Yes I did invent the Stashitware Pocket Underwear. After losing my wallet back in 2005 or so I decided there had to be a better way to carry my cash and cards when traveling out in public. So I thought what could be more secure and out of reach of a pickpocket than your underwear. So I took a pair of name brand underwear and looked at it for many many hours trying to think how I could put a pocket in the underwear that would be easily accessible for placing my valuables in the pocket and retrieving the valuables out of the pocket. I noticed that there was the fly openings that had a place already made that you could put something in. The only problem was it would fall out if you moved around to much. So I said to myself, "Self, why not sew the fly holes shut and this would make a pocket that would not allow the stashed item, cash, to fall out". So I bought a sewing machine and over the course of about 3 days and many pair of ruined underwear I managed to teach myself how to sew two pieces of material together. I then sewed the fly holes shut on a pair of underwear and Stashitware was born. Well almost. Still had a problem. No pocket opening. What a bummer. So I arranged to meet with 6 women I knew had all worked in sewing factories in my area. We got together and I ask them how to sew a pocket opening in the underwear so that it would allow access to the pocket. The unanimous conclusion was that I could not do it so I was very disappointed but did not give up. Instead I took a pair of sizzors and cut the opening right below the waistband. There are two layers of material here. I cut along the bottom of the waistband from the left front seam to the right front seam and then about one half inch down on each seam. I then cut a piece of banding from another pair of the underwear and sewed in onto the cut piece of material. I then sewed the ends down right at the seams and then yes it was a miracle. I sewed about 30 or 40 pair before I did it good enough to sell them.
No I did not invent pocket underwear. Before Stashitware people had been putting little tiny pockets on underwear for condoms. Remember that? But no one had a pocket like mine. Now my idea has been copied in one form or another by other companies big and small but it all started here. I must be a genius.
Now for a name. So when I told people about my idea and how I would be stashing my money and valuables in my underwear they said you are going to "Stash it Where?" Sounded good to me so I took the other 2 versions of this and went with Stashitware for the name of the company and Stashitwear for the name to reference the underwear itself.
After I started having them manufactured I needed to test them. How best to test them than by experts on pickpockets. So I contacted Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno who are the most knowledgeable people in the world on pickpockets and thieves. Bob Arno himself is one of the best pickpockets in the world. They agreed to test them for me free of charge because this is what they do. They are always trying new things and are always interested in any way to beat the pickpockets and thieves around the world and in all situations. So I sent them several pair, men's and women's, and they wore them in real situations and this is what they had to say about Stashitware.
"I have to laugh at the great sense of humor shown by the creators of Stashitware, men’s and women’s pickpocket proof underwear. Start with the name: where do you stash your s**t? The product better be good, because the name begs to be shortened to S**tware if not.
But it IS good. It’s great. The men’s and women’s models have huge, deep pockets, into which endless items can be stuffed. Stashitware’s made for stashing and it does a stellar job of it. What and why you want to stash is your business.
The undies look good. They’re comfortable, even loaded. Wearing a medium boxer brief Bob packed in his passport, credit cards, a camera battery, and cash. There was room for more, but he wouldn’t want to bulk up with more than that down his pants.
The small men’s boxer brief was too tight for my skinny husband, but great for me! So I had four pairs to test: the comfy men’s, and three designs made for women: a boy brief, bikini brief, and thong, which all held progressively less as they got skimpier. I comfortably carried a camera battery, cash, two credit cards, a passport, and an iPhone in the men’s small shorts and the women’s boy briefs. The bikini and thong, with their low cuts, naturally hold less.
Stashitware Pickpocket Proof Underwear
These good-looking skivvies are pickpocket proof underwear. With their easy-access pockets, they’re also pretty convenient, though in some situations a little privacy might be in order before deep digging.
Stashitware pocket pants should be in vending machines in the lobbies of hotels in cities with a pickpocket reputation. In airport arrival halls, too. They would put pickpockets out of business—and this blog, too.
“If these were in stores,” Bob Arno said, “pickpockets would become shoplifters to get them off the shelves.”
UPDATE May 2, 2012: I wore Stashitware on the world’s most crowded trains, trains so crowded you have to see them to believe it, and I have to say: I loved Stashitware! I never worried about my cash, credit cards, and ID. It was perfectly comfortable to carry it all in Stashitware. None of the many kinds of pickpockets would be able to get it. And my stuff was quick and simple to get out and put back. Excellent pickpocket proof underwear. And no—I have no connections with the company."
Bambi Vincent.