The Underarchive

@underarchive

I love men’s underwear packaging and advertising too much. Posting my personal archive to see if I am the only person left with this specific interest.

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Bluesky

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The Underarchive@underarchive· 20d

Jockey Naturals low-rise y-front brief, early 1990s (1993). I love unbleached organic cotton and Industry of All Nations makes an unbleached cotton men's bikini brief today. industryofallnations.com/collections/...

A flat-lay image of a men's wedge-front (no fly) low rise brief in an undyed cotton fabric. The fabric is in a fine pinstripe pattern of warm ecru tones.

The Underarchive@underarchive· 20d

"Jockey in the house?" - my favorite of the "let 'em know you're Jockey" campaign in the 1990s.

The Underarchive@underarchive· 20d

Assorted pages of the Jockey men's catalog, July 2010. The Elance page is my favorite (surprise!) Also it's a shame they never did a proper 1:1 copy of the nylon y-front in a low rise.

The Underarchive@underarchive· 20d

I definitely remember watching Jeopardy and wishing Botany 500 was furnishing Alex Trebek with his underwear in addition to the suits he wore on the show.

The Underarchive@underarchive· 21d

This is the current design that I don't like - it looks like they reused the colors and layouts from their women's line and just pasted the men's picture on top. Colors are communication and they deserve careful thought in advertising and packaging.

The Underarchive@underarchive· 21d

Fruit of the Loom appears to be testing or getting ready to launch a new brief variant that's cotton stretch, mid rise and pouched with no fly. I wish it was low rise but at least there's a chance they'll get rid of the awful new feminine "feels good right" packaging they have right now.

The Underarchive@underarchive· 27d

An ad for Jockey Elance bikini briefs made with Kodel polyester cotton blends. I am absolutely wild for madras plaid in general, so I would flip my lid for madras plaid bikini briefs like these. They would rule in 100% cotton or micromodal. #mensunderwearhistory #bikinibriefs #elance

The Underarchive@underarchive· Jun 21

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer was a spokesmodel for Jockey (and the forbidden dream of many a young man that didn't yet know how to articulate something they knew they wanted.) Watch him be fine as hell as he extols the virtues of Jockey underwear.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Jun 20

T-shirt packaging where they show you the underwear the model's in and they're wearing briefs is always a delight, especially in the early 2000s when these Stafford crew necks were produced.

Three men's t-shirts in retail packaging are photographed against a white background. The boxes are plastic with a cardboard insert for the photography. A bright green 'new' sticker in all caps is affixed to the upper right of each. The man in the color product photography wears a white crew neck t-shirt and bikini briefs with a contoured pouch. The man is visible from the nose down, smiling as he looks down to the right. Only his lower face and upper thighs are visible otherwise. He makes this t-shirt look comfortable and athletic.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Jun 11

By request, a selection of Stafford catalog advertising and packaging. This is from their Sport line of the 1990s. There was even a jockstrap! Can you imagine, JCPenney of all places in the early 1990s making a fashion jockstrap? 1/3

The Underarchive@underarchive· May 29

Raise your hand if this specific Jockey Elance box art was the highlight of going to department stores when you were young. I remember being so disappointed when they changed to a new image in black-and-white with no face around 2005-2007. #bikinibriefs #mensunderwearhistory

The Underarchive@underarchive· May 28

Choose your fighter. Jockey Elance waistbands, 1980-2020. #mensunderwearhistory #stringbikini #bikinibriefs #jockeyelance

The Underarchive@underarchive· Oct 21

I am considering posting pictures of myself on this account to show off pairs I love but don’t see people talking about. I know there’s three dudes in America who fight me on eBay whenever these come up for sale. Are you interested? I’m a chubby man but I’m told I’m handsome.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Oct 21

Polo Ralph Lauren micro modal thong and string bikini brief. I remember seeing these on the Macy’s site back in 2001 and wishing I lived near a big city. This color was called dress shirt blue. It also came in a string bikini brief style. #mensunderwearhistory #stringbikinibriefs #manthong

A men’s thong laid flat on a light colored wooden table. The thong is dress shirt blue and has a gray waistband with “Polo Ralph Lauren” repeating in black lettering with a single black line.

A men’s string bikini brief laid flat on a light colored wooden table. The brief is dress shirt blue and has a gray waistband with “Polo Ralph Lauren” repeating in black lettering with a single black line.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 17

An American Apparel (now Los Angeles Apparel) display window featuring wall-to-wall men's ringer briefs c. 2010s, and the product photography from their website today. I got my first pair in 2005, and the style is still sold to this day! Style 44015.

A photograph of a glass display window in the wall of a red brick building. A series of men's torso mannequins are arranged in a four wide by six tall grid on glass shelves. Each is dressed in a pair of full rise briefs with white contrast piping. The fabric color of each brief varies, to create a gradient effect when viewed at a distance. The fabrics are colors of baby blue, bright blue, navy, purple, pink, magenta, fuchsia, oatmeal, orange, red and yellow.

