Discover the Evolution of Men’s Underwear with Jockey South Africa

by Jockey South Africa
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As Father's Day approaches, Jockey South Africa reflects on its rich heritage and commitment to innovation in men's underwear. This day is the perfect occasion to honour the fathers in our lives, not just with heartfelt gifts and gestures, but also by acknowledging the everyday items that support their comfort and well-being. Written by Jockey.

Men’s underwear, often overlooked, has evolved significantly over the years, addressing not only anatomical support but also environmental sustainability. In an enlightening thought leadership piece, Rob Hogg, the National Sales Manager of Jockey South Africa, traces the brand’s journey and highlights its continuous pursuit of comfort, support, and sustainability.

The story begins in America with a humble pastor named Samuel T. Cooper, who, along with his family, founded Black Cat Socks in an effort to provide warmth and protection to workers. From these modest beginnings, the company evolved into the beloved brand known as Jockey. The transition from socks to thermal underwear marked the early stages of Jockey’s journey into revolutionising men’s underwear internationally and locally.

In the early 1900s, the creation of the Kenosha Closed Crotch, a one-piece thermal suit with an opening at the back for convenience, laid the foundation for Jockey’s future innovations. It wasn’t until 1928 when Arthur Kneibler, employed by Jockey as the head of its sales and marketing team, began exploring new ideas for men’s underwear. This exploration led to the birth of the woven boxer also known as a ‘Singleton’ in 1929, a significant departure from the traditional ‘Long-Johns’ of the time.

However, it was in 1934 that Jockey truly made its mark on the world of men’s underwear with the creation of the patented Jockey Brief, which was later improved upon with the Y-Front design in 1935. Crafted from cotton, this innovative design provided support and comfort like never before. Fast-forward a few years and Jockey found its way to Durban in 1952, marking 72 years of a long-standing legacy in South Africa. The Brief’s success paved the way for future advancements and inventions in men’s underwear, including the introduction of the Jockey Scants in 1958 and the woven boxer in later years.

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As consumer preferences evolved, so did Jockey’s approach to materials. Jockey acknowledges the importance of innovation, as emphasised by Rob Hobb, Jockey South Africa’s National Sales Manager. Hobb highlights the necessity for comfort and support in undergarments, noting that traditional trunks often lack adequate support for the wearer.

He describes the common discomfort experienced due to lack of support, leading to issues such as chafing and discomfort throughout the day. While cotton had long been the standard for underwear pioneered by Jockey, the company began experimenting with blends and sustainable fabrics like cotton-modal mixtures.

“Modal fabric is derived from cellulose sourced from beech trees. This semi-synthetic material renowned for its breathability, finds widespread use in consumer textiles. Notable for its silky feel, resilience, and moisture-wicking properties, modal fabric is favoured in various applications. The blend of Cotton and Modal offered improved breathability, comfort, and sustainability, addressing the changing needs of today’s consumers. These experiments laid the foundation for the next era of evolution in men’s underwear,” explains Hogg.

Hogg adds, “The breakthrough has come in the form of the U-Pouch, a revolutionary design aimed at providing unmatched support and comfort. Developed through extensive research and customer feedback, the U-Pouch represents the continuation of Jockey’s dedication to innovation and comfort in men’s underwear.

Our commitment in this innovation is all about the comfort and support of “your anatomy”. As a business we actively seek customer feedback and incorporates it into their design process, ensuring that each new product meets the needs and preferences of today’s modern man”.

Looking ahead, Jockey South Africa remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of men’s underwear with ongoing research, development, and a keen eye on emerging trends. As we celebrate Father’s Day, we honour the father figures that have shaped our lives, the legacy of Jockey’s innovation and its future in providing comfort, style and sustainability in undergarments.

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1 comment

Bronwyn July 1, 2024 - 12:20 pm

Great Read!

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