McAlson Boxer Shorts

The commonest complaint that we men have about boxer shorts is that they (and I try to express this delicately) allow one's assets a freedom of movement that is at times uncomfortable. The Belgian brand McAlson have got round this by designing in what they coyly describe as "an internal support system". Over the past few years I've featured one or two brands that have used similar methods of holding it all together by sewing a soft cotton pouch into the front of the shorts and usually, as here, it's very effective. This means that one has all the stylish, classic elegance of the boxer short but with the support of a pair of stretch trunks.

McAlson offer a large selection of colourful and attractive designs and also sell pyjamas and swimming shorts.  Priced at 35 Euros, they are rather at the mercy of the variable strength of the pound in these uncertain days, but they are well-made and comfortable and can be found at McAlson.

This is a collaboration with McAlson.

Unibu: Men's Underwear Made in Cumbria

If you're going to wear underwear (and I hope you are) then why not choose British-made? I recently came across a Cumbrian-based brand making in the UK: Unibu (link below). I've been wearing some of their products, which are well-made and comfortable. To find out more, I spoke to the business's founder, Shirley Crisp.

GF: Hello Shirley, please introduce yourself. 

SC: Hi, my name is Shirley Crisp, I live in Windermere, Cumbria which is a amazing place to live. We've just been made a World Heritage Site, so not the first place you may think of when thinking about underwear manufacturing. I'm married with three teenage children, one is off at uni. so I don't think he would like me calling him a child! I've lived here in The Lakes all my life, why would you move?

Shirley at Number 10 Downing Street

GF: Agreed; it's a beautiful part of the country. Your business is based there - tell us more about it.

SC: My parents have been in business as long as I can remember, so going into business came to me like learning to walk. I opened my own lingerie shop in Windermere in 2007 specialising in a vast size range. I was on one of my many buying trips and noticed hardly anything in the industry was made in Britain. As a passionate Made In Britain supporter, I started to look into the viability of producing a 100% British made underwear company. After many many months of looking into different suppliers Unibu was born. I wanted to make sure that everything I produced was actually Made In Britain! I know other companies still buy cloth and components from abroad, but I wanted to be different. If I was going to build a British brand I wanted it to be all British.

GF: So you started with women's clothing. How did you come to offer men's underwear?

SC: Yes; having a lingerie shop you need to cater for both ladies and gents. Speaking to hundreds of men, waiting patiently for their partners to try something on, I got good feedback about what men like and what to look for in gents' underwear. Like women, they too had a list of things they didn't like, or found uncomfortable. I'd never thought about men's underwear in this way before, so I knew when I launched my brand I wanted the gents had to be there too. When thinking of 'lingerie' we think lace, sexy, ladies, gifts but when you say 'men's underwear' you tend to think of something more practical - but why shouldn't it be exciting, bright, comfort, quality, stylish and British?!

GF: How and where are the men's products made?

SC: All of Unibu's products are Made In Britain. I keep it close to my chest the exact location, as it took months to find a manufacture who has the correct machinery, can produce a quality product and keep up with production -  no easy task. Who knows, though, maybe one day Unibu may have its own production line! The one thing I can guarantee is that all our products will always be Made In Britain.

GF: Where do you see the business going next?

SC: I want to keep building on what I'm already doing, keeping the very strong ethos of Unibu, its roots and core values. Customer service is key to me, I strive for excellence: only when our customers are happy do I feel I've done my job well. I'm always keen to find new retailers to help offer the brand around the country. I had a amazing visit last December to number 10 Downing Street after being listed as the Top 100 Small Business, so another visit would be nice!

GF: Many thanks, Shirley. Readers can click on Unibu for more information and to buy.

This is an unsponsored post.

Robert Owen Undershirts: Made in England

I've been using Robert Owen undershirts for a while now and find them warm, soft and comfortable, but useful in warmer weather too. I thought it was time to introduce them in more detail and asked their founder, Robert Kay, to tell me more about the business.

