Blue Chip, White Cotton: What Underwear Says About the Economy

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/30/AR2009083002761.html?hpid=topnews

<snip>

By Ylan Q. Mui
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 31, 2009

For one answer to the nation's most pressing economic question -- when will the recession end? -- just take a peek inside the American man's underwear drawer.

There may be some new pairs there, judging by recent reports from retailers and analysts, and that could mean better days ahead for everyone.

Here's the theory, briefly: Sales of men's underwear typically are stable because they rank as a necessity. But during times of severe financial strain, men will try to stretch the time between buying new pairs, causing underwear sales to dip.

"It's a prolonged purchase," said Marshal Cohen, senior analyst with the consumer research firm NPD Group. "It's like trying to drive your car an extra 10,000 miles."

The growth in sales of men's underwear began to slow last year as the recession took hold, according to Mintel, another research firm. This year, Mintel expects sales to fall 2.3 percent, the first drop since the company started collecting data in 2003.

----

So many double entendres here! I guess this is what passes for news.

...And as someone who has a pair or two from college (don't ask) in the back of the drawer "just in case," I can identify. :D

I just keep recycling the same old T-shirts and briefs and socks and Levi's.

I make about half what I made before 2003. Surely there are many others.

but I am back home in Iowa, and visiting with a high school friend of mine who was essentially suicidal and quite angry over the fact that "no one in America will ever move in socio-economic class" and bemoaning the fact that our guidance counselors and other did not advise us as adolescents to seek careers that fit our personalities and not just our talents.

It was such a depressing cup of coffee -- well coffee for him and water for me.

That's the cheapest alternative of all.

:hi:

Seriously, some of these guys appear to be wearing Scooby Doo undies.

i actually don't mind.

everyone's mileage may vary.

Seriously, your girlfriend will thank you.

If all you ever wear is athletic shorts or sweat pants then I can see why.

His dresser drawers are full so now he piles the new stuff on top of the dresser. I ask him to at least throw the old stuff away but he doesn't want to do it. One of these days I'm going to take all the stuff on top, put it all in a plastic box that will fit under the bed. Then he'll "have it" but it won't show...

so how does that figure in?

Actually I have two pairs of drawers (old fart's name for underpants), one for the hospitsl (if necessary) and the other to be burried in.

I need proof.......

}(