Reccomendations for Purchasing Undergarments?
Reccomendations for Purchasing Undergarments?
Underwear is one of the things that I struggle to use second-hand, and I'm not sure if I intend to change that (lest some nowaste people teach me mystical ways and methods :P) But the fact is that I can only use what I've got currently for so long, and so I turn to you.
I am not looking for specific reccomendations exclusively, and the type of underwear (underpants, brasseries, undershirts) are all welcome for discussion! But I'm hoping to find advice which will help me find something that will last, and to a decent standard (i.e, don't use polyester socks, due to smell).
So please lend your advice for finding Bras, Briefs, Bobbysocks, and Bundershirts!
EDIT: Also advice on what materials are better suited to different climates is also well appreciated! (I tend to leave my posts personal detail agnostic so they can serve as resources for others :))
So in terms of purchasing undergarments, I have some main tips which mostly involve shopping in person if you can.
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Look at the thickness of the fabric. If you don't have any issues with wanting razor-thin seamless undergarments, thickness might guarantee more sturdy fabric.
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Look at the stitching. This sounds risky, but feel it up, tug at the seams, look at the degree of separation. It should feel sturdy. Also try avoiding elastics as much as possible.
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Check if the product is pre-washed or pre-shrunk, like in the case of cotton garments. Maybe check the washing label too. Your clothes should not lose quality and hold up well after many cycles of washing.
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Make sure the fit is comfortable. Tugging and stretching the clothing is going to wear them out a lot faster. But I also would avoid suspiciously stretchy fabric.
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Obviously, material. Yes this is basic, but opt for natural materials and natural colours. Yes, there's a lot of cool synthetic fabric out there, but tried and true is usually the best. (Also the best for the water that's gonna be used to wash those pieces of clothing)
Personally I think Pact is pretty neat. Affordable and they've got plenty of options and ship to a lot of places.
Personally the last underwear I bought was from a UK company called Knickey (now renamed to Subset) and some menstruation underwear from Wuka. The Subset ones are in perfect condition but the thick elastic from Wuka has started fraying unfortunately... It's up to you whether you buy something expensive or cheap, but how you treat your clothing will be the most important in making sure you don't have to keep buying new ones.
Also in my experience (and I know for a lot of people they're cute, but) AVOID. LACE. If you rly want cute undergarments, get a pair or two. But your everydays should be structurally simple. Any lace undergarments I've had (against my will) have deteriorated incredibly fast. I would advise against it.
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Jeebus, don't buy underwear for life, that's like buying toilet paper for life. Some things in life are inherently consumables and you have to get used to that. Buy whatever underwear fits you and is comfortable and not overpriced, and replace it when you have to. Material preferences will depend on you, your habits, climate, etc.
That's true, although some brands will still be better than others for quality at a certain price point, or cost/wear
sorry, I poorly communicated. I noted this probably isn't the right comm, but I'm hoping for advice on what things to look out for to ensure something that will last. Although on the toilet paper note, I hear some zerowaste people have something similar. No point to that, just felt like mentioning it haha
also undershirts and shapewear are underwear, but i didn't have a better all encompassing title, and to americans underwear = underpants alternate words are welcome, so I can edit :)
Heyo, just wanted to clarify your post is absolutely appropriate for this community, as despite the name, it is not exclusive to only things that literally last forever, we also welcome things that just last longer than average :)
Also @[email protected] and @[email protected]
OK, well, anyway I don't think you should ask gender neutrally since the women's underthings universe is completely different from the one for dudes. Brassieres in particular are a nontrivial feat of structural engineering that have to make various technological and cost trade-offs to provide the best mix of comfort and support. I don't wear them myself, but my lady friends tell me that you really have to shop around til you find a model that you like, then buy multiple units, and that they will probably be expensive.
My gender has an easier time of it. I just get the 9-packs of cheap white cotton ones at Target most of the time. The sizes run small so take that into consideration. The usual failure mode is that the elastic band around the top gradually detaches from the fabric underneath. If you're frugal you can repair that with some stitches.[1] Later the fabric starts falling apart or getting holes. In principle you could patch it, but really, just throw the damn things away (compost bin should be fine as they are mostly cotton) and buy new ones. I probably somehow lose them more frequently than I wear them out.
