A brief history of briefs

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Men and women have been wearing some form of underwear for centuries.

Pieces of leather loincloths — think Tarzan — have been found in archeological remains from 7,000 years ago.

But the major steps of underwear’s evolution into the modern boxers, boxer-briefs and Y-vent briefs (aka tighty-whiteys) occurred within the past 100 years.

Before the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century, underwear was made at home, typically of wool fabric, with buttons in the front. They were called “drawers” because there was a drawstring in the back.

Once people started buying their underwear, men, women and children all wore “union suits,” which covered the entire body from the wrists to the ankles, with a drop flat in the back for easy bathroom usage.

The 1930s marked a revolutionary time for underwear due to the advent of elastic waists. No longer were buttons, snaps and strings needed.

At this point, companies began selling buttonless drawers with elastic waist. These were called “boxers” because many fighting boxers wore them.

Four short years later Jockey revolutionized the underwear game again by introducing modern briefs that included diagonal vents. Vents were then added to boxers.

Boxers are more popular than briefs or boxer-briefs, said Stasia Rieger, who works with Maryland clothes company JoS. A. Bank Clothiers.

Briefs and boxer-briefs are better suited for active moments, said Reiger, while boxers might be preferred during work, school or relaxation.

So whatever your preference — boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs — we can all agree that at least we’re not wearing loincloths.

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