Readers, it is pouring -- POURING! -- down rain right now; the whole week has been this way. I just got in and missed this latest deluge by less than three minutes.
I was thrilled to have been able to save this white mid-century modern style floor lamp from definite death-by-drowning; it was outside an adjacent building in the trash area, which I passed on my way home. Cute, no?
I was shopping for knit fabric and waistband elastic for my Jalie underwear project, which I hope to start tomorrow. I have also been trying to limit my carb intake. It's hard to compete with this...
I hope I'm not offending any of you when I say that being a gay man means never believing you're too old to wear stretch knit underwear. That said, I've come to prefer my own woven cotton boxers. Most ready-to-wear knit underwear these days has a ton of Lycra in it and it's hot (as in, sweaty) and too clingy. That said, I tried on Michael's Calvin's this morning and while I'm not quite ready for the Jalie pattern envelope, I think I can still hold my own (as it were).
Anyway, I walked into Fabrics for Less on 39th Street this afternoon and who (whom?) do I see in all her pink-headed splendor but Gertie! I bought my fabric and elastic (the latter at Daytona Trim), picked Gertie up at nearby Chic Fabrics, and kibbitzed with her over coffee for an hour. She's so much fun. I will say that given some of her questions, I got the distinct impression she doesn't read my blog as often as I read hers (sob).
So here's what I bought:
First, a yard of this red and off-white knit.
The skull and crossbones are a fun touch, don't you think? This is about as punk as I'll ever get.
I liked it so much, I picked up half a yard in gray.
At Daytona I bought various widths of black and white elastic for the legs and waistbands.
And that's it -- I have everything I need.
In closing, readers, do you think there is an age past which men should retire their clingy stretch knit underwear (aka tighty-whities) and start wearing boxers or at least knit boxer briefs? (Some of you probably believe that age is, like, ten.) I hope you will let me know when you think I'm there, assuming I'm not already. (A tactfully worded comment signed Anonymous will suffice.)
Have a great day, everybody!
UPDATE: We just got a rainbow -- song cue!
I find knitted boxer briefs much more comfortable. The ones from duluthtrading.com are beautifully made of good fabric, and don't have the heavily advertised brands price.
ReplyDeleteHey, Peter, I say, wear the knit briefs/thongs as long as you feel comfortable. Especially on someone as slim as you are, they look great (thanks for the show!). I know many many men your age whose beer bellies would hide their underwear completely. So go for it (you only need to ask your partner!).
ReplyDeleteCherie in Phoenix (please send the rain out here!).
There is no age to stop wearing such underwear. There is only an age at which to stop presenting oneself in public in such underwear.
ReplyDeleteNote to Professor Flieshman: You passed that point well before 1988 when I popped out of the pool after finishing my laps and came face to, well, face even with your yellow Speedo
I think never. I think the lycra keeps everything up where it ought to be. Like bras for your... well y'know. My husband still rocks the knit undies at 46 and I think he looks fine :D As long as there not so tight the belly explodes over the waist band your good.
ReplyDeleteWear whatever is comfy, why on earth should any one have any reason to care about underwear????? Unlike a commercial I remember from years ago (I believe with Michael Jordan) I do NOT sit on park benches guessing what kind of underwear men are wearing.... LOL!!! Any one else remember that commercial?
ReplyDeleteYes, I know exactly what your talking about. Michael Jordan for Haynes
DeleteMy guy (late 20s) wears boxers. Not sure when he made the switch but it was before we met I'm sure. He likes things to breathe since he sweats a lot (naturally elevated body temp). As a woman, I have no preference. I like comfort and would want everyone to be comfortable in that area of the body for sure.
ReplyDeleteBuy him something with a contoured pouch; if you have a pulse, you'll have a preference.
DeleteI think each person should wear whichever kind of underwear he or she prefers. I don't think there is an age limit for any particular style. My husband wears that "boxer jock" style (which sounds like an contradiction in terms); we're middle aged, but he kind of rocks them. With women, there's an issue with our undies not showing under our clothes, but I don't think men have to worry about that too much.
ReplyDeleteWith that cute little bod of yours wear what ever you like. And keep showing us pictures too! Lol
ReplyDeleteYou are NEVER too old for anything! Dance like nobody's watching! I especially love the red and grey fabric with skulls. Hope to see the final product :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm reading your blog right now! I confess I came over to see if you managed to post after that soggy day of errands, and dammit, you did. Stop it. You're making the rest of us look bad!
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, it was great to see you and catch up. Thanks for the latte! xo
Actually I would expect that she's super busy making those top notch video'd sewing instructives, (and keeping her hair dyed )and so doesn't have a lot of spare time to spend on-line reading others' blogs; I've seen for myself what a lot of time goes into scripting, staging and editing these excellent instructional sewing videos of hers. (And she's offering them FREE, yet)
ReplyDeleteI am not into the look of "Nineties'-dermal-aesthetic-meets-Double-Ought-couture-vintage-lust-with-an-overlay-of-Pokemon-punk-and-lightly-dusted-with-Goth" but I daresay she could make money offering her instructional videos on Craftsy and make serious money doing so.
