If you sit between two sizes, choose the larger size when the waistband or leg opening would otherwise press into your skin, and the smaller size only when the fabric is very stretchy and you want a firmer hold. A good pair of underwear should stay put without leaving marks, rolling or pulling.
Why between-sizes happens
Size charts give ranges, and bodies rarely sit in the middle of one. Waist is only one input: hips, thighs and how you carry weight all change how a pair feels. Brands also cut differently, so a medium in one drawer can feel like a small in another.
- Waist range overlap: neighbouring sizes often share a few centimetres, so your number can fit two columns.
- Different cuts: a brief, a trunk and a boxer brief hug different parts of the body.
- Different fabrics: mesh and silk-like knits give more than a firm cotton blend.
Start with a proper measurement
Measure your natural waist or where you wear the waistband, keep the tape snug but not tight, and write the number down. For a full walkthrough, see our men's underwear size guide. Then compare it with the chart on the product page, because ranges vary from style to style.
As one example, the Silk Boxer Briefs list waist ranges of 26 to 29.1 inches for S, 28 to 30.7 for M, 30 to 33.1 for L, 31.9 to 35.4 for XL and 33.9 to 37 for XXL, and the listing adds that they run small. Read the note on each product before you decide.
Size up or size down? A quick decision guide
| If this sounds like you | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Thighs are muscular or you stand a lot | Larger size | Leg openings stay comfortable and do not ride up |
| Waistband marks appear by evening | Larger size | More room at the waist, less pressure |
| Pair slides down or the pouch sags | Smaller size | A snugger hold keeps the shape in place |
| You mainly wear them under fitted trousers | True to size | Avoids bunching or visible lines |
| Very stretchy mesh or silk-like fabric | Often the smaller | The fabric gives, so a closer fit still feels easy |
Check the cut before the number
Cut changes the answer. A brief with a high leg and low rise has less fabric around the hips, so a slightly larger size can ease the leg line. Trunks and boxer briefs cover more thigh, so being a touch small shows up as a rolling hem.
Not sure which shape suits you? Our guide to briefs vs trunks vs boxer briefs compares them side by side.
Fabric stretch matters
All-over mesh and silk-like knits are made to stretch, so they forgive a measurement that lands between sizes better than a firm cotton blend does. The Mesh Boxer Briefs, for example, are described as soft and stretchy with an elastic waistband for a snug fit. With stretchy fabric, the smaller size is often fine. With firmer fabric, the larger one is safer.
A simple fit test at home
- Put the pair on and stand relaxed, then sit for a few minutes.
- Check the waistband: it should be snug, not cutting in or sliding.
- Check the leg openings: no rolling, digging or gaps.
- Move: squat, step up, reach. Nothing should pull or shift.
- Look in the mirror from the side for bunching or visible lines.
If you still get it wrong
Keep the packaging. Unworn items in their original sealed packaging can be exchanged within 14 days, so a wrong guess is easy to fix. Order the neighbouring size next time and note which one worked for each style.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I size up or down if I am between sizes?
Size up if you feel pressure at the waist or leg openings. Size down if the pair slips and the fabric is very stretchy.
Do different styles fit differently?
Yes. Briefs, trunks and boxer briefs use different amounts of fabric, so your best size can change from one cut to another.
Does underwear stretch after washing?
Elastic and knits can relax a little with wear. Washing gently and air drying helps them keep their shape.
Which size should I order as a gift?
Take the size the person already wears in a similar cut. If unsure, the larger size is usually the safer pick.
Find your fit
Browse the men's briefs and boxer briefs collections, or explore silk-like underwear if you want a smooth, stretchy feel. Every order ships in discreet packaging.
