One of the biggest perks of being an adult is saying goodbye to some of the trials and tribulations that plagued you as a child; however, not every issue stays behind, as some can affect people of all ages. The dreaded wedgie is one of the yesteryear problems that you may have to contend with as an adult.
Now that you’re an adult, if you find that your underwear is riding up on a constant basis, you’re probably wondering why – and more importantly, what you can do to fix it. Certain types of men’s and women’s underwear are more prone to riding up. The size, the fit, the material, and even the age of the undies can also contribute to this annoying problem. Walking around with gobs of fabric stuck between your bum cheeks, not only is it downright uncomfortable, but it can also be pretty embarrassing.
If your underwear keeps on riding up, keep on reading to find out what causes wedgies in the first place and to find out what you can do to leave this undergarment issue where it belongs: in the past.
What Causes Wedgies, Anyway?
In order to successfully combat any problem, you need to understand what’s causing it in the first place; and that is absolutely the case when you’re trying to win the battle against wedgies.
So, why does underwear ride up? There are three main factors that contribute to the problem:
The wrong size
When your undies are too big or too small, it’s almost guaranteed that they’re going to ride up. When you’re walking, running, climbing steps, dancing, or even just getting up and down from a chair – as your body moves, instead of moving with you, your bloomers are going to move, too. If your panties are too big, the excess fabric has to go somewhere, and it tends to move toward the crack between your bum cheeks. If your boxer briefs are too small, as the fabric stretches out, it won’t cover your rear-end properly, and the strain can make them ride up in your butt crack.
Poor fit
Certain underwear fits are more prone to riding up than others; bikinis and briefs are notorious for wedgies. Why? Because the fit covers less of the bum, and when that happens, well, the fabric shifts and rides up when you move.
Age
The older your underwear is, the more likely it is that they’re going to ride up your butt. As the fabric ages and the more it’s washed, the fibers will start to break down, and when that happens, they begin stretching and drooping. Once the elasticity that allowed them to stay put when you moved gives out, the fabric is going to shift, gravitate toward your crack, and ride up in your bum.
How to Prevent Wedgies
Now that you understand the main factors that cause underwear to ride up, you start understanding what you can do to prevent the problem from happening. With the following tips, you’ll be able to keep your undies in place – and you’ll finally be able to kiss those wedgies goodbye, once and for all!
Assess Your Underwear
Take the time to go through your collection of undies. Pull them out of your drawer and examine them closely. If they’re old (in the world of underwear, one year is considered old), there are holes (even if they’re small), they’re speckled with stains (again, even tiny ones), the material is stretched out, or the color has faded, it’s time to retire them. As discussed above, older undies are much more likely to ride up, because instead of staying in place like they’re supposed to when you move, they’re going to shift toward your butt crack.
The increased risk of developing wedgies isn’t the only reason why you should ditch older undies; in fact, more importantly, you should get rid of them for your health. A lot of dirt, debris, and bacteria collects in your underwear, and no matter how frequently you wash them, those particles can get trapped within the fibers. Wearing bacteria-laden undies isn’t exactly good for your health.
Make Sure the Size is Right
Making sure your underwear is appropriately sized is crucial, not only to prevent them from riding up, but for your comfort, too. Remember that if they’re too big or too small, they’re going to shift and the fabric is going to gravitate toward your crack, leaving you with a wedgie.
Trying to find appropriately sized undies may be a bit more challenging than it seems. While going into the store and buying a pile of underwear that’s all the same size would be lovely, it’s important to understand that the sizing may vary from one brand and one style to another. Furthermore, you can’t try undies on before you buy them. Despite these two factors, you can make an informed decision about the sizing. Here’s how:
