Genderless fashion is on the rise, with brands expanding their offerings beyond the binary to meet the needs of all body types. This cultural shift has made its way into the underwear drawer through labels like Woxer and TomboyX catering to those looking for a boxers‘ comfort without the excess fabric.
Founded in 2019, Woxer took note of the ill-fitting nature of men’s underwear on women’s bodies. The Miami-based brand set out to design “women’s boxers” contoured to the female form while upholding masculinity’s easygoing essence. Veteran label TomboyX shares Woxer’s mission to blur the gender divide through underwear that traverses binaries. Around since 2012, the Seattle-based brand caters to trans and non-binary customers with its breadth of styles befitting all shapes and sizes.
Both brands offer a departure from the usual ladies underwear scene. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty details separating Woxer and TomboyX as we explore which label reigns supreme.
The Ethos Behind Woxer’s Boxers
Alexandra Fuente launched Woxer after years struggling to find underwear imparting true comfort. The Miami native sought to give women the option to sport menswear-inspired looks minus the discomfort of excessive fabric. Fuente brings in business partner Alyssa Wroblewski to oversee operations and creative as Chief Brand Officer.
Staying true to its name, a play on “women’s boxers,” Woxer exclusively offers boxer briefs ranging from micro to lounge length. The minimalist lineup covers all the bases from sporty compression to breezy boyshorts cut from sustainable fabrics. Namely, the brand taps LenzingTM Modal made from beechwood pulp and soft, durable Peruvian Pima cotton for its wares. Furthermore, each pair dons bold hues and geometric prints in keeping with Woxer’s modern aesthetic.
By honing in on perfecting one staple garment for female-identifying shoppers, the brand ensures quality across the board. After experiencing the comfort firsthand, Fuente seeks to share the magic of Woxer’s boxers with women around the world.
TomboyX Welcomes All to Its Inclusive Underwear Family
TomboyX traces its origins to founders Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez’s friendship rooted in fantasizing about men’s boxer briefs tailored to women. Tired of only options being thongs and bikini cuts squeezing them in all the wrong places, the duo resolved to make their dream underwear a reality.
Launching through a 2012 Kickstarter crowdfunding $25K to finance production, TomboyX took off. What began as a side passion project between friends grew into a mission to outfit people of all makeups in comfort.
While Woxer focuses on one style, TomboyX offers an extensive range covering the gamut from steamy date-night pieces to basics befitting everyday wear. Shop sports bras, swim tops, tucked panties and its signature boxers among dozens of other cuts. Silhouettes suiting AMAB bodies also fill its shelves in designs made for trans men.
Overseeing manufacturing in China and Colombia, TomboyX opts for fabrics passing rigorous safety testing. Namely, most of its offerings hold OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification deeming textiles devoid of harmful substances. TomboyX also makes moves toward sustainability through initiatives like sourcing crab shell-based OdorCrunchTM antimicrobial fabric coating.
Woxer vs. TomboyX: How They Compare
Now that you have the backstory on both labels providing a new twist on underwear for people not adhering to cisgender norms, let’s see how they stack up across critical factors:
Affordability
- Woxer: Boxers $18+; Bras $28+
- TomboyX: Boxers $15+; Bras $15+
The product price points fall closely in line between brands. TomboyX takes the lead by a nose when comparing base prices across comparable underwear styles.
Size Availability
- Woxer: S-3X
- TomboyX: 3XS-6X
For shoppers needing an expanded range, TomboyX better accommodates larger bodies. Its span reaching over to 6X dwarfs Woxer’s cap at 3X.
Fabric
- Woxer: LenzingTM Modal, Pima cotton
- TomboyX: Cotton, nylon/spandex blends
Woxer’s modal imparts supreme softness and breathability. However, TomboyX opts for cotton passing chemical safety checks for skin sensitivities.
Style Selection
- Woxer: Boxer briefs
- TomboyX: Boxer briefs, briefs, thongs, bras, apparel
TomboyX undeniably offers far more variety to its shoppers. The breadth of its catalog enables creating full looks compared to Woxer’s staying in its lane with one focus.
Sustainability
- Woxer: LenzingTM modal from sustainably-managed forests; Peruvian pima cotton
- TomboyX: Integrates recycled fabrics (ex. crab shell bio-coating); eco-friendly packaging
Both brands make commendable strides toward sustainability through material choices and streamlined production. TomboyX further mitigates its environmental impact through recyclable mailers and boxes.
Comparing Boxers Against Boxers
How do the brands’ most direct products pitted against one another? Let’s take a look by examining their boxer briefs head-to-head:
Woxer Baller Cosmic Modal Boxer Briefs
Buttery-soft modal fabric | Moisture-wicking | Breathable | Seamless, no-roll waistband | $22
TomboyX 6” Fly Boxer Briefs
Tagless OEKO-TEX® cotton | Retains shape after washing | Distinctive faux fly | Flat seam construction | $15
For those wanting a second skin feel, Woxer’s modal construction hugs every contour in sublime comfort. TomboyX offers comparable comfort and sporty edge with its signature fly.
