I’ve been writing The Non-Consumer Advocate for over four-and-a-half years, and in that time I’ve run giveaways of everything from tax services to video games to food bank donations to books. But never in in all these years have I come close to today’s giveaway, which is an opportunity to win two pairs of . . . drum roll please . . . underwear!
Yes, underwear.
But these are not your normal underwear, as Upitees are upcycled from used T-shirts, which makes them perfect for Non-Consumer Advocate readers.
Kori, who sews these underwear was kind enough to send me two pairs to, umm . . . test out before the giveaway, and I give them the Non-Consumer Advocate Non-Wedgie Seal of Approval. They’re thicker than my normal underwear, but I kind of like that. They also came packaged super cool, like so:
I asked Koriel Jock, how she got started with such a unique business idea, and here’s what she had to say:
In my family, making underwear is normal. I come from a long line of sewers, and my grandma makes my grandpa’s and my dad’s underwear. (He’s her son-in-law, so I’m not sure if that makes it more or less weird.) It’s just not weird to us, so when I needed some underwear one summer after college but didn’t have a lot of money, of course I thought to make them.
And then! The “Aha” moment! It was so much fun to clean out my T-shirt drawer at the same time. My new Upitees (the name would come later) were soft, sporty, sassy and gave my old tshirts a new life. I got excited right away because I realized that underwear was something that everyone (well, almost everyone :)) needed and wore. For me, that meant that it was further removed from the cycle of consumerism and accumulating “stuff.” I also felt really comfortable with recycling old tshirts for the raw materials: there is such abundance.
I studied fashion design in college, but haven’t pursued it until starting La Vie en Orange 18 months ago. It was then that I started finding a way to balance my values: I want to achieve great fits to promote self-esteem in women, but also avoid unnecessary consumerism and waste. I want to practice eco-stewardship, but not achieve anything at the cost of other women’s human rights. So I choose to make something that costs more, but lasts longer, nurtures local economies, and doesn’t exploit the unfair and dangerous labor practices used by chain stores. For me, the civic responsibility and the cost need to meet in the middle.
The giveaway is for two pairs of Upitees women’s underwear from La Vie en Orange in whatever size or color you wish. (Kori also does silkscreen prints, so the patterns are not completely random.)
And for those of you who do not win this giveaway, Kori is offering a free shipping coupon code of USEITUP for Non-Consumer Advocate readers that’s good until the end of 2012.
To enter this contest, write your name in the comments section below. I will randomly choose a winner Friday, December 15th at 9 P.M. Please enter one time only, U.S. residents only.
Good luck!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
{ 239 comments… read them below or add one }
Ann Leach
Ummm… These are amazing!
Kris Weaver
Megyn!
As a side note, my MIL used to make my hubby’s boxers. It was odd when I first met him, but once I learned she didn’t exactly measure certain areas, I deemed it “cool”.
Trisha Walker!
(What a cool business idea. Too much awesome.)
I love this idea and I have several t-shirts ready to be converted! <3
Lisa Denny
I have thought about doing this for some time and am glad to see that someone made a business venture out of it. It’s a great way to reduce.
Thanks for featuring uptees.
Amanda
What a cool idea!
Anna Clark
Love this!! Pick me pick me!
🙂 Corey
Hannah Mitchell
^_^
What a great idea! I’m entertained and informed every day I read your blog. My favorite post lately was your thrift shop adventure with the Miss Piggy bank…way too funny!
Emily
Love this idea!
Lisa O
these are fantastic!
Jessie L
How fun!
Kirsten
Very cool!
Lisa Barnette –
Thanks for the nice giveaway 🙂
Dana Goldinger
Lorena! (Does anyone else feel like we’re announcing our names a la the Mickey Mouse Club or something? Or is it just me?)
Anyway, great idea and giveaway!
Sara Schlageter
Anna Cory
Bonnie
Genius! Charyl Shorter…winnah
Tara.
Clever idea!
What a neat idea!
Kelly H.
Megan Miller
Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!
(This is one of the coolest ideas I have heard of in a long time.)
michelle! fun and funny idea!
What a great idea!
Kate Lunsford
Heather Mason
Rebecca Benson
Cindy Abel
What a great idea. I love the packaging.
Sweta
Love it! Thanks.
Laurie Balde
Kathy Mayin
Jen
Rachel Affolter
Hi all! I’m the underwear maker interviewed above, and I’m so tickled by all your warm fuzzies! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to make the giveaway winner some undies 🙂
Cindy Sterling
Mary Haas
Fantastic…I hope I win! Thanks for showcasing such an inspiring entreprenuer, esp after the factory fires in Bangledesh and Pakistan. Diane Rehm on NPR did a show on the topic today, following your lead, Katy.
Ooooo…I was just looking in my drawers drawer today thinking that I needed new underroos. If I don’t win, I will definitely buy!
…and I’m Joanna B. I’m not sure if I’m now disqualified. 😉
These are so cool!
These are wonderful, and I would be proud to wear these! (And I promise not to over-share if I get some).
