U N D E R W E A R S S 22
retail buyer’s guide
RETAIL BUYER’S GUIDE
A year of sitting at home in your pants has brought underwear to the forefront of men’s shopping trends. They look for comfort and a little fun, and brands are ready to deliver. By Rocio Enriquez.
Men look for comfort when shopping for underwear. This behaviour was reinforced during the pandemic. “Consumers invested more in everyday basics that delivered fit and comfort whilst they were stuck at home”, says Rich Philip of Stance. For the growing numbers of boardsports fans, comfort is not only limited to soft and breathable materials. Support and functionality are key. Once comfort and performance are covered, though, there is no harm in having a little fun. Consumers seem keen on bright colours and original prints as a new way to express themselves. The fact that it is a hidden garment allows men to go as crazy as they feel like without having to explain themselves. SHAPES Boxer briefs report the best sales throughout all brands interviewed. Mostly offered in different inseam lengths, it is the longer ones that get more attention from active consumers. Ethika reports its 9” style as their staple. Muchacho Malo’s best-seller is also the longer legged “1010” boxer short. The thicker fabric and flat seams make it a fan favourite. Bn3th is also
“Consumers invested more in everyday basics that delivered fit and comfort whilst they were stuck at home” Rich Philip, Stance
introducing longer inseams directed at sport specific use. They are also minimising design lines to make them more breathable and comfortable, and adding hidden pockets and trim choices. Saxx is adding longer 7” styles to
their range. Next Summer they will be offering a range of slim fits, regular fits and semicompression in that length. MATERIALS A variety of fabrics are elbowing their way to claim their spot amongst the cottons and polyesters. “Technology is moving up the agenda and fabrics are at the heart of it”, says Darren Wilcox of Saxx. The focus on sport specific designs and the growing concern for sustainability is driving this trend. Stance relies on their in-house developed Butter Blend fabric. “This is the secret sauce that gives our underwear that silky softness and comfort”, says Rich Philip. Moskova uses wicking polyester for their training styles. Bn3th has partnered with Ionic+ to make their sporty designs antimicrobial and odour free. For their everyday wear line, they have partnered with Tencel Modal, pairing comfort with sustainability. We can find Modal in Saxx’s range too. Muchacho Malo serves the same purpose with the use of bamboo fabric. We can also find Merino Wool in the collections of Saxx and Supernatural. LOOKS Designers have welcomed the demand for vivid prints and colours. Each brand is doing their own thing, and the only constant is loudness. Solid colours are bright. Bn3th builds its colour palette on sun bleached tones of orange and blue. Muchacho Malo uses darker colours to host bright accents. The substance is in the prints, though. Ethika likes to entertain customers with in-depth graphics that will have them staring for a while. Heritage is the main 73
