How Often Should I Refresh My Underclothes?

When it comes to basics, the more you have, the more evenly you will distribute the wear, and the longer they will last. But most of us don’t have dressing down to a science, so keep these guidelines in mind. 

UnderwearDon’t wait until the waistband of your favorite trunks is hanging on by a thread or your whities are not as tight (or as white) as they used to be. It will be worse if she sees them on you first, so make a trip to your favorite department store about once a year, suggests noted blogger The Underwear Expert, the blogger behind his eponymous site. We suggest tackling the issue with a few two-packs from Tommy Hilfiger. Or, if you’re looking to show her your wild side, 2XIST will take you beyond the basics.

UndershirtsSpeaking of the basics, while you’re sprucing up your underwear drawer, picking up undershirts is another good idea. They tend to need refreshing more often than your trunks because the white never stays bright near the armpits, which are prone to stains from your antiperspirant. “T-shirts typically have a shelf life of six months to a year,” says Men’s Healthmagazine executive fashion director Brian Boyé. “You’ll want to replace them as soon as you start to notice discoloration.” 

Since you’ll be replacing them regularly and wearing the shirts under your clothing, Boyé suggests buying less expensive tees rather than investing in pricier ones. Then, you won’t feel as guilty tossing the oldies and turning them into rags. We appreciate the affordability of Fruit of the Loom shirts.

SocksAs with the rest of your undergarments, socks should be replaced immediately once you notice a hole or the elastic stretched. Ignore this rule and don’t blame us when your battered socks evolve into a source of shame when you shop for shoes or when she asks you to take off your boots. Play it safe and spare yourself the embarrassment. Better yet, let your socks make a statement with styles like these from Happy Socks. And Goldtoe offers a more straightforward approach with solid options.

Or, if you don’t have the time to follow the calendar to keep on top of your basics,  refresh your entire drawer of drawers, tees and socks with the Mack Weldon pack. It includes five boxer briefs, five trunks, two regular boxers, six crew neck undershirts and 12 pairs of socks. Buy it online, have it delivered to your door and you’ll never experience a moment of undergarment shame at her place again.