Underwear

[Sasha Distan]

boxers, shorts, panties, thongs, briefs.... all of that stuff. The things which in the UK are called pants, which is why you get some confusion across the pond.

 

In short, my question is this: Does the kind of underwear your characters wear matter, and how often does it come up in what you write and read?

 

I have realised over the last few months, that a lot of my characters wear some very specific underwear. Zupan is guided gently into lacy boxer shorts by his adorable boyfriend-turned-husband. Jian the Tiger wears tiny little fitted boxer briefs - and Emmett imagines them with tiger print on. Ashlee wears very girly underwear and drives Clem mad with it. Marty is forbidden from wearing underwear by his not-boyfriend-not-enemy Hrishi, and it becomes a bit of a thing for them. Hani wears underwear described in great detail, partly because for a long time it's the only item of clothing he owns.

 

I don't really have a thing for underwear, so why do so many of my characters do? Does anyone else notice? And does anyone find this is their writing too?

[Mikiesboy]

Underwear are not a big deal to me personally or for characters to date.  But I have described them when I want readers to see something - a too skinny boy with baggy y-fronts for example. I think it just helps complete a picture of the character .. yours, with lacy boxers relates something to the reader about the character who wears them, and the one who wants him to. 

[dughlas]

I like your inclusion of what underwear your characters wear. It completes the image of them at the times it comes up.

[Saraband]

Short answer (because I blew all my thought-bubbles in an earlier reply to the trans-in-sf thread) is that I think mikiesboy is onto it when he says you're using underwear as part of characterization. Whether it matters to you personally or not, it's functioning to develop both characters and eroticism in your stories. Perhaps if you were writing, say, a non-erotic and non-romatic detective story about financial crime (whatever, that just came to me) underwear wouldn't factor into it at all.

[Carlos Hazday]

Mostly boxers, they're good for hanging out while home. Boxer briefs or jocks once in a while, but commando's the more prevalent option.

 

The above applies to the author and the characters!

[clochette]

As a reader I dont think it's necessary to describe it if it doesn't fit in the story but depending of the scene/situation underwear can be the last rempart before the character is seen, show themselves so it can add to the excitement.

Kinda like with a present: if you put the present you're offering in a big box the effect don't be the same as if you wrap it tightly in wrapping paper

 

Plus, it can be like a piece of the character's personality, says something about the character. Does he doesn't care and wear something comfortable or does he wear something he thinks make him look sexy, does him wear something his partner will like to please him...

Edited February 19, 2017 by clochette

[rustle]

I've read many stories that never mention clothing at all, some erotic.

 

If My Little Pony decals on the fingernails add to the story, put 'em in. If it's Mac Weldon boxer briefs made of long-staple Egyptian cotton with a 512 thread count, in pomegranate and puce diagonal stripes with contrasting overstitching in silk embroidery floss of a pale celery color, well, that's just silly.

 

Narrative descriptions serve lots of purposes. They can modify pacing, give clues to the character's nature, or directly contribute to the plot, as well as setting a mood, setting a stage, or any of a number of other purposes. Descriptions of underwear are just another tool. Use your tools wisely.

[Carlos Hazday]

 

If My Little Pony decals on the fingernails add to the story, put 'em in. If it's Mac Weldon boxer briefs made of long-staple Egyptian cotton with a 512 thread count, in pomegranate and puce diagonal stripes with contrasting overstitching in silk embroidery floss of a pale celery color, well, that's just silly.

 

[William King]

Underwear - I recently read a book, Space Ship Boys by Erik Ritler, where underwear played an important part in the story. Until then I had never thought much about it. But Erik went so far as to research and highlight designs and styles.

 

My opinion is that underwear took on a more prominent roll when a fashion emerged to where your jeans halfway down your arse. So your underwear was now on public display. This trend no doubt gave a boost to designer underwear with the brand name prominently sown into the elastic at the top.

 

Kids now needed the latest cool underwear just as they did those branded sneakers! Nothing new here, except where previous generations had worried about wearing the right jacket, shirts and footwear, the new generation extended this to underwear.

 

Today underwear is a sexy fashion assessory designed to show off to the best possible effect the package you've got between your legs and that cute arse!

