Commando (company)

{{short description|American underwear company}} {{Infobox company | name = Commando LLC | logo = Commando logo tagline.jpg | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | logo_padding = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | former_name = Her Look Enterprises LLC | type = Private | industry = Clothing | founded = 2003 | founder = Kerry O'Brien | hq_location = South Burlington, Vermont | hq_location_city = | hq_location_country = | area_served = International | key_people = | products = Undergarments | num_employees = 50 | brands = | services = | owner =  | ratio =  | rating =  | website = }} '''Commando''' is an American underwear company based in Vermont. Founder Kerry O'Brien pioneered "raw cut" undergarments with no seams, elastic or trim on the edges.<ref name=guide/> Commando is reportedly more present at red carpet events<ref name=goodman/> such as the Academy Awards and New York Fashion Week than any other underwear brand.<ref name=ny/> The undergarments appear at over 30 New York Fashion Week shows per season.<ref name=burlington/>

==History== Kerry O'Brien, former senior vice president for Weber Shandwick, initially founded the company in 2003 when she launched ''Takeouts'', a line of removable bra inserts packaged in Chinese-food type containers.<ref name=seven/><ref name=ny/><ref name=boston/> In 2005, O'Brien introduced her line of "raw cut" undergarments called ''Commando,'' named after the phrase "going commando." After the line's launch, it received attention from fashion designers around the country and the company was later renamed Commando.<ref name=guide/>

Initially, O'Brien sold her line to retailers door to door. In the first year of operations, more than 500 stores sold Commando<ref name=ny/> and the company reached $1 million in sales.<ref name=more/>

O'Brien designs undergarments that do not show under clothing and are made without elastic.<ref name=huff/><ref name=pink/> Her elastic-free waistband<ref name=huff/><ref name=fwn/> and weighted slip are patented.<ref name=burlington/><ref name=justia/> Commando undergarments led to O'Brien's nomination to serve on the Council of Fashion Designers of America.<ref name=seven/><ref name=wwd/>

In 2005, O’Brien introduced the company’s signature raw‑cut undergarments, designed without elastic or trim to eliminate visible panty lines, and soon renamed the company Commando after the colloquial phrase “going commando.” The brand quickly expanded through direct sales to retailers and became known for its fabric‑forward innovation and celebrity following. Originally focused on intimate apparel, Commando extended its offerings into hosiery, shapewear, and ready‑to‑wear apparel throughout the 2010s. Wikipedia

In September 2024, Commando launched its first men’s underwear and essentials collection, featuring briefs, trunks, and undershirts engineered with the brand’s signature focus on comfort and technical fabrics. This marked the company’s first formal entry into menswear after nearly two decades as a women’s fashion brand. CFDA

In 2025, Commando celebrated its 20th anniversary as a design and fashion brand. The milestone year included a curated Founders Collection highlighting signature pieces that shaped the brand’s evolution and a larger campaign spotlighting its legacy of innovation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Kaleigh |title=How Commando Founder Kerry O’Brien Found Her Footing In The Fashion Industry |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaleighmoore/2020/01/23/how-commando-founder-kerry-obrien-found-her-footing-in-the-fashion-industry/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200126144526/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaleighmoore/2020/01/23/how-commando-founder-kerry-obrien-found-her-footing-in-the-fashion-industry/ |archive-date=2020-01-26 |access-date=2025-12-19 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

Founder and CEO Kerry O’Brien has been recognized within the fashion industry for her contributions. In October 2025, she was honored with the Fashion Group International Founders’ Award at the 41st Annual FGI Night of Stars gala, celebrating her impact on fashion and the brand’s longevity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferere |first=Cassell |title=Fashion Group International’s 41st Gala Celebrates A Resilient Legacy |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cassellferere/2025/10/21/fashion-group-internationals-41st-gala-celebrates-a-resilient-legacy/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251022074838/https://www.forbes.com/sites/cassellferere/2025/10/21/fashion-group-internationals-41st-gala-celebrates-a-resilient-legacy/ |archive-date=2025-10-22 |access-date=2025-12-19 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

Commando’s cultural footprint has grown beyond intimate apparel, with prominent media coverage acknowledging its evolution from undergarments to a comprehensive fashion brand across ready‑to‑wear, hosiery, and wardrobe staples for a diverse clientele. A 2025 feature in People magazine highlighted the brand’s 20‑year journey and ongoing influence in fashion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=She Made the World’s Most Comfortable Thong. 20 Years Later, Commando’s Kerry O’Brien Is Disrupting Your Whole Closet |url=https://people.com/commando-founder-kerry-obrien-reflects-on-20-years-of-comfort-confidence-and-building-community-exclusive-11867038 |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Overview== Commando products are made with microfiber,<ref name=wcax/><ref name=nymag/> seamless,<ref name=more/> and are raw cut. They are sold online<ref name=seven/> as well as in 1,200 department stores including Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.<ref name=burlington/><ref name=wcax/><ref name=pink/> Commando is considered to have a wide celebrity following and has been worn by public figures such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Emily Blunt, Emma Watson, Kim Kardashian, Kristen Stewart and Jennifer Lawrence.<ref name=fashion/><ref name=pop/> Fashion stylists and fashion labels that use the brand include Brad Goreski, Prabal Gurung, Lela Rose, Milly, Monique Lhuillier, Tracy Reese, Rodarte and Nicole Miller.<ref name=fashion/><ref name=elle/><ref name=nymag/>

