Under U 4 Men in Capitol Hill invites guys to think outside the boxers

Wondering what to stuff in your guy's stocking this year? How about a pair of fresh underwear? At Capitol Hill's Under U 4 Men, you'll find more than 40 brands and hundreds of styles. The independently owned, Portland-based shop opened its Seattle store this past August in the historic Loveless building across from the Harvard Exit movie theater.

Wares include underwear, socks, hair and shaving products, accessories, a French cosmetic line and a collection of swimwear. Though the store caters to men, half of the store's shoppers are women, who sometimes treat themselves to a pair of underwear while buying for their man (some of those fabrics are soooo comfy).

The bright interior is chock full of racks of underwear, and boasts a fireplace -- great for keeping the place warm and cozy on Saturday afternoons when there's live underwear modeling between 2 and 4 p.m. The friendly atmosphere encourages browsing, and store manager Tim Wagner knows his underwear inside and out -- he'll educate you on fiber content, styles, designers and fit.

Pick up something that matches your guy's personality or help him step outside of his old boxers and try something new. You'll find styles, colors and patterns that span every taste: practical or frivolous; conservative or racy; classic or whimsical; locally made or imported from Paris; affordable or spendy. They also carry several lines made from sustainable fibers such as bamboo, soy and hemp.

Among my favorite finds were:

• Bjorn briefs and trunks -- they're affordable and come in classic white and black as well as tennis-themed patterns. Buy him a bunch and make him feel like a star. $18.

• Locally made trunk-cut briefs by Daniel Webster. He uses lots of bright, graphic, playful stripes. $30.

• Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier. This cotton underwear comes in a cool collectible cigar box. The brightly colored, tattoo-inspired images of tigers, panthers, hearts and women will appeal to the bold and artistic. $39.

• AussieBum trunks in black with white leg bands. They're made from MicroModal, a super soft fiber made from beech wood. (My husband loved the look and feel so much he didn't want to put on his pants). $39-$45.

• Bend the Rules boxer-cut briefs, cleverly packaged in a box that looks like a hardbound book. Screen printed with images such as dragons and skulls, each pair features a genuine Swarovski crystal. If your guy is tough on his undies, the soft Tencel fiber won't stretch or fade, and is breathable and anti-microbial. Plus, you can use the adorable box to store things. $60.

• Les Garcons handmade French underwear from Paris. These racy little black numbers with lacy side panels resemble women's lingerie. Sexy and elegant, they're somehow still masculine. $120.

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