National Underwear Day

History

The original human undergarment was the loincloth. From Africa to India to the Malayo-Polynesian area of Oceania, loincloths were worn as clothing. In western culture, even though it was a major part of existence in the social world, underwear was seen as something that should remain underneath the rest of our clothing. Underwear was worn by everyone and talked about by no one. Yet today, lingerie and intimate apparel are leading retail industries. The 1980's changed the public's perception of bikinis, briefs, bras, and panties forever. Calvin Klein put massive advertisements up in Times Square. Madonna wore her metal bras and bustiers as outerwear. Rap stars let their pants hang so low, you could see their boxer shorts peeking out from underneath.

In 2003, Freshpair created the ideal forum for celebrating intimate apparel when they rolled out the innovative holiday, National Underwear Day. Michael Kleinmann, the president of Freshpair, was quoted as saying: "underwear should no longer be merely the first thing you put on and the last thing you take off, but the most important thing you wear all day." National Underwear Day was born to bring the public a celebrated time for mentioning unmentionables and celebrating their skivvies.

The original event set the tone for all the future events. National Underwear Day models acted as Underwear Ambassadors and took to the streets in New York. They strolled the runway and the sidewalks alike, clad just in bras, briefs, trunks, bikinis, boxers, and lingerie. They collected signatures from the public to support the National Underwear Day movement and create a national holiday. Since that first holiday, there's been another celebration each summer, like clockwork. And each National Day has been even better than the last, with more media attention and more sponsors than ever.

Previous sponsors have included: Puma, Wacoal, Boss, Papi, Ginch Gonch, Play, 2(x)ist, Cotton Incorporated, Chantelle, Diesel, Le Mystere, Goddess, Freya, Fantasie, RIPS, Mundo Unico, Magic Silk, National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. For the upcoming 2008 event, sponsors include: Diesel, Wacoal, 2xist, DKNY, Le Mystere, Unico, Champion, 3G, Natori, Sean John, The Operation Game, Baskit, Report Collection, Wigwam, Body Wrap, Soak, Go Softwear, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Giulio, Makeup Designory, Pure Styles Girlfriend, and Shoes.com.

Last year, Times Square tourists and New York locals were treated to quite a show on National Underwear Day. Our models strutted through the most high-profile spot in the country, just like they're done year after year. They modeled the hottest brands and conducted surveys about the most popular types of intimate apparel and exactly what American's really do wear underneath it all. New Yorkers get a bad rap for being aloof and disinterested, but National Underwear Day has proven that perception as a myth. The public responded with a warm welcome. Who wouldn't want to celebrate underwear? Especially with a team of models wearing nothing but their skivvies helping you see the joy in it. Americans and tourists alike are clearly ready to show their love for their drawers.

If history is any indication, we expect to see this year's National Underwear Day as the biggest yet, with the most people and the most media attention we've ever seen before. Join us in August and be a part of the greatest holiday imaginable!

Click here to see underwear models video taken at the National Underwear Day.

Click here to purchase Bras, Men's Underwear, Women's Underwear, Shapewear, and other great products from Freshpair.com.