Why is this even a day? You might laugh. I sure did. It was created (unsurprisingly) by the online underwear retailer Freshpair “to promote body positivity and self-expression through comfortable and supportive undergarments.”
I read this and squinted. Wouldn’t “body positivity” mean eschewing the need for “supportive undergarments”—unless you’re running or playing sports or something? Wouldn’t that actually be better promoted by going entirely au naturel?
So I went and took a gander at the Freshpair website to see what I was missing. Boy howdy, have I been missing a lot.
First of all: Freshpair sells only men’s underwear. There are webpages that pretend to offer women’s items, but there’s nothing to actually buy there, and no photos. Maybe the company downsized or something.
Second of all: I think it is safe to assert that the models in the men’s section have zero trouble with body positivity—or, apparently, self-expression, since the togs shown in the photos are barely there. I’m not a prude, and the sales photos aren’t quite Skinemax, but it’s definitely all six packs and manscaped packages with little if anything left to the imagination, all the time. No dad bods or beer guts need apply, apparently.
According to the National Day Calendar, this day also “provides an opportunity to wear your favorite undergarments. Boxers. Briefs. Panties. Tighty-whities.” I will say right now that I do not understand why EVERY day doesn’t provide this opportunity, but OK, National Day Calendar.
There is one positive aspect to all this nonsense, although even it has a nonsensical name. The day has also been augmented to raise awareness of “underwear insecurity.” Although this sounds like it’s referring to people who have anxiety about their Calvins, the actual purpose is to collect donations of new underwear for those in need—particularly kids.
So maybe take in a viewing of Risky Business, stop by Walmart and pick up a six-pack of kid briefs, and drop them at the charity of your choice.
But I wouldn’t bother with Freshpair unless you’re looking for … man, I don’t even know what. Pretty sure nobody needs a donation of that stuff.
