Today’s Brief Distraction is from Timoteo! This is a series of pictures done by great photographer Tom Cullis. The model is brains and beauty. He is Christopher Richard, a former GM Mechanical Engineer who gave it up to pursue modeling and acting. We really hope you enjoy!
Today is election day and also Baskit $12 Tuesday. Make sure you go vote (if you haven’t already) and then go check out the great pair for todays $12 Tuesday! Today’s Pair is the Action Cool Low Rise Cotton Mesh. Check out a few more of the pairs on sale as well! You can get the Pure and Body Art on sale!
Football inspired underwear is one of the biggest trends in men’s underwear. By football underwear we mean underwear with a lace up front. Many companies have come out with them and how Andrew Christian has put his stamp on this with the Football Jock. Its definitely a pair for those who like to have fun with their undies. The jock is available in black and light blue. Made out of a spandex blend. Perfect for wearing under jeans or a special night out.
The pair retails for $22.50 on the Andrew Christian site!
Are you a fan of Rufskin, PPU, Cocksox or Gigo? And many more underwear brands? If so check out Erogenos sale where you get 20% off orders $100 or more. Just use code ERG-TWENTY.
Today’s Brief Distraction is from Undergear.com! This is the new Gabriel Grey line. This brand makes it so that it enhances the pouch naturally. These are definitely worth a look!
There is no question that men’s underwear market is experiencing something of a renaissance lately. It seems like more brands are entering the fray, and the “giants” are reacting by providing more options, more designs, and more colors. It is 2012, and it could not be any easier to get the pair or pairs of underwear that best fit you, satisfy your style preferences, and maybe even make you feel good. The problem is, a huge majority of men out there simply don’t know this and the reasons really are not that numerous so they can, and should be easily solved.
The most prominent reason most men are unaware of all of the options available to them when it comes to underwear is really the root of the problem. Most men hate to shop, especially for clothing, and the reason is that even when they know what they are looking for it is not easy to find. Department stores and other retail chains (with few exceptions) do not organize their retail around this baked-in apathy. Take jeans for example. If a man needs a new pair of jeans and wants a nice pair from a department store, all he likely cares about is the size, and maybe the shade of blue. Yet he’s got to sift through all these other options: button fly or zipper fly? Boot cut. Straight leg, Relaxed, or Skinny fit? Pocket stitching or plain pocket? If the same guy needs to refresh his underwear drawer similar problems exist, but he first has to walk about a quarter mile to the “men’s furnishings” section, and when he gets there, he’s met with what? Ugly display stands with underwear in boxes, all of which are not sorted by color or style.
It seems that every time I check out the men’s underwear section at my local Nordstrom, it looks the same as it did two weeks earlier, and I don’t just mean that anecdotally either. I actually mean, it looks exactly, the same. The problem is two-fold, one is more baked-in than the other and that is most men are notwilling to pay $24 for one pair of underwear. But I am convinced the reason there is never anyone looking at men’s underwear in Nordstrom (or any retailer for that matter) is that they can’t see the product.
It’s a matter of fact, that when men actually can see a lineup of colorful briefs or trunks hanging on a hanger on a rack, or neatly folded for all eyes to see, the will shop, and they will buy. The reason I know this is that in the same Nordstrom underwear section, those colorful Diesel briefs and trunks, and the same styles from Calvin Klein that are displayed on hangers are always picked over, while the same types of underwear languishing in their boxes, continue to be stuffed into the gargantuan wooden stands.
Think about it this way. In any department store, you don’t see many pieces of clothing tucked away into boxes where you can’t see them, do you? Ever checked out the women’s underwear section? There isn’t one pair of underwear in a box. Why is that? You have to go back to the apathy of the male shopper first. Women tend to care more about their underwear then men, yet all it takes is one glance at human anatomy to figure out that this should at least be even, if not flipped. Remember those Diesel briefs and trunks that were on the hangers that sold out so quickly? The hangers did something for the underwear that a box can never do. The contoured pouch, shaped like a man is shaped, gets noticed, and the guy who’s wearing his multi-pack boxers, briefs, or boxer briefs thinks, “I bet these fit better” and makes the purchase. Meanwhile, all the underwear in the boxes in that stand, which is just feet away, possess the same contoured pouch the ones on the hanger do, but how is Mr. Ill-fitting Underwear supposed to know that by looking at a 2D black and white picture on a box?
