My Shrinking Underwear

[Gryffindorian]

I use mostly briefs and boxer briefs every day, and I've always been a size Medium when it comes to clothing (shirts, jeans, pants, undies, etc.).

My problem is that my underwear shrinks after a given period, say a few months. Weight isn't the issue. Although I admit I may have gained a few pounds over the holiday season, it's not enough that I have to upgrade to a larger size. In fact, I lost some weight last summer, and even now I still have to tighten my belt so that my pants won't drop (pants on the ground).

I blame it all on the clothes dryer. The fabric I wear is mostly a cotton and polyester combination that shrinks easily. So now I've just cleaned up my underwear drawer full of poor fitting Hanes and Jockey briefs, trunks, and boxer briefs of various colors. I don't suppose I could donate men's used underwear to charity?

Do other guys (and women) run into the same problem? How often must you shop for new undies or replace your collection? What say you?

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I wear Fruit of the Loom boxer-briefs, and that's 100% cotton. I've never had an issue with them shrinking. I wear a large, btw. Maybe we can switch underwear?

I buy a new pack of underwear (4 to a pack) ever 6 months or so.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Awesome, I haven't tried that brand. What sucks is when the waistband gets tight and irritating, though I don't get any ride-ups. It can get expensive, too, shopping for new ones. Hey, I like your idea about switching. We could trade with each other for keepsakes.

 

[Kelthaz]

I like Under Armour. They're expensive, but well worth it.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Awesome, I haven't tried that brand. What sucks is when the waistband gets tight and irritating, though I don't get any ride-ups. It can get expensive, too, shopping for new ones. Hey, I like your idea about switching. We could trade with each other for keepsakes.

FTL is the only brand i use. I've used that brand for over 10 years now. Good stuff. Yeah, we can switch. Purely for science and comfort, of course.

I like Under Armour. They're expensive, but well worth it.

Man, i can't justify spending that kind of money on a piece of clothing that most people will never see.

 

[Canadave]

I usually buy Hanes these days, and I've never had that issue.

 

[RoJoHen]

I have a combination of Hanes and Fruit of the Loom, but I've never had an issue with them shrinking. I would expect something 100% cotton to shrink a lot faster than a cotton-poly blend. But honestly, if it doesn't shrink the first time in the dryer, it shouldn't shrink on subsequent times either.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

I blame it all on the clothes dryer. The fabric I wear is mostly a cotton and polyester combination that shrinks easily.

A cotton/poly blend shouldn't shrink that easily. If you're setting the dryer on high, that's probably the problem. Try it on the lowest setting -- it'll take a little longer, but it'll be healthier for all your fabrics, not just your underwear.

 

[ThankQ]

You drying on LOW heat?

Maybe you could do your netherthings in their own load (not...making...that...joke) and do tumble dry only... no heat. Takes longer, but it will keep your voice below the alto range.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Hmm, maybe my briefs are 100% cotton. I'll have to ask my mom to set the dryer to a lower temperature.

 

[Kestra]

Stop taking advantage of your mother's kindness and do your own laundry. Also cook her dinner.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I find that every company's sizes are different.

I can wear a medium from Jockey, but these other ones I got from Korea are XL & fit a little tighter than the Jockey's.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Stop taking advantage of your mother's kindness and do your own laundry. Also cook her dinner.

I do, actually. Though I don't cook, we go out for lunch or dinner occasionally.

 

[Mary Ann]

Forget the dryer and hang your undies up to dry. We only use the dryer for sheets, towels and jeans. Everything else gets hung on clotheshorses to dry. Good for reducing the electricity bill and good for the environment. We have 2 teens and a preteen, so we do a lot of laundry, but it still works for us.

 

[Misfit Toy]

Forget the dryer and hang your undies up to dry. We only use the dryer for sheets, towels and jeans. Everything else gets hung on clotheshorses to dry. Good for reducing the electricity bill and good for the environment. We have 2 teens and a preteen, so we do a lot of laundry, but it still works for us.

I had to look up clotheshorses. I've only seen them called "drying racks".

The weather is too humid where I live for those to get much use - things would take forever to dry.

 

[Mary Ann]

Damned English again! In the summer I hang the clothes outside to dry but in the winter we use the clotheshorses and put them in front of the radiators. I can understand not hanging larger items of clothing inside to dry but undies and socks are easy enough to dry inside. I found that clothes lasted longer once I cut down on using the dryer, so that's another incentive. BTW you'll only find Marks & Spencer undies in our house.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

I used to have the same problem as the op, then I tried not wearing underwear. Problem solved.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I like Under Armour. They're expensive, but well worth it.

When I first read the name, I thought it was a British company. I'm not sure I agree with their sizing system (Small = 29 - 30, Medium = 31 - 32, Large = 33 - 34, etc.). But I can see they carry mostly athletic garments (including undies).

On a side note, I was followed on Twitter a couple of weeks ago by McKillop U/W (@McKillopUW), which I in turn followed. I just checked their website today, and boy, do they have some interesting selection of men's underwear.

 

[Gothowitz]

My problem is that my underwear shrinks after a given period, say a few months.

Solve the whole problem and go Commando.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I would go commando, but i once had my foreskin caught in a zipper. That ... was not fun.