I’ve never even thought about sewing undies. Great idea. I hope I win!
Becky Froehlich
Very cool idea!
Hmmm… will she sew custom undies if I clean out MY t-shirt drawer? Fingers crossed for this fun giveaway!
What a great idea! Absolutely love it!
My MIL and SIL used to make all kinds of lingerie…and they made for all the gals in the family. It wore forever and was beautiful…but then it stopped being “in” so they stopped. I would love to win.
Jeana Williams Macleod
Love these!
Elizabeth
Panties for a purpose! Panties for Pearl Klein!
Mama needs some new undies~Summer
Looks so cool!
Melinda
Amanda Swilley, please enter me!
P.S. Funny story, I HAVE this exact tshirt! It’s my favorite shirt, literally. It was my husband’s, and back before we were married, I wanted to borrow one of his shirts to sleep in (he has a plethora of funny tshirts btw), and this one he didn’t wear anymore because it had a small (unnoticeable to me) stain on it. I’ve never given it back. It’s the softest shirt I have, and the best thing is that it’s his. Maybe when I finally wear it out I can make underwear out of it. 😉
Fabulous!
Bellen
Kafi
I’m oddly excited for this…
Reese!
Stephanie!
Totally lovin’ those undies! Way to go La Vie En Orange and NonConsumer Advocate. 🙂 You guys rock. What a great idea. Love it.
Laura!
Danica
Brilliant!
Maureen
Cool idea.
Lisa Brooks
What a great idea. Glad the are non-wedgie approved 😉
Susan
Lorraine
I went and looked at her website the other day after seeing her ad on the side of your blog. I’m seriously intrigued!
-Erin
Soooo would love some of these!
Hope you’ll pick me, even though I’m undee-serving. Get it?
What a fantastic idea! Kim c
Okay. These are pretty awesome!
Stacy Jenkins
Abby Abby bo-babby banana nana fo fabby.
Love the photo of Kori and her “personal assistant” hard at work. My assistant, Boots, supervises my sewing machine from the same vantage point! Would love me some uber-cool undies!
Awesome! Mia McGregor from California
Too fun! Cheryl
this is the best upcycle I’ve seen yet! Lois
Amanda Fugate
Why didn’t I think of this? Love it!
Joyce Howden, Great idea!!
love the idea! Marie
That is such a wonderful idea.
Amanda N.
Please enter Renee!
Malou Chavez
Does writing my name up there in the comment form section count?
Just in case it doesn’t, hey, I’m Kristen!
I totally love this idea.
Pam
Hmm. I’ll give ’em a try, but don’t expect me to start sewing my own 🙂 -Melissa
Kim Stewart!
What a fun idea! I always have extra t-shirts on hand. Hmmmm…. Put them in a quilt or on my tush… 😊
New underwear is quite a prize!
Suzanne Percy
Positively perfect panties for Penelope 🙂 This is the coolest upcycled item I have seen to date!!
I could use some new drawers! Sign me up!
These are so cool!
Kristal Rowland
Awesome! Paula
This is way too hilariously awesome not to enter.
Oh what fun… I love goofy unders!
Rebekka Boysen-Taylor
cute. love the photo of her sewing these.
I WOULD LOVE THESE!
Great underpants! Way to recycle!
They look so comfy, i would like to win them :). Elona
yes, please! this looks awesome.
Tracy Stone
Lisa Yee
Cool give-away! Sign me up – Tammy
Unda-pants!! Yes please 🙂
Krista Ethier
Janice Kohn
Yes please, undies for me!
They look awesome! I hope I win.
–Alyson
I don’t think I have ever entered on of your contests before but these rock and I WANT them! 🙂
Katie Gutleben
Cute!
Christa D.
How cool!! -Katy
Me! Me! Maryanne. 🙂
I would like these. What a great idea! Please send them to me!
Regina
Super cute and if you have a significant other. A gift for two!
I would love these! This is such a great idea. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sarah
Linsey LaPlant
I would LOVE a pair of these! 🙂
That’s an awesome idea! Maggie
Very Cute! Samantha D.
Erica Sorensen Markowicz
=)
What a fun idea! I’d like to win.
M K
Karen Hagee
Love it! Penny Crosby
Cathleen Smith:)
Jennifer Stringfellow
Bonnie Ellis
Jessa Nelson – Found a pattern recently to make a pair, but sadly, no sewing machine…..yet! I’ll find a nice thrifted one soon I just know it, but in the meantime I’d love to try them out!
What a wonderful idea. I would like to win these.
Linda
I can’t believe I’m saying this but- these look awesome!
Patti
Christa Boroskin. Thanks!
These are crazy cute! What a great idea…would love to be a winner. Wait…I am a winner, I just want some nifty panties 🙂
Yeah, would love to win a pair of undies! And if they don’t fit, I can always pass them on to my college-bound daughter!
I’d love to win those undies!
Deb Miller
Heather Cates
I would love these!
