On Praise of Y-Fronts - 9 The Competition

In the old days there was a rival to Y-fronts, the Wolsey X-Front design. The advertising picture attached shows the design but doesn't do justice to the garment which in later versions had a lower waist and broader 'X'. It looked quite good on a suitable model where the large X seams curving round the lower abdomen suggested restraint (to me at any rate!).

I can recall a striking advert where the X-fronted model was presented in a 'Tarzan' style scene, back pressed against a tree in the jungle with head turned trying to see round the trunk. In the background a camp fire could be seen through the trees suggesting wicked goings on from which he had just escaped from or in which he planned to intervene.

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After a period in which plain slips and boxers have been the staple underwear fare, fashions in men's underwear have veered back towards the Y-front sort of design in recent years. Visible seams have come back with Calvin Klein leading the way. Calvin's share with Y-fronts the essential qualities of loose fit and comfort which means they do not necessarily look terribly sexy on the average guy, but lets face it, we look through the eyes of non-average images!

The success of Calvins seems to have caused a general revival of interest in other brands. These days even porn stars wear seamed underpants – though generally they are not Y-fronts.

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