1. Please introduce Robert Owen Undershirts.

We’re a small online business, and all we do is undershirts (or, you could say, modern vests). We started up because I couldn’t find what I wanted in the UK. I was looking for something lightweight and easy to wear under a formal shirt. I couldn't find it so I designed it myself and set up shop online. That was about three years ago. Since then we’ve had a steady stream of sales and great feedback (it seems I was not the only one looking for this solution). Six months ago Yvonne and I decided to take the plunge and work on Robert Owen Co full time. 

We think our undershirts are the most comfortable you can buy. The secret is the natural fabric which is smoother than cotton, and the cut which is designed to give you a gentle embrace. That fine layer next to the skin keeps you snug in winter and sweat-free in summer. We only sell online at https://www.undershirts.co.uk/ , you can’t buy our undershirts anywhere else, the designs are exclusive to Robert Owen. We like it that way so we can maintain quality and customer service.

2. Where do you make your products?

We currently manufacture in the UK. All the garments are made by East End Manufacturing, in Mile End, London E1

3. What do the products offer in the way of their design and construction?

We offer slim and regular fits, with V or crew neck, long or short sleeve, long length to stay tucked in. There is an enhanced 'sweat protect' which has a double underarm layer which can hold sweat pads if needed. They are made of a silky soft bamboo viscose fabric

4. The undershirts are largely made from bamboo. Why is this? Please tell us more about this fabric and its advantages.

We spent a long time researching fabrics and decided to use bamboo viscose for a number of reasons. We use 95% Bamboo Viscose, a fibre derived from bamboo, mixed with 5% Spandex (for stretch and durability). 

It’s comfortable and moves when you move. Bamboo viscose has a smooth filament, just like silk. The process for making viscose fabrics was invented over 100 years ago as a method for making ‘affordable sulks’; that’s what gives it that unmistakable feel and makes it ideal for wearing next to your skin.

It’s durable and technical, which means it keeps the body at a more even temperature (it breathes). It’s a sweat absorbing material meaning sweat is absorbed and then evaporates to cool (as opposed to moisture wicking where sweat is taken away from the body and onto an outer layer). We believe that sweet absorbing is best for avoiding unsightly armpit stains.

There’s also a debate on it’s environmental impact. Bamboo doesn't need much irrigation - cotton does. Unfortunately chemicals are still required during processing. We won't claim its green but, because it grows fast, with less water impact, we think it’s an OK environmental choice.

5. So, to sum up!?

We think the right undershirt can make a big difference in how you look and how you feel. It’s one of the reasons we put so much into the design of our undershirts and why we spent a long time choosing a technical, natural, lightweight and breathable fabric. We believe that as with other little personal changes, like getting a new hair cut or new shiny shoes, the seemingly small change of upgrading your undershirts will give you a new spring in your step and renewed confidence to go out and make the most of the day.

Wearing an undershirt (or modern vest) may seem a little old fashioned. We know that not everyone will be aware of the comfort afforded by wearing a snug, natural, soft layer on the skin (although anyone familiar with winter sports will know the importance of wearing the right base layer). But, we also know from experience that once they give it a try, many love it. To help new customers find out for themselves we offer a guarantee. If anything isn't right with their first undershirt they get to keep it for free. You get a full refund without the hassle of having to post a return (terms and conditions can be found on the website).

British Boxers invade Harrods

It's always good to hear that one of my favourite British brands has done well. British Boxers' Deborah Price tells me that her UK-made men's underwear has been accepted at Harrods. It's a pleasure to see that store recognising a small business producing most of its products in the UK.

Deborah was so pleased to be packing her first orders for Harrods that she mentioned it on Linkedin, only for the news to go viral as so many shared her obvious pleasure. Her trip to success has been a hard one, as she recounted in her Linkedin post, as follows:

I know how hard Deborah has worked for this and have seen her selling her products at the fair at L'Eroica last June. I know something of her challenges in developing a new business and caring for a disabled daughter with Williams Syndrome (a bit like Downs Syndrome). I therefore share her obvious delight at the Harrods deal.

British Boxers are well-made, high quality boxer shorts made in England. Please make sure your underwear drawer has several examples of Deborah's products. See British Boxers to buy.

This post is unsponsored.

