How to Choose Men’s Underwear: The Scandals Guide to Briefs, Trunks, Thongs & Jock Straps
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How to Choose Men’s Underwear: The Scandals Guide to Briefs, Trunks, Thongs & Jock Straps
Buying men’s underwear sounds simple until you realise just how many styles there are.
Briefs, trunks, thongs, jock straps, mesh, lace, pouch underwear, open-back styles — every cut offers a different combination of comfort, support and appearance.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or buying underwear for a partner, the right choice comes down to three things: fit, fabric and how adventurous you want to be.
At Scandals, our Men’s Underwear & Menswear collection includes everything from comfortable everyday trunks to sheer lace briefs, colourful jock straps and statement underwear designed to be seen.
This guide will help you work out which style is right for you.
Start With the Fit
Before choosing a style, get the sizing right.
Men’s underwear should feel secure without digging into the waist, thighs or groin. If it feels restrictive when standing still, it will probably feel even less comfortable after several hours of wear.
When measuring:
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Measure your waist around the point where your underwear normally sits.
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Measure your hips and seat around the fullest area.
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Check the individual product size guide rather than assuming every brand fits identically.
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If you fall between sizes, the larger option will usually provide a more comfortable fit.
Scandals currently stocks a broad range of men’s underwear sizes across the collection, although availability varies by individual product.
Men’s Trunks: The Versatile All-Rounder
Trunks are one of the easiest styles to wear because they combine the coverage of boxer briefs with a shorter leg.
They sit close to the body, usually finishing at the top of the thigh, which helps reduce excess fabric and bunching.
They’re ideal if you want something that works both as everyday underwear and as something a little more stylish.
One of the standout options in the Scandals range is the Prowler Mesh Trunk Black.
The design combines breathable black mesh with a solid pouch and a close-fitting waistband. Its shorter trunk cut is designed to sit at the top of the thigh without excessive riding or bunching.
Choose trunks if you want: support, moderate coverage and an underwear style that works well under fitted clothing.
Briefs: Classic Support With Less Fabric
Briefs remain one of the most popular choices for men who want support without a longer leg.
Traditional briefs offer good coverage around the front and seat, but Scandals also stocks much more adventurous variations using sheer mesh, lace and low-rise cuts.
For something more luxurious and understated, try the Sukrew Classic Silky Contoured Brief in Espresso.
If you want something brighter and more revealing, the Sukrew Sheer Low-Rise Brief in Electric Pink adds sheer fabric and a bold colour to the classic brief shape.
And for a more delicate lingerie-inspired look, the Scandals Men’s Sexy Lace See-Through Briefs combine the familiar brief silhouette with see-through lace.
Choose briefs if you want: strong support, freedom around the thighs and plenty of choice between everyday and more provocative designs.
Boxer Briefs: More Coverage With a Close Fit
Boxer briefs are a good choice if you like more coverage but still want underwear that follows the shape of the body.
Unlike loose boxer shorts, boxer briefs fit closely around the thighs. That makes them particularly useful under trousers or jeans where loose fabric can bunch.
Scandals also carries more adventurous versions of the boxer brief.
The Scandals Sexy Mesh Leopard Print Men’s Boxer Brief combines a familiar boxer shape with sheer mesh and leopard print for something much less conventional.
The collection also includes open-front, fishnet and lace styles if you want to take the boxer shape further.
Choose boxer briefs if you want: fuller coverage, thigh support and a fitted silhouette.
Jock Straps: Maximum Freedom With Strong Support
Jock straps were originally designed as athletic underwear, but they have become one of the most popular styles in men’s lingerie.
The front pouch provides support while the open back and straps leave much more skin exposed than conventional briefs or trunks.
That combination makes jock straps equally appealing as practical underwear and as a statement piece.
The Prowler Mesh Jock Strap Black is a strong option if you prefer a classic black look with breathable mesh.
For something more colourful, the Prowler Vibrant Neon Lace Jock Strap brings lace and bright colour into the traditional jock silhouette.
If you prefer a sportier aesthetic, the Envy Sport Athletic Style Mesh Jock Strap keeps the athletic influence front and centre.
Choose a jock strap if you want: excellent front support, very little rear coverage and a bold, confident look.
Thongs: Minimal Coverage
Men’s thongs provide the least coverage of the traditional underwear styles.
They usually feature a supportive pouch at the front with a narrow strap between the buttocks and very little fabric at the back.
If you already wear briefs and want something lighter, a thong can be an easy next step.
The Scandals Men’s Wild Snake & Leopard Print Thong combines a low-rise fit with animal print for a much more noticeable look.
Scandals also carries plain, mesh, faux-leather and open-back options throughout the Menswear collection.
Choose a thong if you want: minimal rear coverage, freedom of movement and something that feels very different from traditional underwear.
Mesh Underwear: Revealing Without Being Completely Bare
Mesh is one of the easiest fabrics to experiment with if you want underwear that looks sexier but still feels wearable.
Depending on how fine the mesh is, it can range from subtly sheer to extremely revealing.
It's also often lightweight and breathable.
Good examples include the Prowler Mesh Trunk Black, Envy Sport Mesh Jock Strap and Scandals Leopard Print Mesh Boxer Brief.
Mesh is best if you want: breathability, a revealing look and something easy to introduce into your underwear drawer.
Lace Underwear: A More Luxurious Look
Lace isn't limited to women's lingerie.
Men's lace underwear has become increasingly varied, with briefs, mini shorts and jock straps now available in lace fabrics.