Whoops; didn't do a spell-n-grammar check before pressing "Publish".! i was also going to remark about you and your choice of underwear: I am told that men as they grow older need some kind of "support' so stretch cotton jersey underpants that extend down the legs and keep the hip joints warm is always a good idea. Plus, they accommodate adult diapers very well.
ReplyDeleteJalie makes some fantastic patterns for knits - I sew leotards from their patterns as well as sports bras and tumble shorts for my little gymnast/cheerleader and they always come out great.
ReplyDeleteBTW - If I run into you next Weds. when I am fabric shopping (with 4 bored-looking kids and hubby in tow), I will definitely say hello! Maybe you could point them to a good dumpster...lol!
And I saw you both (separately) and didn't have the courage to say hello as I thought that I would sound like a completely mad English stalker! I did however hit all the fabric shops you talk about and $200 + later I had better make a lot of clothes. WHY can't we by the wonderful European fabrics in London? I also think I recognised your apartment block when I was trying to find the hotel for "Sleep no More". Oh dear that is a bit stalkerish.....................
ReplyDeleteHeather, do you have bright green hair and black retro glass frames? If so, I saw you too! (If not, I didn't...)
DeleteI doubt the lamp is Mid-Century-Modern; more like 1970s, which I lived through, much to my despair.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of the undies, you are fit and slim enough to wear whatever you like, and COMFORT is the watchword. I never had any desire to wear either tap pants or thongs, for that reason.
Peter, does the style of undergarment you wear affect how your pants fit? In other words, if you're in boxers, I assume things are 'arranged' differently than when you're wearing tighty-whities.
ReplyDeleteAs far as age and undergarment style is concerned, I say wear what floats your boat. You look good in either with your trim figure.
I sure would love to know who makes that skull knit fabric. I am sure I need a skirt in that print.
ReplyDeleteI need a tee shirt (or three) in that fabric!
DeleteSeven. That's about the last time I'd want to see any male in tidie whities but I'm particular. Frankly, as long as they're CLEAN it all goes.
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested in seeing if you can do underwear and not use elastic (because it's always the first thing to give out) you can check out my blog. I just did a tutorial on making underwear using strips cut from the same fabric rather than elastic. I'm getting ready to post instructions for doing an entire leotard in less than an hour again sans elastic.
LOVE your fabrics and posing in your underwear like that takes true guts : ) Can't wait to see your creations!
Would like to see your underwear tut. How do I get to it?
DeleteThose stretchy knit undies look soo comfy - and in the materials you bought, they also look fab too.
ReplyDeleteI say if you've got the balls (pardon the pun) to carry it off then go for it!
www.mancunianvintage.com
I thought the problem with tighty-whities was that they lower the sperm count due to higher temperatures. Since I am not sure that is something you worry about, wear all the tight fitting underwear you like :-)
ReplyDeleteOh Peter, you little tart (is that an ok thing to say??? My English was socialised in the UK where I think this goes through as a compliment, I hope I am not offending any more sensitive readers...) - anyway, you are fishing for compliments with that underwear shot!
ReplyDeleteI never even thought that there might be any "sell-by-date" for briefs. Didn't know that men suffer from underwear anxiety as well... Certainly my dad has never worn anything other than thighty-whities into his mid-70s. I would not worry too much about the sperm count either - experience from my family shows that brief-wearers seem to do perfectly fine in that department ;-)
Tart is one that can go either way. It's a little harsher than strumpet but if you're talking about a guy it comes across joking. :)
DeleteI have to admit I love men in boxers - but you do look good in Michael's Calvins...looking forward to your knit briefs project! Great fabric choice, so not boring.
ReplyDeleteThe question gives away your culture, did you know? Woven boxer shorts are a very recent addition to the rest of the men in the world. Down under, only young lads sport satin or cotton boxers showing above their low riding jeans. "grown ups" wear y-fronts or other kinds of knit briefs. I don't know any grown up men, gay or straight, that wear anything else. And I really do ask things like that of my friends! They are used to it ;-)
ReplyDeletePS I think the Jalie envelope is terrifying and will no doubt feature in a "Caption that pattern" post on some sewing blogger's blog in ten years time. You're much cuter!
I love my briefs, especially Sloggi brand.
ReplyDeleteI'm not fond of boxers or trunks, whether in knitted or woven, because I like the support that briefs give. I don't like everything hanging around!!
Regarding lycra, I find that if there's less than 3%, then it's ok. But some have a lot more, so that's when it gets hot & stuffy.
Thanks for the Calvin Klein show!