A photograph of a man against a white background taken for Los Angeles Apparel's online store, cropped to show only from the pectorals to the tops of the knees. The man stands in akimbo stance while wearing a pair of bright green full rise briefs with white contrast piping and waistband.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 16

What the well undressed man is wearing this year - Jockey International Skants. Not sure of the time period of this ad but guessing 1970s to late 1980s? If you know, please comment! #underwearhistory #underwearadvertising #jockeyunderwear #jockeyskants #skantsbrief #skants

A half-page magazine ad for Jockey International Skants. The left side of the ad is back text on a white background in bold all-caps type that says "What the well undressed man is wearing this year. Jockey International Skants". The right side of the ad is divided into four rectangles, where full-color pencil illustrations of one man from the chin downward are wearing various styles of Jockey Skants underwear. He is clean-shaven, cleft-chinned, and has a lean swimmer's build. He models the the Skant brief in white, primary yellow, brown print, and a royal purple in a silhouette that is more akin to a low rise brief.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 13

Speaking of the Jockette/x-brief/St. Tropez Jockey style, it was also known as a Skants brief! Here's a magazine announcing this new! daring! innovation in men's furnishings (and it was almost scandalous at the time!) #underwearhistory #underwearadvertising

A black line drawing on a light blue background of a man smiling as he trims his face with a plug-in razor. He is wearing a white Jockey Skants brief. The ad copy reads "new! daring! Jockey SKANTS brief. The bikini-type underwear. 100% stretch nylon. Made only by Coopers".

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 13

A Jockey ad announcing the 'semi-brief'. That sounds zingier than mid-rise or low-rise. I love the Jockette/x-brief/St Tropez silhouette that the surfer dude on the right has on! #underwearhistory #underwearadvertising #Jockey #jockette #semibrief #yfront

A scan of a magazine ad page. It is divided into three columns with a banner across the bottom. It is in grayscale except for the center image, which shows a man wearing a mid-rise or low-rise Jockey y-front brief in a red and white pattern and dark red contrast trim. The colorful man is adjusting his watch and slightly smiling at the camera. Interestingly, the waistband is tunnel and not exposed elastic, so the contrast piping effect calls out the Y-front more easily. The gentleman in the leftmost column has white hair and a mustache, stands with his arms crossed, wearing nothing but full-rise Jockey y-fronts and a smile. The gentleman in the rightmost column also has arms crossed, but is much younger with a surfer shag of white-blonde hair. He wears a pair of leopard patterned Jockey Jockette briefs, also known as x-briefs or St Tropez style. The ad copy below them reads 'Jockey introduces the Semi-Brief. Now we've got every man covered. At last there's a men's brief for those who've grown out of one style but aren't ready for the other. The Jockey Semi-Brief. It's made from cotton interlock with all the comfort and support of a regular brief. including the Y front opening. But with the fashion and style of a Jockette. You could almost say it was the best of both worlds. Comfort and style.'

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 13

A fold-out catalog or mailer of Schiesser underwear lines - Blue Bird, Balestra, and Jacques S. These images were from an eBay listing. I feel like this is from the 1990s but the metadata is lost. Do you know? Comment if you do! #mensunderwear #underwearpackaging #underwearadvertising #bikinibriefs

A series of colorful print images in an accordion foldout featuring men wearing brief or bikini brief underwear. They are standing, leaning or reclining and all of them really enjoy having a towel or sweater draped around their neck. A blue band runs across the top with Schiesser branding in the upper-right corner. Text such as 'Blue Bird', 'Balestra' and 'Jacques S.' are superimposed over the images below the blue banner.

A series of colorful print images in an accordion foldout featuring men wearing boxers, briefs or bikini brief underwear. They are standing, leaning or reclining and all of them really enjoy having a towel or sweater draped around their neck. A blue band runs across the top with Schiesser branding in the upper-right corner. Text such as 'Blue Bird', 'Balestra' and 'Jacques S.' are superimposed over the images below the blue banner.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 13

International markets get cool stuff like wide-rib knits and packaging that shows the contours of the male form while the home market doesn't. Jockey Australia looks more human, Jockey USA looks like a video game texture. I wish the wide rib knit fabric would make a return for US Jockey customers.

A photograph of a single men's Jockey y-front fine rib cotton brief in retail packaging. The packaging is a plastic sleeve with a cardboard insert partially covering the garment. The insert features a full color print of a man's body wearing a brief.

A closeup of the Jockey Australia fine rib cotton y-front brief showing the ribbed pattern of the fabric and the man's torso centered in the shot on the cardboard inset.

The reverse side of the Jockey Australia brief packaging showing the size chart (with Australia, New Zealand, and centimeter sizing) and care instructions.

