Though underwear businesses are dedicated to producing comfortable, quality underwear, the true shining stars are the models in their ads and campaigns. For years, big and small brands alike have been showing the world drool-worthy men in underwear, and we’re ready to talk about our favorites.
It’s no secret that male underwear ads have changed over time, as have photo and video technology. This being said, many love the ‘vintage’ aesthetic, and we can’t help but love it, too. Here are our favorite vintage male underwear advertisements:
Tom Hintnaus was featured in Calvin Klein’s first male underwear ad in 1982. To this day, this shoot remains one of the best. Not only is the photo itself great in terms of the color and angle, but Hintnaus’ stance and awareness of his body takes this shot to the next level.
There may be some debate as to whether or not this is vintage, but the style is undeniable. Sabato’s 1996 Calvin Klein shoot was simple, and one of the company's highest selling campaigns to date. Sabato was also featured alongside Hintnaus in Calvin Klein’s first men’s underwear shoot in 1982.
Men in underwear campaigns is already a win in our book, but that win is elevated when your favorite celeb partakes in a shoot. Whether that celeb is an athlete, actor, or musician, we’ve considered them for the sexiest underwear campaigns with famous men. Here’s our final list:
Seeing professional athletes shirtless may be nothing new, but these campaigns will have you reacting like you’ve never seen a man in his underwear before.
As part of the #mycalvins IRL campaign in the fall of 2019, Odell Beckham Jr. delivered an assortment of sexy shots. This series included edited, studio photos in Calvin Klein underwear, as well as unedited, “IRL” photos, taken while lounging at home.
There isn’t a person in the world unaware of who David Beckham is, but you may be unaware of his campaigns with the brand Armani. Beckham is a frequent model for Armani, but this shoot exceeds all expectations.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-revered athlete, and his physique definitely shows us that. In his shoot with Armani, Ronaldo delivered the perfect combination of mystery and expression that leaves you wondering why he hasn’t pursued a modeling career full time.
Actors have a lot of experience in front of the camera, which should make modeling easier. While this is not the case for every actor-turned-model, it’s certainly the case for these ones.
Noah Funk’s 2014 Versace campaign can be described in a few short words--decadent, outstanding, and marvelous, to name a few. Funk was consistently playing in main roles at this point in his career, and this campaign made major waves with his fans.
After his role as Christian Grey, seeing Jamie Dornan in his underwear is nothing new. This Calvin Klein shot from Dornan’s time as a model takes us back to 2009 and reminds us that while Dornan shirtless may be nothing new, it is still something to be excited about.
Musicians are performers at heart, and that may be what makes them so comfortable in front of the camera. These men don’t only put on a good show on stage, they put on a pretty good one in these underwear campaigns, too.
Bieber collaborated with Calvin Klein during their #mycalvins campaign, and was a hit with consumers everywhere. Coined the ‘Bad Boy Bieber’ collab by countless headlines and articles, this shoot garnered Justin and Calvin Klein a lot of attention, though not all of it was positive. There was a lot of debate online over whether or not Biebers ‘package’ had been enhanced.
Amidst his return to the music industry, Joe Jonas was featured in a Guess campaign that had his previous fans drooling and new fans pooling in. Though Jonas was featured fully clothed as well, his underwear shots from this campaign are the most popular of the set by far.
Mendes was featured in the fall 2019 installment of #mycalvins, and sent the internet into a whirlwind with his intimate pictures and six-pack abs. This was Mendes’ first underwear shoot, but the success of this shoot means we may get more in the future.
Musician Calvin Harris’ collaboration with the brand Armani had consumers picking their jaws up off the floor. If men in underwear is great, Calvin Harris in Armani is magnificent.
Calvin Klein has a reputation for having some of the sexiest models and ads across the board, from fragrances to clothing. Their iconic underwear ads only reassure us that no one does it quite like Calvin does.
Terry is a favorite at Calvin Klein, and it’s not hard to see why. He appears in ads for almost all of their products, including jeans and fragrances. Nothing quite compares to Terry’s underwear ads, though.
Nick Jonas’ 2014 ad with Calvin Klein sparked a lot of conversation when people realized that he was remaking one of Mark Whalberg’s most famous 1992 shots from his days as a Calvin Klein model. This dialogue was all positive, of course, as can be expected from a shot as good as this one.
Though Hounsou is an actor, you’d never be able to guess from his pictures. His 2007 Calvin Klein photoshoot displays a toned body, a powerful stance, and a dramatic facial expression that combine to create one of the best Calvin Klein underwear ads to date.
Vintage Male Underwear Ads
It’s no secret that male underwear ads have changed over time, as have photo and video technology. This being said, many love the ‘vintage’ aesthetic, and we can’t help but love it, too. Here are our favorite vintage male underwear advertisements:
Tom Hintnaus
Pole vaulter Tom Hintnaus photographed by Bruce Weber.
Tom Hintnaus was featured in Calvin Klein’s first male underwear ad in 1982. To this day, this shoot remains one of the best. Not only is the photo itself great in terms of the color and angle, but Hintnaus’ stance and awareness of his body takes this shot to the next level.
Antonio Sabato Jr.
Antonio Sabato Jr. in the 1990s Calvin Klein Ads
There may be some debate as to whether or not this is vintage, but the style is undeniable. Sabato’s 1996 Calvin Klein shoot was simple, and one of the company's highest selling campaigns to date. Sabato was also featured alongside Hintnaus in Calvin Klein’s first men’s underwear shoot in 1982.
