Tomima’s Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

This took me by surprise.  The Japan based Wacoal company has been making and selling loincloths for women since December of last year.  Called a fundoshi, it’s basically a rectangle piece of fabric with ties.

Okay, so let’s ask the basic question–why?  The answer, according to Tomoka Okamura (Merchandise Director for Wacoals’ Nanafun brand) is that it’s the "ultimate liberation item" for women.  After a hard days work, many girls like to be able to come home and relax without having tight or binding panties on.

With over 5,000 being sold so far in Japan, the plan is to roll the fundoshi out to other countries in the Pacific Rim.  No plans at this time to bring it to the US.

I agree this is kind of a fun twist on a very old idea.  But, I’m surprised the shape hasn’t been a little modernized.  For example, I would think an hourglas shape to reduce the fabric bulk between the legs would have been designed into it. One also has to ask how comfortable this really is with the possible gapping at the legs and probably frequent adjustments to maintain modesty.  But, in the end, it is something new.  Don’t be surprised if you see this showing up as a bathing suit option in a summer coming soon.

Find Wacoal lingerie at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras
Panties

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 ...and Jennifer Garner is just one example.

I saw these pictures today of Jennifer Garner getting caught wearing a not-too-great pair of worn-out underwear.  And no, it wasn’t a thong or or a lacy little something.  It was a comfortable looking pair of briefs.  Hurray!  An example of a movie star actually wearing what most of us wear every day.

Like her, we’ve all been there.  Since it’s underwear, we think no one will see it.  But, here’s proof that that isn’t always the case.  In fact, I was having brunch with my daughters Sunday morning after church and we noticed this woman who got up and failed to pull her pants up as well.  We got a shot of a bad pair of underpants and unfortunately much more. 

I too am guilty of hanging on to underpants too long – and I’m in the business.  But it’s understandable.  I’m sure most of us think like Jennifer when she selected them that day.  She looked at them and decided they were comfortable – regardless of the elastic coming off.  So, we slip them on.  But, also look how Jennifer is dressed; comfortable and sloppy.  When I pull out a comfortable ratty pair of underpants, I subconsciously think I shouldn’t put something really nice on over them.  Rather, I keep with the theme and continue putting on a ratty warm-up suit too.  It’s a slippery slope to fashion laziness when you start with a bad pair of panties.

Since cleaning out my old panties, I noticed that I’m also making more of an effort in the morning to look better. After all, better panties make you also feel better about yourself.

Find nice new underpants at HerRoom in these departments:
Panties

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This year marks our fourth year for the Undie Awards Competition.  Unlike any other awards programs in the Underwear and Lingerie industry, The Undie Awards are given based on the garments receiving the most votes from you, our underwear-wearing public.  The voting this year is the strongest yet, but we still want your vote to count.  So, go to TheUndies.com and cast your vote for your favorite undies.

Oh, and last year, we included the men’s categories, so no one has an excuse not to vote.  In fact, we even give you an incentive.  Place your vote, and you will receive a 10% discount code that can be used at HerRoom.com or HisRoom.com on any one-time purchase without product exclusions.  We only do this once a year, so now’s your chance to get something that never goes on sale.

To get you in the voting mode, take a look at the 2008 Undie winners.

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