Chick post – men, be warned!
Kasia October 26th, 2007
I’m dead serious – I’m going to talk about things like bras and underpants. So if you are (a) easily embarrassed, (b) male, or (c) both of the above, I strongly suggest you not continue. However, men, if your wife or girlfriend would like to read it to offer some suggestions, she’s more than welcome to. (You are certainly welcome to read it yourself, but I strongly advise you to consider whether you really ought to. And it’s not sexy in the least, at least I sure don’t think so, so pervs, don’t let that be an incentive.)OK. Those of you who are still reading, thank you!
I’ve got an underpants issues. Come to think of it, I’ve got intimate apparel issues in general. I had a serious bra issue, but resolved it by going to a specialty store and buying ridiculously expensive bras…but anyway. Getting to the point: I’ve got the champagne tastes/beer budget issue going on with my panties. Now, I never thought I was that unreasonable, but apparently I was wrong. Because the underpants I like (cotton Jockey French-cut briefs with the fabric-covered waistband) start at about $6 per pair. I think that’s ridiculous. And unlike my ridiculously expensive bras, I really can’t justify that kind of expense.
I have a terrible time finding bras that fit. So I had to go to a specialty store, like I mentioned above, and pay upwards of $40 each for my bras. BUT, I reasoned, I take pretty good care of my bras: delicate wash, hang dry; and this is not the kind of thing you can really try to economize too much on, because if they don’t fit, it’s pretty obvious, both to you and to people who see you. Two bras will last me some time, a couple of years anyway, so it’s an investment.
Well, the thing about underpants is that the same logic does not apply. First of all, I wash and dry cotton underpants, sheets, towels, whatever, on hot. There are COOTIES in them thar things, folks. I know they’re my cooties, but they’re cooties nonetheless. So, whether due to my hot water and full-blast drying or due to their being chintzily made (or both), my panties start to look the worse for wear much more quickly than I think is reasonable. It can’t help that one really must wash one’s underpants after each use, whereas with a bra it’s really not crucial.
Second, and you ladies know what I mean so I won’t get too graphic, but underpants are subject to certain…occupational hazards that bras simply aren’t exposed to. So there’s a risk of lost niceness from that too.
So to have, say, a week’s worth of underpants, assuming I buy the ones I like, and discounting things like sales tax/shipping, I’m looking at a good $42. And because I don’t always have time to do laundry, I need more than just seven pairs.
Now, if they held up well for a couple of years like my bras do, I could see paying that kind of money for them. Again, it’s be an investment of sorts, an investment in being comfortable and happy with my underclothing. But they don’t, really, so I can’t see it.
So I need some help. Does anyone out there know of a more reasonably priced (OR more durable) brand of comparable underpants?
Here are my criteria. I need cotton underpants (anything else is not for everyday), preferably in cream, peach or pink, but at the very least solid, light colors only. (I think white tends to show through too much, but I suppose it’s better than grape or banana.) They need to have a high waist, because I’m of moderately Rubenesque proportions, and low-riders are just not for me. And I prefer them to have high-cut legs as well. The fabric-covered waist is really just gravy – it makes them more comfortable – but if someone knows a great set of undies that is otherwise perfect but doesn’t have that, I’ll gladly try them.
If any perverts have made it to the end, please don’t tell me. I didn’t like the thought of putting this out onto the Internet, but ya know, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Oh, and if the simple fact of the matter is that I’ve got unrealistic expectations of what underpants should cost, please tell me so. I realize I’m a cheapskate.
First, run don’t walk to the nearest Fannie Mae outlet. Every season they have bras and panties on sale for $5each (CAD here is Toronto)
Otherwise a good bra at a non Fannie Mae store should run 15-20 dollars (CAD), and pants (8-15 CAD) at least they do where I shop in Toronto.
Kasia,
Like you, I’m a cotton panty gal – and I find the regular ol’ Hanes at Target to be my best bet. They have the label printed on the back of the panty, so you don’t have a tag. I think they sell a 6-pack or 8-pack for about $5. They come in briefs, hi-cut briefs, and bikinis. They survive easily the . . . messier . . . times of the month and stand up well to bleach and hot water.
Bras – dang, I love my Wacoals! Pricey, but worth it. You should never skimp on a good bra since it is worn everyday and is essential for us ladies. The way I see it, the girls and I have been around for some 33 years now, it’s the least I owe them. The real trick is, however, to make sure the store has a saleslady who knows how to use that tape and fit you properly! For that reason, here on the Left Coast I love Nordstrom’s for bra-buying.
With best regards from me and the “38C” Sisters,
Stephanie
I just restocked (just had a baby, needed new undies) with ones I bought from Land’s End. I shopped their Overstocks and paid $6 or less per pair. Because it’s their overstocks, it’s hit or miss any time you go there, especially if you are particular, but I’ve been buying undies there for years, and they have held up under frequent wearings and hot water washes.
Just one thing: I saw recently that Land’s End made it to some “should be boycotted” list – I think for corporate donations to Planned Parenthood. Maybe check that out. I stopped boycotting companies a few years ago after I became convinced that nearly every company funnnels money to some disreputable organization…and after boycotting Tyson for years, I found out that the other brand I was buying (not labeled Tyson) was actually owned by Tyson, so I wasn’t really boycotting them at all. I just gave up.
I second the Hanes recommendation. They have fabric covered waistbands which makes a difference – I don’t like the ones with a teeny string of elastic on top because they are uncomfortable and don’t hold up to the bleaching/hot water/dryer. And I like that there is no tag, it’s printed on the back of the fabric.
And buy dark ones for those times of the month. Stains don’t show on black panties.
I buy from the Hanes outlet. I get like 4 or 5 in a pack for 7 bucks.
I’m horrible when it comes to this stuff.
First, if you are going for cheap, Hanes as suggested by a few others will do you fine.
However, I have noted that Lane Bryant has a line called Cacique that have proven to be more durable than your average Hanes, and you can occasionally get them on sale for $3 each, and they come in a variety of styles, including the natural waist, hi-cut.
I also agree with the one girl about the darker colors.
Bras, I’ve never been able to do the cheap ones except when I was 95 pounds and was basically a rib cage.
Otherwise, the cheap ones twist and dig in and are completely uncomfortable, plus you can tell that they don’t fit right under your clothes, so no point there in trying to save a buck. And yeah, these are going to be expensive, but look for sales right around Thanksgiving, where you can get like 3 or 4 for $50.
Thanks for the input, ladies!
I’m taking a look at Hanes…so far I don’t love what I see, but I do see some possibilities. I will check out the other suggestions too.
Puff, when you say Fannie Mae I think of a low-income mortgage lender. I think I will have to hit Google.ca or ask Mère de Canuque to see what you’re talking about…hope they have FM in Windsor or Chatham.
(Incidentally, as long as I’m disclosing my intimate apparel issues on the Internet, my bra issue is quite frankly that I’m barrel-chested and small-busted. Try finding a 40A bra at Target. Just try! :-p But the specialty-store ones are holding up nicely for now, and I’ll do some research before the time comes to replace them…)