Men’s Underwear Market Trends and Forecast
The future of the global men’s underwear market looks promising with opportunities in the cotton, polyester, modal, and nylon markets. The global men’s underwear market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2031. The major drivers for this market are the increasing focus on comfort & fit, the rising demand for premium fabric choices, and the growing preference for eco-friendly underwear options.
• Lucintel forecasts that, within the type category, brief is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.
• Within the fabric category, cotton is expected to witness the highest growth.
• In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.
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Emerging Trends in the Men’s Underwear Market
The men’s underwear market is being reshaped by a series of emerging trends that reflect a fundamental shift in consumer values. These trends are moving the industry beyond a basic hygienic product to a model that emphasizes sustainability, body positivity, and a seamless integration of technology and lifestyle.
• Technological Integration in Fabrics: New technologies are being incorporated into mens underwear. This includes advanced fabrics that offer moisture-wicking, temperature regulation, and anti-odor properties. This trend is driven by an increasing focus on personal hygiene and comfort, especially among consumers with active lifestyles, offering a new level of performance and functionality.
• Athleisure and Versatility: This trend is blurring the lines between underwear and activewear. Brands are designing underwear that is both functional for the gym and comfortable enough for everyday wear. This shift is driven by a more active, modern consumer and is impacting the market by expanding its consumer base beyond traditional daily-wear products.
• Sustainability and Eco-Conscious Materials: This trend is driven by growing environmental awareness. Consumers are demanding apparel made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, and other eco-friendly materials. This impacts product development by pushing brands to adopt circular fashion models, reduce waste in production, and gain consumer trust through transparent and ethical supply chains.
• Inclusivity and Broader Sizing: While the market has traditionally catered to a specific demographic, a significant trend is the increasing focus on a more inclusive approach. Brands are expanding their size ranges and designing apparel for a wider variety of body types. This trend is a response to the growing body positivity movement and the demand for more accessible and appealing products.
• Personalization and Customization: Brands are offering consumers the ability to customize their underwear with unique colors, designs, and fits. This trend taps into the desire for individuality and allows customers to create a product that is truly their own. It also helps brands to build stronger customer relationships and gather valuable data on consumer preferences.
These emerging trends are collectively reshaping the men’s underwear market by expanding its applications, enhancing its fashion appeal, and aligning it with modern consumer values. The focus on sustainability, comfort, and personalization is pushing brands to innovate, creating a more dynamic and diverse product landscape.
Recent Development in the Men’s Underwear Market
The men’s underwear market is experiencing significant evolution, driven by shifts in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on ethical consumption. These recent developments are transforming a once-simple product category into a diverse and innovative segment of the global apparel industry, impacting everything from product design to distribution strategies.
• Advanced Material Innovation: Recent developments include the use of advanced, performance-driven materials. Manufacturers are utilizing cutting-edge synthetic fabrics that offer superior moisture-wicking, breathability, and anti-odor properties. This innovation meets the dual demand for superior comfort and hygiene, attracting a broader and more discerning customer base who seek both luxury and functionality.
• Rise of the D2C Model: The proliferation of e-commerce has led many men’s underwear brands to adopt a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model. This development allows companies to bypass traditional retail channels, gain full control over their brand messaging, and establish a direct relationship with their customers. This strategy can lead to higher profit margins and more personalized marketing efforts.
• Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships: A notable development is the increase in collaborations between men’s underwear brands and professional athletes, fashion designers, and fitness influencers. These partnerships generate significant media buzz and brand visibility, and they help brands reach new consumer demographics by blending high fashion with functional performance apparel.
• Focus on Inclusive Sizing and Designs: A key development is the industry-wide shift towards more inclusive sizing. Brands are expanding their product lines to offer a wider range of sizes and fits, catering to diverse body types. This development directly addresses the long-standing issue of body image in the sports industry, making men’s underwear more accessible and appealing to a broader consumer base.
• Smart Textile Integration: A key development is the initial foray into smart textiles. While still nascent, brands are exploring the use of embedded sensors in men’s underwear to track biometric data like heart rate and body temperature. This innovation has the potential to create a new premium segment and position the product as a high-tech material for the future.
These developments are collectively impacting the men’s underwear market by expanding its potential applications and consumer segments. By focusing on innovation in materials, technology, and distribution, brands are successfully transforming the product from a simple commodity into a dynamic and highly differentiated footwear category.
Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Men’s Underwear Market
The men’s underwear market, once defined by functionality, now presents significant strategic growth opportunities driven by evolving consumer lifestyles and technological integration. These opportunities extend beyond traditional applications, allowing companies to innovate and capture new market segments by focusing on specific consumer needs and behaviors.
