The History of Underwear #Part 2: the BOXER

Boxer shorts, made of cotton, wool, or knit fabric, became widespread shortly after 1926 when Jacob Golomb founded Union Underwear and, later, the Everlast sports brand. He produced new boxer shorts with an elastic waistband, which were lighter and more comfortable than the leather-belted version popular until then. In the 1930s, the demand for greater comfort fueled the search for a boxer shorts model to wear as underwear, and Golomb produced it under license with Fruit of the Loom, one of the most established American brands (it was created in 1871).

Not only did boxer shorts offer greater comfort than old underwear, mostly wool, but given the variety of fabrics and patterns used in their making, they also fueled the sartorial market.

Boxer shorts provided an opportunity to experiment with patterns, colors, and fabrics not yet widely accepted in normal men's wardrobes.

Singer Nick Kamen undressing in the famous 1980s Levi's commercial, filmed in a laundromat.