STYLE: FASHION : SHORTS SUPPLY

Inspired by the loose, full-cut trunks prizefighters were wearing in the ring, boxer shorts helped KO the union suit as men’s underwear of choice in the 1930s. Now, after the long reign of the brief, boxers have made a comeback. What’s different about today’s boxer shorts is they offer up comfort and personal style. And they aren’t just for men anymore. Tessa Graham of San Francisco-based Joe Boxer estimates that up to 75% of the company’s customers are women buying for men and, just as often, for themselves. Men continue to sport boxers primarily as undergarments, but the more fashion-forward allow the elastic waistbands to peek out from low-slung pants. Women don boxers as outerwear, for shopping, jogging and burrowing in at home. Aside from plain white cotton, boxers are available in brightly patterned fabrics such as flannel and silk charmeuse. Some also feature a sense of humor. A case in point: Joe Boxer’s glow-in-the-dark undies, which read “NO! NO! NO!” by day and “YES! YES! YES!” by night.