Boxers shorts are a type of underwear, worn usually by men. They are all-around-elastic shorts named after the shorts worn by pugilists.

They first originated in the 1930s, but were obscured by the popular briefs. Around 1947, boxers started to gain in popularity. Boxer shorts gained massive popularity in the 1980s when Nick Kamen appeared wearing them in a Levis advertisement. Although briefs outsell boxer shorts, it is apparent that more and more young men prefer the latter.

Most boxer shorts have flies for urinating. Boxer shorts manufacturers have different designs for closing up the fly. Some styles include a button or a metal clasp for the fly. However, most of the boxer shorts on the market do not have a mechanism to close up the fly. Usually, they are available in solid colors, but they also come in a variety of patterns and prints. Most television programs prefer displaying men in boxer shorts rather than other types of underwear. This is mainly because it is the more socially acceptable underwear type to see in mass media.

In 1975, an advertisement for boxer shorts created a recurring urban legend. The fall/winter Sears catalogue displayed two underwear models, one wearing briefs and another wearing boxer shorts. The model wearing the boxer shorts appears to have part of his penis exposed. At the time, this caused a stir because of possible indecent exposure. However, Sears states that it is a printing defect and the same ad reappeared in color in a later catalogue, where no penis is shown. Despite the publicity, Sears did not release a copy of the colored ad to allow the public to verify its statement. Without the proof, the urban legend still persists in popular culture. [1]

Advantages and disadvantages

Fans of boxer shorts claim there are certain advantages to wearing boxer shorts compared to other types of underwear.

• The opening in front of the boxer shorts gives easier access to the penis when the need to urinate is urgent.
• Boxer shorts can be worn as loungewear in a social setting.
• The majority of surveys show that women prefer seeing them on men.
• Boxer shorts appear in more different styles, colors, and patterns.
• Boxer shorts are much easier to take off.
• The temperature inside boxer shorts is much cooler, which is better for a higher sperm count.
• Boxer shorts do not reveal a lot of details of the man's covered region.
• Some people claim boxer shorts can be more comfortable for well-endowed men.

Critics of boxer shorts claim there are certain disadvantages to wearing shorts compared to other types of underwear.

• There are very wide openings for the leg holes, which can result in accidental exposure of genitals.
• The genitals are not supported and tend to move around a lot.
• The waistband can irritate the skin.
• An erection is much more noticeable when wearing boxers.
• Wearing certain kinds of pants over boxer shorts looks awkward.
• The loose fitting can move the underwear into awkward positions.
• Often times boxer shorts will ride up and give the wearer a wedgie.