PHOTOS: 25 vintage male underwear ads & a brief history on undies
Lady Gaga, here’s the delightfully strange history of jockstraps. Originally designed for boxers to wear in the ring, boxer shorts became popular as underwear in the early 20th century.
Briefs were then introduced in the 1930s and became popular in the 1950s. Because, you know, who doesn’t like a little support?
In the ’50s and ’60s, men’s underwear started to become more about fashion, with bright colors and bold patterns. (We see you animal print!) This was the first time men’s underwear had moved away from functional and into more fun. [Insert wild animal growl here.]In the 1980s, designer brands began to enter the market, offering premium quality and luxury materials.
The cuts got tighter and the rises got lower. And underwear got even sexier. There was a cultural shift on how men’s bodies were shown through ads and pop culture.
