It’s always sad to see a company close up shop in the world of underwear. The world of men’s underwear really is a small world. Everyone tends to know everyone at brands and stores. It is for the most part a friendly world. I never thought there would come a time when there wouldn’t be an UnderGear
It started back in the 70’s when the International Male catalogue was released. If you didn’t come of age in the 80’s you may not know the International Male. It was the main catalogue that had clothes and underwear. Some of the clothes were a bit out there, like the pirate shirt! But it always had, for the time, a bigger selection of underwear. This was way before the internet made underwear super easy to buy. Back in the day you had to call in and order or mail it in the order form if you were shy.
Also in the 80’s International Male used to have a physical store in California. I used to think of going to California and shopping the store and how that would be so awesome to shop all the designs I see in person. I never made it to the store and it would be many years before I finally got to California.
International Male finally created the UnderGear catalogue that sold exclusively underwear and gear! I remember them announcing this and it was like I won the lottery! Here is this company devoting an entire catalogue to my love! What was not to like about this. I tried to find when it split off but was unable to find the exact year. But if I remember correctly it was in the 90’s.
Undergear/International Male used to be the main place to find new brands. Some of the brands I found through them were Mundo Unico, Go Softwear, and the list goes on. It was a big deal to be carried in the UnderGear catalogue. In the 90’s they carried big brands as well as their own brands. Recently much of what they carried was their own brands and just a few outside brands at the end. I can’t tell you how many new brands I found through them. It was the enabler to my underwear addiction!
You maybe asking how much of an underwear obsession I had back in the day. Well I’m not ashamed to admit this but I had and International Male credit card! Yes there were such things back in the day. I couldn’t have been more than 18 and had a $200 limit! It felt like I struck gold, here was this credit card just for gear! I used to place orders about every month, pay it down and charge it back up!

After I started UNB I got a chance to work with UnderGear. They were fun to work with and I enjoyed it. We did many reviews and profiles of their underwear. I was closest to them when I first started UNB. But over the years I could still contact them and get info I needed.
Will I miss them? You bet I will! Its hard to see them go after so many years. Underwear is my passion and it’s like a friend that leaving us. Whether you liked their gear or not they had a huge impact on the world of men’s underwear/gear. Without them being a trailblazer for men’s underwear we may not have some of what we have today!
If you do miss them let us know. I want to run a post on how UnderGear impacted your underwear buying and discovery. Email us or hit us up on social media!
NOTE: I haven’t heard any confirmation as to when they will be closing. I haven’t confirmed with them directly all my contacts are gone but all my sources have agree and Out Magazine has run a story about them closing