UNDERSTUDIES

Underwear isn’t one-size-fits-all. Nor is it one-style-fits-all-occasions. Expand your horizons. Perfection is pairing a Y-Brief with a vintage YSL briefcase; luxury is a long, lazy weekend in nothing but Boxer Shorts. Variety is the spice of life; rigidity is its ruin.

Words by Zeb Goodman

Imagery by Tomas Carlsten

SUNDAY SERVICESTANLEY, 43, TRINITY CHURCH, NYC

–When I was a kid I saw my dad in his tighty-whities and swore I’d never commit such a sartorial sin. I wore boxer shorts for thirty years until my own son was born. Then I decided it was time to branch out. For church Sundays, I pray in my “mighty-whities.” They’re the ultimate fatherhood flex.

SATURDAY SHIFTCONRAD, 64, DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS, QUEENS, NYC

–In the army we had only one option of underwear, we just called them ‘shorts.’ They were white at first, but that attracted too much attention when we hung them up to dry, so the army began dying them green. Now I like to have options. I’ve got all kinds and colours back home. For my shifts, I wear boxer briefs.

SITE INSPECTIONJEFF, 45, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

–I’m always traveling for work, which effectively means I live out of my suitcase. I’m usually a boxer shorts kind of guy, but when travelling, boxer trunks take up less space. On the other hand, when stuffing my backpack for hikes, I opt for y-briefs. Every inch matters.

LETTING LOOSEPAULIE, 13, NORTH CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY

–I like being loose, being laid-back. I like boxer shorts. I wear them with my track pants when I’m at school. When I get home I take my track pants off, I let loose. I choose boxer shorts

BUSINESS MEETINGSPATRICK, 27, AMERICAN GARDENS BUILDING, UPPER WEST SIDE, NYC

–I believe in taking care of myself, a balanced diet and a rigorous exercise routine. Each morning, I put on a pair of boxer trunks to do my stomach crunches. I can do a thousand now.

GRADUATION DAYPETE, 18, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK

–I’m graduating today. I’ve got my suit on to take photos with the fam, but when I gown-up to get my diploma this afternoon, you better believe I’ll be strutting across that stage with nothing but boxer shorts on underneath.

SATURDAY CRUISENATHAN, 40, AUSTIN, TEXAS

–I normally wear boxer trunks. I like that they don’t show above the belt. On weekends I live in Levi’s 501s, and nothing beats a crisp new pair of y-briefs. That’s old-school class. You can’t change that.

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