My Italian Underwear

Okay, while I'm thinking about it, here's the story on my Italian underwear.

"Upim" is the name of a department store with quite a few locations around Italy — at least Rome and north. It's a pleasant, upbeat, mid-range department store; Isaac and I liken it to Target here in our part of the US.

When we were in Rome in April I made a point to stop in one of the Upim stores for potential souvenirs. After all, why shouldn't souvenirs be practical as well as evocative of exotic locations? Anyway, we stopped in the smallish store in Termini Station on our way home late one afternoon after some taxing sight-seeing for a bit of restorative shopping.

That time we went to the menswear department where I spotted these neat little packages of knit-cotton boxer briefs — two in each package! — for the rather modest price of five-and-a-half Euros. I was able to figure out my size through various comparisons and conversions and bought one pack to see how they fit, and as one of my special, personal souvenirs.

When I tried them on after we got home, I was delighted to discover that I had exactly the right size and they were about the most comfortable underwear I'd ever put on. Soft and appropriately stretchy material with good fit and excellent cut for my taste. Obviously I was also a little disappointed because, had I tried them on there I could maybe have bought more although we had stopped in almost as we were getting ready to leave.

But I already knew that we'd be returning to Italy in just a few months with our trip to Tuscany planned for July. I looked online and reassured myself that there were several Upim stores in the region and we'd be sure to cross paths with one. I had a mission.

Our group laughed at me when I said one of two things I needed to visit while we were there so that my trip would be complete was an Upim store so I could buy more underwear. Honestly, some people think I make up these things just for effect.

As I'll explain later we stayed the entire time in Pisa. One day we took an inter-city bus to Lucca, a cute little medieval walled city. We were walking along after lunch when we happen to walk down what seemed to be the main street for shops, and what should leap out at us but Upim! I insisted that I had to stop in but the others could go ahead if they wished.

No, no, that's all right they said, humoring me and pretending they could perhaps tolerate spending a few minutes in Upim. (As it turned out they all loved it and couldn't buy enough, and then they couldn't wait to get back to Pisa so they could go to the Upim store there. But anyway….)

As it happened, the end-of-season sale seemed to be just getting underway and there was a bin with perhaps a dozen two-packs of my underwear on sale, 75% off, for only 1.5 Euros. I was ecstatic and snatched up every package they had.* I also bought several swimming suits, but that's really another story.#

I'm wearing a pair right now, as it happens. They really are great, and a lovely souvenir of our trip to Pisa. Practical, too!
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* This was a smart move because the stock at the Pisa store, had I waited until we returned, was mostly sold out. What a disappointment that would have been.

# Unlike most American men I like to wear Speedo-style swimming suits both for tanning (something I manage for a couple of days every few years) and for bobbing in the water in swimming pools (since I don't really enjoy recreational swimming). As I pointed out to people who thought my buying of several suits excessive, when I find something that costs $20 to $30 in the US even when it's marked down, on sale for only 4 Euros (say, $5.75), I buy several. Not only that, but at the swimming pool I can always point out that I insist on Italian fashion.

Posted on August 30, 2007 at 22.16 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Personal Notebook

One Response

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  1. Written by chris
    on Saturday, 1 September 2007 at 09.16
    Permalink

    I'm glad you just ignored the razzing about your announced purchase.

    I have a similar situation – my absolutely fave in the whole wide world underwear comes from Marks & Spencer. It's exactly the right fit for me, I like it, … you know the drill. They're actuallyl similar in shape and cut to speedos, though cotton knit and elasticised waist of course.

    It was an humongous tragedy when Marks&Sparks closed up shop in Canada, but fortunately these things also are very long wearing; so every time I'm back in the UK I stock up on Proper Undies.

    A couple are beginning to get a little frayed at the waistband. I think (hope) I've enough in reserve before my next trip back.

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