Jockey launched the Y-Front in the U.S. in 1935 and five years later the product landed on our shores, and it's been a favourite for Kiwi men ever since. In this final episode of RNZ podcast My Heels Are Killing Me, Sonia Sly finds out about our 'brief' history and the story behind the iconic Y-Front.
Long johns, undies, boxers, briefs, gruds, budgie smugglers, drawers, shorts, underpants, jocks...
Men's underwear has seen a transformation over the years and one iconic brand that Kiwi men have loved through the generations, is Jockey. The brand launched in the U.S. in 1935, and five years later, it landed on our shores.
In this final episode of RNZ podcast My Heels Are Killing Me, Sonia Sly finds out why Kiwi men can't get enough of Jockey underwear and the story behind the famous Y-Front.
"New Zealand was one of the first places in the world that was allowed the Jockey license," says Te Papa Curator, Stephanie Gibson.
Lane Walker Rudkin in Christchurch - the manufacturer of sportswear brand Canterbury was one of the first four manufacturers outside the U.S to receive a license to make the famous Jockey Y-fronts, which proved revolutionary.
"Jockey helped outfit New Zealand soldiers for their overseas service during the war," she says.
Offering maximum comfort and support the product quickly gained popularity as an inexpensive item, and men could own multiple pairs.
Before the comfy cotton underpants were introduced, Kiwi men wore cumbersome long johns, with awkward buttons, slits at the knees and leather waist bands - covering the body with layers helped to protect clothing from human sweat.
In the 19th and early 20th century, people washed their underwear more frequently than their outerwear. These undergarments were commonly made from knitted wool or knitted cotton and natural fibres were said to be good for airflow and cleanliness.
"People wanted to be clean and they really believed in the hygienic properties of underwear," Gibson says.
Another reason behind the enduring popularity of the Y-front was a change in lifestyle and increasing participation in sport. Cycling and boxing were popular, so a shorter style of underwear was more functional and convenient.
In fact, the design of the Y-front was based on the men's jock strap worn for cycling.
"It's about how that binding is done around the sensitive area so that everything is held in place, but it's comfortable," says Gibson.
And that tried and true design has not changed today, according to Melbourne-based William Radford who looks after the marketing for the Jockey brand. …