Style
Worth getting caught in.
Nine pairs worth being seen in. Cotton, modal and microfibre, with the useful differences laid bare.
A good pair of briefs should feel comfortable all day and look good when your trousers come off. These nine cover familiar cotton, silky modal and lyocell, and quick-drying microfibre for the gym. Think about the fabric first, then the cut you’d be happy to get caught in.
01 / The no-logo classic
RON DORFF — Y-Front Briefs
Cotton-stretch Y-fronts with covered elastic and a working fly.
Our takeThe white cotton and simple outline have a pleasingly old-school appeal. With no big logo across the waist, you notice the cut first.
Good to knowRon Dorff says these run small and recommends going up one size. Wash gently at 30°C and skip the tumble dryer.
£36 · one pair
Product details ↗Sources & availability
£36 · one pair
Checked 26 October 2026. Price verified on the linked UK page; select your size for availability.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
02 / The silky alternative
CDLP — Y-Brief, three-pack
Three short-cut black briefs in 95% lyocell and 5% elastane.
Our takeWe loved how our junk felt in these, and how it looked. The silky fabric and discreet waistband give them an understated appeal that doesn’t disappear when you put them on.
Good to knowCare of Carl recommends your usual size. Only XL was listed at our latest check, with conflicting delivery estimates of 1–3 days and 2–3 weeks; confirm the wait before ordering.
£55 · three pairs / £18.33 each
Product details ↗Sources & availability
£55 · three pairs / £18.33 each
Checked 26 October 2026. Only XL listed; delivery estimates conflict. Confirm at checkout.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
03 / The familiar face
CALVIN KLEIN — Icon Cotton Stretch Hip Briefs
Three cotton-rich hip briefs with the familiar Calvin Klein waistband.
Our takeWe enjoyed letting that waistband show. The contoured pouch kept everything supported and nicely shaped; it’s easy to see why this look has lasted.
Good to knowWe’ve seen bobbling in other CK cotton underwear, though that wasn’t a long-term test of this exact pair. Follow the care label and air-dry when you can.
£44 · three pairs / £14.67 each
Product details ↗Sources & availability
£44 · three pairs / £14.67 each
Checked 2026-10-22. Listed for purchase; select your size.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
04 / The quiet upgrade
DEREK ROSE — Jack Pima Cotton Briefs
Black Pima-cotton briefs with a closed front and softly bound hems.
Our takeWe enjoyed how elegant these felt. The discreet waistband and neat finish made them a nice pair to put on for a date, even before deciding what else to wear.
Good to knowThere’s no fly opening. At £45 for one pair, these are a fabric-and-finishing purchase; wash at 40°C and air-dry.
£45 · one pair
Product details ↗Sources & availability
£45 · one pair
Checked 2026-10-22. Selected S shown in stock; check other sizes.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
05 / The drawer reset
M&S AUTOGRAPH — Modal Stretch 360 Flex Briefs
Five modal-rich stretch briefs from M&S’s Autograph range.
Our takeThe fit and feel were more luxurious than we expected. Soft, comfortable and £7.60 a pair: we were impressed, especially for something we’d wear so often.
Good to knowSome owners find the sizing generous. The care instructions allow a 40°C wash and low-temperature tumble drying.
£38 · five pairs / £7.60 each
Product details ↗Sources & availability
£38 · five pairs / £7.60 each
Checked 26 October 2026. Price verified on the linked UK page; select your size for availability.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
06 / The clean finish
SUNSPEL — Stretch Cotton Briefs
Plain white stretch-cotton briefs with flat seams and a closed front.
Our takeThe clean shape looks good, but we didn’t quite get on with how the pouch held everything. That’s a personal fit reservation worth knowing if support is your priority.
Good to knowWash gently at 40°C and don’t tumble dry. White in medium was unavailable at the previous stock check; see the linked size selector.
£32 · one pair
Product details ↗Sources & availability
£32 · one pair
Checked 2026-10-22. White M was unavailable; XS, S, L, XL and XXL showed stock.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
07 / The support act
RANDIES Briefs · Keswick Green
Modal-blend briefs in Keswick Green, with a separate pouch and flat seams.
Our takeThe separate pouch took a little getting used to, but we came to appreciate the extra space and support. The deep green is a welcome change from another black pair.
Good to knowRandies offers a 100-day single-pair trial; read the terms before buying a multipack. Wash inside out at 30°C and air-dry.
£27.95 · one pair
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Portuguese-made modal blend; 40mm waistband. The brand offers a 100-day single-pair trial; check its terms. Keswick Green is the selected colour. Wearing observations above were supplied by our tester.
Checked 2026-10-23. Check the linked size and pack before ordering.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
08 / The quick-change artist
CALVIN KLEIN Flex Microfibre Stretch · five-pack
Five microfibre stretch briefs, with a mid-rise waist.
Our takeThese looked great and felt secure while we trained. We also liked how they washed up afterwards; they’re the pair we’d put in the gym bag.
Good to knowCK describes the fabric as quick-drying, but that doesn’t mean it has an anti-odour treatment. Expect a synthetic feel rather than cotton. Opened packs can’t be returned.
£42 sale · five pairs / £8.40 each (regular £60)
Product details ↗Sources & availability
88% polyester, 12% elastane. Mid-rise; machine washable. Moisture-wicking and quick-drying are manufacturer claims. £60 regular price / £12 per pair; sale may end.
Checked 2026-10-23. Check the linked size and pack before ordering.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
09 / The cotton crowd-pleaser
DANISH ENDURANCE Organic Cotton Briefs · White/Red three-pack
Three cotton-rich briefs in white and red, with a tag-free waistband.
Our takeThe red gives an otherwise straightforward white brief a bit of character. At £9.32 each, this is an accessible way to try the shape without committing to one of the dearer single pairs.
Good to knowThe brand says these run small and offers sizing-up advice. Its one-year hole-free replacement guarantee is useful recourse; check the terms and wash at no more than 40°C.
£27.95 · three pairs / £9.32 each
Product details ↗Sources & availability
95% cotton, 5% elastane. Wash inside out at up to 40°C; no ironing or tumble drying. The supplied variant is White/Red, XL, three-pack. The brand offers a one-year hole-free guarantee; check terms.
Checked 2026-10-23. Check the linked size and pack before ordering.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
If you’re changing from boxers or trunks, try one pair before filling the drawer. You’ll soon know whether you want familiar cotton, something silkier or a little more support.
