Underwear is the gift almost every man needs and almost no man buys for himself. He'll replace his phone before he replaces that faded pair in the back of the drawer. That's what makes a good pair of underwear such a smart holiday gift: it's personal without being complicated, it's useful every single day, and it fits easily in a stocking.
At Mandate we make two things: a low-rise men's swim brief and an everyday boxer brief. Below you'll find each one, the gift combinations we'd put together ourselves, and a simple way to get his size right.
Signature Boxer Brief
$29.99
Everyday black boxer brief with a flat waistband, sizes S to XL.
Shop the boxer briefShips from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
The Signature Boxer Brief: $29.99
The Mandate Signature Boxer Brief is our everyday underwear. It comes in black, with a supportive contour and a flat waistband for a clean line under everything, in sizes S, M, L and XL.
It's the kind of gift that works for almost anyone on your list:
A partner who deserves an upgrade from his oldest pairs
A brother or dad who wears black with everything
A friend for a stocking or Secret Santa under $30
Yourself, because nobody else is going to buy you new underwear
Black is the easiest underwear color to gift. It goes with every outfit, every season and every closet.
Holiday gift sets we'd put together
You don't need a pre-made box to give a great set. These are the combinations we'd build ourselves. Add each item to your cart and you're done.
The Everyday Pair: $29.99
One Signature Boxer Brief in black. Simple, personal and under $30. A strong stocking stuffer or a gift for a coworker you know well.
Day and Night: $69.98
One Mandate Swim Brief in red or black plus one Signature Boxer Brief. One for his winter trip, one for every day. This is our favorite gift for a partner with a beach or pool getaway coming up.
The Weekend Away: $99.97
The Swim Brief Duo ($69.98 for two swim briefs, save $10) plus one Signature Boxer Brief ($29.99). That's $99.97, which clears our $99 free shipping threshold at full price, without a discount code. Two swim briefs for the pool and one boxer brief for the flight.
The Full Rotation: $99.97
The Swim Brief Trio: three Mandate Swim Briefs for $99.97, saving $20. Pick any mix of red and black in one size. Made for the man who's spending a week somewhere warm this winter.
Two Boxer Briefs and a Swim Brief: $99.97
Two Signature Boxer Briefs plus one Mandate Swim Brief. A balanced gift for a man who needs both, and it lands at $99.97.
Swim Brief Duo
$69.98 for 2
$10 less than two singles. Red and black, or two of one color, in one size.
Shop the DuoShips from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
Why underwear makes a good holiday gift
It gets used. A sweater can sit in a closet until next winter. Underwear gets worn the week he opens it.
It's personal, in the right way. It shows you pay attention to the everyday things, not just the big ones.
It's easy to wrap and easy to send. No awkward shapes, no fragile parts. It fits in a stocking, a gift bag or a card-sized box.
It works at every budget. From a single $29.99 pair up to a full set around $100.
How to choose his size
Getting the size right is the one part of an underwear gift that takes a little thought. Here's the easy way:
Look at a pair he already wears. Check the size on the tag of his current underwear. Brands vary, so use it as a guide.
Measure one flat. Lay a pair he likes on a table and measure straight across the waistband from edge to edge. Compare it with the Mandate size guide.
Ask someone who knows. His partner, roommate or a close friend can usually tell you.
Between sizes? The size guide explains how to choose.
The Signature Boxer Brief comes in S, M, L and XL. Mandate swim briefs come in S, M and L. Duo and Trio sets use one size for every brief.
Boxer brief or swim brief: which should you give?
Both make great gifts. Here's how to choose.
Has a beach, pool or cruise trip coming up: give him a swim brief, the Duo or the Trio
Mostly needs everyday basics: give him the Signature Boxer Brief
Wears black with everything: black in either style
Likes to stand out: the red swim brief
Is hard to shop for: one of each, the Day and Night set
Still deciding? Our swimwear gifts for men guide covers the swim side in more depth, and our guide to the best gifts for gay men has ideas for partners, friends and couples.
Underwear gifts by relationship
For your partner: is underwear a good gift for a boyfriend?
