Underpants

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Underpants (often abbreviated to pants in Britain^[1]) is a term that in British English refers to men's underwear worn on the lower body. The term is gender neutral in American English.^[2]

Types of underpants[]

Boxer shorts[]

Boxer shorts, boxers, or trunks (Britain)^[3] have an elasticated waistband that is at or near the wearer's waist, while the leg sections are fairly loose and extend to the mid-thigh. There is usually a fly, either with or without buttons. The waistbands of boxers are usually wider than those of the various types of briefs, and often bear the brand name of the manufacturer.

Boxer briefs[]

Boxer briefs are similar in style to boxer shorts, but are form-fitting like briefs. Like briefs they often utilize a fly.

Sometimes boxer briefs are called trunks (Britain),^[4] but see next section.

Midway briefs[]

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.^[5]

Briefs[]

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

Bikini briefs[]

Bikini briefs are a variation on briefs that have less coverage; though typically full coverage of the derrière. Conventionally, they have no fly.

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. The UK English equivalent is “knickers.”

History[]

This section needs expansion. You can help by . (April 2018)

See also[]

• Leggings

References[]