17 Brands Like CDLP for Premium Men's Underwear
You spent good money on a pair of CDLP boxer briefs, felt that buttery lyocell against your skin, and now everything else in your drawer feels like sandpaper. The problem is real: once you experience that level of quality, going back to ordinary underwear is painful. Cheap elastics dig in, rough cotton bunches up, and suddenly your old rotation feels like a downgrade you cannot ignore.
The good news? Several brands deliver that same commitment to premium fabrics, thoughtful design, and understated style. We pulled together 11 labels that match the CDLP ethos of elevated essentials. Whether you want Scandinavian minimalism, heritage European craftsmanship, or sustainable innovation, these are the names worth knowing.
1. Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein wrote the rulebook on modern men's underwear. The brand pioneered the concept of underwear as a style statement in the 1980s and has maintained that position through decades of clean design and dependable quality. Their cotton stretch and modal lines deliver consistent comfort with that recognisable logo waistband keeping things sharp. The range runs from classic briefs through to longer-leg trunks, covering every preference without overcomplicating the lineup.
Where CDLP leans into fabric innovation with lyocell blends, Calvin Klein plays the reliability card with proven materials and fits that rarely disappoint. Prices land between $22 and $48, making this a strong entry point for men upgrading from drugstore basics who want something with real brand pedigree behind it.
Best for: Men who want a trusted name with wide availability and timeless style.
2. Bjorn Borg
This Swedish label carries the swagger of its tennis legend namesake into every pair it produces. Bjorn Borg builds underwear with a sporty DNA that does not sacrifice comfort for looks, using soft cotton stretch blends and athletic-inspired cuts that move with your body. Their multipack offerings and seasonal prints give the brand a personality that stands apart from the muted Scandinavian crowd, and the value proposition is hard to beat at this quality level.
Compared to CDLP's muted palette and pared-back approach, Bjorn Borg brings colour and energy without veering into gimmick territory. The brand also runs a strong sustainability programme with recycled polyester and organic cotton across much of its range. Expect to pay between $15 and $40 for pieces that hold up wash after wash.
Best for: Active men who want Swedish design heritage with a bold, sporty edge.
3. Organic Basics
Copenhagen-based Organic Basics takes the sustainability conversation further than most competitors. Every piece uses certified organic cotton, recycled materials, or their SilverTech fabric treated with real silver for odour resistance. The brand publishes detailed impact reports and partners with factories that meet strict environmental standards, making them one of the most transparent labels in the space.
If CDLP appeals because of its eco-conscious positioning, Organic Basics doubles down on that commitment with even more rigorous sourcing. Prices run from $28 to $50 for underwear that feels as good on your conscience as it does on your body.
Best for: Sustainability-focused buyers who want full supply chain transparency.
4. Sunspel
Sunspel has been perfecting cotton garments from its English factory since 1860. Their underwear uses superfine long-staple cotton that feels remarkably smooth against the skin, with construction details like flat-locked seams that eliminate irritation. The fit is tailored without being restrictive, striking a balance that few heritage brands manage.
While CDLP represents the new wave of Scandinavian luxury, Sunspel offers something more traditional: British craftsmanship refined over more than 160 years. Expect to pay $35 to $60 for underwear built to outlast anything in your rotation.
Best for: Men who appreciate heritage craftsmanship and superfine natural fabrics.
5. Zimmerli
Swiss-made Zimmerli has operated from its atelier since 1871, producing what many consider the finest underwear in the world. Their Pureness and Royal Classic lines use micro-modal and mercerised cotton so refined that the fabric feels weightless. Every pair is cut and sewn in Switzerland with a precision that justifies the premium price tag. The brand supplies high-end department stores globally, yet maintains production volumes that keep quality control tight.
This is the brand for men who consider CDLP a starting point rather than the ceiling. Zimmerli prices range from $50 to $120, reflecting materials and manufacturing standards that rival bespoke tailoring. Once you wear a pair, the difference in fabric weight and drape becomes immediately obvious.
Best for: Connoisseurs willing to invest in the highest tier of fabric quality and Swiss manufacturing.
