What to do if conventional men’s underwear constantly pinches, pinches and restricts freedom of movement? Alexis Knell, founder of MANDERWEAR, answered this question himself and developed an innovative solution focused on the male anatomy. In an interview with the Gentleman Blog, he explains which unconventional designs enhance functionality, what reactions this extraordinary look elicits and why these revolutionary underwear are not only incomparably comfortable, but also durable.
Mr. Knell, how did MANDERWEAR come about and what was the inspiration for developing a new men’s underwear brand?
If the underwear sticks, pinches or pinches, the frustration is great. I regularly struggled with this and occasionally had issues with skin irritation. Many in my circle of friends knew about the problem. And once you start paying attention, you’ll see men pulling their crotches everywhere. So I dealt with the problem systematically. What is it about? What can you do differently? The answer in short: I see the solution in the fact that underwear must be better adapted to the male anatomy. The first model and the first prototype followed. As it exceeded all my expectations, it quickly became clear: let’s do it! MANDERWEAR was born. And yes, we think big, our goal is clearly to define a new standard for men’s underwear. We have protected the design and filed a patent. The MANDERWEAR brand is aimed at all men who confidently follow their own path.
What makes MANDERWEAR different from conventional men’s underwear? What are the particularities of your boxers?
If we look at the range of tight-fitting men’s underwear, one thing is particularly notable: most of them follow the jockstrap principle. By that I mean that piece of taut tissue that holds the genitals in place. So that everything is settled, as they say. Isn’t that strange? It is precisely because the genitals are pressed against the body that many irritations occur because something gets stuck or slips. But exercise is part of everyday life, not to mention sport. Things get really nasty when the seams go through the most sensitive areas. Who would think of something like that? Many men will understand what I mean. No, seriously, it’s a no-no for me. That’s why, coming back to MANDERWEAR, we use external seams. Sensitive areas don’t even come into contact with the wires. We only have seams where they serve an essential function. And most importantly: the genitals can hang freely. Just like male anatomy in general.
Alexis Knell, founder of MANDERWAER: “From astonishment to laughter to nodding, it’s all there. »
What are the reactions to the unusual look of your boxer shorts?
From astonishment to laughter to nodding, it’s all there. But: interest has been aroused! So we are dealing with an attention-grabbing product that will definitely get people talking. For us, all reactions are acceptable at this time. Since underwear is often subject to conventions, this is understandable. The reactions are very open when the benefits become visible and we prefer the reactions when a man describes the feeling of wearing it for the first time and is delighted. So at this point it can be very clear: as unusual as its look may seem at first glance, this is a highly functional and technically sophisticated product that offers the wearer real added value. And by the way: our underwear is adapted to the male anatomy – we don’t find anything “weird” in that. Perhaps we should think more about why contours need to be hidden, like in briefs or boxer shorts. But that’s another subject.
The fit of underwear is an important issue for men. How does MANDERWEAR’s AI-generated size calculator work?
Many men find it annoying to have to try on several sizes. We help you easily find the right size with our size calculator. Simply measure your hip and thigh circumference, enter the measurement and the calculator will display the recommended size – depending on the model. Because the models have different hardware properties. For example, a fitted model should be more fitted than our relaxed model. The calculator takes into account fabric stretch and the best way to display the MANDERWEAR fit.
There are two variants so far: “Saigon Royal” and “White Oriental Garden”. Are other models planned?
Yes definitely. We are constantly developing MANDERWEAR to make underwear even more comfortable. Inspiration comes from our customers. So you have your say on what happens next. And this can be revealed: the supporters of a long-legged version, that is to say with long legs, are strong and numerous, especially men who play sports or who are on the move a lot are in favor of it . We are in discussions to develop exactly what is needed. Anyone wishing to participate can contact us at any time. Contact details are available on our website and we have a newsletter to keep anyone interested informed.
Where are underwear produced?
MANDERWEAR currently works with two manufacturing companies, one in Vietnam and one in Türkiye. Both are located in regions known for textile production, both are family businesses with a lot of experience and both have good, eye-level business relationships. This means that communication channels are short and skills are shared. This is important to us so that customer feedback gets to where it can make a difference.
Your company attaches great importance to sustainability. How is this reflected in production and sales?
We have been testing what we produce for a long time – with prototypes and feedback from our customers. This means that only what really fits and is well received comes onto the market. Mass producing and then presenting it to the customer is not our thing. A customer who buys perfectly fitted men’s underwear simply consumes less than someone who keeps buying new multipacks only to discover that the shorts are restrictive and therefore only disappear into the drawer and garment bag the next time. once they are put away. Each short also comes with a prize certificate. This means we can trace the product at any time. In the event of a defect, we will promptly contact the producer to resolve the problem quickly and directly. This sets us apart from the fast fashion sector, where this is more difficult to achieve. We also focus on plastic-free packaging and collaboration with other family businesses.
The Gentleman Blog editorial team tested MANDERWEAR men’s boxer shorts in everyday life and during sports. Our verdict: highly recommended!
You can find more information about the brand at manderwear.de.