[CassieQ]

I rarely spend time describing what my characters are wearing or what their clothes look like.  If I describe underwear, it's usually as a character is undressing and ready to...ahem...get busy.  

[Headstall]

I believe the only time I described underwear in any kind of detail at all, was briefly (no pun intended) in a scene where a character was getting dressed for a first date, and he was nervous as hell. He went through the process of deciding on what shirt and what pair of jeans, going back and forth like I do , so of course, what pair of underwear... the black boxer briefs with the silver waistband is what he decided on . In order for me to describe a character's clothes at all, there has to be a important reason behind it. If I think it reveals something about the character or his state of mind, I would include it.

Edited February 19, 2017 by Headstall

[Timothy M.]

Thinking about it, I realize underwear has probably featured in all my stories, and there was even a part of my ongoing prompt story which included a discussion about it and subsequent shopping and showing off. Yet I can't say it's been a conscious choice, even if various characters seem to have favorite types. 

[Carlos Hazday]

I rarely spend time describing what my characters are wearing or what their clothes look like.  If I describe underwear, it's usually as a character is undressing and ready to...ahem...get busy.  

 

The different approaches we all use is fascinating. I describe clothing on a fairly regular basis. To support specific activities, the weather, or other things. Heck, I have a character who has an extensive collection of t-shirts, I described one during each of the first 72 chapters. When I stopped, a couple of readers notoced and wondered why. No the character didn't run out of t-shirts. I took an appropriate one from my closet and had him wear it and I have a few hundred more in my dresser!

 

Back to the underwear-there are no women in the main household so the residents and most visitors have their morning coffee in boxers. One of those visitors even gets grief for always putting shorts on and he explains he's used to getting dressed before leaving the bedrooom because his mom would object.

[Graeme]

As has been said by others, if describing underwear is appropriate to a story, then include it. If it's an unnecessary filler, exclude it. If it's dominating the story to the extent that it's distracting from the story itself, then definitely stop! However, if the underwear is a key part of the story, then go for it

 

Overall, no, underwear isn't that important. Even for a story with strong sexual tones, underwear is just a step towards revealing what's in the underwear. It can be a very exciting and erotic step, but it shouldn't be the dominate part (unless the story demands it).

 

Underwear gets a mention in my stories, but generally only in passing. I don't think I've ever made it a dominant part. The closest I've come to doing that is where I had one household with a underwear-and-T-shirt dress code on weekend mornings (T-shirt optional). That was for characterisation, showing which characters were comfortable doing so, and which characters felt uncomfortable with the situation. As one of the characters was still coming to terms with being gay, being around straight guys in their underwear was part of his character development. Thus, there was a story-based reason to include the detail.

[Sasha Distan]

I really like everyone's differing opinions on this. And yes, it's totally got to be story-characterisation-plot involved. I just didn't realise my characters found theirs and each others underwear so important!

[Hudson Bartholomew]

I agree with what most people have said: describing underwear should further the story, just as describing anything else should further the story. 

 

Whenever I get to scene where the topic of underwear comes up, I do spent a minute considering what type of underwear the character would prefer. I don't always go on in depth about what kind he's wearing, but I do feel like it gives me a bit of insight into the personality of the character. Underwear is such a personal thing that I almost feel like it gives me a little window into the character's psyche. So knowing what underwear he likes helps me understand the character just that little bit more. 

 

Who knew underwear could be so profound?!

[Dayne Mora]

When done well, it adds dimension to a character, and there's enough connotation attached to certain styles that let them act as shorthand.

 

I had intended to give each of the EPIC guys their own underwear preference, but it really only to contribute anything to Cory and Preston's characterizations (well, Preston's at least, Cory's trunks were more about Efrain's fixation on his assets). 

[Emi GS]

I don't say I have a thing for underwears. But as some of the above said, I too support that the characterisation according to underwears is fine and I agree that everything that we told in story has their part in succession of particular scene or story.

 

Ps: I do like boys with variety of underwears.

[LitLover]

I have described underwear in stories, but not in great detail. I think it depends on the scene and what you're trying to convey.  

 

In your story, Unexpected Liaisons, the description of Z's underwear was important to the story, because his character was evolving... changing.  The fact that we went from baggy t-shrts and jogging pants, to jeans and shiny satin boxers with lace trim, because it turned Zander on, showed that change with having to say "Zupan changed".  

