Men’s Underwear Briefs: A Must-Have for Gay Men’s Wardrobe

The right pair of briefs does something quietly brilliant. You put them on in the morning, forget about them by nine and still stand a little taller at six.

Most men never get that. They grab whatever multipack is on offer, put up with waistbands that roll and fabric that sags by lunchtime, and decide briefs just aren't for them.

At Bill and Brandon, briefs are the backbone of the range, so we have opinions. Here's why men's underwear briefs deserve a place in your drawer, how a good pair should fit and which of ours to pick for which kind of day.

WHY MEN'S BRIEFS ARE WORTH IT

Briefs hold everything close and forward, which is the whole point. There's no loose fabric moving around and no leg to ride up your thighs, just a snug pouch and a waistband that keeps it all where it should be (your "precious bits" will thank you).

That support is what makes them so easy to live with. You can walk to the station, sit through a long meeting and dance at the end of the night without stopping to adjust. Under slim jeans or tailored trousers, the lack of a leg means nothing bunches up at the thigh.

They also look good. A well-cut brief shapes you without trying too hard, which is why they've stayed a classic for close to a century. The first men's briefs went on sale in a Chicago department store in 1935, and plenty of men have refused to wear anything else since.

One thing worth admitting: briefs aren't perfect for every situation. If your thighs rub together on long, hot walks, a pair with a leg will serve you better. Our guide to anti-chafing underwear for men covers that one properly.

HOW SHOULD BRIEFS FIT?

Snug, never tight. That's the short answer, and the rest is detail.

The waistband should sit flat on your hips without rolling over or leaving a deep mark at the end of the day. The leg openings should follow the crease of your thigh without cutting in. The pouch should hold you forward and supported, with no squashing and no gaping.

Then do the sit test. Sit down, stand up and bend over. If the back stays put and nothing needs a discreet tug, you've got the right size. If the back creeps up, the pair is too small or the cut doesn't suit your shape. If the fabric bags at the front or seat, go down a size.

Our size guide has the measurements for every style, and it's worth two minutes before you order.

WHAT FABRIC IS BEST FOR BRIEFS?

For everyday wear and most gym sessions, a cotton blend with a little stretch is hard to beat. Cotton breathes and feels soft against the skin. A small amount of spandex lets the fabric move with you and spring back into shape, so the pair doesn't sag by the afternoon.

That's why all our briefs use 92% cotton and 8% spandex. It's comfortable enough for a twelve-hour day and stretchy enough for a workout. If you've been sweating hard, change into a fresh pair afterward, whatever the fabric.

THE BRANDON BRIEF: YOUR EVERYDAY HERO

If you only buy one pair of briefs, make it the Brandon Brief. It's our classic cut, with a body-defining fit, a super soft waistband and that soft, stretchy cotton blend.

It comes in sizes S to XL and six colors: black, white, blue, pink, green and red. Black goes under anything. The Brandon Brief in white is the crisp, classic look, though fair warning, whites need a little more care to stay bright. Our guide on keeping your Bill and Brandon's perfectly white has you covered.

The brighter shades are for the days you want a bit of fun under your clothes. Nobody else has to know you're wearing pink. That's half the appeal.

THE BEAST BRIEF: FOR BIGGER BUILDS AND BOLDER DAYS

The Beast Brief lives in our Beast and Bulge briefs range, which we made with bears and broader builds in mind. It shares the same soft cotton-stretch fabric and body-defining fit as the Brandon Brief, with a more masculine look and a wider size range, from XS all the way to XXL.

If you've found that most briefs stop a size too early, start here. The Beast Brief in black is the one to try first. There's a white mesh version too for nights when you want to leave a little less to the imagination.

WHICH PAIR FOR WHICH DAY?

For the office, the commute and long days on your feet, reach for a Brandon Brief in black, white or blue. It's the pair you can forget you're wearing.

For the gym, either brief works well. Change after a sweaty session and keep a spare in your bag.

For a date, go bolder. A Brandon Brief in red, or a Beast Brief in mesh, says you made an effort without saying a word. This is the reason Bill and Brandon makes guys sexy undies for real life rather than special occasions only. A great pair of briefs earns its place every single day.

And if you're building a whole drawer from scratch, our guide to the best underwear for gay men matches a style to every mood.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BRIEFS LAST

Machine wash cold, skip the bleach, tumble dry on low heat and don't iron them. Hot washes and high heat are what kill elastic, and a waistband that has lost its spring is the first sign a pair is past it.

Rotate a few pairs rather than wearing the same favorite on repeat. Each pair lasts longer, and you always have a clean one ready (you can thank us later).

TIME TO UPGRADE THE DRAWER

Good briefs come down to a snug fit, a fabric that breathes and stretches and a cut that suits your build. Get those right and you'll wonder why you put up with saggy multipacks for so long.

Bill and Brandon makes men's briefs in classic cuts, bold colors and novelty prints, with most single pairs at £22.99.

We're a UK brand with daily dispatch, discreet eco-friendly packaging and more than 500 "Excellent" reviews. Have a browse of the full range, check the FAQs if you're unsure on sizing or get in touch and we'll help you find your fit.