Every man needs long underwear in his wardrobe – so he's ready for anything at work or play. DGU has the answer to keeping warm AND looking cool.
Think of them as base layers or long johns and long-sleeved t-shirts, these warming men's underwear designs can be useful for everyone from sportsmen to desk-bound office staff.

"The days when long pants were just totally unfashionable Grandpa grundies are gone," smiles DGU founder Adam Davies. "True, there are technical base layer long johns for serious outdoor activities, but also finer pure cotton ankle length styles that trap, rather than generate, warmth when you need it."

Deadgoodundies.com stocks men's thermal and long underwear all year round so customers can always keep cosy.

THERMAL VS BASE LAYER

The current line-up includes specialist compression long johns from Impetus to shorter 'johns' that stop mid-calf to avoid layering with socks at the ankle. Base layer, thermal and pure cotton male tops encompass classic round neck, long sleeve and long body t-shirts in cotton, luxury merino wool or with a dash of silk.

And ask Adam says: "The website also supplies one-piece men's underwear bodies that combine a top and bottom together, including customers' favourite, the sleeveless Doreanse 5002 Boxer Body Suit, £28.00 in black or white cotton-modal fabric with a deep V neckline and poppers all the way down the front for easy dressing and escape.

"The more coverage a man needs, the more care he should take in selecting the shape, size and fabric of his second skin underwear. Some thermal fabrics will wick away moisture, dry fast, prevent odours and even help regulate temperature. Even then, many gents prefer pure cotton, or its 'update' mixing cotton with modal for an even finer, silkier feel."

What then IS the difference between a base layer and thermal underwear for men? The simplest explanation is that a base layer is a second skin that stops you getting cold, while thermal long underwear tends to be looser, trapping warmth to keep you cosy.

SMARTWOOL: The Jockey Merino Long Sleeve Shirt (£60.00) in Smartwool jersey is quick dry, anti-odour and beautifully warm. The clever bit is that the yarn has a polyamide core to help keep its shape and talent – also used in the Jockey Merino Overknee (£40.00), Short Sleeve T-Shirt (£50.00) and a Long John (£50.00). DGU also stocks 100% pure merino luxury base layers for men – the Jockey International Collection long sleeve top and long john at £85.00 each.

PURE COTTON: There are various choices in pure cotton long underwear for men at DGU including classic Jockey Y-Front Long Johns (£17.50) or in a thermal mix fabric at £23.00. In the bizarrely-named Spurt line, there's the Jockey 100% Cotton Long Sleeve Undershirt, white only £17.00, and mid-calf Jockey Spurt 100% Cotton Y-Front Over Knee at £17.00, handy if you want a different colour, coming in grey, navy, steel blue or white.

BASE LAYER: Definitely more proactive when it comes to body temperature, the Doreanse 2960 Thermal Long Sleeve Shirt costs just £20.00. This one has a fleecy feel inside and comes in black or white. Alternatively, Jockey's Modern Thermal Long Sleeve Shirt in a cotton-polyester mix is priced at £23.00.

COMPRESSION: If you want everything in one pair of long johns, stop at the Impetus Renergize Long John. With these £31.00 will buy you compression, thermal, fast dry, temperature regulating, odour controlling, antibacterial, ankle length pants that do far more than keep a gent warm. They also help prevent blood clots and work if you're standing still or sitting on a long journey as well as running around or whizzing down a ski slope.

FASHION: More perhaps for home bodies and a trek to the high street rather than Annapurna… Modus Vivendi's Wolf Meggings (£61.00) are high fashion long underwear for men. These athleisure skins have a low rise waistline and snazzy shimmering velour down each side. The Wolf range also includes a long leg short, boxer brief, brief and jockstrap. Long johns to lounge, sleep or party in we think.

RED: HOM's Silk 44 Inners Long Sleeve men's t-shirt top is a great thermal layer with very long arms! There's a few white left, but also red - a snip at £34.50 which is half price! With 14% silk the fine fabric is a great base layer and this scarlet male tee is definitely stunning.

FIND THE RIGHT MEN'S THERMAL UNDERWEAR FOR YOU

  • wear long johns to bed – they're more fun than traditional jimjams
  • when it's just chilly wear long underwear with jeans (denim gets cold and wet really easily) and show off in a short sleeve T-shirt
  • try calf-length men's underwear with a smart suit – only you will know
  • keep your lower back warm with an all-in-one male body – no more builder's bum, untucked t-shirts or nasty draughts!
  • always have male long pants and long-sleeved tees to hand – for bonfire night, sport, coming home from the gym, work, walking, flying, skiing, site meetings, that Boxing Day trip to the beach… really any time your nuts might shrink!
  • if you’re moving between indoor and outdoor environments watch out for technical fabrics in men's thermal underwear like the latest specialist undies from Impetus – designed for thermoregulation so you're never too cold and won't overheat either.