Project Runway in Your Pants!

With the Season 6 premiere of hit TV show Project Runway tonight, I thought now would be the perfect time to talk about one of the new designers and his connection to the men's underwear world. Christopher Straub, a Minnesota native, is the man behind the men's underwear brand Cricket Syndicate. You may remember Cricket Syndicate from my review and profile in the past. If not, Cricket Syndicate specializes in creating underwear made from T-shirts. The front panel is cut from recycled t-shirts that Christopher has found. He also has a line (Cricket Clones) that are made from fabrics that he has specially designed. And if you have a t-shirt that you'd like made into undies for you or a loved one you can go the custom route and have a Cricket Custom made. Christopher started selling his underwear out of a bag in the back of bars, and now he's starring on Project Runway. He's come a long way and I'm looking forward to seeing where the future will take him.

Cricket Syndicate Update

The Cricket Syndicate site is currently down for construction. It looks as though the long-awaited (and much delayed) Cricket Clones will be coming soon! The Clones are going to be screen-printed briefs. So stay tuned to M.U.B. for updates.

Cricket Syndicate featured in Lavender Magazine

Cricket Syndicate is a fun, small company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The local GLBT magazine (Lavender Magazine) in Minneapolis featured Cricket Syndicate back in March of this year. So here's the article the wrote up about Christopher Straub and his Cricket Syndicate line of underwear. To view the article at Lavender Magazine click here.

Christopher Straub is trying to get in your pants. That is, if he isn’t there already. But don’t call the cops just yet—you actually might like what he’s offering.

This 28-year-old fashion designer is the creator and artistic drive behind the underwear company Cricket Syndicate.

“A couple of years ago, I was really into the vintage thing—I wanted everything that I had when I was a kid,” Straub says. “And I wanted Underoos, but they don’t make Underoos in my size, so I had to make my own Spider-Man underwear. I found a Spider-Man shirt or whatever, I cut it up, and I made it into some underwear.”

Soon, Straub was hand-sewing underwear left and right for his friends. It wasn’t long before he decided to turn the new undertaking into a cash cow.

The designer recalls, “I started putting them in boutiques, and I’d sell like $1,200 in underwear a month. And then, that just kind of grew from there.”

As Straub explains, “I love to take something like NASCAR, beer, cigarettes—any of that stuff—and take it out of its element. Taking this total promo, giveaway crap, and turning it into a high-style menswear item.”

Straub sells the unmentionables on his Web site now, but his initial marketing strategy was quite different: “I would sell them at bars, and I’d leave with hundreds of dollars from people just buying underwear out of my messenger bag. A group of 10 friends would dig through, and then other people wanted to dig, also. It helped to create that frenzy. After 20 minutes, I’d be done selling, and I would just dance.”

For Straub, success with the underwear sales has been overwhelming and encouraging. He grew up in Edina. A family death early in his life meant he had to work and help pay the bills for his family.

Although Straub never formally went to school for fashion design, he used to make dresses for his best friend, Natalie. He worked a number of different jobs, from set designer to fashion retail merchandiser.

Straub remembers those early odd jobs: “I used to manage at a Kmart in Fargo, North Dakota, in the menswear department, and I would put these outfits together that were totally not the crowd.”

Straub’s days in the glamorous likes of Kmart and Old Navy might be over, but that doesn’t mean he’s done with dressing people up.

In the designer’s words, “I’ve gone to Paris twice to style for other designers. I’ll be styling down in Florida, and I’ve styled in California, too. It’s nice to work with some designers that sell $60 million worth of product a year.”

Straub hopes one day to be selling alongside big-name designers, but it probably won’t be happening in the next year or so.

As Straub relates, “In this part of the country, you can’t make a living making one-of-a-kind pieces. I don’t do suiting. I like to make fun, everyday pieces. And there’s not a lot of people willing to spend $80 on just a simple top without any buttons.”

Straub is planning to take Cricket Syndicate into the mainstream, however, with a new line of underwear called Clones.

As Straub remarks, “They’re the one-of-a-kind feel, and they have the same kind of philosophies, but they’re my own screen printed designs.

“Instead of getting 100 T-shirts, and making 100 separate pairs, we’ll produce different predetermined designs. It’ll be a lower price point. We’ll be able to produce more to get into stores that would demand a size run of all patterns.

“I’d still like to have the one-of-a-kind. You feel so good, because no one else is going to walk down the street wearing the same thing. I’d love to still offer that, but I’d love to be in Urban Outfitters, Metro Park—stores with a little more edge.”

