Bensly Luxury Performance Apparel Collection

@creator,
I checked your we page but couldn't find the info: What is the Men's Bliss Modal Boxer Briefs with Fly M size inseam? This info will help me choose the right inseam for the new boxer briefs or trunks.

@Gregory We're getting there soon :) Bensly is a learning experience for new backers. It changes the narrative on clothing and brings you back to the importance of the crafting process instead of the bargain hunt. You'll have 3 inseam options to choose from. Don't like one? No problem. We'll let you try another!

I sincerely hope the trunks stretch goal is reached. I have to wear M size around the waist, but I'm short so an 8" inseam will go to my knees... around 5" inseam seems to work best for me. I've backed other underwear campaigns and been disappointed with the inseam sizes (either too large or too small!)

@Ollie thank you for reaching out! I replied via message but wanted to make it available here as well. Comfortable Club undies had a 5.5" inseam (ranged depending on the model and size). We're redoing the naming convention and running them like this: Boxer Briefs - 8" Inseam (no ride-up)
Trunks - 4.5" Inseam
Square Cut - 2.5" Inseam

How does the trunks inseam compare to the first run of comfort club boxers?

@Bensly thanks for confirming, I've updated my pledge :0)

AWESOME! You brought back the trunks

@John-Paul Sawyer - That's exactly right :)

@Bensly.....am I right in saying that as an international backer paying $10 for shipping, I can add an extra $10 to get an extra pair of boxers?

@Matt great question! What we did was simplify the reward descriptions. To do this we had to create new ones, but rest assured that the old pledges hold the the full range of benefits as all other pledges, so there's no need to switch over. If you already did, no problem! Keep it there :) What we do at the end of the campaign is convert each pledge to its full retail value, throw in the bonus offers on top of that, and then hand over the keys to our new website and platform so you can choose your items, colors and sizes, enter your address, and learn even more about the product you're about to receive. I hope this helps!

Bensly I am a little confused on my pledge. I believe I was an early pledger and after a couple days time you mentioned there would be some changes in your reward options. I originally chose the core package then you guys upped the rewards and said anyone spending over 200$ I believe would get a free 23$ value to under garment. But I just went and over viewed the rewards and saw that the one I had originally pledge didn't come with the free set. I just changed over to the core package with the free item. Would that be the logical thing to do for me??

@Bensly Thanks for the response. And good to hear!

@John excellent question! We're currently manufacturing products as part of our first batch. The way we've handled it this time, contrary to our other campaigns, is by starting manufacturing of a large amount of 'greige goods,' or raw fabric before dyeing and finishing. What we do is keep this fabric in stock as part of our inventory and then run cut & sew production based on the projections we've set for the first batch. Sourcing these new fabrics takes a whole lot longer than our previous fabrics, so we opted for this method to ease the delivery timeline for our backers. It also allows us to easily react to spikes in demand instead of waiting out the full 4-6 months of lead time. We're also able to continue manufacturing for the November and December shopping season on demand. So, to answer your other question, yes, more items will be in stock on our store as part of the second cut & sew batch :) I hope this answers your question and I’m glad you watched the new video! -Miguel

The video states "quantities are limited!!" Can you clarify this statement? Do you plan to continue manufacturing and selling these Bensly products through the e-commerce site after the initial production run?

@Justus that was a mistake by one of our campaign design collaborators. We asked him to write about his experience with our undies and he made the mistake of using our very own account. Slap on the wrist!

I'm backing this project because I believe in the founder and the type of business he wants to build. One way or another, we get what we pay for. I'd rather pay a premium for quality materials, production, and service rather than paying more over the long run (by constantly having to replace low-quality stuff) or dumping externalized costs (pollution, etc.) on other people. If the founder of Comfortable Club (l love my CC undies) is this excited about making something new, I definitely want to be a part of it.

@Bensly
7 posts below this post there is one by you (?) saying "NICE! I bought their previous undies and I'm a modal fabric convert thanks to them. Now I wanna give tencel a try". Is that something for us to simply c&p and save some time or what?

@Backers - I hope you enjoyed your weekend! Lots of updates were made to the campaign while you were away. Make sure you watch the new video ;) As always, reach out to us via hello@bensly.com with any questions.

Loved the update! Keep posting those production pictures and keep us updated on the timeline

@Paul that's right! A free pair of undies that will make you go 'wow'! Guaranteed. Happy Saturday :)

Sweeeet thanks. I adjusted my pledge to 56 56 and 92 for 2 shirts and a hoody. That gets me a free pair of boxer briefs?