Yes, if you know his size and roughly what he wears now. Underwear is personal, which is exactly why it suits a boyfriend or partner better than a casual friend, and it's something most men rarely replace on their own. Keep it close to what he already likes: if he wears boxer briefs, give him the Signature Boxer Brief in black; if he likes briefs and has a trip coming up, give him a swim brief.
The Day and Night set, one swim brief and one boxer brief for $69.98, is personal, practical and easy to pair with a trip you're taking together. Write the destination on the card. Not sure of his size? Use the steps in "How to choose his size" above.
For your dad or brother
Keep it classic: the Signature Boxer Brief in black. If he travels in winter, add a black swim brief.
For a friend
A single boxer brief or swim brief is a fun, useful gift under $40. For a group gift, split the Trio three ways.
For Secret Santa and stocking stuffers
The Signature Boxer Brief at $29.99 fits most Secret Santa budgets and fits neatly in a stocking.
A few gift-giving tips
Write a note. A line about why you chose it, or the trip it's for, makes a simple gift feel personal.
Pair it with a plan. A swim brief with "Puerto Vallarta, February?" written on the card is a gift and an invitation.
Don't overthink the color. Black is right for almost everyone. Choose red only for the swim brief, and only if he likes to stand out.
Shop once for everyone. A boxer brief for your brother, a swim brief for your partner and one for yourself can share one order, and orders over $99 ship free without a discount code.
Keep his size handy. Once you know it, save it in your phone for birthdays and next year's holidays.
Shipping
Mandate ships from California. Orders over $99 ship free without a discount code, and orders to Israel ship free over $60 without a discount code. The Weekend Away, the Full Rotation and the Two Boxer Briefs and a Swim Brief sets above all reach $99.97, so at full price, without a discount code, they ship free.
About Mandate
Mandate for Men makes a low-rise men's swim brief, in red and black, and the black Signature Boxer Brief. We keep the range small on purpose: a few things, done well, that look clean and feel considered. Browse the whole shop or read The Magazine for fit guides, travel ideas and honest comparisons.
Gifts he'll use
Swim Brief Duo
$69.98 for 2
$10 less than two singles. Red and black, or two of one color, in one size.
Shop the Duo
Swim Brief Trio
$99.97 for 3
$20 less than three singles, in any red and black mix, one size.
Shop the Trio
Signature Boxer Brief
$29.99
Everyday black boxer brief with a flat waistband, sizes S to XL.
Shop the boxer briefShips from California. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60.
FAQ
What is a good underwear gift for men?
A pair of everyday boxer briefs in a classic color is the safest choice, because it goes with everything. The Mandate Signature Boxer Brief is $29.99 in black, in sizes S to XL. If he has a trip coming up, pair it with a swim brief.
Is underwear a good gift for a boyfriend?
Yes, if you know his size and roughly what he wears now. Underwear is personal, which suits a partner far better than a casual friend, and most men rarely replace their own. Black boxer briefs are the safest pick; the Mandate Signature Boxer Brief is $29.99 in black, sizes S to XL. If he has a trip coming up, add a swim brief.
What kind of underwear should I get my boyfriend?
Start with the style he already wears. If he wears boxer briefs, stay with boxer briefs in black. If he likes briefs, a swim brief for his next trip is a gift he can use right away. Our Day and Night set, one swim brief and one boxer brief, is $69.98.
Is underwear an appropriate Christmas gift?
For a partner, close friend or family member, yes. Underwear is personal but practical, and most men rarely buy it for themselves. Keep it classic, like black boxer briefs, if you're unsure of his style.
How do I know what size underwear to buy him?
Check the tag on a pair he already wears, or lay one flat and measure across the waistband, then compare it with the Mandate size guide. The Signature Boxer Brief comes in S, M, L and XL.
What is a good men's gift under $50?
The Mandate Signature Boxer Brief is $29.99 and the Mandate Swim Brief is $39.99. Both are easy to wrap and useful right away.
Does Mandate have free shipping?
Yes. Without a discount code, orders over $99 ship free, and orders to Israel ship free over $60. Mandate ships from California.