In case you’re wondering what kind of underwear Straub is hoarding for himself, he reveals, “My absolute favorite images are photo-quality images of faces. I just sold one with Christina Aguilera’s face. I love sports ones like Kevin Garnett. I really like that kind of thing.”

So, if Crickets haven’t invaded your underwear drawer yet, they’re not far away. And you thought that chirping noise was something to call the exterminator over!

Cricket Syndicate Update

A few people have been asking me about Cricket Syndicate's new "clones" because I talked about them in a post and told you that they would be arriving sometime in March (their official site still says this even though it is no longer true). While obviously March is over, and they are not here yet. I've been in contact with the folks at Cricket and I have learned the cause behind the delay and that. The reason behind the delay is that this is their first time doing their own screen printing (previously they just bought up remainder T's, but this time around Christopher actually designed all the graphics). "They are now scheduled to be done the third week of April... patience prevailed and the finish screen prints are fabulous! There will be four designs in different sizes and colors." So now you know.

Cricket Syndicate review

Cricket Syndicate is one of the most unique lines of underwear that I've ever worn. Their underwear has a pouch insert that is made from T-shirts (many of which are retro). I've blogged about the history of the company before so read that here.

First, I have to start by saying that Cricket Syndicate doesn't actually make a size that is meant to fit me (I'm a little too small for their smallest size). That said, the pair that I tried (the one with the frog, shown) fit pretty well. The Cricket Syndicate box-cuts, for me, fit like a cross between boxerbriefs and boxer shorts (a tight boxer short). But normally they should fit like boxerbriefs (based on the photos on their site). But that aside, the fit is very good. It is a very interesting cut, which for the most part fits very well. But sometimes, the center back seam rides up a bit into the crack and thus adjustments are necessary (although this problem could possibly be attributed to the fact that they are not entirely the correct size and thus they ride up). But besides this small problem, they are very comfortable. They feel just like wearing a nice, soft, old T-shirt (which is technically what they are, minus the old part). The more you wash these briefs, the softer they get. And don't worry, your skin won't touch the part that was originally from a T-shirt because the pouch is double-lined (although I think that the T-shirts are old but unworn, sort of retro remainders or something). Another fun part about these briefs is the top-stitching. It is very fun and unique and adds to the popular "unfinished" look of the briefs. But to help hold the briefs up, there is an elastic waistband sewn onto the inside (like what is done in many boxer shorts). And to add to the overall comfort, there are no tags (just a stamp on the inside of the waistband). I really love the style of these briefs, they're so unique and so fashionable. These briefs are so unique and unexpected that they could really be your next conversation starter (I'm serious!). They are a little on the expensive side; but for such a unique piece that is sold in limited editions, it is well worth it. The exposed seams and fun colors in combination with the printed (T-shirt) pouch make these briefs an essential to every man's underwear drawer.

MY RATING:
Overall, I give the Cricket Syndicate box-cut briefs a total score of 8.5 based on the following criteria:
FIT -- 7.5 (out of 10)
COMFORT -- 10 (out of 10)
STYLE -- 9 (out of 10)
QUALITY -- 9 (out of 10)
VALUE -- 8 (out of 10)

********** 8.5

Also, a fun little aside about Cricket Syndicate: They're website announces that "Cricket Clones: Screen printed briefs" will be available this month! So be on the lookout for that.

Count to Valentine's - Day 9

-Brand: Cricket Syndicate

-Style: Box-cut brief (currently the only style available, all patterns are one-of-a-kind)
-Who to give this to: The soft and fuzzy man who really like his comfort but also likes a bit of fun as well. The pouch of these briefs is made out of old T-shirts and brings a fun, retro feel to your man's wardrobe. Help your man stay in touch with his past or cheer on his favorite sports team (depending on the pattern).
-Price: $22.50
-Valentine's Spin: Your man will be sure to feel special with these one-of-a-kind briefs, no one else will have a pair like them!

Cricket Syndicate

Christopher Straub spent a while trying to dream up a way to revolutionize the men's underwear industry. Finally he hit on a way to create it with his one-of-a-kind, vintage inspire box cut briefs. The undies are made from recycled T-shirts. He calls his brand Cricket Syndicate. The look and feel of the reclaimed tees combined with the clever eye of Christopher equals stylishly fun results. Plus, the gently worn fabric gives Cricket briefs a "touch me now" softness. And if you notice some line-art designs, that's Christopher's original artwork. Christopher started marketing his brand by selling the briefs out of a paper bag in the back of bars. About a year later he launched his web store, and the rest is history. A history that you can participate in making by purchasing a pair today. Although the styles are not only one per kind, they are limited, therefore the styles on the site are constantly changing.

Some more info: