Underwear: If Understood, Should Be Understated.

The following is an email conversation I recently had with a friend who is currently in South Africa, who will start a job at the unnamed brand-name store (P) this August.

Me:
I was shopping today and thought of you because I saw the P brand name. I will never forgive you for the association that followed. Anyway, the point: P charges an exorbitant amount for their undergarments. Unless a pair of underwear converts into a flotation device, or a waterproof parka, I say, not worth $40.
I would have liked to hear about you trying to make that sale during your interview.

Friend:
The P Underwear might be considered more of a status symbol than anything else. While they are exceptionally comfortable, there is something to be said for knowing your skivvies are made from one-hundred per cent post consumer recycled materials. If you're going to wear underwear (as some of us choose to abstain) you might as well ensure your choice does not negatively impact the environment. Just a thought for your consideration.

Me:
The thing about underwear (I've always believed) is that they carry certain esteem boosting capabilities, which are really for the wearers benefit more than anything else. i.e. wearing expensive lingerie on a job interview, combats nerves, puts a knowing smile on the interviewee's face, and serves as a nice distraction when one is bored, but supposed to be looking smart and interested. If we're not on the same page, think: Imagining the whole room naked during a presentation, but better.

I'm not really sure how wearing fabric made from recycled materials carries the same weight, or serves the wearer in the same way. However, I suppose one could make that argument. I certainly think there are cheaper and more amusing avenues for boosting self esteem with undergarments. Not to mention, more green approaches. We could get rid of the underwear altogether. How many annoying little plastic baggies and underwear hangers does it take to thin the ozone layer?

As for your status symbol point. Again, the benefits of underwear are for the wearer. The idea of a status symbol, really only works if the symbol is readily obvious. As others (In most cases) don't (shouldn't) see one's underwear, than unless the wearer chooses to be obvious about their choice in drawers, one's skivvies don't contribute much to one's status as a rich, globally savvy, hip outdoorsmen.

Your $40, environmentally friendly underwear are not going to change the world, or make you a cooler person. I am, admittedly, a hard sell. And in this case, I'm not sold.