There’s been a strange phenomenon occurring these last couple months, and I don’t think it’s going to stop anytime soon. Several companies have begun selling articles of clothing for men that had previously been reserved for women: bras, Spanx-like undershirts, pantyhose, girdles, and skirts. And it doesn’t stop there. Today, Just Jared reported that “All My Children” star Cameron Mathison wore a thong in last Wednesday’s episode of the show.

Most people have seen these items and been aghast. “I don’t wear girdles and pantyhose, and I wouldn’t want a man I’m dating to be of such a vain sort to want to either. And as shallow as it sounds, if a guy needs a bra, he needs a workout routine too,” said Frisky commenter DancerNinja. Contrary to popular opinion, I’m actually quite pleased that these items have become available for men and might enter their wardrobes.

First we heard about mantyhose, then about spanx-like six-pack undershirts, and now…bras for men? A Japanese online shop called Wishroom sold over 300 men’s bras in its first two weeks after launching last month. Like mantyhose and the 6-pack undershirt, these bras seem to be marketed not at cross-dressers or gay men, but at guys as straight as a ruler. “I like this tight feeling,” a guy groping his bra-clad chest happily stated to the interviewer, “It feels good.” (That’s not what she said). Clip above. 

Any idea what traditionally woman-centric product we’ll see marketed for men next? [Guardian U.K.]