Penny Dreadful: naughty boxer shorts made in England

Penny Dreadful Menswear was launched in 2014 and makes men's products, including underwear and accessories, here in the UK. Their naughty, vintage-inspired, tailored boxer shorts are made in Manchester and feature designs by illustrator Sarah Dvojack. They have also recently released 100% organic cotton V neck t shirts in white and grey. 

Penny Dreadful Menswear are dedicated to ethical manufacturing, supporting UK manufacturing wherever possible and giving a platform for up and coming designers and illustrators. See Penny Dreadful. 

British Boxers - Grey Fox sponsor and a 20% discount for readers

I've followed the growth of British Boxers from early in the business's existence, having featured them first in 2013. I'm delighted and proud to see their cheeky advertising on Grey Fox Blog and am grateful to Deborah Price (pictured below hard at work on a photo shoot) for sponsoring the Blog. Please click on the advert to the right to see her wonderful range (much made in England) of men's boxer shorts and well as sleepwear for men and women.

See British Boxers and read the blog to see the remarkable story behind the brand. Deborah is offering a 20% discount to Grey Fox Blog readers with the code GREYFOX. This offer expires at midnight on 31st May 2015.

Tom Clinch: the search for ideal boxer shorts and their maker, PeterBarnett of Twickenham, England

A few weeks ago I had the massive pleasure of visiting a factory making clothing just a few miles from my house. The purpose of the visit was two-fold, firstly to catch up with Nicholas Clinch, the creator of Tom Clinch, whose men's boxer shorts I've tried and liked, and secondly, to meet the maker of Clinch's products, Peter Barnett of the Factory in Twickenham, situated in the shadow of the huge England rugby ground.

Peter Barnett (L) and Nicholas Clinch discuss the finer pints of boxer shorts

Nicholas has contacted me some time before to tell me how his search for decent boxer shorts which provided support, rather than allowing the manly assets to flap around uncomfortably. 

He felt that boxers are far more flattering for a middle aged man than other types of underwear, but wanted a twist on the inside that he hadn’t found in any shop. Nicholas searched the internet at length, rang every manufacturer he could find and visited as many shops as he could but drew a blank, until he stumbled upon Peter Barnett. Peter loved the idea. He then sketched out some pairs, made a sample, in fact many samples! Eventually he and Nicholas agreed on a design that he could make and fitted with Nicholas’s original idea. 

Tom Clinch boxer shorts

Nicholas was adamant that the only colours would be white (everyone's favourite) light blue and pink; no patterns or silly designs here! Understated and top quality fabric was purchased, mother of pearl buttons and the softest lining fabric Peter could find all arrived within a few weeks. Initially the plan was Nicholas should have forty or fifty to sell to friends and recoup the cost of manufacture, but the reaction from everybody was so good that all were sold within a month and so an order was placed for some hundreds. Once that was decided, the task became one of selling to the wider public and the company was born. 'Hung like a hero' is their catchphrase.

Tom Clinch boxer shorts are beautifully-made and their unique design, using a tactically-placed pouch, makes them more comfortable and supportive than any other boxer short I've tried. See Tom Clinch website for more information and to try. A laundry bag will join the collection soon

To contact Nicholas Clinch, telephone +44 (0)1243 773223

Flying the flag at Peter Barnett, Twickenham

Peter Barnett's factory is a fascinating place. He has been manufacturing in Twickenham since 1992. When I was there he and his staff were working on an order for Victoria Beckham, so this little place is a destination for brands large and small looking for a quality manufacturing service. As a centre of British manufacture, this is an example for many.

Contact Peter Barnett for more information.
The Factory
61 Haliburton Road
St Margarets
TW1 1PD
Telephone: 020 8892 9748

Making Tom Clinch boxer shorts at Peter Barnett's factory in Twickenham

Friday Favourites - Men's t-shirts and underwear special: Robert Owen, Hamilton Hare, The White T-Shirt Co.

Robert Owen

Made from bamboo fabric (rayon) mixed with elastane (Spandex), Robert Owen's undershirts are made in London, England. The fabric has a soft, silky feel and comes in four colours and five sizes. I find them very useful as the weather turns colder and, unlike many thermal undershirts, they stay  reasonably odour-free in warmer weather. Prices from £22.