The small change of moving underwear to hangers and display tables means exposure of brands and styles to men who might not have known even existed in the first place. My wife didn’t know jocks were being made with “everyday wear” designs until she went into and men’s underwear boutique with me. Since underwear for men comes with ridiculous cultural connotations what better way to expose the public to the options that are out there, than to let the public actually see what is available to men.
While such a change should be applauded, department stores should not stop there. Why does the men’s underwear section need to be in the same location as cuff links, umbrellas, and ties? Why can’t it be by the pants or the workout clothes? You know, the things that you put on right after you put your underwear on? I don’t know many men who put their ties on, or situate some cuff links right after they get their boxer briefs on. However, even if you get the underwear displayed properly in a department store, most men don’t go to department stores to buy their underwear. Location is just as important to growing sales.
Think back to the guy buying some jeans. What if, on his way to the counter to buy them, he and the sales person pass a round table with some form fitting briefs displayed neatly? The salesperson says, “I don’t know what your preferences are, but these underwear are designed specifically with the cut of the jeans you are buying in mind.” Obviously the sales person won’t convince every customer, but they only need to convince a couple men per week and the store’s underwear sales go up.
I firmly believe that the guy that picks up his first pair of underwear with a contour pouch from a department store is going to feel the same way I did when my wife brought home the pair that started my obsession. Online retailers will be the likely beneficiaries if he really gets into them, but the guy has to know that they’re available to him. And as far as I can tell, despite large increases in men’s underwear sales, a simple re-evaluation of how their products are being displayed by retailers is an opportunity worth pursuing.
Till Monday 10Percent.com has Pistol Pete on sale for 15% off. This includes clothing, underwear and swimwear. Make sure you check out the Expose line while you are there. Remember this expires on Monday, Nov. 5th.
Today’s Brief Distraction is from Jockstrap Central! It’s the Nasty Pig Long Johns. They have just come out and are a great addition to your winter wardrobe! Check them out at the Jockstrap Central site!
Mckillop is one of those companies that has been with UNB since the begining I think. We have talked to them a few times. This time I asked the guys on the site to submit some questions to ask Ryan. Here is an interview that we hope give you a better insight into Mckillop U/W
You created a lot of new styles, how are the new styles doing?
The collection of Mckillop items has grown significantly due to the fact that in March we opened our own factory. We can create items in real time based on our needs at the moment. Since we are made in Canada there is no need for us to also plan a year in advance. The new design’s are doing far better then I had anticipated and this is partly due to the fact that we engage our customers on facebook (www.facebook.com/Mckillopuw) and they have an opportunity to participate in the design process.
What feed back has you gotten from the upgrades in the waistband logo (used to be a tach, not its woven in)
The change in our waistband has provided us the luxury of becoming a real player in the underwear game, We are proud to be new and this was a change 
that our growth allowed. Also we have come up with a couple of red waistbands that our customers picked on Facebook and Twitter. This is such an exciting experience to interact with people and ask their opinions, and not just fro the sake of social media, when I ask the clients opinions I take my hands off the designer’s steering wheel and allow you to drive the car- per say.
You are designing swimwear, what can you tell us about the new swimwear?
Mckillop SWIM is one of the post exciting and challenging lines I have created. I am not ashamed to admit it but it has been an interesting battle for us. In May I wanted to create 1 swim suit to add to our underwear offerings and then I decided 1 was just not enough. Then in true Mckillop fashion I also decided that a simple bathing suit would not cut it to fit within the brand. I went back to the drawing board and created extremely complicated designs that are very time consuming. But the Designs are beyond my expectations. Swim has become the jewel in my crown because they are so flattering to the male figure. Brightly colored nylon covered in black fishnet mesh: they provide a hypnotic look to them and they hide what needs to be hidden and showcase what you would like too. Also when you move it shifts with your body and creates folds and gathers that accentuate your assets. SWIM has also been on the forefront of social media for us because due to the late start to SWIM we have started the Mannequin Project- Until al 91 swim suits are completed we have been photographing our SWIM line on a mannequin and posting it to www.MckSwim.com minutes after it has been made, then to Facebook. Quite an exciting journey for us. Once all of the swim suits are completed then we will have a proper photo shoot with a model.
