UNDYREVIEW 2012.001: David Beckham Bodywear Briefs



The front of the David Beckham Bodywear Brief



I couldn’t think of a better way to launch this blog than to review, what I believe, is an iconic garment: the David Beckham Bodywear briefs, sold exclusively by H&M.

Beckham embodies many of the traits that we attribute to the archetypal Western male ideal; he has an athletic build, excels at competitive sports, has material wealth, and is the head of a traditional family. His appeal also extends pas the conventional Westernized ideal, influencing those outside the majority culture.

It is on this broad appeal that Beckham built his brand. According to the David Beckham Bodywear website, this effort was eighteen months in the making before it debuted in October 2011. And while the official press release was full of all the right kinds of things you want to hear about a celebrity-driven brand (time was spent on feel, fit, and style and attention was paid to function and quality), one must still exercise just a little bit of skepticism when confronted with so many promises.

Thus, my review of a white David Beckham Bodywear brief.



The back of the David Bekcham Bodywear Brief



SPECS

Size: Medium (according to H&M, this is 33-34”)

Type: Brief

Waistband height: 1.25”

Sides w/o Band: 4.00”

Fabric: 95% cotton, 5% elastene

Price: Advertised for $12.95 on H&M US site

METHODOLOGY

I wore these briefs on a Saturday filled with athletic endeavors, to put it through the rigors that I would imagine David would have done.

Prior to purchasing the briefs, I did my due diligence and read some of what was already written about them. I was hesitant because I did read some comments of them not holding their shape for an entire day of wear, but honestly, I was way too curious to not try at least one pair.

So, off to H&M I went and got myself a brand new pair of tighty whities. Excitedly, I opened the box and put them on. Immediately, I noticed the softness of the fabric. It had a very fine ribbed texture which you don’t notice when you are looking at pictures of the garment or when you first liberate them from their box.

The cut is somewhere in between a lowrise and a full cut brief. The all-white brief (band and garment) was nicely tailored, with clean stitching and minimal branding. The small label, placed front and center on the waistband, is the only indication that the brief belongs the Beckham Bodywear line. I’m still on the fence on whether that is a good thing or no. It’s got a full seat and generous leg holes, which I always find to be a problem due to my bicycling thighs.

The first “test” was an hour and a half tennis match. I’d say it as rather humid (85-90 degrees Fahrenheit) out when I hit the courts. After that much tennis, I was soaked, but by Beckhams kept their shape. The tennis test was then followed by a ten mile bike test. Again, the Beckhams exceeded my expectations and though a little moist from the sultry weather, still managed to hold up as much as one could expect. I was impressed and ultimately, glad I bought the briefs.

ANALYSIS

Pros

• Kept their structure pretty well after a day of vigorous exercise
• Soft fabric feels good against the skin

Cons

• For something that originated from someone as iconic as David Beckham, you would expect a little more design in the garment

RATING

Design: 6/10-An austere garment void of lots of branding

Quality: 8/10-Construction is good

Affordability: 5/10- $12.95 for a brief?

Comfort: 7/10-Fabric is very soft and supple

Coolness: 7/10-Come on, you're wearing the same skivvies as a sport icon!

Overall: 33/50

A good middle of the road brief that would be perfectly suited for a wide range of activities. A lower price point would boost these into the “must buy” range.

ACCESS

Currently not sold on the US H&M website. You’ll have to go into a store.