• Targeting the Plus-Size Market: This market segment is largely underserved and presents a significant growth opportunity. By creating dedicated product lines that are not just larger sizes but are also designed with the specific fit and support needs of plus-size men in mind, brands can capture a loyal and growing customer base.
• Expansion into Emerging Markets: Countries like India and China, with their growing affluent populations, represent a major growth opportunity. By establishing a strong presence in these markets and localizing their marketing, brands can tap into a new generation of consumers. Strategic partnerships with local distributors and sports organizations can enhance their success.
• Developing Smart Training Apparel: The demand for performance-enhancing technology presents a major opportunity. Companies can develop smart apparel with embedded sensors and data-tracking capabilities for training. This innovation can create a premium product category, attracting tech-savvy consumers and positioning the brand as a leader in wearable technology.
• Building a Lifestyle Brand: A strategic opportunity exists in elevating men’s underwear to a lifestyle brand. By designing stylish apparel that can be worn both for everyday use and for sports, brands can appeal to the broader "athleisure" trend. This approach extends the products usability beyond the daily necessity and creates a more consistent revenue stream.
• Focus on Niche Communities: Instead of targeting the mass market, a strategic opportunity is to focus on niche communities like athletes, travelers, or those with specific health needs. By designing specialized apparel and building a strong brand presence within these communities, companies can create a loyal customer base and become a trusted authority in that specific category.
These strategic growth opportunities are impacting the men’s underwear market by encouraging diversification and innovation. By moving beyond a single-use product, companies can build more robust and resilient business models that cater to a wider range of consumer needs and market conditions, leading to sustainable long-term growth.
Men’s Underwear Market Driver and Challenges
The men’s underwear market is a dynamic industry shaped by a combination of major drivers and challenges that influence its growth trajectory. The major drivers include various technological and economic factors, such as the rising demand for high-performance apparel and the expansion of e-commerce. Conversely, key challenges such as high product cost and intense competition can hinder market growth.
The factors responsible for driving the men’s underwear market include:
1. Rising Health and Hygiene Consciousness: A primary driver is the growing awareness among men about personal hygiene and self-care. This is leading to a greater demand for underwear with features like moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial properties, and breathable fabrics, which promote better health and comfort.
2. Technological Advancements in Fabrics: Product innovation is a key driver. Manufacturers are constantly developing new materials and designs for men’s underwear to enhance performance, durability, and comfort. These advancements, such as the use of modal, bamboo, and advanced synthetic blends, are attracting consumers who seek high-quality, long-lasting products.
3. Growth of E-commerce Platforms: The rapid expansion of online retail has significantly driven market growth. E-commerce platforms offer a vast selection of products, competitive pricing, and convenience, making it easier for consumers to access a wide range of men’s underwear. This channel is crucial for new brands and for reaching consumers in diverse geographic locations.
4. Influence of Fashion and Athleisure Trends: The "athleisure" trend has a major influence on the mens underwear market. This driver is blurring the lines between sportswear and casual fashion, allowing brands to create versatile clothing that can be worn on and off the course, thereby expanding the markets consumer base and applications.
5. Rising Disposable Incomes: In key markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific, rising disposable incomes are enabling consumers to spend more on premium, innovative apparel. This economic driver is particularly important for the men’s underwear market, as high-quality, specialized products often come with a significant price tag.
Challenges in the men’s underwear market are:
1. High Product Cost: The premium pricing of high-quality men’s underwear is a significant challenge. The specialized materials and complex manufacturing processes drive up costs, which can be a deterrent for many potential customers, especially in price-sensitive markets. This limits the markets accessibility to a broader consumer base.
2. Intense Market Competition from Non-Specialized Brands: The mens underwear market is highly competitive, with a growing number of non-specialized sportswear brands entering the space. This saturation makes it difficult for traditional brands to maintain market share and forces them to differentiate their products through innovation and marketing.
3. Body Image and Sizing Issues: A significant challenge is the lack of standardized sizing across brands and the lingering body image issues in the market. Many men find it difficult to find underwear that fits them perfectly, which can lead to customer frustration and returns, making a streamlined shopping experience difficult for brands to achieve.
The men’s underwear markets growth is propelled by powerful drivers like technological innovation and the influence of athleisure, which are expanding its market appeal and accessibility. However, it must contend with significant challenges, including high product costs and intense competition. Navigating these forces requires strategic innovation in product development and marketing to ensure sustained growth and market relevance.