 

Thus far in my stories there hasn't been a need for that level of description beyond a cursory "_____ removed his boxer briefs."
 

[AK79]

Okay to answer the question, because I've written more than I've published. 

 

I only concern myself with underwear (I often refer to them as drawers, or underpants--particularly if my characters are from the US South or close to the US South, like say Kentuckiana) if they are necessary for the scene.  In general the type of underwear worn is categorized by the needs of the scene, unless other factors come into consideration.

 

1.  Type of scene:  Changing in the locker room usually require jock straps or Y fronts.  Compression shorts might also be used too.  Loose boxers won't work with a wrestling singlet obviously, but might for other sports.

2.  Time period of the work in general.  For example Y-fronts and boxers prior to 1930 are a no-no.  Boxer briefs prior to 1998 are only suitable if we're speaking of designer underwear--specifically Calvin Klein. [Yes, I've researched this.]

3.  Any fetishes or themes.  I classify kink underwear (leather briefs, or chastity devices/garments for example) to be fetish equipment.  A story concerning itself with teenagers exploring their sexuality has no place for that type of underwear (though there may be other types of underwear where it is suitable).  In general I consider jock straps and compression shorts/tights to be athletic equipment.  Stories where in athletics does not feature at all have no need for jock straps or compression shorts/tights unless (a) character(s) have a particular fetish with them.

 

In short, I treat underwear much like I would any other article of clothing.  It has to be appropriate for the type of scene, the time period of the scene and the theme of the work.

 

[Wicked Witch]

On 30/04/2017 at 4:02 AM, AK79 said:

2.  Time period of the work in general.  For example Y-fronts and boxers prior to 1930 are a no-no.  Boxer briefs prior to 1998 are only suitable if we're speaking of designer underwear--specifically Calvin Klein. [Yes, I've researched this.]

 

 

This is an interesting point. I have in the past read a story, which was medieval fantasy. And suddenly the character was wearing boxer-briefs and it utterly shattered the immersion in the story (which was otherwise quite good) because I couldn't get my head around that error. 

[AK79]

16 minutes ago, Wicked Witch said:

 

This is an interesting point. I have in the past read a story, which was medieval fantasy. And suddenly the character was wearing boxer-briefs and it utterly shattered the immersion in the story (which was otherwise quite good) because I couldn't get my head around that error. 

 

It would have done the same to me unless the story was Marky Mark in King Arthur's Court.

Edited May 3, 2017 by AK79

[Jason Rimbaud]

I admit it, I have a huge underwear fetish.  Not other people, I enjoy buying and wearing lots of different styles.  I like them for me and wear them so I can feel sexy.  I don't own underwear that are "comfortable".  I say that, because people tend to say boxers are for wearing around the house or sleeping in.  I don't own boxers and rarely even wear boxer briefs.  Too bad my current boyfriend doesn't care about underwear one way or the other.  

 

As for description in story, I never have liked reading/writing when the author goes into great detail about clothing, mainly mentioning brand names drives me crazy.  I find that to be self-serving in many ways.  But some would argue that its important to mention brands to establish the character as rich or poor.  I would say show through action to establish those threads.  Merely mentioning that Brad wears Calvin Klein underwear is lazy, and doesn't add anything to the story at all.  If he's a straight jock male, he's probably going to be wearing Calvin Klein.  This tends to date the story as trends come and go.  I always try to be generic as possible and let the reader put his/her own spin on how hot the lead is and what they are wearing.  

 

And this is coming from a guy that has more undies than any one person should ever have. 

 

My thoughts, and not good thoughts either.

[Dodger]

I love writing about underwear!

 

It's absolutely essential to get it right too, so research is required. I like to include graphic descriptions of underwear in every chapter of every story that I write, whether it's in context or not!

[FormerMember4]

26 minutes ago, Dodger said:

I love writing about underwear!

 

It's absolutely essential to get it right too, so research is required. I like to include graphic descriptions of underwear in every chapter of every story that I write, whether it's in context or not!

Who cares about the story! What are you wearing? LOL! 😉

Edited July 28, 2017 by BlindAmbition