For more information, see Robert Owen's website.

Hamilton and Hare

Hamilton & Hare's men's boxer shorts are now made in the UK. The Frank collection takes inspiration from the original boxing short. Made from 100% two-ply cotton, they're priced at £35, the shorts can be personalised, as mine were.

A donation of 10% of proceeds from profits from the collection is given to Carneys Community, a London charity that gets disadvantaged and excluded young people away from crime through community boxing projects. 

For more information see Hamilton & Hare

The White T-Shirt Co

Makes just that; organically-made cotton t-shirts in white. A wardrobe staple, these shirts are simple and ethical in concept and design. Price £35 for men and women. Customers can trace the complete supply chain and see the workmanship that goes into each t-shirt on their website (see below).

See the website for more information or to buy.

Best of British Menswear Week: British Boxers, UK-made underwear for men

British Boxers have launched their new website british-boxers.com and added a new range of super comfortable stretch trunks (see my recent post here) to their original range of British-made traditional cotton woven boxer shorts. 

Deborah Price in the ring fighting for British menswear

They've also added a men’s and ladies nightwear range, using the finest two-fold cottons and cosy cotton flannel, and called it Double Dapper. This sleepwear range (which is made outside the UK) uses the best quality fabrics, including two-fold cottons and brushed cotton flannels. I'm told its exclusivity means it's only manufactured in small runs - so act quickly to buy.

Owner of British Boxers, Deborah Price, a former nightwear buyer for a leading luxury nightwear company, says: 

"British Boxers were launched in 2013, but I have worked in the nightwear sector for over fifteen years and just couldn't leave it behind. That’s why we have designed our Double Dapper range; it really is a labour of love. The launch of british-boxers.com is the culmination of two years of sheer determination and hard work. We have used stunning fabrics and workmanship to bring you these collections."

British Boxers and Double Dapper are available at british-boxers.com from October. 

David Gandy's M&S underwear - Grey Fox tries it on

This package arrived yesterday from Marks & Spencer - it contains a sample of their new David Gandy for Autograph briefs, launched this week in a hugely muscular global campaign. 

This raised a few questions. How is a picture of David Gandy meant to sell underwear to a red-blooded male like me? Wouldn't it be better if the image was of a scantily clad female (preferably grey-haired)? Does it suggest that most underwear is bought by women for their menfolk? If so, would I want underwear bought for me by a woman who's been attracted to buy them by a picture of David Gandy? All very mysterious. But, of course, M&S are right; men will buy them in the hope that they'll make us look as buff.

Anyway, enough of this jocular philosophising. The briefs are to M&S's usual high quality; comfortable (I can vouch for this; I wear them as I type) and well-made. Also available in the range are boxers of different shapes. All were developed closely with David Gandy in soft, high quality and durable cotton and Lycra. Cost £20 for a pack of two. 

Click here to buy - Marks & Spencer. There, you may, if interested, also find a video lingering on Gandy's musculature. Gandy will be touring M&S flagship stores, starting with Marble Arch London on Thursday 18th September at 12pm and moving on to Ireland, Hong Kong and France.

M&S promise that Gandy will 'personally unveil the collection', so it all sounds very exciting. Book your ticket now.

British-made men's underwear - an update

Since writing about British-made underwear for men last July (see the post here), I've heard about a number of other brands. I hope you'll support British-made men's underwear as well as they will no doubt support you.

Robert Owen Undershirts

These undershirts are made from bamboo fabric. When I was sent one to try I found it was silky smooth, even after a machine wash. Like a man-made performance fabric, the shirt feels cool to wear and absorbs light sweating, but also keeps you warm in cold weather. The slim-fitting design has panels under the arm to keep sweat away from your shirt, allowing it to evaporate with just your body heat. They come in four pale colours so they remain unobtrusive under a shirt. I really liked these British-made undershirts.

Dick Winters

Dick Winters celebrate the British origin of their products, making boxer shorts from smooth British microfibre. I haven't had the chance to try these, but they look well-crafted with all seams flatlocked for comfort.

