Earth Day has passed and this year it has special significance. As countries all around the world react to COVID-19 and the devastation it causes, it appears that the world is also quietly healing. Woxer acknowledges the tragedies caused by the loss of life, loss of jobs, and loss of good health experienced by thousands around the world, but we wanted to also pay respect to the positives. So, in honor of Earth Month, here is how the earth is healing despite the ravages of COVID-19.

Less Pollution

The natural consequence of lockdowns means less traffic, less factories operating, and therefore much less pollution. National Geographic notes that before COVID-19, pollution-related ailments killed seven million per year. Now, with the world standing still, pollution is lifting – visibly.

In India some people are actually seeing the Himalayas for the first time. During the first day of lockdown in Delhi, there was a shocking 44 percent drop in PM10 (airborne particulates), and the air continued to get cleaner during the following days.Carbon emissions in China dropped an estimated 18 percent between February and mid-March. Air pollution in Philadelphia has hit new lows.

Air pollution compromises respiratory function – compromises that could be deadly for those infected. Lower emissions and cleaner air around the world help us all breathe easier.

Cleaner Water

Italy’s famous canals are usually full of boats and people, but with the lockdown, these days it’s full of swans and wildlife. The absence of traffic on the canal has let the sediment settle to the bottom, leaving beautiful clear water.

As cities around the world close their gathering spaces, beaches are emptier than normal. This also means plastic soda bottles, lunch wrappers, etc. that normally wind up in the water are also on hiatus for now.

Healthier Humans

Many people are taking this time to work on their cooking skills while they remain indoors. People are focusing on re-connecting with family and friends, eating out less, buying less, and sleeping more. Yes, some of that is enforced due to lockdowns, but those actions create healthier habits that can be sustained long-term – habits that play a role in reducing our consumption (fast food, consumerism, etc.), which further reduces the burden we place on the earth.

Woxer Celebrates Earth Day

Earth Day is one of Woxer’s favorite days. From day one of operations, wehave focused on sustainability. This is why our product is made from modal.

Modal is sustainably harvested from softwood trees, making it a truly vegan, natural, fiber. Since it is a natural product, modal is also compostable and biodegradable – but it’s also super durable! You will enjoy many years of wear from your Commando, Baller, or Stud Woxer. If you actually manage to wear out a pair over the years, it will biodegrade naturally and return to the earth.

It is important to us that everyone in our supply chain, from harvesting the modal to manufacturing our garments, works with the utmost respect for ethical working conditions and environmentally friendly practices. Woxer respects the earth and the people that inhabit it.

We are all working together to get through the pandemic. Let’s also take this time to think about how we can help the earth continue to heal when we come out of lockdown, and the steps we can take to be healthier, happier, humans.

Woxer loves modal because it is the ultimate sustainable fabric. This blog discusses what makes this fabric so special (and the underwear we make with it so comfortable).

Modal is vegan and natural

Modal fabric is made from fibers harvested from beech tree pulp, so that makes it 100% vegan. Beech trees are prolific and self-propagating; there is no need to clear land and implement irrigation systems for beech tree production. Beech trees also require much less water than cotton, which adds to its sustainability factor.

Modal is influencing the fashion world

Some people know modal as “an underwear fabric,” but it’s actually showing up in many different fashion lines such as athletic wear. Since it can be easily blended with many other fabrics, a growing segment of eco-conscious designers are using modal in their lines. It’s even showing up in bedding and pajamas! Because the fashion industry has been known to be highly waste-producing, the growing trend of incorporating modal is very encouraging for long-term sustainability and much better business practices.

Modal is an affordable luxury fabric

Consumers are used to paying a premium for eco-friendly or luxury brands, but modal is different. Since it is easy to source naturally and requires fewer resources to process, the finished material is very affordable. Modal is also softer and more durable than cotton and absolutely beloved by people that find most commercial fabrics irritating on the skin. It is color-fast, doesn’t pill, doesn’t shrink, and resists wrinkling. This is a luxury fabric that, thanks to its small carbon footprint, is affordable to a wide range of consumers. There is no “tax” on it for being an upgraded or a green choice.

Modal is recyclable

Modal is very durable but when its life cycle is over, it won’t be found clogging up landfills like other synthetic fabrics. Modal fibers are compostable and biodegradable.

