Women spend an incredible amount of time developing their personal style. Each piece in our wardrobe has its purpose. They check fabrics, try different sizes, and as soon as their clothing shows faded colours or loses its elasticity, it is retired without a second thought. For them, our mental peace is of primary importance, and that’s directly linked to their physical comfort.
Men, we’ve realised, operate with an entirely different mindset.
Women might notice a pair of faded trunks whose waistband had lost all its elasticity in their younger brother’s gym bag and wonder how it could even fit someone anymore.
When questioned, though, the brother will likely look genuinely confused, stretch the loose fabric, and utter the classic phrase that governs the male wardrobe: "But it still works."
This bizarre loyalty to old, fading underwear is a unique mystery to women. Men who wouldn't dream of wearing a stained white shirt outside happily walk around in innerwear that has long passed its time of retirement.
It isn't necessarily a lack of style holding you back. So then, what is it that keeps you from upgrading to better underwear?
What Makes Underwear Different
Much like their shoes and motorcycle helmets, many men feel that underwear, too, needs to be broken in. They confuse a completely loosened-out fabric with this "broken-in" fit.
This issue compounds when you don’t have many innerwear pieces in your wardrobe to begin with. Over months of routine wear and machine washing, the same pair of boys’ underwear loses its shape entirely.
Forget the fading colours, the elastic band sags, and the fabric starts getting tattered. The garment can no longer provide any actual support. But reaching for it every day does provide comfort.
It’s a mix of this psychological comfort zone of the known devil and the sheer laziness to pick up something new that gets men so attached to the familiarity of old garments.
The Unseen Effects of This Loyalty
When you use loose innerwear under perfectly tailored trousers or casual pants during a long workday, the bunched-up fabric affects how your pants fall. It also forces those subtle, awkward micro-adjustments that everyone in the office notices.
The temporary satisfaction of not having to think about buying new underwear gives rise to physical discomfort that can negatively affect your day.
It’s not even that the benefits of upgrading from this bad underwear are not obvious. Modern, innovative fabrics like Micro-Modal, super-combed Cotton, or feather-light Tactel can give you a much better day-to-day experience. Innerwear from a premium brand also holds its structural lines longer, so you can have the comfort of your familiar innerwear for longer.
An Outside Perspective
Here’s something we can tell you from a woman’s perspective: they can instantly tell when a man is uncomfortable in his clothes, even if you can’t.
Maybe it’s because they spend so much time crafting our wardrobe for comfort and style.
You may feel like a million bucks when you show up to an important meeting or even an afternoon coffee date rocking your old and worn-out underwear. But any woman present there will immediately read all the telltale signs of discomfort, and then that will keep playing at the back of their mind.
It’s as uncomfortable for them to look at it as it is for you to wear it. Maybe even more. So let’s do everyone a favour and just move ahead from those sentimental old pieces that are way past their prime.
It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Bad Underwear
Much like MS Dhoni in the IPL, it’s time for your old favourite underwear to retire. There is no prize for staying loyal to a piece that has outlived its utility. You can still look back fondly at old pictures of yourself in your favourite underwear for nostalgia. But holding onto these worn-out inner garments out of pure habit just won’t do anymore.
Men, it is time for you to change your old habits, clear out the clutter, and treat your first layer with some real respect.
Get over the laziness, head to the XYXX website, and find the underwear that suits you best. You’ve learned fabrics, fits, and design in your outerwear. Your innerwear is the final frontier. Time to cross over to the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a good and a bad underwear brand?
A good underwear brand like XYXX uses premium materials and fabrics. The focus is on providing all-day comfort with features such as breathability and moisture-wicking technology, along with different styles to suit your personality.
What is the benefit of micro-modal underwear over regular cotton?
Micro-modal is significantly finer and softer than standard cotton, absorbing 50% more moisture without holding onto dampness. It maintains a silky texture and premium fit even in high humidity.
What is the best underwear to prevent chafing?
Form-fitting trunks made with flat-lock seams and sweat-wicking tech are ideal. This prevents direct skin-on-skin contact, eliminating the damp physical friction that triggers painful summer chafing.
How do you find the right fit for yourself in men’s underwear?
Always align your waist measurement against an underwear size chart. Look for brands that utilise good quality, anti-roll elastic waistbands to ensure the piece stays secure without digging into your skin.
How long can I use my underwear before it starts stretching out?
Premium innerwear retains its shape and elastic integrity significantly longer than traditional options. It stays snug and resists sagging over multiple intensive machine wash cycles, providing you with several months of use.
BY UMAIRE EFFENDI...
About the author: Umaire Effendi is a writer and film & television professional with over a decade of experience across India and Canada. His cross-cultural background gives him a distinct lens on modern Indian lifestyle, one that understands how India doesn't just follow global culture, but absorbs it, integrates it, and sends something entirely new back out into the world. He writes about men's fashion and culture by taking things apart, the why behind what Indian men wear, and what it says about where we're headed.
