Undies with a twist: West Seattle women crowdfund for BoiBums

“We are excited to share our vision with like-minded women who want a
comfortable alternative to girly women’s underwear,” say Betsy Bruce and Dana Joy – both longtime West Seattleites – as they launch a crowdfunding campaign for their creation: Underwear called BoiBums. They’re trying to raise money to manufacture “a product for women using the same soft fabrics, comfortable cut, and wide-waistband used in men’s underwear.” (Briefs, not boxers.) And the sizing range will be robust – briefs in sizes up to the equivalent of 3XL. You can watch Dana and Betsy’s sassy pitch video on the Kickstarter page for BoiBums. In crowdfunding tradition, they’re offering rewards to donors, all detailed on that page. And if the underwear business goes well, they’re expecting to expand into other – perhaps, more visible – lines of apparel.

Mike April 16, 2014 (11:33 pm)

I think this will do well. There’s definitely a market for it and I could imagine athletes might want something more tuned to active wear than lingerie too. Great idea!

LivesInWS April 17, 2014 (7:17 am)

Comfortable underwear for women? Isn’t that … forbidden by the fashion police? /s

Great idea!

jissy April 17, 2014 (7:52 am)

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I way prefer “boy shorts” than anything lacy/thong-ish/or skimpy!

Bill April 17, 2014 (11:06 am)

Great business idea and well thought out! Good Luck!!!

h April 17, 2014 (11:19 am)

a nice idea, but boyshorts have been around the block for awhile. Any lingerie store or department sells undies in the boy short style for girls and women

vanessa April 17, 2014 (11:32 am)

Congratulations!! I love seeing local entrepreneurs, especially women, moving ahead with sensible new businesses. Best of Luck !!!

datamuse April 17, 2014 (1:51 pm)

Any lingerie store or department sells undies in the boy short style for girls and women
.
And for some reason they cost 2-3 times as much as the same style for men, despite being less durable and thinner fabric. Plus they are all, for some reason, pastel. Ugh.
.
I just buy Jockeys in the men’s department these days…

AG April 17, 2014 (2:07 pm)

“boyshorts” are a different thing entirely. They’re made to be sexy, not comfy, and usually show some serious cheek. These are more like mens underwear: comfortable and practical. There’s a huge market for these. If you don’t immediately think “YES!!!!” then you’re likely NOT part of the target demographic. If you tend to buy mens boxer briefs or briefs and lament the extra pocket of fabric, you likely ARE the target demographic. :)

Trickycoolj April 17, 2014 (3:50 pm)

I think that’s awesome. I have such a hard time finding underthings that are practical and stay down where they belong. I am pear shaped and the supposed “boy shorts” on the market don’t come up high enough in the back and bunch up in the front. Some no frills practical briefs that stay put under jeans, snow pants, skirts, bike shorts, hiking pants you name it and I’ll be a super happy camper!! Oh and not being forced to buy the hideous prints and “flesh” tones of women’s Hanes would be amazing!

datamuse April 18, 2014 (11:13 am)

AG, I am *so* the target demographic!

Louise April 28, 2014 (9:38 pm)

I buy mens Hanes boxer briefs in the men’s department and have worn this style for a long time. I gave up on girly underwear because of the color, styles and fit. Women’s boy shorts are too short in the legs and ride up in jeans. I would like to be able to buy a women’s style boxer brief without the front flap. I am not interested in the little brief style in the pictures because I want a brief style with legs. I support your enterprise and hope you consider increasing your available styles.

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