Although boxer shorts were popular at first, they were later replaced by tighter-fitting underwear in the late 1930s, before becoming popular again as sleepwear.

The athleisure wear movement played a key role in boxers’ transition to outerwear. As athletic wear became increasingly fashionable, designers began experimenting with traditional undergarments. Boxers, with their relaxed fit and breathable fabrics, became an ideal candidate that offered the crossover appeal as well as more room to experiment with prints and designs. To cater to the outerwear market, designers have adapted boxers with bold colors and patterns, premium materials like silk and cotton blends, functional details like pockets, and adjustable waistbands.

The point is, you could have a button fastening or a zip fly, a pocket at the back of your boxer or no pockets at all. As far as prints are concerned, the options are limitless from quirky popsicle prints to the classic gingham, you name it.  

Streetwear culture, driven by influencers and celebrities, further propelled the trend as mainstream fashion. The boxers as outerwear trend represents a shift toward comfort-driven fashion, embracing practicality without sacrificing style.

- A cool way to style your boxer shorts as outerwear is to pick a pair in classic pinstripes or check and wear them beneath baggy jeans and tuck the T-shirt inside the boxers.

- If you are running errands or have a grocery run to make, you can pair one with oversized graphic T-shirts for maximum functionality 

- Got a long drive date with your bae, slide into a comfy pair of boxers with some kitschy print and pair it with a muscle T-shirt, just in case things get a little frisky (J)

- Dudes with abs who are into cropped tops (shirts and Tees of course), boxers are ideal to style your look with

- Add sandals or slides for a relaxed vibe

- Experiment with layering – hoodies and jackets in the colder months

While some argue that men’s boxers will always be underwear, others, especially Gen Z, see the trend as a liberation from traditional fashion norms. With brands like XYXX leading the charge in creating stylish and functional boxers, you're not just embracing comfort—you're making a fashion statement that’s here to stay in men’s fashion.