A photograph of a 4-pack of men's Jockey Classics low rise y-front briefs sold in America. The plastic packaging is printed with product details and a photograph of a man modeling the brief. The man's face is visible.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 11

New Jockey microfiber string bikinis on the way (style 4588). I love these colors and patterns. I hope the fit, especially in the rear, is better than the disastrous sport stability pouch versions (style 4268) that assumed every customer has a Brazilian butt lift and enough ass for three people.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 6

"Calvin Klein knows what today's man wants" - true (at the time!) A scan of a Spiegel catalog page from the late 1980s or early 1990s (date estimated by the layout, font style, the particular cut of the bikini brief silhouette, and the design direction of the photography.)

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 2

In 2016 for April Fools, American Eagle did an 'Aerie Man' photoshoot. It makes me sad that it was a joke, with the subtext being that briefs or skimpier options are worthy of mocking and not something men should wear. If you know someone who thinks like that, unfriend them. #underwearhistory

Two photographs in one - in the first, a man with a hairy chest and forearms lays upon a white duvet on his stomach, looking at the camera. His briefs are visible in the background of the shot. In the other photograph, a young man in glasses wearing only a pair of briefs (or a pair of trunks with the legs tucked in) is standing up reading a book, smiling and talking to someone out of frame.

A man stands with his back to the camera, looking over his shoulder with an unreadable expression. He is wearing a pair of white briefs with 'American Eagle' printed on the waistband and the word 'FLEXY' printed across the upper portion of the rear panel.

A young man in a pair of tie dye American Eagle briefs lays on a bed over a white fluffy blanket. He rests his face on his hand and stares into the camera with a slightly bemused expression.

Four men lay on a pallet of blankets and pillows on a hardwood floor, talking to each other, laughing and pointing at a camera aimed at them from overhead. They wear a selection of American Eagle boxer briefs and briefs and seem to be having a good time!

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 2

A catalog featuring Canadian-made men's fashion underwear by Ives Chevalier and Prodige. I have thoughts on how various factors killed off mainstream availability of sexy men's underwear. When's the last time you saw a variety of sexy options in a big box or department store? #underwearhistory

A photograph of a printed catalog page. There are full-color photographs of men's torsos clad in various low rise briefs, bikini briefs, and tanga briefs. Each product photo of a man wearing a garment has a flat-lay of the same product superimposed. Neons, stripes, paisley, sport prints and white/blue/green/black solids are displayed.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 2

A silly gripe: department stores should post the in-store product photography online. I don't think I've ever seen a Dillard's store brand model look *sexy* before, and this gentleman accomplished it. Too bad about the lighting glare.

A picture of a department store gondola shelf in a Dillard's department store. The shelving is stocked with Roundtree and Yorke full rise / full-cut briefs in sets of three wrapped in soft plastic. A poster sleeve with a dark wood surround is mounted atop the gondola. A lean and muscular young man on a neutral background is looking up and above the photographer as they capture him clad in a pair of sky blue Roundtree and Yorke full rise briefs.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Mar 2

Some people might go their entire lives without seeing an image this beautiful. #speedo #swimbrief #undewearhistory

A variety of colorful men's swimming briefs are laid flat on a white bedspread. A clear plastic box in the upper portion of the frame contains many more swim briefs neatly folded.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Feb 23

Speaking of international catalogs, here's one in French that features different underwear styles by brands HOM, DIM and Athena. I'm wondering if this catalog was like International Male or in wider distribution like Sears? It's French and my understanding is they are less hung up on showing skin.

Two magazine pages show a variety of men's underwear. Some are in 'flat lay' style and not being worn, some are shown on models' bodies. Styles include no-fly slips, fly-front briefs, bikini briefs, short leg boxer briefs, tangs (aka sport briefs aka string bikinis), thong, and a racer-back short-leg biking singlet. All text is in French and prices appear to be in francs, meaning this magazine was pre-Euro currency.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Feb 23

Still working hard on sorting those thousands of images! While I work, here's a catalog page advertising Canadian-made Protocol brand men's underwear. Other Canadian brands I hope to show here in the future are JM, Stanfield's, Yves Martin and Prodige. Which other Canadian brands can you think of?

The Underarchive@underarchive· Feb 22

So it turns out I had way more men's underwear packaging and product photography than I thought. Working on cataloging / tagging this behemoth so I can start planning posts. Would you be interested in seeing a comparison of box art / product photography vs. found images of people wearing the style?

A screenshot of the macOS finder status bar showing 10,756 items in a folder.

The Underarchive@underarchive· Feb 19

Basic Equipment no fly bikini briefs c. 1997. I love the muted earth tones and the simplicity of packaging. Interesting that they were manufactured in different countries and then the packaging was labeled in the final step with a marker. #underwearhistory #bikinibriefs #mensunderwear