Why Woxer Chose Modal

Woxer built its brand by never wavering from two core principles: comfort and sustainability. It is our passion to provide affordable, comfortable, accessible underwear that is soft, durable, moisture wicking, and conforms to the unique contours of your body. In doing this, we pledge to never sacrifice sustainability. Woxer demands a low/neutral carbon footprint from procurement of our raw materials to production, to packaging, and shipping. Modal allows us to satisfy both principles and bring you the most comfortable underwear without abusing non-renewable resources.

When you enjoy our popular styles (Baller, Stud, Commando), you get the best of both worlds. You are empowered to live your most comfortable life on your own terms, and you make an investment in sustainable fashion practices – an investment that affects us all now, and future generations.

Woxer loves modal. We always have and we always will. Try Woxer today to fall in love with this sustainable fabric too.

The Setup

It started out so innocently. Woxer, who is widely known as the go-to brand for comfortable, empowering boxer-brief style underwearcreated just for women, shocked fans when it dropped a teaser on March 31 – a slinky pink thong with “coming soon” splashed across the photo.

The cheeky photo immediately got the desired reaction that Woxer expected, with comments like: “Isn’t this the antithesis of boxers for women? I HATE thongs!” and “No…no thongs no!”

On April 1^st Woxer dropped their bombshell. The Coming Soon photo got a flashing color background and the words: The thong you’ve been waiting for! Woxer is taking “comfort” to a whole new level! See the goods yourself!

The Reveal

The “comfort” in quotes should have been a tip off for the many fans that rushed to click the “reveal it now” button. Fans that clicked the promotion via email or Instagram, or headed directly to Woxer’s site, were greeted with this message: "April Fool’s! Woxer stands for comfort and we believe thongs are the epitome of discomfort. Play the video below to see what the funny Whitney Cummings has to say about these “torture devices.” Embedded on the page was a clip of the comedienne’s epic NSFW thong rant.

The Reactions

While some reactions took the joke in stride with comments like, “I sincerely thought this was real and I was terrified,” other reactions completely caught Woxer off guard. A surprising number of fans expressed disappointment that the thongs weren’t really for sale and had clicked with the expectation of filling their carts.

Looks like, as always, thong underwear remain divisive.

Are Thongs Empowering for Women?

The scrappy little fabric goes way back, but its history was not always so scandalous. Thongs debuted in antiquity where men in the hot African, Minoan and Mycenaean climates wore them for comfort and ease of movement.

It was during the 1939 World Fair when thongs became associated with female morality – and it was actually women that created them as a move of empowerment. The Fair had a racy show that featured nude female dancers. Enraged, the mayor of New York ordered the performers to cover up. Knowing that nudity was what was selling their show, the dancers complied – not with bloomers but with thongs. This allowed them to put on a cheeky display while “following” the mayor’s orders.

As women’s fashions changed over the years, hemlines crept up and panties were made with less and less material. In the 60s, sporty women’s underwear became fashionable, including versions that Woxer applauds since these earlier briefs lent themselves to movement and comfort. Then along came the 70s and 80s where the theme in advertising was “sex sells.” Thongs came roaring to the forefront to show off as much of a women’s body as possible, cementing the image of the thong as a tool of female oppression. From there some women continued to embrace the thong while others avoided it at all costs.

In the new millennium, women are finding their voices and roaring louder than ever.  Now, it is no longer about having to put on a thong to be sexy, it’s about wearing one if and when you want to. For some women, thongs are comfortable and help hide panty lines. Other women prefer full, breathable coverage.

Whichever you choose, as long as you are being unapologetically yourself and honoring your body, Woxer applauds you. Be comfortable. Be empowered. Be authentic.

Live Your Best Life in Comfortable Underwear

Right now you can get Woxer’s Baller, Stud, and Commando styles that are always available in singles, packs, and by subscription. Will Woxer start making thongs? You will have to stay tuned to their social media to find out!

I AM POWERFUL & MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Kendall and Hannah are big inspirations to the LGBT community. They are a lesbian couple who use Instagram as an outlet to express themselves and empower women. Through their stories and experiences as a couple, they strive to make a difference by supporting other women and give voice to the truth that women are people whose thoughts, values, and relationships are just as valid as men's. Today, Kendall and Hannah continue to inspire other people as they proudly show their love to the whole world.

What’s an empowering quality in yourself that you’re proud of?

Kendall: I love the way I love. I love wholeheartedly, no questions asked.

Hannah: I really love my sense of humor and my ability to empathize.

We all have our shortcomings. What are yours and what do you like to do about it?

