History of Men's underwear

Ah, the humble undergarment—often overlooked, yet rich in history! The story of men’s underwear stretches back over 7,000 years, beginning with the loincloth, a simple strip of fabric worn by ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Minoans, and Aztecs2. These early versions weren’t just functional—they were often decorative and culturally significant.

Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and we see the rise of braies—loose-fitting linen trousers tied at the waist. These evolved into more fitted garments with the introduction of the codpiece, which became a fashion statement in its own right during the Tudor era (yes, Henry VIII helped popularize the padded version)2.

By the 19th century, underwear became more standardized and modest, with long johns and union suits offering full-body coverage. Then came the 20th century revolution: briefs were introduced in the 1930s, followed by boxers, and eventually the wide variety of styles we see today—from trunks to boxer briefs3.

What’s fascinating is how underwear has shifted from purely functional to a symbol of style, status, and even sensuality. Want to dive into how branding and fashion turned underwear into a billion-dollar industry? I’ve got some juicy threads on that too.