Underpants are underwear worn on the lower body generally extending no higher than the navel. In British English they are often called simply pants. If a given pair of underpants has a wider waistband, it might bear the brand name of the manufacturer on it.
Types of underpants
Unisex
Long underpants
Main article: Long underwearLong underpants are the bottom half of a style of two-piece underwear called long underwear, long johns, or thermal underwear, that has long legs and long sleeves, and is normally worn during cold weather; also commonly worn by people under their clothes in cold countries. The male version of a long underwear bottom may or may not have a front fly.
Briefs
Main article: BriefsClassic briefs have an elasticated waistband at or near the wearer's waist, and leg bands that end at or near the groin. Many male briefs feature a fly. They also come in ultra-absorbent varieties.
Bikini briefs
Main article: BriefsBikini briefs are a variation on classic briefs that have less coverage; though typically full coverage of the derrière. Conventionally, the men’s version has no fly.
Thong
Main article: ThongThongs are like bikini briefs, except the backside is very narrow and goes between the buttocks.
Open drawers
Main article: Open drawersOpen drawers are undergarments where the backs and front of the legs are not joined together.
Diapers
Main article: DiapersDiapers (North America) or nappies (Britain, Ireland, and Australia) are a type of underwear worn by young children and those suffering from incontinence. Unlike other briefs, diapers allow the wearer to urinate or defecate without soiling their surroundings. These can be either reusable or disposable.
Male
Midway briefs
Main article: Boxer briefsMidway briefs are similar in style to boxer briefs, but are longer in the leg, at the longest being down to the knees.
Boxer shorts
Main article: Boxer shortsBoxer shorts, boxers, or trunks (Britain), have an elasticated waistband that is at or near the wearer's waist, while the leg sections are fairly loose and extend to the mid-thigh. There is usually a fly, either with or without buttons.
Boxer briefs
Main article: Boxer briefsBoxer briefs are similar in style to boxer shorts, but are form-fitting like classic briefs. Like men’s briefs, they often utilize a fly.
Sometimes boxer briefs are called trunks (Britain), see next section.
Trunk briefs
Main article: Boxer briefsTrunk briefs, also known as simply trunks, are shorter than boxer briefs but still have leg sections, unlike briefs.
Female
Panties
Main article: Panties"Panties" is a general term for female underpants. There are a number of different styles including bikinis, boyshorts, briefs, cheekies, g-strings, hipsters, and thongs. The UK English equivalent is "knickers".
Image gallery
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A male wearing long underwear
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Male briefs
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Male bikini briefs
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Male thong
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Midway briefs
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Boxer shorts
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Boxer briefs
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Trunk briefs
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Several styles of women's underpants (thong and G-string: back view)
History
Main article: Underwear § History | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2018) |
See also
References
- Underpants. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved 2 August 2012..
- "UNDERPANTS | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary". Dictionary.cambridge.org. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- boxer shorts.Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved 29 August 2012 from CollinsDictionary.com website:http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/boxer-shorts.
- trunks. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved 29 August 2012 from CollinsDictionary.com website:http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/trunks
- "High Anxiety in the Underwear Department". The Wall Street Journal. New York. May 14, 2009.
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