Boxers Come Out in the Wash--and Elsewhere
They are called “Happy Face,” “Breakfast in Bed” and “Ants in the Pants.” Titles of contemporary paintings?
No.
They’re names of boxer shorts. And not just any boxer shorts. These are designer shorts made from cotton, flannel and silk in colors that are as vivid as their names.
No longer does wearing shorts around the house conjure visions of “Honeymooner” Ralph Kramden.
The big news is that these boxers are coming out of the closet and into the open. Because many have buttons or snaps to avoid embarrassing situations, they can be worn around the house, to the beach or to the gym.
Not long ago a T-shirt was always worn underneath something else. Now, boxers are the logical next step in a man’s march toward comfort clothes, says Peter Rasoe, manager of the Boxer Bay store in Fashion Island Newport Beach.
Boxers have also caught the attention of the opposite sex.
“About 70% of our clientele is women,” Rasoe says. “Things are really getting unisex now with our smaller sizes going for women and with the women buying fun shorts for their husbands or boyfriends. They buy them primarily for presents and for gag gifts. At Christmas, a lot are sold for stocking stuffers.”
Boxers are emblazoned with “Happy Birthday” and “Holiday Greetings” as well as other personal greetings. One pair is decorated with pigs that glow in the dark.
“We have from 2,000 to 4,000 pairs of shorts in stock at any given time,” Rasoe says.
Sold individually at prices from $12 to $21, these boxers are a long way from the three-pack of white cotton briefs sold at discount stores for $6.
Indeed, the boxer business has become big business, a trend many attribute to Calvin Klein. His underwear company enjoyed sales of $60 million last year and was recently sold to Warnaco, a giant apparel company, for a reported $64 million.
The emergence of boxer shorts as fashion has even conservative stores taking notice. Brooks Bros.’ boxers come in red, yellow and blue stripes as well as plaids, and Polo Ralph Lauren has paisley prints and Scottish plaids.
“When it’s up to a guy to buy for himself, he usually chooses a conservative style,” Rasoe says.
