How to tell if a piece of underwear is well made

Short answer: Look at the seams, the waistband, and the weight of the fabric. Flat seams, a wide waistband sewn down all the way around, and a fabric that does not turn see through when stretched.

The seams tell you the most about quality

Flat seams without thick, hard edges are more expensive to sew and more comfortable against the skin over a full day. Crooked or tight seams show haste in production quickly and are often the first spot the fabric gives way, once it is washed and worn again and again.

The waistband should be sewn down all the way

A waistband that is only tucked into an edge without being sewn down rolls up after a few washes and loses its shape. A waistband sewn down all the way around stays in place much longer and keeps the piece fitting correctly, even after many rounds in the washing machine. See bamboo briefs.

Stretch the fabric against the light before buying

Hold the piece up against a window or a lamp and stretch the fabric slightly. If it turns clearly see through under normal stretch, it is too thin to hold its shape over time and will quickly feel worn, even after just a few wears.

Thick fabric is not the same as durable fabric

A thick fabric can still be loosely woven and fall apart quickly, while a finely spun yarn can be thin and still very strong. Look at the tightness of the weave, not just the thickness, when judging whether a piece of underwear is well made.

Look for double stitching in stressed areas

Spots where the fabric stretches most, like waistband edges and crotch seams, last longer with double stitching. A single thin seam held together by only a few threads is typically the first thing to give way when the piece is worn daily over a longer period.

The color says something about fabric quality

A good quality fabric keeps an even color across the whole surface after several washes, while a cheaper fabric often fades unevenly, especially at seams and edges where friction is highest. Look for an even color when judging a new piece of underwear. See bamboo underwear for men.

The label at the edge should lie flat

If the label is sewn directly into the fabric instead of glued or printed loosely on top, it lies flat against the skin without itching or curling up after washing. Loose labels already lifting in the store are rarely a good sign for the rest of the stitching.

Try the piece before you judge it

A quality difference is often only noticeable after you have worn the piece for an hour or two. If the waistband still sits well, and the fabric still feels comfortable without itching or pulling, that is a good sign it is made to last.

Compare the weight between two similar pieces

Hold two comparable pieces of underwear, one in each hand. The heavier fabric is usually woven tighter and more durable, while the lightest is often cheaper to produce but also faster to turn thin and see through after repeated washing. See bamboo t-shirts for women.