Kendall: I want to improve my ability to live in the moment. There are so many times when the world around us gets the best of us and we fail to realize what is in front of us in that exact moment. Clear your head and your soul and just live. That’s something that I need to focus on more often.

Hannah: I would like to improve how I view my body. I have always had a larger lower half than the other women I compare myself to. I know that a lot of women struggle with comparing themselves to others, and I want to change my views so that I can help them love every part of themselves.

Hannah (left) wears Baller I AM 2, Kendall (right) wears Baller Navy

What empowers you?

Kendall: It empowers me to know my worth, in all shapes and sizes. When you finally grasp and understand it, you will truly feel empowered. By knowing what you bring to the table—whether it be in your work life, relationships, or just battling the voice inside your head—it gives you a sense of value and strength. Being confident in my worth empowers me daily.

Hannah: Community empowers me. I’m constantly amazed by how strong people are when they come together. Joining the LGBTQ+ community has shifted my view on life drastically. I have never felt so accepted, so appreciated, and so much like myself. I’m able to say what I want without judgment while having a badass community that has my back. It just shows that we are never really alone.

What inspires you to accomplish things that you want to achieve through your platform?

We started our Instagram account as an outlet to express ourselves. The first year and a half of our relationship was hidden from some of our friends and family because we were unsure of how to cope with any backlash; luckily, we didn’t receive any. We wanted to show our love openly and without permission from our peers. We wanted to show other people who may be in the same situation that living your truth leads to so much happiness!

Tell us about an experience you both share that you found empowering

Hannah: Recently, Kendall and I went out to a bar with one of our college friends. We were all having a great night! We were minding our business when a young man came up to us and asked to buy us a drink. We politely declined multiple times. He kept pushing and asked our friend what she was drinking to which she answered, “Moscow Mule”. He rushed to the bar and asked the bartender for two mules. We meticulously watched the bartender make the drinks, hand them over to the stranger, and the stranger bring them to us. Nothing suspicious. He handed us the drinks. We said “thank you” and he went on his way, stumbling back to the bar to sit down. We didn’t think anything of the encounter other than drunk people are just too nice.

A few minutes later, we were approached by a different young guy. He started talking about how his friend got dumped a few days ago and how he was really lonely. He pointed over to the first guy who bought us a drink, hunched over at the bar with his head in his arms. We looked back at the guy in front of us and said, “Sorry, we can’t help. We are together.” (We said as we gestured towards each other). The guy looked at us for a second and said, “Even better! He is just really lonely and needs a girl to cheer him up.” We began fuming. This guy has the audacity to come up and sexualize us, brush off our relationship like it was nothing. Kendall looked him dead in the face and pointed at a young heterosexual couple sitting a couple of tables ahead of us, “You wouldn’t walk up and ask that girl to come ‘comfort’ your friend right in front of her boyfriend, would you?” He looked around awkwardly and said, “Uh… yeah sure.” We told him to go and ask her then to which this guy literally responded, “Well, I can’t. It’s different, you know?” No. I don’t know. Without completely flipping my sh*t, I let him know that just because we are two girls, it does not make our relationship any less valid. We are a regular couple just like anyone else, and we are not interested.

We chose this incident because it is so important for us as women to stand up for ourselves. We could’ve just walked away and chose to ignore the whole incident but who would that be helping? He needed to understand that sexualizing women is not okay. Will this event change his views on how he treats women? Maybe it didn’t. But hopefully, it did.

Lastly, what is your favorite Woxer?

We both absolutely love Baller because they are the perfect mid-length! Funny enough, we share the same favorite color: blue. We definitely fight over those ones!

SHOP KENDALL & HANNAH'S FAVORITE

I AM NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL WOMAN

Brittney is a professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury. She uses her talent and admirable passion for basketball to inspire young black girls and represent them in the media.

As a black lesbian woman, Brittney continues breaking down barriers and showing the world what she’s capable of.

How do you inspire and empower people?

I inspire people by being true to myself! I live my life the way I want in the ways that I act, how I dress, and who I date (and eventually married) my beautiful wife, Cherelle.

We all have our shortcomings. What are yours and what do you do about them?

At times, I still battle with wanting to fit in. Though not very often, I still sometimes wonder what people will think or say in certain situations. I end up doing whatever it is that I want to do, but it’s a situation I want to dismiss from my life. I act on it by talking with my wife and friends and they help me realize what I already know: ultimately, whatever someone will think or say about me doesn’t define me.