~Meaghan
Heidi…these r super cute!
Seriously, I’m very curious about these. They look really cool! Robin
I was wondering what question you’d have people ask that would be associated with their undies…
I think you’re slipping in the sass department 🙂
I actually cracked myself up with all the questions I didn’t put down on the blog.
Katy
I was just complaining this morning that I have so few underpants that they get lost amongst the other underthings they share space with.
Seems like the best time to enter this giveaway!
I saw her ad on your site and already pinned it on my Pinterest. Such a cool idea!
Love these.
What a cool idea!
Me too! Especially since we have a puppy who thinks my underwear are his own personal chew toys!
It happens more than you think 🙁 I had a few pairs destroyed 🙁
Would love some. -Cristie G.
What a wonderful idea! I would love some! -Sara
Thanks for the morning chuckle–and who can’t use a couple more pairs! I’m in!
Kori took some of my old t-shirts and made them into undies for me! You can see my awesome Party Fowl shirt above. I can honestly say they’re the most darn comfortable pair of undies I’ve ever had. I felt awesome getting to use some old shirts that didn’t fit right anymore, and I always giggle when I’m Party Fowl-ing during the day. So glad Kori and Katy could put together an awesome giveaway!
This is GENIUS! I have a ton of armpit holes in my tshirts, but can’t seem to part ways with them quite yet. What a great way to reuse! (Without be grody.) ha!
Dionne
Lisa
Abigail Daquiz
I <3 Kori Jock!
Hooray Abigail! SO delighted you swung by to enter 🙂
Sarah!
What a fantastic idea!!
Sarah Williams
Yay! Thanks, Sarah 🙂
Sexy, Sensible, Sassy!! I love this idea!
Anna
Anna! Hooray for your three S’s! 🙂 Thanks so much 🙂
Jennifer Ferrick
Mary Kate
Natalie
Thanks
Jill – ordered my own pair just in case- great craft!!!
Aww shucks, thanks so much, Jill! I hope you love them!
very creative! love it.
Thanks so much, Mable! 🙂
Emily W.
Debbie W.
What a totally cool idea!!
Yay! Thanks, Debbie 🙂
Beckie
Laura
Lindsey.
sarah e.g.
Susan
Would love to win!
How fun! I love the concept!! Would love a pair! 🙂
Thanks so much, Jenn!
Vanessa
Love this! It’s a great idea however it came about, but it’s even better that it was Grandma inspired.
Thanks, Vanessa! Aren’t Grandmas the best? Mine is a hoot and gets the biggest kick out of my doing this 🙂
Hmmm, I would give these a try!
Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
Vanessa Cabezuela
Puyallup, WA
Neat-O!
Neat-O makes me smile 🙂 Thanks so much, Vanessa!
Leilani Disbrow
Gigi
Melissa 😉
Love this idea.
Thanks so much, Kris!
Love this idea.
Kris
Thanks,
Kathy
Cheryl
Wow, great idea!
Jessica and now i want to learn how to make these!
Tricia…awesome idea!
Love Kori!
Now this is a giveaway I can get behind! (haha)
You and me both, Katie! 🙂
p.s. I love all the happy little Etsy ads in your left margin! Great idea for December!
Susannah! Thanks for the giveaway!
Michelle, but my husband calls me Tuny 🙂
Jenn
Marcie! These are SUCH a great idea!!
Katy
Trish B.
Debbie
Tam
Thanks !
Heidi!
Kelly – please! 🙂
Angelica
go, kori, go!
Marcia T.
Elona, thanks!
Ashley J.
Kori’s Upitees are so cool!
-Robin Swanhuyser
Brenda. As in, Brenda loves Upitees!
Adorable! Thanks, Brenda 🙂
jESSICA C. (i can always use more skivvies 🙂 )
Isn’t that pretty much a universal truth? 🙂
I feel like you have named a universal truth for us all 🙂
Cool idea and I need some new britches since they’ve been in a twist of late. 😉
Chris…
Great giveaway – I’ve really been enjoying your blog!
I love her underwear! My grammie passed away this past summer and she took some of my grammies old cotton shirts and turned them into underwear! Brings a whole new meaning to grammie panties:) She is the underwear angel!
January! It was such a treat to work with you this summer. So glad you were able to swing by and enter the giveaway! 🙂
Please enter me, Tyra R., in the contest!
This is such a great idea! My favorite giveaway on this blog yet…it fits in so beautifully with everything here!
Melissa, thanks so much! What a delight to be a part of Katy’s amazing community 🙂
M.Craig appreciates Kori’s magnificent stitching!
Thanks, M! What a compliment! 🙂
Katie Burton
Rachel 🙂
kayla elsdon as in kayla that never wins anything but why not win some chones.
Looks like really swell underwear!
Thanks, Sue! 🙂
Rebecca B. A. Ross is my name. I totally love these undies!
Yay! Thanks, Rebecca! 🙂
Hannah!
It’s never too late to say: these undies are fabulously the best in many ways!!
haha these are so adorable