How White Boxers Changed The World Of Underwear

While boxers have been around since the 1920s, with varying periods of popularity, their most recent rise to favor is largely credited to an iconic, 1985 Levi’s commercial featuring a pair of humble white underwear.

“Launderette” Levis 501:

“I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye fades in, and British model and singer Nick Kamen enters a 1950s style launderette clad in a tight black tee and 501 jeans. During the course of this less-than-60-seconds ad we see Kamen strip down, toss his clothes—along with a bag of rocks—in a washing machine, and in nothing but a pair of white Spunsel boxers and tube socks takes a seat against the wall. Women swooned, men followed suit and just like that, not only did Levi’s sales rise by 800%, but the sale of boxers also reached a record high.

Get The Look:

Not only does this commercial prove, yet again, that sex sells, but also the timeless nature of a pair of white boxers. From the ’50s to the ’80s to today, a pair of stark white boxers is the type of no-nonsense underwear that is quintessentially masculine, which lends itself to their sexiness. We suggest picking a pair of boxers that errs on the shorter side instead of long baggy boxers. Pair them with white calf-length socks and you’ll look charming from tush to toes.

On the surface, white boxers might not seem like a likely candidate for a fashion revolution. But thanks to the infamous Levi’s commercial and the toned body of Nick Kamen, this understated underwear has cemented itself a spot in history—as well as your underwear drawer.

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