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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In Praise of Y-Fronts - 8. Rear View Fantasies

As Mitchell is a fetish artist and mitchmen.com is a fetish interest site the sight of a male rear view inevitably conjures up fantasies of spanking.

The associations of 'should be worn and not seen' adds an extra twist of humiliation to this situation. This guy could almost be straight, that bedroom was certainly created by a woman and here he is presenting his Y-fronts and being punished for it.
(Picture by Young Designers Emporium of S Africa – but it's just an ad)

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The second picture from Man's Hand shows a public spanking of a man in Y-fronts, surely that's not a gay man? Have the revellers at the Folsom Street fair jumped a workman who made derogatory remarks as he passed by? Probably not but it's a nice fantasy.

Add a touch of bondage and the eroticism ratchets up a level.

Sorry no source info for this picture.

The way the leg seams shape the buttocks and highlight the thighs in these pictures is a feast for the eyes. Some of these underpants may not be Y-fronts although the effect is similar.

above: Cory from Captured Guys

Next time I'll look at contemporary rivals.

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In Praise of Y-Fronts - 7. From Behind

The high waist on Y's really comes into it's own when the wearer is seen from the rear.

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The sight of a substantial bottom filling out a pair of white Y-fronts is unbeatable!

The entire buttock is covered in white which hints at the treasure within. Bagginess banished.

The curve of the leg seam on the right guy makes me quiver and this image pops up quite a lot in my mitchmen drawings.

The pool table images are from the excellent Buk Buddies but I can't find the model on the current roster at the site.

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In Praise of Y-Fronts - 6 Seams and Pockets

Such has been the impact of Y-fronts that they have become a universal shorthand for men's underwear over the years although none of the competition have the upside down 'Y' seam which gives the garment it's name. The fork of the Y frames the pocket in which the male organs rest in a most satisfying way.

The shape and size of the pocket varies, small ones creating a 'trapped' effect while broader styles bring the area forward visually.

The other salient feature, traditionally, is the high waist which looks a bit old fashioned in this day and age – but in a way that's part of the appeal suggesting an innate modesty in their wearer which is endearing. The wearer is no flashy kid but a mature adult who favours comfort over image and who expects to reveal his underwear only to the select few.

Modern Y-fronts however do make concessions to the trend to skimpier fits and this picture shows a lower waisted example which is by no means short on erotic appeal. The superman tattoo on this model makes a nice connection to the hey day of Y-fronts in the 50's and the joke about wearing of underpants on the outside.

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In Praise of Y-Fronts 5 - Baggies

Because Y-Fronts are designed for comfort there is a tendency towards bagginess, especially in well used – or should I say much loved - examples. You can see this in the pictures of Dustin I posted earlier and I've added more views here (thanks to Buk Buddies again).

The baggy Y-front has been much ridiculed by the media and those women who get a kick out of mocking male stereotypes. Personally I don't find baggy underwear sexy in itself but the statement it makes about the wearer can be attractive. It certainly doesn't detract from Dustin's sexiness.

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The reality of any garment – male or female - is nearly always different front the glossy image portrayed by a model. And the image can be magnificent!

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Humble Y-fronts? No way, these garments are mighty masculine apparel.

The modesty more apparent than real in these examples.

On a practical level, any red blooded male will be happy to claim that 'room to grow' is essential whilst aficionados of the feel of cotton on the skin can (in private moments) appreciate the luxurious freedom of movement within.

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In Praise Of Y-Fronts - 4 Invidious Comparisons

Today's pictures are intended illustrate the 'undressed' effect I talked about in the last post. The vintage model posed in Y's and boots is intentionally sexual despite the superficial modesty. Forty years on, this picture still manages to deliver a sense of shock at seeing underwear inappropriately exposed. In fact the picture positively reeks of seedy sex.

The striped slip below which is slightly later it captures a little of the same effect by virtue of it's unfashionable pattern. 

Contrast this effect with the selection of more modern, overtly sexy and fashionable underwear below. Younger readers may have a different perspective but to me the other models don't look undressed at all – at least no more than a man on the beach in swimming trunks does.

These garments are intended to be seen and admired. The skimpy line, close fit and uncluttered look is certainly attractive but the image lacks the extra charge that comes from a sense of indiscreet exposure.

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There are 3 other “In Praise of...” series at mitchmen in which Mitchell the gay fetish artist describes the allure of Jock Straps, Swimming Trunks and Sailors and the influence they have on to his drawings. Use the search functions in the side bar to find them.

In Praise Of Y-Fronts - 3 Caught Undressed

I have always been turned on by Y-front style underwear on men. To me this garments seems to say 'I'm a man and real men don't dress in skimpy or coloured underwear, we wear practical garments'. And because the seams and pockets clearly show the functionality of the garment, they highlight what is contained within. So that same modesty also dictates they be kept hidden as far as possible. So when I see a man standing in Y-fronts, it doesn't mean he is trying to look sexy it means he has been caught undressed, his intimate garments exposed for all to see. That's sexy!

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These pictures are from Buk Buddies, now defunct,
but one of the few sites that proudly featured Y-Front style underwear.
The model is Dustin.

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