admin If you’ve been stumped by the BVD competitor WSJ crossword clue, you’re not alone. Crossword solvers frequently search for this tricky entry because it combines brand recognition with crossword-friendly letter counts. In the September 19, 2025 edition of the Wall Street Journal Crossword, the clue reappeared and left many scratching their heads.
In this guide, we’ll break down what the clue means, reveal the correct answer, explain why it fits, show you variations that have appeared in other puzzles, and share solving strategies so you never get stuck on “BVD competitor” again.
“BVD competitor Crossword Answer
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Table of Contents
What Does “BVD Competitor” Mean in a Crossword?
When crossword editors use a clue like “BVD competitor”, they are referring to brand competition in the men’s underwear market.
- BVD is a classic American brand of men’s underwear, with a long history going back to the late 1800s.
- A “competitor” means another major underwear brand rival.
- Crossword constructors love using familiar brands because:
- They’re recognizable to solvers.
- They fit common crossword grids (short 4-6 letter entries).
- They create straightforward, fair definitions.
That’s why “BVD competitor” is a direct definition clue — it doesn’t rely on puns, wordplay, or anagrams. It’s asking for another well-known brand in the same category.
The Answer: HANES
The correct solution to “BVD competitor WSJ crossword clue” is HANES.
Why?
- Hanes is one of the most famous underwear brands, alongside BVD, Jockey, and Fruit of the Loom.
- It’s a perfect five-letter match for the grid.
- It’s widely used in both WSJ and other crossword series.
Crossword tracking sites confirm that “BVD competitor” → “HANES” has appeared multiple times across different crossword platforms, making it the standard answer.
Why “HANES” Fits the Clue
To see why HANES is the best fit, let’s break it down:
- Letter Count: Five letters, common in crossword grids.
- Category Fit: Same product type as BVD (underwear, briefs, apparel).
- Cultural Recognition: Hanes is a household name, famously endorsed by celebrities like Michael Jordan.
- Historical Rivalry: Hanes and BVD have been competitors in the U.S. underwear market for decades.
Alternative answers like “JOCKEY” or “FRUIT” sometimes pop up in solver databases, but when the letter count and crossings are considered, HANES is the overwhelmingly correct choice.
Clue Usage History & Variations
The clue “BVD competitor” has appeared not only in the WSJ Crossword, but also in puzzles from other major outlets, including:
- Newsday Crossword
- LA Times Crossword
- Universal Crossword
Common variations include:
- BVD rival
- Underwear brand
- Briefs competitor
- Fruit of the Loom alternative
These variations show how puzzle editors recycle brand rivalry themes to create familiar yet solvable entries.
Other Possible Answers (and Why They’re Wrong)
Solver sites like Wordplays or CrosswordTracker sometimes list alternate possibilities. Some entries include:
- JOCKEY (7 letters, too long for WSJ grid)
- FRUIT (short for “Fruit of the Loom,” but rarely clued this way)
- CK (Calvin Klein, but too short and rarely accepted)
Why they don’t fit:
- Wrong letter count.
- Too obscure or incomplete for WSJ standards.
- Lack of direct competition history with BVD.
Thus, HANES remains the reliable solution.
How to Solve “BVD Competitor” Quickly
Here are strategies to spot “HANES” when you see “BVD competitor” in the WSJ crossword:
- Think of classic underwear brands: BVD, Hanes, Jockey, Fruit of the Loom.
- Check the letter count: “HANES” almost always fits the 5-letter slot.
- Look at crossing letters: Common grid pattern looks like
_ A _ E S. - Avoid red herrings: Don’t overcomplicate — it’s a simple brand rivalry clue.
- Use brand association: If BVD is mentioned, Hanes is the strongest rival clue setters expect you to recall.
Related Crossword Clues
The “BVD competitor” WSJ clue belongs to a larger family of brand rivalry clues. Other examples include:
- Fruit of the Loom rival → HANES
- Jockey competitor → BVD
- Briefs brand → JOCKEY
- T-shirt maker → HANES
Puzzle constructors love these because they:
- Use well-known brands.
- Offer short, crossword-friendly answers.
- Provide fairness — solvers can guess logically.
FAQs
1. What is the answer to the “BVD competitor” crossword clue?
The answer is HANES, a 5-letter underwear brand.
2. Which crossword first used this clue?
It has appeared in multiple puzzles, but in the WSJ Crossword it was most recently featured on September 19, 2025.
3. Are there alternate answers to “BVD competitor”?
Occasionally, sites list JOCKEY or FRUIT, but HANES is by far the standard solution.
4. Why do crossword editors use brand rivalry clues?
They’re recognizable, fair, and easy to construct with short words.
5. How can I get better at solving WSJ crosswords?
Look for brand categories, rivals, and cultural references. Keep lists of common brands that appear in puzzles.
Conclusion
It is no doubt that the BVD competitor WSJ crossword clue is but for starters, as soon as you learn the trick, this is no longer a difficult task. The answer to this, indeed, is the famous underwear brand, and it’s also a staple crossword entry, that is to say, HANES.
Not only will you learn that the former brand BVD has a rival in the latter brand Hanes who, by the way, makes this brand more competitive, but you will also come to a quicker solution of the puzzle and consequently greatly improve your skill in deciphering the such brand related puzzles.
The next time you see “BVD competitor” appear in the crossword, you will be master, and if thus, you will even have one clue in the WSJ crossword puzzle, the one of the favorite tricks of them being solved.