List of Men’s Underwear Companies
Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies men’s underwear companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the men’s underwear companies profiled in this report include-
• Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
• Hanesbrands
• Jockey International
• Ralph Lauren Corporation
• Levi Strauss & Co.
• American Eagle Outfitters
• Naked Brand Group
• Perry Ellis International
• HUGO BOSS
• Berkshire Hathaway
Men’s Underwear Market by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the global men’s underwear market by type, fabric, and region.
Men’s Underwear Market by Type [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Briefs
• Boxer Brief
• Trunks
• Boxers
• Others
Men’s Underwear Market by Fabric [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Cotton
• Polyester
• Modal
• Nylon
• Others
Men’s Underwear Market by Region [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Rest of the World
Country Wise Outlook for the Men’s Underwear Market
The men’s underwear market is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond a basic necessity to a product category driven by fashion, technology, and personal expression. This evolution is fueled by a growing consumer focus on comfort, hygiene, and sustainable practices. Brands are innovating with advanced fabrics, personalized designs, and direct-to-consumer models to meet the demands of a diverse, modern consumer base.
• United States: The U.S. market is a leader in mens underwear innovation. Recent developments include a strong push towards "athleisure" and the integration of performance fabrics like moisture-wicking and antimicrobial materials. Theres also a notable rise in direct-to-consumer sales and subscription-based models, catering to a consumer base that values convenience and a wide range of options.
• China: China’s mens underwear market is experiencing explosive growth, driven by a burgeoning middle class and rising disposable incomes. E-commerce platforms are the primary sales channel, with brands leveraging social media and livestreaming to engage with a digitally-savvy consumer base. The market is also seeing a rise in high-end, exclusive collections that emphasize both comfort and style.
• Germany: The German market is characterized by a strong emphasis on product quality, durability, and a clean, functional aesthetic. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for ethically produced and sustainably sourced underwear. Recent developments include a focus on technically advanced fabrics and minimalist designs that prioritize comfort and long-lasting wear.
• India: India’s mens underwear market is in a nascent stage but is poised for significant growth. Increasing urbanization and a rising working male population are key drivers. The market is seeing an increased availability of both local and international brands through online retail channels, which are making a wide variety of products more accessible to a broader consumer base.
• Japan: Japans market is mature but continues to evolve with a focus on both performance and discretion. There is a strong demand for high-quality, technologically advanced fabrics that offer superior comfort and a slim, seamless profile. The market is also seeing a growing interest in specialized, niche brands that cater to specific needs, such as for athletes or for specific seasons.
Features of the Global Men’s Underwear Market
Market Size Estimates: Men’s underwear market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019 to 2024) and forecast (2025 to 2031) by various segments and regions.
Segmentation Analysis: Men’s underwear market size by type, fabric, and region in terms of value ($B).
Regional Analysis: Men’s underwear market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.
Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different types, fabrics, and regions for the men’s underwear market.
Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the men’s underwear market.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
FAQ
Q1. What is the growth forecast for men’s underwear market?
Answer: The global men’s underwear market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2031.
Q2. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the men’s underwear market?
Answer: The major drivers for this market are the increasing focus on comfort & fit, the rising demand for premium fabric choices, and the growing preference for eco-friendly underwear options.
Q3. What are the major segments for men’s underwear market?
Answer: The future of the men’s underwear market looks promising with opportunities in the cotton, polyester, modal, and nylon markets.
Q4. Who are the key men’s underwear market companies?
Answer: Some of the key men’s underwear companies are as follows:
• Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
• Hanesbrands
• Jockey International
• Ralph Lauren Corporation
• Levi Strauss & Co.
• American Eagle Outfitters
• Naked Brand Group
• Perry Ellis International
• HUGO BOSS
• Berkshire Hathaway
Q5. Which men’s underwear market segment will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that, within the type category, brief is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.
Q6. In men’s underwear market, which region is expected to be the largest in next 5 years?
Answer: In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.
Q7. Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% customization without any additional cost.
This report answers following 11 key questions:
Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the men’s underwear market by type (briefs, boxer brief, trunks, boxers, and others), fabric (cotton, polyester, modal, nylon, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?
For any questions related to Men’s Underwear Market, Men’s Underwear Market Size, Men’s Underwear Market Growth, Men’s Underwear Market Analysis, Men’s Underwear Market Report, Men’s Underwear Market Share, Men’s Underwear Market Trends, Men’s Underwear Market Forecast, Men’s Underwear Companies, write Lucintel analyst at email: helpdesk@lucintel.com. We will be glad to get back to you soon.