The effect can be subtle in black or much more dramatic in bright colours.
The Prowler Neon Lace Jock Strap is a good example of how traditional men's underwear shapes can be transformed using a more decorative fabric.
For a more classic silhouette, try the Scandals Men’s Lace See-Through Briefs.
Choose lace if you want: something softer, more decorative and more lingerie-inspired.
Pouch Underwear: Extra Shape and Support
The pouch is one of the biggest differences between different men's underwear designs.
Some sit relatively flat, while others use anatomical or contoured pouches to create more space and definition.
A shaped pouch can improve comfort by giving the genitals their own space rather than compressing everything against the body.
If support and shape matter to you, look for descriptions such as:
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Contoured pouch
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Anatomical pouch
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Support pouch
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Enhancing pouch
The Sukrew Classic Silky Contoured Brief is a good example of a brief designed around a more defined pouch shape.
Open-Back and Cut-Out Underwear
If you're shopping for something primarily for the bedroom rather than everyday wear, open-back and cut-out designs are worth exploring.
These styles deliberately remove sections of fabric to reveal more skin while still keeping the structure of briefs, trunks or thongs.
Scandals currently carries backless briefs, open-back thongs, crotchless mini shorts and PU cut-out underwear within the wider Men’s Underwear collection.
They're ideal when you want your underwear to be part of the outfit rather than something hidden underneath it.
Cotton vs Mesh vs Lace: Which Material Is Best?
Material makes a big difference to how underwear feels.
Cotton is soft, familiar and ideal for longer periods of everyday wear.
Mesh feels lightweight and breathable while providing a more revealing finish.
Lace offers a softer, decorative look and works particularly well for lingerie-inspired styles.
Nylon and stretch blends can give underwear a close fit while allowing it to move comfortably with the body.
Faux leather or PU creates a much bolder fetish-inspired look but is generally better suited to shorter periods of wear than lightweight everyday fabrics.
The Scandals menswear collection currently includes cotton, Lycra, nylon, polyester and mesh-based options, so it's worth using the collection filters if you already know which material you prefer.
Which Brands Should You Look At?
Prowler
Prowler is one of the strongest brands in the Scandals menswear range if you're looking for colourful, confident underwear.
The collection includes trunks, jock straps, briefs and the recognisable Prowler RED accessories.
A good starting point is the Prowler Mesh Trunk Black, while the Neon Lace Jock Strap is better suited to anyone wanting something louder.
Envy
Envy combines contemporary men's underwear shapes with mesh, metallic finishes and athletic influences.
The Envy Sport Mesh Jock Strap is particularly good if you like the traditional sportswear look of a jock strap.
Sukrew
Sukrew is a strong option for pouch-focused underwear and close-fitting briefs.
The Sukrew Classic Silky Contoured Brief offers a more understated style, while the Electric Pink Sheer Low-Rise Brief is considerably bolder.
Scandals Menswear
Scandals' own menswear range includes affordable mesh, lace, animal print and more provocative styles.
Try the Leopard Print Mesh Boxer Brief, Wild Snake & Leopard Print Thong or Lace See-Through Briefs.
Buying Men’s Underwear for Your Partner
If you're buying underwear as a gift, don't rely on appearance alone.
Check a pair they already own and note the size and style.
Then think about what they normally wear.
If they live in boxer briefs, a fitted trunk is a relatively safe upgrade.
If they already enjoy fitted briefs, try mesh or lace.
If they're comfortable showing more skin, a jock strap or thong can make a more adventurous gift.
Colour matters too. Black is usually the safest option, while pink, neon, animal print and rainbow styles make more of a statement.
Most importantly, choose something that reflects their taste rather than simply what you'd like to see them wearing.
Men's Underwear Quick Guide
If you want everyday comfort, choose trunks or briefs.
If you want more coverage, choose boxer briefs.
If you want support with an open back, choose a jock strap.
If you want minimal coverage, choose a thong.
If you want something subtly revealing, choose mesh.
If you want a lingerie-inspired look, choose lace.
If you want something primarily for the bedroom, explore open-back, cut-out or faux-leather styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are jock straps comfortable?
A correctly fitted jock strap can be very comfortable because the pouch provides front support while leaving the buttocks uncovered. Fit is especially important, as straps that are too tight can dig into the skin.
What's the difference between trunks and boxer briefs?
Both fit closely to the body, but trunks generally have a shorter leg. Boxer briefs extend further down the thigh.
Can men wear lace underwear?
Absolutely. Lace is simply a fabric, and men's lace briefs, shorts and jock straps are now available in a wide variety of cuts and colours.
Which men's underwear is best for beginners?
If you're experimenting with sexier underwear for the first time, a mesh trunk or fitted brief is usually an easy place to start because the shape remains familiar while the fabric makes it more adventurous.
What size men's underwear should I buy?
Use your waist and hip measurements and check the individual product size guide. Scandals recommends checking style-specific sizing because stretch and fit can vary between products.
Find Your Perfect Men’s Underwear at Scandals
Men's underwear doesn't have to mean choosing between the same three-pack of boxers or briefs.
Whether you want a comfortable pair of fitted trunks, a sheer mesh brief, colourful lace, a jock strap or something designed purely for the bedroom, the right underwear can completely change how you feel when you put it on.
Explore over 100 styles from Prowler, Envy, Male Power, Sukrew, Scandals Menswear and more in the complete Scandals Men’s Underwear & Menswear collection.
Shop with discreet packaging, free UK delivery on qualifying orders over £30 and 5% back in Scandals Loyalty Points.