@Paul Farr no sir! They carry normal sizing. The difference here is that the ProTailor back darts remove excess fabric from the rear mid section of the shirt by about 1.5 - 2 inches, which removes that boxy look you get from a typical tee. This gives you a fitted look under your regular size, so as long as you're within the chest range, you're golden.

@Creator the t-shirts look awesome! They do have fitted in their name. Does this mean they're built smaller?

NICE! I bought their previous undies and I'm a modal fabric convert thanks to them. Now I wanna give tencel a try

@Christopher we're about to post the update explaining the change! Your pledge can remain in the same reward level and you'll still receive the free pair. We made these changes to simplify the learning process for new visitors who aren't aware of the offers. We're a bit limited with how we can organize pledges given all the products available, so we've had to improvise the bundling feature. Instructions for adding to your pledge will also be posted. You're good to go though :)

Just to enquire, do we have to change our pledge to the one that reflects free undies to be entitled to the free pair of undies or does our current pledge >$200 be entitled to one automatically?

@Victor PM'd and you're good to go!

@Bensly It may sound like a dumb question, but, to make a custom mix and match pledge, do I just put in the amount in Pledge without reward?

@Aaron
I don't know enough about the luxury apparel business to comment on mark-ups. My only point is that these Bensly boxer briefs at 22 USD may be better than similar products already on the market at 34+ USD. The price point alone makes them worth trying. I do see your point about the value in the pledge levels. I too wish there would have been some stretch goals and/or better incentives for early adopters backing the Kickstarter. But it is what it is and you can choose to back the project or not. FWIW...I respect your right to express your own opinions on any project as long as you are "respectful and considerate" per the Kickstarter guidelines. And I don't want to speak for the creator but thanking @Maria seems like it was specifically for the portion of her comment she addressed "To the creator of Bensl[e]y..." and not necessarily for her attack on you.

@Bensly the custom leg lengths on the joggers are a godsend! I'm tall but super skinny, so I'm looking at a 30/34 with a 29" waist and 35" leg. Haven't seen anyone do this for sweatpants

@John, There is actually typically a markup of 50-60 % on branded products. So being 25-40% below this isn't much of an achievement for a new brand. It's also surprising to see how little value is there between the various pledge levels. Eg. 1 Pair of boxers + 20 USD international shipping = 42 USD for 2 boxers or 21 USD each. 4 Pairs of boxers + 20 USD international shipping = 104 USD for 5 boxers or 20.8 USD each. It seems to me like Bensley hasn't thought stuff out with regards to their pricing and is kinda going for "ok we can sell it on KS for 22 USD and have a pretty decent response, we should be good for 28 USD after the campaign." Anyhow, going by the positive comments I will stay to hopefully receive a good product and also hope I'm not attacked by fellow backers (who are supported by the creator) again.

@Aaron
Speaking specifically about the boxer briefs, I actually don't have an issue with the price. At $22 (or even the $24 pre-order on the website) they are actually much cheaper than what I am wearing right now. I agree with you that with the other big name brands, you are mostly paying for the name and covering the cost of their marketing. Bensly is not in a position (at least not yet) where they can charge a premium for their brand name alone. And from what I can tell, this is reflected in the price of the boxer briefs which is currently ~25-40% below most of the big name brands. Not to mention, in addition to the lower price, Bensly may actually be delivering a product that is far superior to anything on the market today. Bottom line...if the quality and comfort (aside from the unfortunate vertical fly) are as advertised, I think the Elite Series boxer briefs will be a great value for a premium product and the sustainable manufacturing is a huge added benefit for the conscientious consumer.

Found you on facebook and it’s my first time on kickstarter. I’ve been waiting for someone to make a t-shirt with the tailored fit like the dress shirts I get from Italy. Bravo

@Bensly
Have to ask. Are you thanking Maria for her comments attacking a fellow backer or...?

Beautiful campaign! You don't see many companies getting this involved in their supply chain. I'm in for 6 undies and 2 t-shirts.

