The trend of shopping for inner garments for themselves is increasing as they want to be independent. However, when it comes to openly talking about undergarments, they seem to refrain.[break]
The demand for fashionable undergarments is on the rise. This can be reflected from the opening of several high-end renowned international outlets, such as Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and more in posh areas, and general outlets selling Chinese and Indian innerwear on local streets.
On one hand, several young people are not concerned with undergarments and put on whatever their mothers buy for them while on the other, many youths are fond of undergarments and have different reasons to be choosy.
Suraj Bikram Thapa, a.k.a. Bulletflo, is 19 but still wears what his mother chooses for him. He says, “I don’t do anything since I’m lazy, so I have to be satisfied and adjust with whatever mom buys for me.”
Similarly Anshu, 19, shares, “I go with my mom. I choose and she suggests if that’s okay or not. I go for comfort.”
Although undergarments are not meant for showing off, they do hold a personal significance for individuals who wear them.
Shivashish Jaishy, 24, affirms, “Of course, it’s for myself. Whether I should buy branded or not depends on my mood. I go for whatever attracts me at the moment. What I wear inside always makes me conscious of my choice. And it’s also related with fitness that goes hand in hand with satisfaction and confidence.”
“I shop for my innerwear on my own and sometimes my mom does it. I select those that are comfortable, and designs also matter to me,” informs Samya, 21. “I choose undergarments which are allergy-free and that can maintain my shape,” she adds.
Shop owners say that the demand for fancier yet comfortable inner wears is higher. Also, most young customers are frank what about their demands are.
“Some girls even change their inner wear in our store, which is quite open,” informs Madhuri Baidya, who owns an inner wear store at China Town. “They aren’t hesitant to choose fancy products even when they come with their mothers, and the mothers are encouraging as well,” she adds.
Another inner wear store owner at China Town, Pratibha Lama, says, “Most of our customers come with friends. They are frank and want the latest designs of inner wear. Many males also buy lingerie for their wives and women come to shop for their daughters.”
Although the designer products are expensive, youngsters buy what they want. “Most young people demand stylish branded undergarments, no matter whether they come with parents or friends. We also have regular customers because we’re the most competitively branded store in town,” says Laxman Shrestha of Calvin Klein at City Centre. He adds, “Our customers aren’t hesitant to try the products in our store before buying.”
Since Nepali youths are becoming fonder of inner wear and the demand is growing, as they want to celebrate themselves, it is not just a matter of comfort but confidence as well. Sadly, Nepal does not have any inner wear designers. It would be nice to have local inner wear designers, since the constant change regarding such garment fashion is occurring.
(Full names of buyers have not been mentioned for privacy.)
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