4 Underwear Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Underwear for men. It’s a foundation garment, it’s something most of us wear, and it’s something most of us don’t give a second thought to. Did you know that there’s a wrong way to handle your underwear, that you can make mistakes in choosing the right underwear for your needs, and that there’s even a wrong way to wash and dry your underwear? Don’t panic, just keep reading to learn about some common underwear mistakes that men make, plus we’ll give you some underwear advice along the way.

The mistake: You’re drying your underwear wrong.

Washing your boxers is good, but putting them into the dryer on high heat is bad. We’re not going to tell you how to live your life, but we will tell you that that’s definitely the wrong way to dry your underwear. Why?

The heat from your dryer damages the stretch in the fabric, as well as in the elasticated leg bands and waistband. That may not seem like a big deal, but over time and after many wash-and-dry sessions, you’ll start to notice that your underwear fits more loosely than before. You’ll find that your boxer briefs, which used to fit like a dream, are now hanging off your body and getting wrinkly under your pants, which is unpleasant in so many ways.

The solution: Air dry, or just dry them more gently.

The next time you put your underwear in the washing machine, let it air dry afterwards. To get even better results, choose the hand wash setting on your washing machine, or just wash them by hand yourself. This will extend the longevity of your underwear and give you that perfect fit for, like, way longer.

The mistake: You’re wearing underwear made of the wrong fabric.

The next time it’s time to buy new underwear, think about what you’re going to do in it. The activities you do in your underwear will determine which materials you should seek out. For instance, although many of us default to cotton, cotton is great for daily wear but not as optimal for exercising or playing sports.

The solution: Learn which fabrics are good for what and shop accordingly.

If you plan to work out in your underwear, you need a fit that will allow full freedom of motion. You also need to choose breathable, moisture-wicking materials. We have a line of underwear specially designed for staying active, which has mesh cutouts and a design that reduces chafing.

If, on the other hand, you just plan to hang out in your underwear, you can go with stretch cotton. Or, for even more comfort, choose microfiber like our specialty ComfortTech fabric. Microfiber is specially designed to be extra soft, and ours goes above and beyond. There’s a reason people use microfiber towels to clean their cars: it’s so soft that it won’t scratch the paint, and your skin deserves that same softness.

The mistake: You don’t wash your underwear after every wear.

Do you take pride in being low maintenance? That’s all good and well, but it’s still important to wear clean clothes on the daily. Yes, even if you’re sitting around the house. Not only will you feel better if you’re wearing clean underwear, you’ll also smell better.

Think about everything your underwear goes through in a day. It’s in direct contact with your body all day long and it absorbs your sweat. Underwear holds onto bacteria, which causes odors. It can also hold onto particles from your pee and poop – yes, even if you wipe adequately, there will still be at least a trace left over. Over time, all of the nastiness will build up and people might start avoiding getting too close to you for the sake of their olfactory health. Most people in your life will be polite and won’t directly tell you that you smell, but they will notice. Trust us.

The solution: …wash your underwear after every wear.

It’s pretty self-explanatory. To avoid unpleasantness, wash your underwear between wears, and don’t wear the same pair more than one day in a row. It’s okay to sleep in your underwear as long as you change into a new pair in the morning. As we stated above, when you’re washing your undies between wears, be sure to wash them in a gentle cycle and air dry for optimal results. You don’t have to wash your underwear the second you take it off, but you do have to wash it before you wear it again.

Get into this habit and not only will you smell better, you’ll also feel better. Fabric feels so nice when it’s freshly washed, and sliding into a fresh pair of underwear is a great ritual to start your day off on the right foot. Think of it this way: you deserve to start your day feeling refreshed, from your energy levels down to your underwear.

The mistake: Choosing underwear that’s too tight.

If your underwear is digging into your skin, is uncomfortable, and doesn’t give you a little room to breathe, it’s probably too tight. It may not seem like a big deal, but wearing too-tight underwear can lead to health problems in the long run, plus…why would you want to keep wearing ill-fitting undergarments? You don’t have to go through life uncomfortable.

The solution: Check the size chart again.

Bodies change over time and underwear that used to fit you can get too tight or too loose over the years as your weight fluctuates. If you’re finding that your underwear is too tight, that’s a sign that you should measure yourself again. Take your measuring tape out and measure around the fullest part of your hips, then use that measurement to find the right size. If you order that size and it still doesn’t fit, size up and order another pair. You want it to fit snug, but not too snug. It’s hard to explain, but you’ll know you have the right fit when you feel it. Keep in mind that people tend to need different sizes in different brands. Just because you’re an L in one brand doesn’t mean you can’t be an XL in a different brand and an M in yet another one. Always check the size chart when you’re buying new underwear and make sure it’s going to fit you. Also, most importantly, don’t worry so much about the size itself. Instead, just try it on and concentrate on how you feel when you’re wearing it. As long as it fits, it was meant for you.