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The History of Boxer Shorts (and How India Got Them)

Man in a beige kurta and Whats Down Cleopatra blue-and-orange printed boxers walking through dry grass

History boxer shorts india. A quick, honest guide from Whats Down.

Boxer shorts are under a century old. A quick tour from the boxing ring to the Indian drawer.

1925: the ring

Everlast replaces leather-belted boxing trunks with elastic-waist shorts. Boxers are born: literally named after the sport.

1940s: the army

Issued to soldiers, boxers come home as everyday underwear in the US and UK.

1980s: the switch

A famous jeans ad and a shift to looser styles make boxers a fashion item; prints appear.

India: from dhoti to boxer

Loose, breathable lower garments are nothing new here. The dhoti and lungi did the job for centuries. Boxers fit the climate the same way, and printed cotton boxers arrived as lounge-and-sleep wear in the 2000s.

2020s: out of the house

Digitally printed, inner-elastic, pocketed boxers made in India. Worn to the beach, the balcony and the shops. That’s where we come in. See the rack.

Good to know

Women’s rack: The women’s rack is cut for women, not scaled down from men’s: a slightly higher rise, a shorter leg and a waist that stays put. Black & White Roses, Maroon Umbrella, Vertical Boho, Spot the Panda, Snakes & Lads and White Nautical, in S–XL.

Gifting: Printed boxers are the rare gift that gets used. Pick the print that matches the person. Gamer, musician, gym obsessive, permanent holidaymaker. And get the size by measuring a pair they already own flat across the waistband and doubling it. When in doubt, one size up.

Waistband: We sew the elastic inside a fabric casing, so nothing rubs your skin and nothing shows through trousers. There’s no drawstring to knot or lose in the wash; the inner elastic keeps you in place on its own, flexing after lunch and snapping back when you stand up.

Quick answers

Where are they made?

India: in our own workshop, in small batches.

Can I order in bulk?

Yes: wholesale and team orders are welcome. Use the wholesale topic on the contact page.

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