What has been your biggest challenges in creating swimwear?
The biggest challenge is that the SWIM fabric is extraordinarily difficult to sew, the threads in the fabric are so closely woven to avoid water penetration that even getting a sewing machine needle through it is hard. Luckily we have overcome that obstacle and are now in full production of our SWIM line. The funny thing is that I was never going to launch it till 2013 and when I started in May 2012 I thought I was getting an early start – but the stars wanted us to launch in 2013 and once it is shot on a model it will be 2013 – so never play with fait, it always has a better plan for yourself.
What brought up the underwear a MUSE program? How well is it doing?
MUSE is our Monthly Underwear Subscription Experience and I was very reluctant to start it. It took some convincing from a friend of mine to do it but it has 
far exceeded my expectations in the fitst week. The Name especially was an accident but how perfect for the title of our surprise monthly experience. I hesitated because so many people have done it and mostly it is used to off load items that don’t sell. Since we do not have sale items nor do we carry stock cause everything is made especially for each customer I needed a way to make this is creation and not an off cast. I was looking at a pile of sample fabrics and I found a Sports Mesh that I have been dying to use and thought lets go outside the box and make something sporty. This design was amazing and I knew that all of our customers would like it too, but there was not enough fabric to include it into our main collection so I thought about MUSE. Also I have a large following of the best customers and I try to send out my appreciation but I thought for those who are most loyal why not give them these amazing one of a kind pieces and at 40% off and free shipping as well. This also allows the most loyal of customers to help with the experience part. As you know customer involvement is the utmost of importance and this way every month our customers can give their opinion on new items and whether or not these should go out to the masses. I am just as excited every month as the clients are- Its a chance for me to design and create something new every month. In this industry you can get lost in the business of it and I want to keep creating as often as possible and MUSE is the way to do it.
Does you think the MUSE monthly subscription designs will fall in line with the traditional McKilliop pairs, or will these be a chance to branch out in maybe some unexpected ways with short production amounts.
Unexpected for sure! One thing that is really exciting is that I can design whatever I like – meaning the monthly subscriptions regardless of their inexpensive price point will allow me to treat the world as my oyster and I can create even more expensive items if I like because there are smaller volumes. I treat loyalty as my highest commodity and all of my customers are loyal and whenever possible I like to treat my clients to something special. With MUSE there are no expensive photo shoots and I don’t need to source out massive amounts of supplies so this really lets my imagination run wild.
What inspires your underwear collections, styles, etc.?
My clients inspire my collections followed by fit – I would never claim to be the best (no one ever can claim to that with diverse tastes) but I aspire to do mybest and in that I feel it is my duty to listen to my clients, (whether contrary to my own beliefs or not) and to produce items that fit and make them feel good. Confidence is not based on what the product looks like, it is what exudes from the person who is wearing the garment and I believe that my hard work creates confidence in my clients. Also knowing that they are created with so much passion also allows the wearer to feel that they are a part of something. If my clients are happy then I am happy. With social media I can learn first hand what their Experience is like and if clients are not happy then I choose another road to take them on. I have started to recently say that my clients are steering this ship and I do not have an ego that will stand in their way. For example the newest red and white waistband coming out in mid Nov. I posted a picture asking if people liked a stripe on it or not. I personally didn’t like the stripe but I was wrong. I didn’t make it my way just for the sake of being the designer I made it to their specifications. I will always continue to run my business this way. Even though it has created obstacles in the industry.
To expand on the obstacles – Since Mckillop is now creating items in real time , press are not familiar with this new way of doing things. We get requests for next years items and I have to respond that “I have no Idea.” It is funny but it is true. I have always said we are on a journey together and it is so true, more then ever. Because when you see a design in social media you are seeing it at the exact same moment that we are.
What is next for McKillop?
Very similar to the answer I just gave the things that I know for sure are that we will be expanding the Elevate enhancement line in 2013, We will also be expanding the Relax Boxer line to include colors. And that is all I know – I should be asking YOU – What is next for Mckillop , you tell me !