DH aged 54 (and my son, age 21, come to think of it) wear briefs shaped something like the Calvins you sport in your photos. DH says boxers are just not supportive enough, though he might consider them for sleepwear.
ReplyDeleteI personally think you can get away with anything (boxers, briefs, y-fronts, french knickers) as long as you throw them away when they start to look manky. When the crotch of your knitted boxers looks more like fishnet tights it's time to let them go. D-:
ReplyDelete(Can you tell I've been having this fight with the boyfriend lately?)
Haha, I had exactly this issue with my boyfriend last year Hazel! His favourite boxers had holes in, the elastic was shredding and they were faded beyond belief. I had to buy him an identical replacement pair before I could get away with throwing them out.
DeleteSeriously, every time i see a picture of that pattern anevelope, I laugh out loud, because it. is. HILARIOUS! For what it's worth: I think you look waaaay better then the dude on the pattern envelope. Who wants to look like that? Ieuw!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! He's too lumpy and needs a good man-scaping (and a little sun wouldn't hurt). Peters pictures are great...he has a swimmers physique which is perfect for modeling clothing (and undies apparently).
DeleteFirst off, those fabrics are brilliant! Secondly, I say so long as one is wearing undercrackers, one should wear whatever is most comfortable regardless of age. 3rdly, thank you for the very good giggle imagining my hubby taking photos of himself in my knickers...he'd look a hella less handsome than you in your hubby's Calvins! :) x
ReplyDeleteOh lord that pattern envelope is horrendous. Horribly bulky man (not my cup of tea!), children and some kinky dancing all in one image- oh dear. I say as long as you're comfortable and they are clean and not full of worn-out holes, wear whatever undies you like! I know my step-dad will only wear jersey briefs and wouldn't even consider boxers (thank you mum for that snippet of information, lol). I have a touch of fabric envy here- I'd happily wear that skully fabric if I could ever find something like that over here!
ReplyDeleteI think you can totally rock the pirate pants look Peter. My only advice would be to avoid the Peter Stringfellow look (Google 'Peter Stringfellow Thong' if you're brave!) x
ReplyDeleteOh Lord....some thing cannot be un-seen.
DeleteI bought that same Jalie in an auction online hoping to make some for my grandsons and the son in law that requested some when he saw me sewing some boxers for dh. My sil prefers boxers under jeans and at home but is a vet and wears this type under his scrub pants so I guess some guys have to worry about underwear lines also. I haven't tried sewing it yet so hope you give lots of sewing information when you use this pattern. Growing up with brothers made me not care much about men's underwear choices-just happy they all wear some sort.
ReplyDeletePeter - you look "great" and if they are comfy go for it. I would love to learn to make some for my hubby as the quality of his Hanes have really gone down.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you like what you are wearing, that is all that matters. I wear briefs and Joe wears mostly boxers, but does wear briefs too. I tried boxers and did not like them. Mostly because it was a lot of material between me and my pants. Plus, sorry to be blunt, but I am use to some support.
ReplyDeletePeter, you look fabulous in those knit underwear! With your boyish figure, you can wear whatever you like! Seriously, I don't think age is the issue, I think the shape you are in is what matters. I am slender, in the my 60's, and I still wear a lot of young things, but not skimpy bikini briefs. I will save you the pain of a description of what I look like in them! YIKES!
ReplyDeleteFor goodness sake, wear them. They look good on you.
ReplyDeleteI'm 60 and made my sister promise to have them continue to dress me in my black string bikini undies if I'm out of it and going into assisted living (kina hura poo poo poo). This was when we were going through my 91 year old mother's up-to-her-neck white underpants, sighing.
ReplyDeleteYou stop wearing what you like when you're dead, in my book. And you are definately not dead, kina hura
Hi Peter, did you know Gertie is in the recent Threads mag? A friend brought it to me last night. As for underwear, Hubster will be 60 soon, and he likes colours, in the briefer style - red, pink, with animals. We think it's fun. He even has thongs. He is quite fit, with long legs. I am 63, and love tap pants, very high cut legs on underwear, and thongs. I do exercise (swim, etc.), so knowing your underwear is snug helps make sure you exercise, stand up straight, and smile (LOL). I did dance for years. Now keep it simpler, but still exercise. Cathie, in Quebec. You look great!
ReplyDeleteYou're thin enough to wear anything and if it's comfy, do it.
ReplyDeleteI wear briefs with tighter fittings pants like jeans and plain front trousers but I wear boxers with pleated front trousers.(I will never totally give up all my pleated pants.)
I find knit boxers are just too hot and clingy and generally un comfortable.
Love your choice of fabric,the Jockstrap should be a quick make LOL.
ReplyDeleteJalie 2912 looks fun to,
ReplyDeleteI made my husband switch to boxers. After 3 kids I made him switch back to whitey tighties. Now, I just make him sleep in the other room.
ReplyDelete