Cahoonas

Made in Scotland from a British microfibre, these are made to allow for the fact that 75% of men hang to the left and the rest to the right, so allowance is made for the correct placing of your tackle. Again, I haven't tried these so can't comment on this interesting design feature. 

Cock & Bull Menswear

Cock & Bull's products are ethically and sustainably-made in the UK and come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. Their limited edition boxer briefs and t-shirts are made from super-soft organic cotton (thought to be the first organic briefs made in Britain). I've seen some of their superb products, but haven't been able to try them.

British underwear for men - patriotic to the core!

Sir Plus

[I have edited this post in July to clarify some of the suppliers who have confirmed that they genuinely manufacture here in the UK. Unfortunately this exercise has confirmed for me how much of a minefield this area is and how easy it is to assume British manufacture from 'British Heritage' type advertising - I've learned a painful lesson. Additional supplier added in August].

There was a time when a British gentleman's underwear would have been British-made. Alas, no more. However, Grey Fox, has found some genuine UK-made boxers to enable you too to fly the flag with your underwear.

I've even found out that I live within a couple of miles of an underwear factory - how exciting is that?

Purposeful Activity

You too can now show your patriotism by wearing underwear designed and made in Britain. Here are a few makers of genuine British boxer shorts.

Purposeful Activity - a company rooted in the British-made approach.
Sir Plus Clothing - clothing made from cabbage, surplus fabrics - very sustainable.
Tender Co. Trestle Shop - they tell me that their boxers are English-made from English woven cotton. This is a lovely site and many other interesting things are sold - I suggest a look.
Burtonwode - have confirmed to me that they make their boxers shorts here.
British Boxers - read the fascinating story behind these genuinely UK-made boxers.
Udeshi - the website describes boxers as made in London.

I've contacted the following suppliers to ask for confirmation of UK manufacture, but haven't yet had replies, so I leave it to the reader to confirm this, or otherwise -

Derek Rose
Sunspel

Hamilton and Hare - have now confirmed that their boxers are made in Portugal, using buttons, labels, silk from the UK.

Finisterre - they make their boxer shorts in Portugal, so strictly don't meet my criteria here, but I'm including them because they source Merino wool for some of their products from Devon Fine Fibres, who breed sheep to produce superfine merino wool in SW England.

If your products aren't here, get in touch and I'll add you in a follow up (and make sure you follow Grey Fox on Twitter so you don't miss any more calls for British products).

How to choose your underwear - Mr Porter video

A nicely humorous video for those of us needing advice on choosing our underwear.

From Mr Porter.

Hamilton and Hare - Grey Fox upgrades his underwear

A year of after embarking on my search for style in middle age, I realised that there is one aspect of my wardrobe that has been totally ignored; my underwear. This, of course, is inexcusable, but perhaps understandable as, like most men, I have had decades of solid, if unexciting, support from my M&S shorts.

I am now the proud owner of a luxury pair of boxers from Hamilton and Hare (thoughtfully provided in grey) and my eyes have been opened to the possibilities of exciting and high quality underwear for men. Maybe it's not just ladies who can have fun in that department.

Image Hamilton and Hare

It was partly this gender inequality that prompted the founding of Hamilton and Hare by Olivia Francis, who was running several global brands at M&C Saatchi when she spotted the opportunity that this presented. While women's smalls receive a huge amount of attention (men would say justifiably so), men's underwear is largely ignored. Olivia has set out to do something about this.

One of the most pleasurable parts of writing this blog has been hearing from new British businesses designing and marketing high quality products, using home-grown skills and materials. Designed using the skills of Savile Row, Hamilton and Hare's boxers have been carefully made for comfort and durability. I agree with them that there is scope to get men (and women) more interested in male underwear - it is through quality and design that this will be achieved  Why spend time trying to look more stylish on the surface, when underlying it is a shabby pair of boxer shorts? (I have to own up to this myself - but no more, thanks to Hamilton and Hare.)

For more information on this exciting new brand; prices, colours and designs, see here.

Image Grey Fox