Brittney wears Woxer in Rose

What empowers you?

Being a black lesbian woman empowers me! As a woman, we are told that we can’t or shouldn’t be certain roles—that we don’t deserve equal pay or a man can do it better! Ha, yeah right. Seeing fellow women accomplish tasks that men can do and break down the barriers, it empowers me to the fullest.

What inspires you to accomplish things that you want to achieve through your platform?

This is easy! I do what I do for the youth! When I was young, I had no one that looked and sounded like I did. I felt so alone. I’m doing this to give those little girls someone they can look up to, and see me and believe in themselves!

Brittney with wife, Cherelle. Credit: Brittney's Instagram

What is your favorite Woxer?

Commando are my favorite. They’re longer, feel so damn soft and good on my skin!

SHOP BRITTNEY'S FAVORITE

I AM STRONGER

Sienna is a strong woman. Despite the chronic health issues she continues to struggle with in her life, she never stops turning her goals into reality. Today, Sienna is taking her double bachelor degrees and will pursue her dream to receive a Doctorate in Psychology. She is also planning to open up a child psychology practice that works on a sliding scale to make therapy as accessible as possible.

As someone who’s faced with chronic health issues, in what ways do you inspire people?

I inspire people by working hard towards my goals. Even though I deal with a lot of chronic health issues that put me out of commission for at least a few days out of the month, I work hard to keep myself moving and making progress. I want to prove that even though there are obstacles in my life, they can be overcome and a greater future can come from them. Along with working full time, I'm also working towards double bachelors degrees. My ultimate goal, after years of education, is to receive my doctorate in psychology and open up a child psychology practice that works on a sliding scale to make therapy as accessible as possible. I'd like to be the person that I and so many people I know needed in our lives as children. This is and will continue to be a difficult road to travel, but I am so excited to have the chance to do so.

We all have our shortcomings. What's yours and what do you like to do about it?

I want to improve my ability to stay organized and stay even-keeled in the face of stress. I do tend to have issues with anxiety and I have been seeing a therapist to work on strategies to help me remain in control of my emotions as well as steering my life in a direction where I'm able to eliminate excess stress and create a situation that helps me stay in a a calm and organized headspace.

Sienna wears Woxer Holiday Red in Baller

What empowers you?

I find it empowering to get work done and check things off my to-do list. Having a productive day makes me feel like I can handle anything. Also, I play Dungeons and Dragons and there is no better feeling than figuring out a difficult puzzle!

What inspires you to accomplish things that you want to achieve?

I do what I do because I know that ultimately it will help. Going to school will eventually get me to a place where I can help children. Working (in real estate title insurance) allows me to help people get the coverage that they need during closing. Working to figure out a diagnosis will help me, but it will also help my doctors recognize the symptoms I'm dealing with if they encounter them again.

What was an empowering yet difficult experience in your life that shaped who you are?

2019 was one of the most difficult times of my life. In January I lost my job in title insurance. I was laid off during a slow season and I struggled for a while to find something else in the field. In May of 2018 I had received my associates degree in Early Childhood Education, so after a while I chose to seek out employment in the child care field. I started work in April and fell head over heels in love with what I was doing. It was hard work, for sure. It's the hardest work I've ever done and as my health got worse, it got even harder.

Ultimately I lost that job as well because of poor attendence (due to my failing health) as well as other circumstances beyond my control. I then landed in the hospital for the first time. I had lost two jobs, I was failing my semester because of the stress I was under, and suddenly I was bed-bound in an unfamiliar place. Over the next few months, my world completed it's cycle of crashing down around me. I made choices I regret and became someone I didn't recognize. If that wasn't my rock bottom it was the closest I've been.

In August I left the environment I was in and moved back in with my mother. This was the beginning of my ascent out of the pit I'd been in. Thanks to a professional friend of mine, I found a job back in title insurance. It's a better position for me than I've ever held before. Even though I'm unable to work with children right now, I'm back on track working towards a place where I can again. I've gotten back to a place where I am getting the tests I need to progress towards diagnosis. I'm back in a place where I'm happy and working on myself. I've learned that no matter where you're at, you can turn it around.

Lastly, what is your favorite Woxer?

My favorite Woxers are the Ballers. They're so comfortable and when you're sitting in a hospital gown, it feels like a little more covered than if you're just sitting in traditional women's underwear.

SHOP SIENNA'S FAVORITE