Male lingerie has hit the headlines – today Deadgoodundies goes behind the veil to reveal the truth about men's sexy briefs.

Men's underwear experts at DGU are following this week's discussion on whether lingerie for men is a genuine fashion trend, or more a fetish. Deadgoodundies' expert Jane Garner, who worked with the women's lingerie industry for decades before devoting all her time to the Deadgoodundies.com men's underwear and swimwear online store, has a fresh theory on why lace, sheer and overtly sexy men's briefs, boxers, bodies and more continue to raise eyebrows.

Male lingerie - fashion or fetish?

Jane says: "All lingerie is about the fabric, the sense of indulgence, the extra embellishments, but more about the way this underwear feels on your skin and how it makes someone feel when they wear it.

"Is male lingerie fashion or fetish? Well, both and neither. Lacy underwear for men has been around, and selling well, for years so it's nothing new. Maybe in the past men had to borrow from the ladies, but now many international designer collections offer men's underwear in sensual see through fabrics, styled to enhance and accentuate the masculine form. So, just as women appreciate that 'underwear' is for every day and lingerie is for special occasions (or just feeling special for ANY occasion), men have their own ranges.

"What is surprising is that there can be a sense of disapproval or suggestions of double standards about men wearing, say, lacy briefs or thong underwear, let alone a photograph of a man wearing these styles to promote them. Men have been wearing silk boxer shorts for ever – why is lace or mesh any different?

It's just bad language?

Jane says: "There are so few useful - and accurate - collective nouns for men's underwear and there certainly isn't one that works better than 'male lingerie' for sexy briefs and boxers. The term lingerie sounds more glamorous, more exciting than boring old 'underwear' but it's just the French word for undergarments. Saying lingerie implies so much more flare, more suggestion, and more than a hint of the boudoir…"

Which brands are best for male lingerie?

Deadgoodundies.com has several brands that offer transparent lace and mesh, sexily shaped pouch underwear for men, and wider interpretations of sensual briefs including faux leather, soft chainmail, revealing cuts like fashion jockstraps, porthole and peekaboo designs. All-in-one male bodies also straddle the divide, either in strictly sensible cotton t-shirt/boxer underwear combinations or see through second skin one pieces or strappy singlets.

Among DGU's top sellers for sexy briefs in the male lingerie category are Andrew Christian, Joe Snyder, Manstore, Cut 4 Men, HOM, Modus Vivendi, and Doreanse. Each line has its own take on the concept from wicked fun (Andrew Christian), grades of enhancement (Joe Snyder, Cut 4 Men) to quiet sophistication (HOM Temptation), true lingerie accents (Manstore) and interesting interpretations of that sheer/sexy appeal (Modus Vivendi).

Who wears male lingerie briefs?

Jane smiles: "You'd be surprised. Our lips are sealed."

Read more about the male lingerie debate in the latest TheIndustry.Fashion article and national newspapers in the UK.

PICTURE:

You'll never know who's wearing male lingerie, unless he lets you see.

Pictured are Modus Vivendi's Floral Lace Classic Brief and Tanga Brief and which, along with their Floral Lace Low Cut Brief come in black or ivory.