Y-Fronts, jockey briefs: underwear that redefined the men’s underwear industry

The men’s underwear industry has changed dramatically in the last 80 years, all due to something known as jockey briefs or front and backs.

Originally manufactured by a company that then called itself Coopers after the family behind the company, a new style of men’s underwear was born that would revolutionize the men’s underwear industry for a long time to come. The irony is that all of this came about when the product was launched during a cold snowstorm on January 19, 1935 in Chicago.

Perhaps it was in fact the snowstorm that helped sell this new comfort and support the focused underwear style in such a rapid and extremely successful move, revolutionizing men’s underwear forever. The fronts were soon to play a leading role in shipping what was then the dominant form of men’s underwear – the long johns – on its way to the history books.

Long johns were in fact already under siege from underpants which were also gaining popularity. Between boxers and this great new style of underwear called jockey briefs or jockey briefs, long briefs had no chance of surviving much longer.

Today, the battle continues between briefs, some of which still incorporate an inverted Y front, or a new side fly, or fly front style opening, and the boxer briefs. In addition, there is also a hybrid version called boxer shorts and other variations depending on the style and cut of the product. Part of the reason for all this variety is that men’s underwear has evolved from a mere necessity to a fashion statement in its own right.

To be seen in the traditional plain and boring white briefs is asking a fool of anyone who sees him with them. No, now you want underwear with a designer brand label and with subtle or very striking designs. But this might not have been possible today if it weren’t for the Jockey briefs or Y-front briefs that arrived over 70 years ago.