Classic boxer shorts: choose by fabric and cut

A pair of boxer shorts need not draw attention to itself. It should work with the way you dress and feel right as the day begins. Fabric, cut and waistband are worth considering before colour.

Begin with the room beneath your clothes

Think about the trousers you wear most. If you prefer a close cut, you will want to avoid fabric bunching uncomfortably underneath. If your trousers are roomier, you may want something different from your boxer shorts. No single cut is right for everyone; the choice needs to work within your own wardrobe.

Compare them with a pair you already like. Look at leg openings, length and waistband, and use the design's size guide if one is available. Going up a size is not necessarily the same as choosing a roomier cut. If measurements are missing, clarify them before ordering rather than guessing from your usual trouser size.

Rome: stripes and cotton sateen

Rome boxer shorts are described as 100% cotton in a sateen weave, with stripes central to the design. They are a useful starting point if you want a classic pattern and prefer the smooth surface of sateen.

Sateen describes the weave; it does not mean the fabric is silk. Rome is cotton. That distinction is worth knowing when comparing products and later reading the care instructions. Do not choose by a fabric term alone: read the full description of the individual design.

Bern: a closer look at the practical details

Bern boxer shorts have a classic cut, a button fly and elastic threaded through a waistband casing. These details are useful points of comparison if you know which fastening and waistband you prefer.

Begin with the features that matter to you, rather than looking for a winner in every respect. An understated colour, a particular fastening or a familiar cut may matter more in everyday wear than a bolder pattern.

Four things to consider before choosing

• Use: Will you mainly wear the boxer shorts beneath your everyday trousers?
• Cut: What length and leg opening do you prefer in the pairs you already wear?
• Waistband: Do you have a clear preference for elastic and fastening?
• Care: Do the specific care instructions fit your routine?

If the cut is new to you, consider beginning with one design. Check the store's current terms for trying on and returning underwear before ordering. Once the details are settled, colour becomes the simple final choice: understated, striped or a variation on something familiar.