Size Guide for Men's Underwear
Short answer: Find your underwear size by measuring around the waist where the waistband should sit and comparing the number with the brand's size chart. A size guide is more reliable than guessing from your trouser size, because brands cut differently.
How to measure correctly
Take a soft tape measure and measure around the body where the waistband of your underwear normally sits. Keep the tape level and close to the body without pulling. Measure in the morning while standing, so the number reflects an ordinary day. Write the figure down in centimetres before you check the chart.
Use the brand's own chart
Look up your measurement in the chart for the brand you want to buy. See for example the size guide for JBS of Denmark men or the size guide for Bamboo Basics men. Brands use the same letters, but the centimetres behind them vary, so an M in one brand can match an L in another.
Why trouser size misleads
Many choose underwear by their trouser size, but that often gives the wrong result. Trousers usually sit at a different point on the body, and most trousers have more room in the cut than underwear. That is why a measurement in centimetres decides the right size, not the number in your jeans or suit trousers.
How underwear should fit
Bamboo viscose underwear should sit close to the body without squeezing. The waistband should not leave deep marks, and the legs should stay in place when you walk. If the legs ride up, the style or size is wrong. Read more in the guide to the right fit in bamboo underwear.
If you are between two sizes
Bamboo viscose is stretchy and shapes itself to the body, so many men can go for the smaller of two possible sizes in trunks and boxer shorts. If you prefer a looser fit, or your measurement sits at the very top of the range, choose the larger one. Note that some styles are cut closer than others.
The style plays a part
Trunks, boxer shorts and briefs sit differently, even in the same size. Trunks have longer legs that need to stay put, briefs sit higher on the thigh, and boxer shorts are looser. Think about how you wear them day to day, and choose the style first. Browse our bamboo underwear for men.
Your first purchase from a new brand
If you are buying a brand for the first time, start with one pair. Wear it and wash it a few times before ordering more. Bamboo can give a little after the first washes, and only then do you know whether the size is right. For more help, see our size guide for bamboo clothing.
Care that keeps the fit
The fit lasts longest when you wash gently. Wash at 30 to 40 degrees with a mild detergent, avoid fabric softener and dry on the line if you can. High heat in the tumble dryer can wear out the elastic in the waistband. Turn the underwear inside out before washing to keep the fabric soft.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I measure for underwear?
Measure around the body where the waistband normally sits. Keep the tape level and close without pulling, and then look up the number in the chart for the brand you want to buy.
Should I choose the same size as my trousers?
Not necessarily. Trousers and underwear sit in different places and have different cuts, so always use a measurement in centimetres and the brand's own size chart instead of your trouser size.
Does bamboo underwear shrink in the wash?
Bamboo can change slightly if washed hot or tumble dried on high heat. Wash at 30 to 40 degrees and dry on the line, and the underwear will keep its shape.
See our range of bamboo underwear for men.