@Steven: I responded privately, but you're good to go! @Maria: Thank you for the comments :) @Eduardo: Yes indeed! Dress them up, dress them down. They're good to go for nights out, the gym, and everything in between. More product reviews coming very soon! @Aaron: Like I mentioned, international backers paying the $20 shipping charge will be granted an extra pair of underwear to make up for the charge. Moreover, those with pledges above $200 will get an additional pair of underwear free of charge. This $28 value can be converted and used towards any other product after the campaign ends. We hope this alleviates some pricing concerns :) @Chris: Welcome aboard. We're glad to have you with us! @Backers: We'll be posting a new educational series on our campaign updates highlighting the entire process by which each item was created. We hope you enjoy them!

@Aaron, Bensly has all but completely confirmed they will not lower the prices. "In regards to pricing, we feel that we’re offering a fair deal for the quality and sustainability practices we’ve worked on....we will most definitely return to retail pricing after the campaign ends,....." The prices aren't going down. Face it, they're targeting a different consumer than when they were Comfortable Club. The name change is all part of a re-branding of the company image.

Hi, i added 84 to my 210 pledge for 14 (+1 free) undies to replace the ones from your previous campaign. Does that work for you guys, will i be able to get basically two rewards this way? Thanks!

@Maria O, I am not what you seemed to think I am or for that matter particularly interested in your opinion. If you cannot see that there could be an alternate universe where a product is actually 100% worth what you pay for it and this is justified by it's maker, that is kind of your loss. I was the first person to comment on this campaign and have been positive but the fanboyism on here is making me thinking there is something amiss. I like to get the most value out of things I invest in, and possibly improve them, isn't KS kinda about this? Anyhow, if Bensly can confirm that they are indeed not going to revisit pricing, I can decide what to do next.

I just made my pledge! I can't wait to try them! I got your products from your last campaign as a gift for my birthday and I WILL NOT WEAR ANYTHING ELSE!! Now I give them as gifts as well and always get the "I need to get more of these!"! I am really digging the colors and the details. Looks like you guys have been busy... great work!

@Aaron, it clearly states right next to the box you are writing these comments one: "Use this space to cheer the creator along and talk to fellow backers." It is also very clear that you are investing quite some time in attempting to "harm" this campaign. You sound like a nervous competitor or even someone who tried Kickstarter and it didn't end up funding. That is the impression you are giving. If the prices are too high then go elsewhere. I pay for quality, and I have liked everything this company stands for. To the creator of Bensley: You have been so patient and respectful with your answers and that makes me even more loyal. You have used his behavior as an example of how not to behave and be grateful you are nothing like them. Don't allow someone who is critical, insensitive, or controlling to try to guilt trip you, by trying to make you feel bad about yourself or your brand in this case. Anyone who exploits or criticizes this way is the one who should feel guilty and needs help. There is ALWAYS something wrong with the person who feels the NEED to hurt another, especially when it is done INTENTIONALLY.

@Eduardo , Uniqlo used to sell Tencent boxers at about 7-8 USD a piece. As most people should know by know, what you pay for when you buy CK or TJ etc. etc. is mostly their brand and the money that they put into investing it and keeping up their image. No company on KS can claim to be in the same league. So yea 7-8 USD or 22 USD?

The creator makes some great points, and I find these prices to be quite normal actually. If you look at modal Calvin Klein's offering, these go for at least $30, don't have a fly, and carry a ridiculously basic construction. Tommy John's offerings go all the way up to $48, and even their cotton offering is $30. This is quite obviously high-end underwear and I wouldn't want to downgrade anytime soon. I've tried every underwear out there and find $22 for a pair of Tencel boxer briefs to be a steal. I backed another campaign that made Tencel boxer briefs and those were $25. So all of this, plus the promise of sustainable sourcing? I'm on board. What I'm really looking forward to is the Tencel tees though. These look like I can wear on a night out.

Miguel , If you wanted to do the whole sustainable thing right, perhaps you could have formed a collective of like minded apparel makers. This would have brought prices down and made sustainability more accessible and widespread. Instead, you're pushing your company into a niche where fewer people can comfortably afford it, thereby making your supposedly sustain-ably made attire less impactful. The way I see it, the additional costs you have now, are for the new material and for sending samples of your fabrics for testing. Everything else is pretty much the same as before, except you get to choose which sub-suppliers your factories work with. You may also have some additional costs based on where your new factories are located. Do these costs and your margin account for the exorbitant price tag? This cannot be proved or disproved but the point still stands that everything in this campaign is ridiculously expensive.

