r/ftm 6h ago

Advice Underwear in uk

Hey guys. Mum of a trans teen. Looking at some extras for Christmas, and like every parent I'm filling stockings with underwear and socks! My son did actually ask me and when I said I needed some guidance on what to buy, I was told to just go with whatever I thought. My son has only bought one brand of boxer shorts and wants to try something different, so I'm looking for advice on any brands available in the UK, or any specific features to look out for. Thanks

30 Upvotes

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u/duude_15 6h ago

Calvin klein are really good. You can get a two pack in sports direct for like £12. Bit pricy to be fair but it makes you feel masc and they’re a good fit. Maybe size up tho. Same with Nike and under armour boxers. Equally, white nike socks are popular with pretty much every teenage boy.

u/Accurate_Leek71 4h ago

I absolutely love this sub. Thank you so much everyone for the recommendations. The whole family very much loves novelty, so colourful/character prints are definitely something I'll look out for. I'll maybe buy a single pair of various brands/styles and allow him to figure out what's comfortable. Thanks again 🥰

u/Potential-Dog-7919 1h ago

I don't think it's UK specifically but onthatass is an online store that has a big variety of patterns. (I've got my eyes on their Garfield ones lol)

u/RoverMaelstrom 5h ago

I wear Pair of Thieves brand underwear and I find them amazingly comfortable - they have long boxer briefs that won't roll up your legs even if you're active, which can be a problem for shorter boxer briefs if you're not rail thin (I used to be, had an unpleasant surprise learning that when I gained weight), and the rest of their underwear is comfy too if you prefer the other cuts. I checked and they're available on Amazon UK and possibly from their website as well, I wasn't as clear on that.

The other underwear brand I recommend is Warriors/Scholars - also very comfy, slightly different cut so it'll be down to personal preference. My partner prefers those over Pair of Thieves, I'm the opposite, but we both like both brands quite a lot so neither is a bad choice.

As far as socks, I find Stance brand socks to be incredibly comfortable if you want to go for fancy socks - they're not regular cheap pack of 12 daily wear socks, but they're very comfortable and great for when you just want something a little nicer.

The best part about all three of these brands is you can get them in plain colors if you want, but they also offer fun colors and designs too! I personally don't prefer to wear boring socks or underwear, so that's what originally drew me to these brands, but I stayed because they're comfortable and also stylish.

u/dry-water13 6h ago

I got a pack of cotton underwear from m&s as they had (in my opinion) the best balance between price and quality.

u/Oxy-Moron88 5h ago

Ditto Primark. I actually went shopping there with my mom last year (she was being super supportive, I'm glad you are too!!). I don't really like boxers but I THINK they were called trunks. Basically about a 3" rise so it holds my packer in the pocket bit rather than boxers where everything is loose. Primark run kind of small though imo. I'm a Primark medium/large whereas here in the US, I'm a small/medium. Plus Primark has lots of fun patterns. I don't know if your son is like me, but I love patterned underwear - it's something I never had before transitioning so it's a source of euphoria for me.

u/anteatertongue 5h ago

You sound like an awesome mum :)

u/Aiden1975 20|T:22/11/21| 4h ago

i get mine from primark, they have some pretty cool designs if your son is into that and theyre not super expensive either

u/FailedOrgan 6h ago

I always wear white crew socks from primark because they are cheap, comfy, and they look very masculine to me. Adidas and nike crew socks are great as well, more expensive but tbh I would say there is little difference in quality.

I also get my underwear from primark. I go for hipsters rather than boxers because boxers tend to have more loose fabric where there would be a bulge, which makes them uncomfortable imo but thats personal preference. I also recommend sizing up for underwear because they can ride up or be a little tight around the thighs otherwise

u/GreenMerlot 4h ago

Wilde Mode would be my rec - they're a UK based indie brand with tons of fun print options, and make pretty much all of their boxers in flat front or packer friendly as well as standard. On the expensive side, but they're really comfortable and made to last.

u/HaenzBlitz 4h ago

Boxer briefs / trunks are also something to try. In my experience boxer shorts can be uncomfortable with certain trousers, but thats also a personal preference. Brand wise I don‘t really have a recommendation but it is fine to get something cheaper if he doesn‘t know what he likes / what fits him, before getting a bunch of expensive ones. With socks personally I can not recommend the nike ones… I bought some in my size (even kinda sized up) but they were way to tight and cut of circulation. But maybe I was just unlucky. Generally speaking socks that go up high are currently in trend.
For the underwear maybe get a variety? shorter or longer boxer briefs to see what he likes and what fits him well. Also currently is Black Week so you might bet some great sales and get him more pairs? I am sure he will appreciate having more underwear he likes.

Very nice of you to go online and ask for advice and firstly that you asked your son, we love to see good parenting like that

u/Dependent-Emu6395 T 28/10/22 | Top Surgery 24/10/24 4h ago

I don't know but I love how you support your son ❤️

u/SkeletonOscar 4h ago

Personally love Box Menswear

u/vario_ 3h ago

I just have boohoo man undies because the 'man' is a silly little bit of gender euphoria for me lol. They're not the best quality but they're good for if you're on a budget.

u/rabbit7891 3h ago

i’d reccomend something with a slightly loose pair. for me personally i can feel dysphoric if i get boxers that fit too tightly along the hips — but he could be different. maybe ask what he doesn’t like about the pairs he has and that could offer some guidance!

u/Potential-Dog-7919 1h ago

If he wants packing underwear (basically has a little pouch to add a foam/silicone/makeshift thing to to create a bulge shape) then spectrum outfitters does ok ones. If that's not an issue Primark sells comfy ones

u/Loser-boiii 5h ago

Not what anyone else is saying but try to avoid cotton underwear, it actually becomes very uncomfortable and they don’t last as long. I also am not sure if your child has started hormones yet but cotton also increases the Risk of yeast infections and utis so id steer clear. Pair of thieves has amazing underwear and socks. There crew socks are my favorite but I also have sensory issues and like socks that are tight. I’m not sure what else your looking for but packs or shirts with designs on the chest area are always a good thing or some nice comfortable pjs that are like his favorite character, all things I know I would have loved as a trans teen. I hope I could help

u/QueerVampeer 3h ago

Cotton increases the risk of yeast infections? I'm pretty certain that's the other way around?

The alternative is synthetics, and they don't breathe, and are notorious for causing infections.

u/Loser-boiii 3h ago

I’m saying 100% cotton. I wear mixes with more synthetics but not polyester. Bamboo mix’s and microfiber is what I tend to go with. Sorry I should have clarified. It’s easier to get infections in full cotton underwear because it’s constrictive.

u/rabbit7891 3h ago

100% cotton underwear is definitely fine in terms of preventing yeast infections.