Weighing Their Wireless Bra Options
An essential pairing with any underwear drawer is a reliable bra. We review wireless options from both brands promising all-day support without pesky wires:
Woxer Boss Black Racerback Bra
Buttery modal fabric | Moisture-wicking | Light support suitable for sizes A-C | 29% spandex for stretch | $28
TomboyX Racerback Bra
Tag-free cotton provides next-to-skin softness | Removable padding | Ideal for low-impact activities (yoga, etc.) | 4-way stretch | $32
Avid gym-goers get great mileage from Woxer’s cooling modal. Yet TomboyX offers a touch more customization for those wanting to ditch padding some days.
Delving Into Their Other Offerings
Beyond base layers, we take a look at trunk silhouettes working well for adding coverage:
Woxer Stud Star Modal Trunks
Hip-grazing 3” inseam | Modal-spandex blend | Moisture-wicking | Tagless waist stays in place | $18
TomboyX 4.5” Soft Knit Trunks
OEKOTEX® cotton/spandex jersey | Distinctive shiny waistband | Generous rise | Streamlined rear silhouette | $24
Here you can save a few bucks with Woxer while enjoying ultra-breathability. Yet devoted TomboyX fans may favor its iconic shiny waistband in its looking and staying put.
How Sustainable Are Their Practices?
What good are comfortable skivvies if their manufacturing harms the planet? Here’s how both brands grade out for sustainable practices:
Woxer
Fabrics: Gets high marks for opting for Forest Stewardship Council® certified beech tree-derived LenzingTM Modal fabric. While not as thoroughly vetted as TomboyX’s offerings, Woxer ensures its modal comes from renewable materials. Its soft Pima cotton also scores eco-points as a rain-fed crop requiring few pesticides.
Manufacturing: Keeping production onshore in Peru raises assurances of fair labor practices. Exact details are scant but reasonable wages can be presumed from a smaller-scale Latin American factory.
Packaging & Shipping: No specifics are given on packaging or shipping methods. Presumably utilizing some recycled materials but unclear to what extent.
TomboyX
Fabrics: Cotton styles passing OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 indicates fabrics contain no traces of harmful substances. Excellent for those with sensitive skin. Also integrates recycled nylons and thoughtfully sources natural materials like mold-fighting crab shells.
Manufacturing: While made in China carries baggage, TomboyX insists on factories upholding human rights and safe working conditions. The brand also brings production stateside with Georgia- and Hawaii-based manufacturing partners.
Packaging & Shipping: Leads in sustainable packaging through 100% recycled poly mailers, cardboard boxes and paper tape. Offers carbon-neutral shipping.
TomboyX goes above and beyond in product testing, domestic manufacturing support and carbon-neutral fulfillment methods.
Do Customers Buy Their Sustainability Claims?
Rather than taking brands’ word at face value, we turn to reviews to glean how their efforts translate in real life:
Woxer
- Woxer website: Avg. 4.7★ (9,000+ reviews)
- Amazon: Avg. 4.4★ (180+ reviews)
Rave reviews praise buttery fabrics retaining quality wash after wash. Some minor gripes over odd sizing.
TomboyX
- TomboyX website: Avg. 4.8★ (900+ reviews)
- Amazon: Avg. 4.5★ (270+ reviews)
- Nordstrom: Avg. 4.2★ (170+ reviews)
Overwhelmingly positive feedback on styles flattering wider ranges of bodies. Among the highest reviews seen for underwear.
TomboyX goes above and beyond winning legions of fans for underwear that fits beautifully across sizes and gender expressions. Still, Woxer makes impressive inroads given its youth.
Saving Money on Their Wares
We outline the best ongoing savings opportunities beyond sitting out for sales:
Woxer
- Subscribe & Save: Ongoing 23% discount + free shipping
- Free shipping: Orders $50+
- Free returns: Hassle-free refunds
TomboyX
- Rewards Program: Earn points redeemable for discounts
- Student discount: 10% off
- Medical pro discount: 15% off scrubs & compression gear
- Clearance section: Shop discounted last chance items
Loyalty perks give TomboyX a leg up while bargain hunters can’t beat Woxer’s subscription markdowns.
Delivery Deets: Shipping & Returns
You’ll want to know how quickly your package ships out plus policies should garments not fit:
Woxer
- Ships worldwide
- Free US shipping
- Free returns
TomboyX
- Ships globally
- Free US shipping orders $50+
- 45-day returns
Both offer consumer-friendly fulfillment processes that make online shopping a breeze.
The Last Word: Which Brand Gets Our Boxer Brief Nod?
While Woxer and TomboyX share the central goal of bringing boxers’ ease to all behinds, they take distinct approaches. Miami-based Woxer deliberately keeps selection minimal to perfect its classic boxer brief silhouettes. Available in a modal/cotton blend rivaling silk PJs, its designs masterfully balance androgyny with femininity.
Meanwhile, Seattle’s TomboyX successfully brings the brand’s mantra of “underwear for every body” to life. Its diverse catalog ushers in intimate apparel for AMAB bodies while offering standard cuts imbued with new meaning. Conscientious manufacturing and extensive size ranges allow all to partake in its community-centered underwear family.
For those solely seeking spare yet splendid women‘s boxers, Woxer delivers premium comfort without excess. Devotees wanting to infuse their top drawer with positive meaning will delight in TomboyX’s spectrum of styles promoting inclusivity. At the end of the day, both labels move mountains creating a welcoming space in the historically gendered underwear aisle.
