Underpants


Underpants. In British English the term refers to men's underwear, while in the US the term is gender neutral. The equivalent woman's garment are panties.

Types of underpants

Boxer shorts

Boxer shorts, boxers, or trunks have an elasticated waistband that is at or near the wearer's waist, while the groin sections are fairly loose and extend to the mid-thigh. There is usually a fly, either with or without buttons. The waistbands of boxer shorts are usually wider than those of briefs, and often bear the brand name of the manufacturer.

Boxer briefs

are similar in style to boxer shorts, but are form-fitting like briefs.
Sometimes boxer briefs are called trunks, but see next section.

Midway briefs

are similar in style to boxer briefs, but are longer in the leg, at the longest being up to the knees.

Trunk briefs

Trunk briefs are shorter than boxer briefs but still have leg sections, unlike briefs.

Classic briefs

Briefs have an elasticated waistband at or near the wearer's waist, and leg bands that end at or near the groin. They also come in ultra-absorbent varieties.

Bikini briefs

Bikini briefs are a variation on briefs that have less coverage.

Thong

Thongs are like bikini briefs, except the backside is very narrow and goes between the buttocks.

Panties

“Panties” is a general term for female underpants that first appeared in the early 1900s.

History