Men's underwear: functional or sensual?

Several underwear brands put the package to enhance the manly package.Are men ready to wear sensual underwear?Are their partners interested?Asking the question is a bit putting the male identity upside down.

Rereading beautiful guys in small clothes, it is not an activity that all men practice with the same ease.Éric Boisvert knows something about it: owner of the Gregg brand, specializing in men's undersides, he experiences about each time he is in an evening when he circulates his catalog."Women look at him," he says, "but at the beginning of the evening, men stick far away.»»

Page after page, the Gregg catalog shows muscular ephebes, plump buttock and well -enhanced device.Ostentatious, even, in some tight briefs designed to enhance it and sometimes visible under a fine fabric with calculated transparency.Not to mention that the average man can feel small in his cheap boxers in front of these well -rolled models with a well -molded member.

Éric Boisvert knows men well and their reluctance.Gregg has been selling underwear since 1987."When I took control of the business, I changed philosophy: I wanted to do naughty lingerie for men, male and high -end," explains the owner and artistic director.My ambition was to become the equivalent of the provocative agent brand, but for men.»»

It is not so simple."Men are often a bit macho.They don't talk about their underwear in society, says Éric Boisvert.There is a lot of prejudices.»» Sous-entendu : les hommes hétérosexuels craignent d'avoir l'air gais s'ils sortent des sentiers battus en matière de dessous.However, models that come out of the ordinary, Gregg has its catalog full.

Sexual identity

Stéphane Jean, lecturer at the Uqam Higher Fashion School, believes that man generally does not perceive his own underwear from an erotic or even sensual angle."For him, it is more associated with a brand or a lifestyle," he explains.It is seen as an extension of his style or his identity.»»

Thus, a sports man would naturally be attracted to a sporty boxer.Stéphane Jean recalls that athletes act as advertising panels for about 40 years: Jim Palmer, of Baltimore Orioles, already posed in jockey underpants at the turn of the 80s. Les vedettes masculines d'aujourd'hui le font aussi : Rafael Nadal s'expose en boxer Tommy Hilfiger, Cristiano Ronaldo en slip Armani et David Beckham en bobettes David Beckham pour H & M.

« On ne porte jamais un vêtement que pour soi»», souligne Denis Bruna, conservateur du département mode du Musée des Arts décoratifs de Paris. Le regard de l'autre compte pour beaucoup et si le dessous masculin a si peu évolué au fil du temps, ce n'est pas forcément parce que les créateurs s'ennuient à ne mettre en valeur que l'entrejambe de l'homme, mais plutôt en raison d'une transformation dont le spécialiste parle comme d'une « renonciation masculine»».

"Since the end of the 18th century, man has abandoned shimmering clothes, made of silks, embroidery of lace, but also makeup, which was not a sign of sexual distinction, but high birth," explains-he.Colorful clothes and makeup have become the exclusive areas of women.It is now difficult for a man to wear pieces of clothes [tops like the underwear] which would allude too much to female identity.»»

Generational identity

The coquetry in terms of underwear is therefore not for self -for men.Stéphane Jean indicates that the classic boxer represents two thirds of the sales of underwear for men."There are underside that could be described as sensual or erotic, but they are not widespread in all social groups or in all age groups," notes Denis Bruna.Young urban men, seduced by fashion, concerned with their appearance, can be interested in these products.

"Among the underside proposed to gay communities, but that everyone can buy of course," continues the conservative, "we often discover more singular briefs or boxers, with innovative materials, highlighting patterns, colors, effects- like transparency - which is not found in large distribution.»»

"There is a generation shock," believes Stéphane Jean.From generation X down, men started paying attention to their underwear, while for baby boomers, it was simply seen as a necessity.People of generation Y and the youngest invest an amount similar to that [invests by] women for their underwear.»»

Sensual identity

Éric Boisvert applies that part of his clientele and some of his most nestled products are addressed more to a cheerful clientele."The shops that hold my products in the United States tell me that their buyers are heterosexual," he said.These are often women who buy for their husbands.»» Ses clients ont, selon lui, entre 35 et 55 ans.

"The guys take more and more care of their bodies," observes the businessman.They go to the gym to build muscle.Why are they doing this?To show up.If you want to show your body, enhance it, you need beautiful underwear.»» Et si l'apparence compte aussi pour les dessous qu'il conçoit, le confort lui importe tout autant.

"We have developed a new technique that emphasizes the package.It gives support and it also gives a small oumpf.The package is very forward and you no longer have it in the legs, he said.As long as you haven't tasted this comfort, you don't understand it.Once the men have tasted it, they can no longer go back.»»

La marque Gregg marche sur une ligne très mince, selon son propriétaire : garder la masculinité d'un sous-vêtement « à la limite»» féminin. « Je ne veux pas habiller les hommes en femmes, je ne veux pas les déguiser, je ne veux pas les travestir»», assure Éric Boisvert.The male Gregg, cheerful or hetero, would be a male and exhibitionist man."He is a man who shows himself in front of his partner.»»