Famous Men in Underwear Campaigns
Men in underwear campaigns is already a win in our book, but that win is elevated when your favorite celeb partakes in a shoot. Whether that celeb is an athlete, actor, or musician, we’ve considered them for the sexiest underwear campaigns with famous men. Here’s our final list:
Athletes
Seeing professional athletes shirtless may be nothing new, but these campaigns will have you reacting like you’ve never seen a man in his underwear before.
Odell Bechkam Jr. - Calvin Klein
Odell Beckham Jr showin’ off the latest CALVIN KLEIN UNDERWEAR styles.
As part of the #mycalvins IRL campaign in the fall of 2019, Odell Beckham Jr. delivered an assortment of sexy shots. This series included edited, studio photos in Calvin Klein underwear, as well as unedited, “IRL” photos, taken while lounging at home.
David Beckham - Armani
David was the face and body of Armani's underwear range Credit: Armani
There isn’t a person in the world unaware of who David Beckham is, but you may be unaware of his campaigns with the brand Armani. Beckham is a frequent model for Armani, but this shoot exceeds all expectations.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Armani
Cristiano Ronaldo as a model for the Armani brand
Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-revered athlete, and his physique definitely shows us that. In his shoot with Armani, Ronaldo delivered the perfect combination of mystery and expression that leaves you wondering why he hasn’t pursued a modeling career full time.
Actors
Actors have a lot of experience in front of the camera, which should make modeling easier. While this is not the case for every actor-turned-model, it’s certainly the case for these ones.
Nolan Funk - Versace
Actor Nolan Funk is the face of Versace’s menswear advertising campaign for spring/summer 2014 shot in London by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot. #Versace #NolanFunkForVersace #NolanFunk - Photography: #MertandMarcus #MertAlas
Noah Funk’s 2014 Versace campaign can be described in a few short words--decadent, outstanding, and marvelous, to name a few. Funk was consistently playing in main roles at this point in his career, and this campaign made major waves with his fans.
Jamie Dornan - Calvin Klein
Jamie Dornan poses for Calvin Klein Underwear. Dornan appeared in a campaign for Calvin Klein alongside actress Eva Mendes.
After his role as Christian Grey, seeing Jamie Dornan in his underwear is nothing new. This Calvin Klein shot from Dornan’s time as a model takes us back to 2009 and reminds us that while Dornan shirtless may be nothing new, it is still something to be excited about.
Musicians
Musicians are performers at heart, and that may be what makes them so comfortable in front of the camera. These men don’t only put on a good show on stage, they put on a pretty good one in these underwear campaigns, too.
Justin Bieber - Calvin Klein
Logotipo en vallas publicitarias de Hong Kong China chino ( Poster Justin Bieber BANNER Calvin Klein underwear Fotografía de stock - Alamy
Bieber collaborated with Calvin Klein during their #mycalvins campaign, and was a hit with consumers everywhere. Coined the ‘Bad Boy Bieber’ collab by countless headlines and articles, this shoot garnered Justin and Calvin Klein a lot of attention, though not all of it was positive. There was a lot of debate online over whether or not Biebers ‘package’ had been enhanced.
Joe Jonas - Guess
Joe Jonas 'Guess' Underwear Campaign: Photo 3841249 | Charlotte McKinney, Hailey Baldwin, Joe Jonas, Shirtless
Amidst his return to the music industry, Joe Jonas was featured in a Guess campaign that had his previous fans drooling and new fans pooling in. Though Jonas was featured fully clothed as well, his underwear shots from this campaign are the most popular of the set by far.
Shawn Mendes - Clavin Klein
@shawnmendes/ Calvin Klein//Instagram
Mendes was featured in the fall 2019 installment of #mycalvins, and sent the internet into a whirlwind with his intimate pictures and six-pack abs. This was Mendes’ first underwear shoot, but the success of this shoot means we may get more in the future.
Calvin Harris - Armani
Calvin Harris stars in the Emporio Armani 2015 campaign | Vogue Spain
Musician Calvin Harris’ collaboration with the brand Armani had consumers picking their jaws up off the floor. If men in underwear is great, Calvin Harris in Armani is magnificent.
Calvin Klein Men's Underwear Ads
Calvin Klein has a reputation for having some of the sexiest models and ads across the board, from fragrances to clothing. Their iconic underwear ads only reassure us that no one does it quite like Calvin does.
Matthew Terry
Matthew Terry for Calvin Klein - BOB Magazine
Terry is a favorite at Calvin Klein, and it’s not hard to see why. He appears in ads for almost all of their products, including jeans and fragrances. Nothing quite compares to Terry’s underwear ads, though.
Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas Calvin Klein Flash Sales
Nick Jonas’ 2014 ad with Calvin Klein sparked a lot of conversation when people realized that he was remaking one of Mark Whalberg’s most famous 1992 shots from his days as a Calvin Klein model. This dialogue was all positive, of course, as can be expected from a shot as good as this one.
Djimon Hounsou
Hounsou naked | Summer Magazine | EL PAÍS
Though Hounsou is an actor, you’d never be able to guess from his pictures. His 2007 Calvin Klein photoshoot displays a toned body, a powerful stance, and a dramatic facial expression that combine to create one of the best Calvin Klein underwear ads to date.