Underpants that do not fit and what you can read from it

Short answer: Where it pinches tells you what is wrong. A tight waistband means the size is too small. Legs that ride up are too short. Fabric that folds means the size is too big. Knowing that makes it easier to choose right next time.

A tight waistband means too small

A waistband that leaves a deep mark above the hips is too small or too narrow. It presses on the same spot all day, which you notice most when you sit down after a meal. Go up a size or pick a model with a wider waistband to spread the pressure. See bamboo boxers for men.

Legs riding up means too short

If the legs creep up your thighs during the day, they are too short, not too tight. Many people go up a size when this happens, but that just makes the rest of the boxers too big. A model with longer legs solves it, because the fabric has more to hold on to.

Folds mean too big

If the fabric bunches into folds under your trousers, the model is too big. The folds become pressure points when you sit and can rub against the skin as you walk. Under close fitting trousers they can show from the outside too. Go down a size or pick a model with more stretch.

Measure rather than guess

Measure around your hips with a tape and compare with the size chart for the model you are looking at. Size labels vary between brands, so a medium in one can match a large in another. A measurement in centimetres is more reliable than your usual size. See guide to briefs and underwear.

Shrinking may be the cause

A pair that used to fit but now feels tight may have shrunk in the wash. Shrinking shows most in the waistband and leg length. High temperatures and a hot tumble dryer are the usual causes. Wash at 40 degrees and dry on low heat or air dry. See washing and care.

A slack waistband means wear

If your boxers slide down during the day, the size is rarely to blame. More often the elastic in the waistband has gone slack after many washes. Pull the waistband and let go. If it does not spring back, get a new pair in the same size, not a smaller one that will pinch elsewhere.

Chafing at the crotch

If your boxers rub between the legs, the cause may be badly placed seams, or a model so big that fabric gathers. A flat seam and a fit that lies close to the skin mean less friction. If your skin stays irritated for a long time, talk to your doctor.

Test a new model at home

Wear a new pair on an ordinary day and notice how it sits after a few hours, both sitting and walking. The fit changes a little as the fabric warms to the body. If it still fits after a full day, you can safely buy more in the same size and model.

In short

A tight waistband means too small, legs riding up mean too short, and folds mean too big. Measure over the hips, compare with the chart and wash gently so the size holds. Once you find a model that fits, sticking with it is the easiest route.