How Many Pairs of Boxer Shorts Do You Need?
Short answer: Most people need three to five pairs of slip shorts. Three is enough if they are worn a couple of times a week, and five gives peace of mind if they are worn daily in the heat, because a clean pair always has to be ready while the others are in the wash.
Count backwards from laundry day
The number does not depend on how many days there are in a week but on how often you wash. If you wash once a week and wear a pair every day, you need seven. If you wash twice, four will do. Count the days between washes and add a single pair as a buffer.
Three pairs for ordinary use
If you wear slip shorts a couple of times a week, under a skirt or on warm days, three pairs are enough. One on the body, one clean in the drawer and one in the wash is the smallest rotation that works without you having to wash a single item at a time.
Five pairs in summer
In the hottest weeks of the year many people wear a pair every day, and some change halfway through. Three pairs then run out, and five is the number that gives peace of mind. Have a look at the models under slip shorts, and buy two identical pairs rather than two you are unsure about.
Rotation extends the lifespan
The elastane in the leg opening pulls back together when it is allowed to rest for a day. If you wear the same pair every day, the edge goes slack far sooner. Several pairs therefore cost less per year than a few, even if the bill is bigger on the day you buy them.
Two colours cover the wardrobe
Skin tone under pale, thin clothing, black under dark. Under thick fabric the colour does not matter. If you buy five pairs, take three in the colour you use most and two in the other, rather than splitting them evenly between the two.
Travel calls for one more
Away from home you cannot count on being able to wash, and an extra pair takes up no space in a suitcase. If you own a synthetic pair that dries overnight, bring it as a spare on top of the soft ones you wear day to day.
The rest of the drawer has to keep up
There is little point in owning five pairs of shorts and two vests. Have a look at bamboo vests for men and the rest of the range under bamboo underwear for men, and do the same sum there.
When to buy new ones
When the leg opening starts to roll, or the shorts no longer stay in place, the elastic is used up and a new pair belongs in the rotation. Buy one at a time rather than replacing the whole drawer, and you also notice whether the model is still the right one. See also bamboo and economy.
Frequently asked questions
Can you manage with two pairs?
It can be done, but then you have to wash every other day. Two pairs also wear out twice as fast, because the elastic never gets to rest between wears.
Do all the pairs have to be the same?
Not necessarily, but it is practical. Once you have found a model that stays in place and does not chafe, there is no reason to experiment with the rest of the rotation.
How long does a pair last?
That depends on washing and rotation more than on the price. Washed at 30 degrees, kept out of the tumble dryer and worn every third day, a good pair lasts several seasons.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
