New development in underpants could put an end to builder's bum and plumber's crack

A Frenchman is hoping to revolutionize the building and services trade after inventing special underwear that caters for the infamous "builder's bum", the unfortunate moment when a tradesman or woman bends down and reveals the top end of their backside.

Adrien Herve-Pellissier, a 24-year-old man from Rennes in western France, thinks he has cracked the problem. "I'd seen a particularly bad example on the street in Rennes, and my friend who works in construction says he sees it all the time," he said.
Herve-Pellissier has now developed "Le sourire de plombier", a boxer short that keeps the builder's dignity intact. The product is simple, he explained. "The underwear has a large elastic band on it, you see, so when you squat down we don't have to see your arse." He says he is already looking into the possibility of shifting the business from the online world into shops.

He is also working on an alternative for women. "A lot of people laugh when they hear about the underwear, but in a positive way. I get a lot of encouragement from all kinds of people: men, women, young and old," he said. "I'm not changing the world ... maybe just a bit. It's not like I've found a cure for Aids - just for the builder's crack," he added.