J.C. Penney Cooks Up Odor-Eating Underwear

New York Post ^ | 7.7.2004 | Suzanne Kapner

[NYC GOP Chick]

First there was the wrinkle-free shirt, then the washable suit.

Now, if J.C. Penney engineers have their way, odor-eater underwear and collagen-injected socks soon will be lining store shelves.

J.C. Penney is at the forefront of an explosion in so-called performance clothing, a category dominated by wrinkle-free and stain-resistant fabrics that slash dry-cleaning bills and appeal to time-strapped consumers.

Unlike rivals that increasingly farm out research and development to independent labs, J.C. Penney owns its own research facilities, giving it an edge in a crowded market, observers said.

"J.C. Penney is taking a different approach that gives them more control," said Oscar Schwarzbartl, who handles business development for the Merchandise Testing Laboratories, which counts Levi Strauss & Co., the Gap and Kmart among its clients.

Analysts estimate that performance fabrics currently account for about a quarter of apparel sales, with that figure expected to climb to about 50 percent in the next few years.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Anyone who's ever had to ride the NYC subways in the middle of the summer will get down on his or her knees and genuflect toward the nearest Penney's.

[glorgau]

The ultimate test for this product would be in France.

[cyborg]

odor-eater underwear

*** Oh my word.

[A Citizen Reporter]

OH No. This is really going to make the French mad again! One more of their problems, that the dastardly Americans have solved.

[Leroy S. Mort]

This is a real breakthrough. I was getting real tired of those weekly showers.

[nobody_knows]

R they edible?

[D Rider]

You beat me to it!

[lavrenti]

Late July-early August, in particular. Lower East Side barroom toliets smell better.

[beyond the sea]

engineers have their way, odor-eater underwear

These guys must have been thinking of ole' Crusty.

[lavrenti]

What, you think the French stink?

Try a NY taxi.

[chilepepper]

This will go over really well in France where they only are able to go one week on average without changing their underwear. Now they'll be able go months and months, perhaps indefinitely without a change!

[BriarBey]

Has someone banned soap and forgotten to tell me?

[NYC GOP Chick]

You make a habit of sniffing *toliets*? ;)

[Conspiracy Guy]

Pictures?

[NYC GOP Chick]

Ewww!

[NYC GOP Chick]

I didn't say anything about the French -- I was just having some fun with your typo! :)

[Keith in Iowa]

http://www.flat-d.com/

[beyond the sea]

The ultimate test for this product would be in France.

Hillary's Pantsuit.

[BigSkyFreeper]

odor-eating underwear....

Good grief

Next thing you know, they'll have skid-mark proof underwear.