We all love free underwear! C-IN2 is giving you a chance to win the entire collection. The contest is being held on their Facebook Page and is simple. Just got to the contest app and vote what is your favorite line in the new collection. Then you can be chosen to win a pair from each collection. If you can’t find the app just look on the wall for a status update. And Good Luck!
Today’s Brief Distraction is from the Sobe Men’s Show. This is part of the Mundo Unico collection that was showcased. We posted the pics also on our facebook. There is no way we can run all pics but we hope you enjoy!
This week’s underwear of the week is the Gregg Homme Venom Briefs! These are perfect for those who like a fun, smaller cut brief. Every pair of Gregg Homme we have had here at UNB, have been really great pairs. The reviews have always been stellar. I have said it before but they have make underwear for men. They pay attention to how it fits and holds up through out the day.
The new collection has just been released. This pair is one that is really fun but not over the top. Reasons for it being our Underwear of the Wee:
- The subtle pattern of snake skin printed on it gives it a little something extra and fun.
- Made out of 95% polyester and 5% spandex
- A great pouch made to conform to your body and gives great support through out the day
- The fabric is very breathable
- Available in Red and Black.
Find this pair on the Gregg Homme Site for $36.95.
We were going to quit with our schedule, but we heard from a good number of people who said to keep it. So due to popular demand we are going to keep the schedule: Week 1 Brief, Week 2 Thong, Week 3 Jock, Week 4 Boxer Brief. S
Designer Drawers is a relatively new online underwear retailer. They have some really great guys running it, who have decided to give 20% of sales to aide in the relief of Hurricane Sandy. You should definitely check them out and it’s great to see an underwear retailer giving back! Check them out and tell them UNB sent you1
Traditionally, the long john was made for the cold to wear underneath your outer clothes to keep you warm and although Nasty Pig’s limited edition long johns are perfect to do just that, they are so freak’n cool, you may just want to wear them by themselves as truly hip outerwear.
These long johns are constructed of Nasty Pig’s standard extra-soft cotton/spandex rib and finished at the ankles with a slightly heavier layer of ribbed fabric. Although the fly is non-functional (perhaps to keep the cold out,) the custom Nasty Pig snaps will certainly grab all the right attention to that bulge of yours. The long johns come in black, red and white.
Model Ryan Russell puts these new Nasty Pig long johns through their paces over at Jockstrap Central. It may be cold outside, but those photos are hot!
Find these at Jockstrap Central and stay warm!
Winter is here! Well for most of the country it’s gotten COLD fast. This is an older picture from ES Collection but a good one to refun. They did a whole series in the snow on a mountain a few years back.
We are pleased to announce the Underwear of the Month for November. As you can tell the picture, the winner is the Mini Brief from Big Boy Pants. We did a series of great reviews on this brand and we are not surprised they won the vote this month. If you are a fan of great pouch underwear then this is definitely a pair you need to check out. Here are some reasons why it was voted on as Underwear of the Month
- They look hot and comfortable at the same time. Id love a pair please.
- The ergonomically correct pouch are a hands down winner in my book. I’ve cleaned out my underwear draw and starting to fill it back up with underwear that are made with a pouch such as these. -PS
- They’re stylish and give plenty of room & comfort!
- Simple looking and accentuating, look perfect for the office or a night out on the town! -Travis
Find these at the Big Boy Pants website. They are available in 7 colors and cost £13. The website address is http://www.bigboypants.com
 |
Planet Undies offer you the opportunity to save your money: 20% off on HOM permanent products until Monday November 5th, 2012Shop at: http://www.planet-undies.com/catalog/default.php?universe_Path=9999 |
 |
From now till Friday you can save 25% off on 3 or more items. This includes underwear, swimwear and more!Shop at: http://www.10percent.com |
 |
Geovanny is back! Check out their sexy line of briefs, boxer briefs, and our most favorite JOCKSTRAPS!Shop at: http://www.histrunks.com |
 |
Take 20% off Gregg Homme on any orders $100 or more! Use code PR-GREGG20
Shop at: http://www.premiumunderwear.com |
Today’s Brief Distraction is from Good Boy Gone Bad. This is part of their underwear collection. We are planning something fun with them in the next few months. But we’ll let you know when that happens!