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A wardrobe weeding that even I was scared to do

By Meg | June 18, 2008

Disclaimer: For some people, parts of this post may qualify as just “too much information.”

I’m proud of my wardrobe organization skills. While it hasn’t always been easy, I’ve gotten much better at mercilessly cutting out clothes that don’t work for me. However, there’s one drawer that I’ve habitually passed over until yesterday, a drawer that many women neglect. Yes, you know the one.

I really don’t wonder why it has taken me this long to get around to going through my underwear drawer. Yes, there are all the same issues that come with going through other items of clothing: not wanting to let go of pretty pieces (no matter how awful they look on), the body image issues when you realize that things don’t fit right any more, and even a touch of nostalgia. The difference is that it’s magnified.

As I looked into that drawer I quickly spotted some lacy undies my husband bought for me which I never wore. There were some other things that I had bought “for him”. There were granny panties, thongs, and everything in between in terms of comfort, function and style.

Why is it important to go through one’s underwear drawer? Sure, it’s easy to say, “No one will see them but me, so it doesn’t really matter what I wear.” But, like a good bra, the right pair of undies is part of the foundation of an outfit. A pair of underwear that pinches is not just uncomfortable, it creates lumps and bumps that can show through the rest of your clothes. And while much has been said about panty lines that cross the butt, bad undies can do a real number on one’s hips and stomach, too.

Why did I decide that yesterday was the day? Well, there I stood, fresh from the shower, home alone, with all my favorite undies in the laundry room. I had debated running out there and grabbing one of my regular go-to pairs, but I decided that if I dreaded going deeper into my underwear drawer, then I really needed to go through it, piece by piece.

So, timidly, I started going through the drawer. Piece by piece, I examined myself in the mirror. Did my hips look the same or better with the undies on? If not, they had to go. For me, that was the major factor. Also out were any undies that were uncomfortable or just plain ol’ didn’t fit. Had there been any pairs with holes or stains, those would have gone, too (those I regularly toss, though).

It soon became mechanical, which was good. Otherwise, I don’t think I could have gotten through all the pairs — and there were many, many pairs. The hardest part, though, was when I text messaged my husband to tell him that those underwear he got me had to go because they didn’t fit right. Ouch.

When I got done there was still well over a month’s supply of undies in the keepers pile — and several weeks worth of undies that I parted with. Yes, I told you I had a lot of underwear. But the great thing is that everything left is both comfy and practical.

What did I keep?

• Almost all of my modal underwear stayed — even the thongs. I looooove modal. It’s super soft and the pairs I have stretch effortlessly to fit my curves — unlike the cotton pairs, many of which I didn’t keep. And FYI, if you’re considering thongs, find them in modal. It makes a world of difference.
• I kept all my boyshorts. In a smooth microfiber, they’re super practical and comfortable. Provided that the leg part is long enough and everything fits right, they’re a great alternative to thongs when you don’t want to show panty lines. They also can provide some gentle body shaping without the need for an extra layer. And in lace, boy shorts can still be super sexy — especially if you’re like me and feel more comfortable with a little extra coverage.
• Call it beige, nude, or natural, that color still dominates my underwear drawer. Wearing skin-tone underwear is a lot more important when it comes to bras than when it comes to panties, so long as you don’t wear a lot of see-through bottoms. However, I still like the idea of wearing underwear that blend in like a second skin. Sure, it’s probably not the most interesting choice, but it’s still a lot better than white granny panties.

But what did my husband think?

He was very pleased with the results. After all, undies that pinch, aren’t sexy no matter how lacy they are. And there is something to be said about those skin tone underwear that seem to just disappear. But his favorites are still a pair of red lace boyshorts.

All in all, going through my underwear drawer really wasn’t as bad as I had feared and it was definitely well worth it. This morning I reached in fearlessly for the next pair, confident that I’d pick a pair that would start the day off right — and I did.

So, gals, that’s my story. Is your underwear drawer in need of some weeding? Is there another part of your wardrobe that you neglect?

Tags: Fashion, Organization & Decluttering, Style, Undergarments

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