intimates? nope.

Our Minnesota Groom Style Expert took the bait and emailed me a wee follow-up to this morning's post:

The problem with asking for sexaay intimates for men, superfluous vowels notwithstanding, is that it doesn’t really exist in the same form that it does for women (well, it does, but I’ve been to the markets for that category, and it definitely ranks as the most awkward series of appointments I’ve ever had).

In men’s clothing world it all gets classified as loungewear, and in that arena there are actually some pretty cool things. We deal with a brand called American Essentials that makes all sorts of robes and pants out of pretty nice fabrics. In particular, there is a collection of silk cotton blends that come in understated colors that I think are sort of what the initial inquiry was geared towards. There is also a British brand called Derek Rose that’s definitely a bit more stuffy, but they still make some really beautiful robes and other things. I also just found out about a pair of sister brands the other day called etiquette clothiers and united brief that actually sound sort of interesting. They’re new, so I don’t know if you can actually buy them anywhere yet.

Regarding everything else, there isn’t a shortage of cool socks, but I really don’t know how socks get sexy. And I think if someone is looking for sock garters, there will not be a lot of options available (It should be noted that socks made today stay up by themselves. Yay technology.) Instead of aftershave look for proper fragrances. I’m fairly certain, given the evidence presented in the store, that girls want their boys to smell like Carthusia Uomo. There are a ton of other options, so just be sure to avoid the fragrance counter at whatever mid-level department store and the gentleman in question won't smell like every other guy one should happen to smell.

And lastly, the Cannabis scent from Malin + Goetz is our best-selling candle.  It’s kind of amazing.

Sorry this took a bit - I got sidetracked imagining Max’s response. Let me know if you need anything else.

Best Regards,
Sam Fehrenbach

Sock + Sock Garter Porn courtesy of Etiquette Clothiers. (Clearly my reader is not the only one with a fetish.)

Seeking: sexaay intimates for a hipster boy

Dear ESB,

Where does a straight man go for some sexaay intimates? Undies, a robe, non-gross aftershave, maybe even some cool socks and sock garters (OK, sock garters are my thing, and he probably won't want to wear them, but still...)? 

I know everyone's definition of what constitutes "sexy" underthings is different, but you know the kind of shit your readers tend to like. Something that's not Hanes His Way, but that's also not a thong or a pair of over-sized purple silk boxers pre-scented with Axe body spray. Something that says he's scrubbed, stylin', and went out of his way to look nice for you. 

Are there one-stop-shop places for intimates for hipster guys, like there are for gals? Or is my man (and me too) SOL? 

PS: Honeymoon is in Hawaii so no super-heavy fabrics

THANKS, LADY!

*****

Sock garters are your thing?

Do the rest of you have bizarre fetishes i ought to know about??

THERE IS NO COOL PLACE THAT SELLS SOCK GARTERS.

As far as a one stop shop for hipster boys, Steven Alan is about as close as you can get. (And when you say "hipster," I assume you mean yipster, because hipsters don't scrub all that often. Obviously.)

Steven Alan isn't carrying pajama bottoms at the moment, which kills me because the pair I bought for H last year are SO BEST, but I assume their boxers are just as good.

And I like the sound of the manly apothecary items they carry, like Citrus/Ginger Sea Salt Spray + Sea Kelp/Clary Sage Bath Salt.

H is also a huge fan of Malin + Goetz, especially the Peppermint Shampoo, Cilantro Hair Conditioner and Bergamot Body Wash.

I really ought to buy him the Cannabis Candle ("addictive and sexy")!



Realizing I sorta didn't fully answer your question. Oh well. I got a little pre-Christmas brainstorming done.

Photo: February 12, 1909, "James Clarke, winner of Brooklyn Marathon, with others," 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection via Shorpy