[1] If you want to go full on toxic(?) masculinity about this, the reamer in your Swiss army knife has a little hole, whose purpose is to let you use the reamer as a sewing needle. Here is a video about how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m92P6f8miBw
Sorry if this is overstepping, but I usually take this into account when recommending shops; What country or part of the world are you from?
I generally try to stay pretty terse in regards to information, but I think that leaving it general could be quite helpful, as it would invite a larger diversity of reccomendations that people in future could benefit from.
Alright then I'll try to diversify my sources
Seconding Darn Though socks. Best investment for your feet, not cheap but lifetime warratied!
Reminder to please not abuse Darn Tough's warranty everyone!
i.e. if you find a pair of darn tough socks at a thrift store for $1, cool great find! Enjoy your almost free, very long lasting pair of high quality socks. But that does not entitle you to turn around and return those socks for a warranty on a brand new pair forever.
People abusing warranties is how every lifetime warranty eventually gets gutted. So if you like the socks, support the brand so they stay around awhile.
P.S. they are Made in Vermont
For items that are not truely bifl like underwear, my own philosophy is to at least then get something that will 100% compost or disintegrate back into nature should it ever end up in a land field. Sadly underware often contains Spandex or other synthetic materials so this has actually been a difficult one for me. I have found some 100% cotton but trey are really expensive and I needed to pay a lot of shipping too so I didn't do it. I ended up just buying more of my current brand that at least lasts really long. I have underwear that is around 8 years old now and used a lot. The brand is JBS and they have both Bamboo and cotton versions. But still contains Spandex
Bombas makes really high quality stuff that tends to last. Darn Tough socks have lifetime warranties, so they'll replace old pairs for free.
Might not be the most environmentally friendly, but I can say from personal experience that these silver impregnated hiking shorts are both smell free and last about a decade.
So, given other comments, rather than BIFL, are you looking for good quality, long lasting undergarments? Based on the bras part, mainly women's undergarments?
The subreddit (sorry for directing to that site) ABraThatFits improved my life considerably. In addition to guides on measurements and sizes and shapes, there are tons of recommendations to suit the different measurements. The people responsible did an excellent job of data collection, and I hope the info remains available so others can benefit.
Maybe I've just been skimming over things, but doesn't the sub only really provide guides for sizing? Personally, I'm asking for advice on material, and being able to appraise pieces that will have a longer lifecycle, y'know, sustainability and cost effectiveness and all :)
also no, you will not be forgiven
pretty much. I knew this wasn't exactly the right community (give reccs if u can), but I'm hoping theres enough overlap for good reccomendations :)
also feel free to talk about any genders garments irregardless of my own criteria, it could help others in the future!
(Psst, heads up, it's one of my favorite fake words because of the G. W. Bush fiasco, but "irregardles" isn't a word, you're looking for "regardless." Not trying to be a dick just trying to help!)
Can't help on the suggestions, I'm here for some myself! Wish I could though!
Ex officio, darn tough.
I wear them now, and wore them my whole time as a firefighter. They worked in hot and cold climates and I promise they wick moisture well lol
I have recently started buying bamboo based socks and boxer shorts, and it's pretty great and seems to stay elastic and soft a really long time. A bit too soon for clear conclusions, but talking to others who have used it longer it seems promising.
Shouldn't be too bad for the climate either, as bamboo is a pretty easy going and fast growing plant.
Unfortunately the environmental impact depends on the processing used. The cheapest and easiest version is unfortunately chemically intensive and basically the same way they make rayon. There are other options, but then the price goes up. So extra due diligence is required if you are concerned about the impact of your bamboo clothes.
Thanks! That's something I will have to read up on for sure.
I've heard bamboo can be good. How is your experience with them in extreme temperatures?
I haven't tried in very warm climates yet, but I think they should do well. Seem to breathe well - yesterday I had a full day of traveling in heavy hiking boots from the snowy Alps through hours on a bus then plane and finally relatively warmer climates, and the socks performed great the entire way. No need to change them when I finally got home, which is certainly not to my feet's credit.
I think they will perform well in pretty much any setting where you would traditionally use cotton socks. When I went on hikes in the Alps I wore woolen socks, so I don't know how the bamboo ones would have held up.
Oh I can help! Got me some bamboo boxer briefs, they're at least comparable to "normal" ones if not better in ~100°f or so heat, but of course it's still fucking hot.
Not entirely sure if this is BIFL material, but I didn't know of any other comms, suggestions are reccomended, I can crosspost :)