On the down side, they are more expensive and do have a tendency to bunch up under jeans. Also, for the active male, one word of warning: do not attempt to run while wearing boxer shorts. If there isn't a Surgeon General's warning for attempting this, there should be.

The hybrid boxer-brief, a new compromise in underwear.

For those of you who are still not sure what to do with choosing a style of undergarment, there is one other alternative (unless you go bare, which is not for the faint of heart or those who enjoy wearing jeans and not losing anything vital while zipping up).

Some companies, including Calvin Klein, have recently created the boxer-brief, a hybrid with longer legs like boxer shorts but fitting snugly like briefs. This new trend is catching fast, and women have also expressed interest in this type of undergarment for the men in their lives.

If you do choose this route, be prepared to spend a lot of money since it is a new product, but the boxer-brief definitely has its advantages.

So there you have it: underwear buying made simple. Each of the three styles available for men has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely, and I wish you happiness with your decision.

Be it plain and mundane cotton briefs, boxers that are screaming with personality or Calvin Klein's attempt at a compromise, it's all a matter of personal satisfaction.