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.
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.
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 :)
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
I kept the post pretty gender neutral because I wanted to contribute to making a kind of ‘psuedo masterpost’ on the topic, and am hoping to invite a large swathe of experiences (goodness knows lemmy needs some haha)
A problem for me is I’ve always been too stingy to experiment, as your friends have, though I’m hoping to change and develop from there, but am hoping for advice to help narrow things down
kinda wish i had a swiss army knife now. will a woodcutting axe suffice?
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
Fantastic. Merino Wool is excellent at moisture and temperature regulation. Also highly anti bacterial. Obviously they make them in all sorts of weights.
I have some concerns with wool and the ability to be washed often. I do like to change my underwear rather often… How is your experience?
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.