The men's underwear drawer and what should be in it
Short answer: A good men's underwear drawer holds enough basic underwear for a week and a bit more, so you do not have to wash all the time. Most manage with seven to ten pairs of pants, a few undershirts and a couple of extras for sport. Count by your own washing rhythm.
What the drawer should do
The drawer should give you something clean that you can take without thinking. Basic underwear is the plain, single-coloured pieces you use every day, and there should be enough of them. It is less about having a lot and more about having the right things in a size that fits.
Basic underwear, how many pairs
Count by your washing rhythm. If you wash once a week, you need at least seven pairs and preferably a few extra so you do not run out. If you wash more often, you can manage with fewer. See bamboo underwear for men to find a cut you can use for the whole drawer.
Pants in two or three cuts
Many benefit from two cuts: a loose one for everyday and home and a closer one for sport and slim trousers. That lets you choose by the day's programme. If you have a cut you know fits, you can fill the whole drawer with it.
Undershirts and layers
Undershirts are practical if you wear layers or want to protect shirts and jumpers from sweat. If you do not have them today, start with a couple and see whether you use them. A plain pair of bamboo shorts for men can also be a pleasant layer at home in summer.
Socks in the drawer
Socks often belong in the same drawer or one nearby, and they wear out quickly. Count on as many pairs of socks as pants and change them every day. Choose a size and a colour that suit most things so you do not have to sort every morning.
A few extras for sport and travel
For sport you need a few pieces that can take sweat and frequent washing, and for travel you can have extras so you do not depend on a wash. Also look at bamboo polos for men as a tidy layer for the trip. Keep it simple and pack by the number of days.
Keep the drawer in order
A calm drawer makes the morning easier. Fold the pieces the same way and put the new ones at the back so the old ones are worn first. That way all wear evenly. Check now and then whether anything has lost its shape or has holes, and replace it before it begins to bother you.
Sort out and buy new
If the elastic is slack or the fabric thin and see-through, it is time to change. Buy new in small stages so you do not replace everything at once. Think of the drawer as a system you keep topping up a little instead of doing everything at once.
Frequently asked questions
How many pairs of pants does a man need?
Most manage well with seven to ten pairs, depending on how often you wash. If you also exercise and travel, you can add a few. Count by your own washing rhythm.
Do all undershirts have to be the same?
It is not necessary, but it makes things easy to keep track of. Many choose a few colours and two or three cuts so the drawer is easy to manage.
How often should underwear be replaced?
Replace it when the elastic is slack, the fabric worn or the fit no longer comfortable. It depends on how much and how you use it.