@Backers - Thank you all for the comments. This is what Kickstarter is great for, and it's exactly the reason why we're here. Regarding the previous comments, I’m happy to pitch in with our pricing strategy. But first, I believe it's important to grasp the severity of the impact of the typical apparel brand and dive into the practices that allow for competitive pricing. The typical sourcing process for a new apparel brand is to have a factory make all the choices in materials. I've seen this first hand because we’ve done it ourselves. But pleading ignorance to the sourcing practices of your very own factory is what gives the apparel industry its bad name, and the more we learned about the process, the more inclined we were to make the changes you see here today. Before Bensly, our main point of contact was one single factory. When this happens, they'll take shortcuts in any way they can, despite any specifications you may request. For example, when fabric orders are placed, the factory turns to their yarn suppliers who then proceed to source the fiber. That’s 3 steps in which someone is incentivized to cut corners, and when you source cheap yarns, dye-houses are forced to use chemicals to treat them for softness and pilling. We’ve specifically denied this practice and have avoided the use of the macro-silicone softener thanks to our amazing fiber quality. Thanks to our specific fiber specifications like twist-factors and fabric weight, we’ve also prevented pilling and have prevented further use of chemicals. Things have changed, and we've now connected with over 15 different factories involved in the production process. From tree farms, fiber makers, yarn makers, knitters, dye-houses, cutters, sewers, waistband makers, thread makers, and more, we’ve worked directly with every single one to ensure that they’re in line with our standards. We needed to ensure that we’re not only getting the best materials possible, but that they’re sourced properly, treated without harmful chemicals and worked on by people that are paid fair wages. Our fabrics are also certified sustainable. This means that after production has taken place, we send out samples of our textile to labs in Austria. They then analyze the fabrics and verify that the fiber that composes these textiles is in fact fiber grown from sustainable forestry. Yes, they’re able to tell where the fiber came from (that’s how advanced our new suppliers are). A common practice in the apparel industry is to replace yarns for cheaper versions during the production process (yes, this happens!), so this is done to ensure that the entire supply chain is kept clean. This is why we boast about certified fabrics. What you see in this campaign is the true cost of building sustainable and ethically crafted apparel. We’re not in the business of selling cheap apparel anymore. We’re over that, and after witnessing these practices, we’ll never head that way again. This is a brand for those interested in learning exactly what their products are made of, where their products are made and what choices affected each decision. It’s a brand for those interested in more than just a good looking t-shirt or a high-performance pair of boxer briefs, although we’ve certainly made that happen too. Your purchase will be both a satisfaction and a statement of opinion because your contribution the last step in developing clean and more sustainable industries around the world. In regards to pricing, we feel that we’re offering a fair deal for the quality and sustainability practices we’ve worked on. Kickstarter is not an avenue in which we pretend to be profitable, so we’ve priced each reward to account for production costs and the cost of getting the items to you. We’re on board with the platform because of the community and discussions like these, and we will most definitely return to retail pricing after the campaign ends, a point in which we hope to start turning a profit once our community has validated the amazing products we’re offering. We want as many people as possible to try our products, so today we’re introducing 2 new offers. International backers paying the $20 shipping charge will be granted an extra pair of underwear to make up for the charge. Moreover, those with pledges above $200 will get an additional pair of underwear free of charge. This $28 value can be converted and used towards any other product after the campaign ends. We hope this alleviates some pricing concerns :) If you have any questions or would like to speak directly with me, you can email me at miguel@bensly.com -Miguel / Founder

@Adam Mohammed,
Do you think everything is priced right in this campaign?

Justus and John C, I doubt it was many who complained overall, those who enjoyed are less likely to notify the creator of their positive opinion. Those who have a complaint will almost always make their opinion heard for change, thus it seems like "many" or "most" complained. The horizontal fly is far better than the vertical one.

@John-Paul. If you like the Comfortable Club modal t-shirts and undies, they are available on Amazon, in limited sizes, colors and quantities. T-shirts are 9.95 and undies are 6.95. I had dropped my pledge here to 1 boxer brief and got a few more of the modal t-shirts and undies. They've lost me as a customer after this campaign. I can't justify paying $70(retail), or $56(backer discount) for a t-shirt. I don't care if it feels like I'm being wrapped in angel wings, it's too high for me for a t-shirt.

Having purchased some boxers in the last campaign i was pleased to see this one come up, they are still the most comfortable boxers i've owned. Not so pleased with the price though, I wouldn't want to pay anymore than the $22.
I would have liked a pair of shorts and a hoodie but I feel they are too expensive considering how plain they are.

@Joe You're considered part of the United States by our shipping service :)