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 :))

  • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
    312·
    11 hours ago

    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.

    • Otter@lemmy.caEnglish
      14·
      11 hours ago

      That’s true, although some brands will still be better than others for quality at a certain price point, or cost/wear

    • rosahaj@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      10·
      11 hours ago

      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 :)

      • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5·
        11 hours ago

        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

        • rosahaj@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
          4·
          11 hours ago

          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?

          • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            10 hours ago

            The axe is better for making your own furniture. The word “hacker” supposedly originally referred to people who made furniture that way.

            • LH0ezVT@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              1·
              4 hours ago

              Here I was thinking it came from typing fast.

              Anyway, whenever someone says “hacker-proof”, now imagine Thorbjörn the Cruel with his trusty battle axe.