The standard undergarment for American males (the type that are called y-fronts in England): one of the ugliest items of clothing ever created. Especially if they've turned grayish from being washed with dark-colored clothes. But even brand-new ones (or cotton briefs of the same style but other colors than white) are cut in a way not to flatter any body type. Well, gay sex columnist Dan Savage made an exception for a "boyish and slim and hairless man" but frankly, that would make him look like a little kid to me. They really are the sort of things that mothers buy for their sons, at least for my generation (I was born in 1973.)
Dan Savage column at: http://www.thestranger.com/2002-06-13/savage.html