Lycra in men's underwear

[JamesSwim]

I posted a similar thread in the Swimsuit board, but thought I'll bring it up here.

Although lycra swimming briefs have been less popular in recent years, I've noticed that men's underwear made with lycra (woven with cotton, polyester, modal or nylon) seems to still widely available. I think men's underwear used to be mostly cotton. But maybe I'm wrong, so wondered if anyone remembers:

When men's brief-style (speedo-type) swimwear was popular years ago, were brief or bikini underwear with stretch (like lycra) was also popular?

It seems odd that brief swimwear is less popular now, but similarly made underwear is still popular.

One theory I have is that synthetic fabrics in underwear has gotten better, so they wick away moisture. Maybe the nylon/lycra underwear in the past didn't keep you dry (didn't matter for swimming but underwear needs to keep dry).

When one goes into a department store's underwear section, lycra based underwear seem to be sold widely, unlike those in men's swimsuit section.

[sebbie]

Walmart uses Jocket as an underwear supplier, but this is sold under the "Life" brand name. They used to sell both briefs and thongs in Lycra, 3 or 4 to a pack. All they carry are the briefs now, or they did the last time I checked, They are sold in cotton, but they also sell a lycra blend with nylon. The style is similar to a Speedo brief with about 2-inch side. The material is thinner than what would be normally used for a swimsuit, but otherwise similar. There is no front ubderliner, nor is there a cord, just an elastic waistband covered with he brief material. These also are abailable in squarecuts with a pouch.

Sebbie

[JamesSwim]

Originally Posted by sebbie

Walmart uses Jocket as an underwear supplier, but this is sold under the "Life" brand name. They used to sell both briefs and thongs in Lycra, 3 or 4 to a pack. All they carry are the briefs now, or they did the last time I checked, They are sold in cotton, but they also sell a lycra blend with nylon. The style is similar to a Speedo brief with about 2-inch side. The material is thinner than what would be normally used for a swimsuit, but otherwise similar. There is no front ubderliner, nor is there a cord, just an elastic waistband covered with he brief material. These also are abailable in squarecuts with a pouch.

Sebbie

It's interesting that even in a popular store chain like Walmart, people are purchasing men's lycra blend briefs, but less so for swimwear. So it seems that people have a continued preference for that style -- but maybe not in public beaches as swimwear.

The Life underwear web site shows a string bikini http://www.lifeunderwear.com/popups/popup_fashion3.asp but it's 100% cotton.

In other popular department stores such as Target I see many briefs of that type. I just don't know if they are getting more popular nowadays. It does seem like it, given there are more brands now making that type of brief

[singletlover]

Looks like the went to cotton. I still have several pairs that are the nylon blend, and they are comfortable. Normally do not go to Wall Mart, but for the underwear.

Target for some time sold Monrovia(sp) that was 100% nylon. These are my choice for bedtime. Have not seen them in quite a while.

[JamesSwim]

Originally Posted by singletlover

Looks like the went to cotton. I still have several pairs that are the nylon blend, and they are comfortable. Normally do not go to Wall Mart, but for the underwear.

Target for some time sold Monrovia(sp) that was 100% nylon. These are my choice for bedtime. Have not seen them in quite a while.

That must be their Merona house-brand. They now carry a new brand called Evolve, which is made by 2(x)ist which has many briefs.

And Merona seems to be more mainstream boxers. They also carry a brand called C9, maby by Champion -- but those are meant for sports.

I noticed that companies like Calvin Klein make nylon/lycra underwear, but they seems to be just as expensive as swimbriefs --costing over $25 at times.

[singletlover]

That is why I liked the house brands, not made by an "in" company. The Life and Marona seem to not fit that idea, but they were inexpensive.

I have to learn, when I find underwear I like in stores like Walmart, Target, get all I want then, since they will not be there long.

BTW Champion was being offered at Target a while ago. They peddled them at underwear, but they sure felt and wore like swim bikini.