It started with a silly comment from a male friend of mine: “Boxers are like coffee: everyone has their favorite, but not all are created equal.” Hardly Aristotle material. Over the years, I’ve seen men like him treat underwear as a practical but soulless piece of fabric—tossed in the same shopping cart as toothpaste and batteries. But good boxers aren’t just practical. They’re about respect—for yourself, your body, and your moments.
Perfection is a fleeting illusion.
This leads us to ponder, for a moment, the concept of the “perfect body.” A man like a Greek statue, they say. But which statue, exactly? Kritios Boy, with his serene expression and relaxed hip stance? This particular sculpture is praised for its ideal proportions, but people often forget to mention that it’s missing limbs and, by modern standards, is rather modest in certain areas. And what about other ancient statues? All pure white, like a man who’s never seen the light of day. Back in the day, those sculptures were painted—gaudily colorful, in fact. They’ve simply faded over time. Perfection, as we know, is a fleeting illusion—a product of culture, context, and the stories we tell ourselves.
So how does this relate to underwear? In many ways. Good boxers are practical, functional, and never boring. The same pair can see you through a long workday and a deadlift session afterward—preferably in that order. They work just as well under a robe on a chilly morning or when it’s time to indulge in the famous Finnish pastime of “pants drunk” (yes, the concept is wildly exaggerated, but at least it puts Finland on the map). I’ve even heard of them being worn for stretches that look like survival but happen in yoga studios.
The job of underwear isn’t to sculpt you into a statue.
And here’s the moral of the story: The job of underwear isn’t to sculpt you into a statue. Their quiet, often unseen—and at their best, unnoticed—purpose is to be with you, wherever you happen to be. A colorful, unfading companion in your daily rituals. Even when you forget, they remember: comfort and care matter. It’s not about perfection; it’s about elevating your confidence.
Admit it, sometimes you need something more than just underwear. And when you do, don’t settle for mediocre.