==References== <references>

<ref name=goodman>{{cite web| url=http://www.whowhatwear.com/underwear-every-celebrity-wears-red-carpet/| title=The Underwear Every Celebrity Wears on the Red Carpet| author=Elyssa Goodman| date=February 26, 2016| publisher=Who What Wear| access-date=May 18, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522085138/http://www.whowhatwear.com/underwear-every-celebrity-wears-red-carpet| archive-date=May 22, 2016| url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=seven>{{cite web| url=http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/for-one-vermont-company-going-commando-means-success/Content?oid=2185048| title=For One Vermont Company, "Going Commando" Means Success| author=Kim MacQueen| date=September 5, 2012| publisher=Seven Days| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=ny>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/fashion/what-lies-beneath-that-oscars-outfit.html?_r=0| title=What Lies Beneath That Oscars Outfit?| author=Caroline Tell| date=February 20, 2015| publisher=The New York Times| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=burlington>{{cite web| url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/money/2014/05/01/south-burlington-undergarments-company-commando/8524827/| title=Who says undergarments need to tug and bind?| author=Lynn Monty| date=May 1, 2014| publisher=Burlington Free Press| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=guide>{{cite web| url=http://www.vermontguides.com/2013/commando1113.html| title=Lingerie that hasn’t stayed hidden| author=Will Lindner| date=November 2013| publisher=Business People-Vermont| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=fashion>{{cite web| url=http://fashionweekdaily.com/intimates-appeal-meet-commandos-kerry-obrien/| title=Intimates Appeal: Meet Commando's Kerry O'Brien| author=Dena Silver| date=February 13, 2015| publisher=Fashion Week Daily| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=huff>{{cite web| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/24/commando-underwear-kerry-obrien-finance-fashion-week_n_5845040.html| title=From Finance To Fashion Week, One Woman's Path In Pursuit Of Good Underwear| author=Jamie Feldman| date=September 24, 2014| publisher=Huffington Post| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=wcax>{{cite web| url=http://www.wcax.com/story/25493801/mivt-lingerie-built-for-style-and-comfort| title=Lingerie built for style and comfort| author=Gina Bullard| date=May 12, 2014| publisher=WCAX| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=pink>{{cite web| url=http://www.littlepinkbook.com/kerry-obrien-founder-her-look-enterprises/| title=Kerry O'Brien - Founder, Her Look Enterprises| author=Taylor Mallory| date=May 20, 2013| publisher=Little Pink Book| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=nymag>{{cite web| url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/09/underwear-hiding-under-fashion-week-outfits.html| title=The Underwear Hiding Under Fashion Week Outfits| author=Julie Ma| date=September 4, 2013| publisher=NY Magazine| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=more>{{cite web| url=http://www.more.com/reinvention-money/rewards-going-commando| title=The Rewards of Going Commando| author=Amanda Robb| publisher=More| access-date=May 18, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405010517/http://www.more.com/reinvention-money/rewards-going-commando| archive-date=April 5, 2016| url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=boston>{{cite web| url=https://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2009/07/16/kerry_obrien_discusses_her_underwear_line/| title=Under achiever| author=Hayley Kaufman| date=July 16, 2009| publisher=Boston.com| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=elle>{{cite web| url=http://www.elle.com/fashion/news/a26727/go-commando-how-designers-get-rid-of-panty-lines/| title=Go Commando: The Secret Weapon Behind NYFW's Best Looks| author=Hayley Phelan| date=February 12, 2015| publisher=Elle| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=pop>{{cite web| url=http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Underwear-Wear-Sheer-Dress-36957639#photo-36957639| title=6 Stars Who Went Commando on the Red Carpet| date=February 26, 2015| author=Sarah Wailak| publisher=Popsugar| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=wwd>{{cite web| url=http://wwd.com/markets-news/intimates-activewear/commando-kerry-obrien-sleepwear-10131175/| title=Commando Marks 10 Years| author=Aria Hughes| date=May 20, 2015| publisher=WWD| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=fwn>{{cite web| url=http://footwearnews.com/2015/fashion/uncategorized/celebrity-hosiery-brand-commando-25330/| title=Commando: The Hosiery That's Shaping Celebrities| author=Mosha Lundstrom Halbert| date=April 24, 2015| publisher=Footwear News| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=justia>{{cite web| url=http://patents.justia.com/inventor/kerry-k-o-brien| title=Patents by Inventor Kerry K. O'Brien| publisher=Justia| access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

</references>

==External links== *{{URL| http://www.wearcommando.com}}

Category:Companies based in Vermont Category:American companies established in 2003 Category:2003 establishments in Vermont Category:Clothing companies established in 2003 Category:Clothing companies of the United States

Commando (company)

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