6. Hanro
Another Swiss powerhouse, Hanro has spent over 140 years mastering the art of intimate apparel. Their Cotton Superior and Micro Touch lines set a standard for softness that cheaper brands cannot replicate. Hanro sources premium raw materials and manufactures in Europe, giving each pair a hand-feel that improves with wearing and washing.
Hanro and CDLP share an obsession with fabric quality, but Hanro leans toward timeless European elegance rather than modern Scandinavian minimalism. Prices sit between $40 and $85 for pieces designed to become wardrobe staples for years.
Best for: Men who prioritise luxurious hand-feel and European manufacturing heritage.
7. Derek Rose
London-based Derek Rose has built a reputation for the finest loungewear and underwear money can buy. Their boxer shorts and trunks use fabrics ranging from Swiss cotton to micro-modal jersey, with each piece cut to deliver a relaxed yet refined fit. The attention to detail shows in hand-finished waistbands and colour-matched stitching throughout. Their packaging alone signals that you are buying something a tier above the ordinary.
Derek Rose occupies a similar luxury tier to CDLP but with a distinctly British sensibility -- think understated patterns and classic cuts rather than Scandinavian severity. The brand also excels at matching underwear to its broader loungewear and pyjama collections, making it easy to build a coordinated wardrobe. Prices range from $45 to $90 depending on fabric choice.
Best for: Men drawn to British luxury with an emphasis on loungewear-grade comfort.
8. Nudie Jeans
Gothenburg-based Nudie Jeans brings the same raw, honest approach from its famous denim into a growing line of organic cotton basics. Their underwear is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton in a fair trade factory in India, with every step of production documented on their website. The fabric is sturdy yet soft, built to develop character over time much like their jeans.
Both Nudie and CDLP share Swedish roots and a genuine commitment to sustainability, but Nudie takes a more rugged, workwear-inflected path. Prices fall between $30 and $45 for underwear that wears in rather than wearing out.
Best for: Denim enthusiasts who want their basics from a brand with deep sustainability credentials.
9. Hugo Boss
Hugo Boss delivers polished underwear with the same precision tailoring that defines its suits. The brand uses stretch cotton and modal blends cut into structured silhouettes, with subtle branding that signals quality without shouting. Their range covers everything from classic briefs to modern trunk cuts, all finished to the standard you would expect from a German fashion house. Multipacks offer solid value if you want to overhaul your entire drawer in one purchase.
Where CDLP channels laid-back Scandinavian cool, Hugo Boss projects boardroom confidence and sharp European formality. The structured fit works particularly well under slim-cut trousers and suits, sitting flat without bunching. Prices between $28 and $65 place the brand in accessible luxury territory for men building a refined wardrobe from the ground up.
Best for: Professionals who want their underwear to match the polish of their tailored wardrobe.
10. Paul Smith
Paul Smith proves that premium underwear does not have to mean plain underwear. The British designer brings his signature colour-stripe details and playful prints to a range of modal and cotton boxer briefs, giving each pair a personality that more serious brands avoid. The fabrics remain genuinely soft despite the bolder aesthetic, and construction quality holds up to daily wear.
Paul Smith offers a welcome contrast to CDLP's monochrome restraint. For men who want designer-quality basics with a flash of character, this brand fills a gap that minimalist labels leave wide open. Prices range from $35 to $65.
Best for: Style-conscious men who want designer flair in their essentials drawer.
11. Saxx
Saxx built its entire brand around solving one problem: keeping everything in place without constant adjustment. Their patented BallPark Pouch uses internal mesh panels to reduce friction and provide all-day support, a feature that has earned a devoted following among men who prioritise function above everything else. The brand offers multiple fabric tiers from everyday cotton to their premium Droptemp cooling technology, with each designed around that same core pouch innovation.
Saxx trades CDLP's fashion-forward minimalism for pure engineering and ergonomic design. The brand has expanded well beyond its Canadian roots to become one of the top-selling premium underwear names in North America. At $28 to $45 per pair, these are purpose-built for men who want technical comfort they can feel from the moment they pull them on.
Best for: Men who want engineered support and patented comfort technology above all else.
Written by
Spencer Lanoue
