Buying new underwear seems a bit pointless when you have a drawer filled with perfectly wearable pairs. However, just because your panties aren't threadbare and falling apart, doesn't mean you shouldn't buy new ones.
Knowing when and how often to change them out is tricky since they look clean and still fit. However, we're here to teach you how often you should be getting more, how to care for your existing ones and how to know when it's time to replace them.
How Often Should You Buy New Underwear?
Technically, your underwear always has bacteria on them — yes, even after they've just been washed.
This is because they sit directly on our groin which contains E. coli. You could try scrubbing it off your skin until you're blue in the face but you'll never be able to wash it away so, it ends up on your undies. Luckily, this bacteria is normal and doesn't harm you, as long as you wash them regularly enough.
So, how often should I actually buy new ones then?
We conducted a survey of over 2,000 people in the U.S. to see how often people actually do buy new underwear.
First, let's take a look at how often women buy new underwear.
As you can see, most women replace their underwear every three to six months. There are some who even get underwear every month!
For comparison, we also took a look at how often men buy new underwear. The results were pretty similar with a couple of differences.
Much fewer men buy their underwear on a monthly basis than women. That sticks pretty true to the stereotype that men hang on to their underwear until it's just a bunch of loose threads.
Most experts (stylists and fashion experts) recommend getting new underwear every six to twelve months.
But, you need to think about what core styles and pairs you typically wear to keep yourself comfortable. Not to mention that the material plays a part too. See, it's quite a tricky business!
In terms of bras, you need to figure out how many you regularly wear. Ideally, you should have one in the wash, one that you wear and a spare one. Although, this doesn't count sports bras, strapless or specific lingerie items.
For the undies themselves, it takes a lot more brainpower as you need to know what material they are made out of (check the label).
If you wear satin, polyester or any other synthetic fabric, you will need to switch them out more often than natural ones.
Why? Because they don't breathe or air out organically. This means they trap moisture (sweat, discharge, etc) inside which increases your risk of bacterial infections.
Panties made with cotton, however, enables the vagina to breathe and release the moisture. These won't need to be changed out as regularly since the infection risk is a lot lower.
Other than the fabric, your supply size will play a part in how often you should buy new underwear. People who own a large variety of undies can get away with not replacing them so often since they don't wear the same pair that much.
How Do You Know When It's Time to Buy More?
Obviously, if your underwear has visible tears or holes, it is time to get new ones. But, there is more to it than that.
Undies that have stretched to the point of slipping and sliding around underneath your clothing, it is time to say goodbye. This can be hard for some people since they tend to be the comfiest but you'll feel a lot better for it once you're adorned with a brand new pair.
In terms of bras, it can be tougher to figure it out. Usually, this is because women aren't wearing the right size initially, making it harder to judge. Our suggestion? Go to your local lingerie store and get a proper bra fit. Not only will you be more comfortable, but the health of your breasts will be upheld.
Once you acquire a bra that fits you properly and is in your recommended style, you should wear it on the loosest hook.
As time goes on, the fabric will stretch and you'll need to use the adjacent hook to tighten it. Eventually, you will reach the last hook.
At this point, take a look to see if the fabric is frayed, wires are popping out, straps are overstretched or the neckline is too loose. If they are, you need a new bra!
We were curious about what drives people to buy new underwear, so we asked! Here's what we found.
The top reason women buy new underwear is because their old underwear no longer fits (27%). This could be to weight gain or weight loss.
The second most popular reason was that they found a sale on underwear, which makes sense. If you know you're going to need new underwear soon, why wait and pay full price when you can get it right now at a discount?
It's also interesting to see how many women buy new underwear because they simply want to try a new style.
Again, for comparison we asked men the same question, and here's what we found.
As you can see, men are even more likely to buy underwear because their old ones don't fit (30%).
Another interesting difference is they're more likely to buy new ones because their old ones aren't wearable anymore. That actually coincides with the data we found for how long men wait to buy new underwear.
They're likely keeping their underwear for a longer period of time, and then buy new ones once their old pairs become unwearable.
One thing we take from this though, is if you want to get more life out of your underwear and not have to buy new undies as often, you should do your best to maintain every pair of panties, thongs, boyshorts or briefs you own.
How Should You Take Care of Underwear?
If you are serious about prolonging the life of your underwear, you should use a lingerie bag and the delicate cycle on your washing machine. This does feel like a lot of effort for your everyday panties but, it is the best way to get the most out of them.
When you wash delicate styles, you will need to wash them by hand, using soft detergent and room temperature water. You don't need to do too much, just let them soak in it for 45 minutes. Once the time is up, wring them out (gently) and leave them to dry. Ideally, lay them on a towel instead of hanging them up so their shape, feel and any intricate lace has a better chance of surviving.
Bras should also be hand washed. Putting them in the washing machine can cause the wires to warp and the fabrics to fray due to the heat, detergent and spin cycles.
However, if you simply don't have time (or the energy) for painstakingly handwashing each of your bras, there is an option for you. Use a wash bag, fasten the hooks and set your machine to a gentle, slow spin.
Whichever method you use to wash them, do not put them in the tumble dryer or hang them up. Instead, lay them flat so the fabric stays intact and doesn't stretch.
Besides washing, remember to rotate your bras so you aren't wearing the same one or two each day. This way, you will extend the life of all your undergarments, rather than wearing out the only two you're wearing.
Don't fret, a lot of women are guilty of wearing their favorite pairs over and over again. To combat this, just buy duplicates and rotate them so you never have to wear an uncomfortable bra again.
How Often do You Buy New Underwear?
Of course, you can change out your underwear as often or as little as you like. It's a very personal thing so only you can truly decide. But whatever you do, only wear a pair of knickers for one day before washing!
