# Undershirt, Fabric Softener, or Pasties? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 21, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231 "2006-11-21T01:39:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/21 "2006-11-21T18:00:09Z")
Would it be appropriate for you to switch to one of [these](http://www.abcunderwear.com/holes-shirt.html), with strategically placed holes, per **lieu** ’s suggestion? [WARNING: small underwear pics on the page too] How the hell did that sell out? What, did they only have two to start with?? ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/22 "2006-11-21T21:46:51Z")
There’s a simple one-time fix for this problem: fabric backing. Go to a [fabric store](http://www.fabriclandwest.com/Locations/alberta.htm#calgary) and purchase a yard or two of iron-on fabric backing – just make sure the colour won’t be visible through the shirt – then cut to fit and apply heat. No more chafing, no daily applications of goo either. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/23 "2006-11-21T22:19:13Z")
Another vote for BodyGlide. That stuff is awesome. It is incredible for chafing and also really good for shoes. I can wear heels for hours longer using that stuff. I will never again be without it. ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/24 "2006-11-21T22:20:13Z")
Been there, done that. Bandaids are the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/25 "2006-11-21T22:47:46Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] You could get some scissors and cut out two nipple holes. Be sure though and put some trim or embroidery around the holes so the fabric doesn’t chaffe. [/QUOTE] You totally need to get the pasties with the tassels if you go this route. Yup, we’ll be staring at your chestal area, alright… ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/26 "2006-11-22T02:25:48Z")
I’m a dude **DrDeth** and my older shirts don’t give me any nipple chaffing at all with the same detergent. I can even sit here rubbing my nipples through the fabric and there is no chaffing. Pinch, flick, twist, no chaffing. What? I appreciate the fabric backing and bandaid solutions. I’m going to give them a couple more times in the wash, I can alternate old shirt and new shirts to give my delicate man nipples a break. Apparently the pants I bought are ready to be picked up as well. I’m really hoping there are no chaffing issues there. I don’t think anybody wants to see a tassle pastie in that area. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/27 "2006-11-22T06:02:07Z")
[QUOTE=Gut] I’m a dude **DrDeth** and my older shirts don’t give me any nipple chaffing at all with the same detergent. I can even sit here rubbing my nipples through the fabric and there is no chaffing. Pinch, flick, twist, no chaffing. What?\ [/QUOTE] HOW are you still single? ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/28 "2006-11-22T14:51:28Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] HOW are you still single? [/QUOTE] I think it’s a timing issue. When I’m on a date I’m never sure if I should start playing with my nipples before the appetizer or after dessert. Is it during the main course? I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/29 "2006-11-22T16:59:38Z")
The answer to that depends on whether or not you ordered pasties. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/30 "2006-11-22T17:29:32Z")
You know how people use moleskin to surround a hurtin’ blister? Maybe you could moleskin your nipples like washers around a pink bolt. Given the height of the average nipple, you might want to place 3, maybe even 4 layers on top of each other, a _nipple silo_ if you will. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/31 "2006-11-22T17:36:33Z")
[QUOTE=Gut] I’m a dude **DrDeth** and my older shirts don’t give me any nipple chaffing at all with the same detergent. I can even sit here rubbing my nipples through the fabric and there is no chaffing. Pinch, flick, twist, no chaffing. What? I appreciate the fabric backing and bandaid solutions. I’m going to give them a couple more times in the wash, I can alternate old shirt and new shirts to give my delicate man nipples a break. . [/QUOTE] Sounds like your new shirts arenl;t as soft as the old ones, perhaps as they have more Polyester? Or perhaps they have more starch? Some newer shirts have additives that make them stain and wrinkle resistant. Repeated washings may help, including a wash with nothing but clear water and then liquid fabric softener. Dry sheets don’t really soften, they de-static and add a thin film. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/32 "2006-11-23T01:01:30Z")
Starch. And more starch. Starch them shirts until they can stand by themselves. Then wear 'em around. Go jogging. Carry some boxes. Climb some ladders. Play volleyball in 'em. Before you know it you’ll have sanded those annoying nips right off and you’ll never have to worry about them again. ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/33 "2006-11-23T02:37:39Z")
Do nipple silos require U.N. inspections? I’d like to avoid an international incident if at all possible. Sanding them off? I won’t be single forever and I like me some nipple action so that’s out. It’s laundry night so we’ll see how things go tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/34 "2006-11-23T23:24:18Z")
Well? We’re all waiting to hear about the state of your nipples, **Gut**. (Yes, some of need to get lives.) ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/35 "2006-11-23T23:59:44Z")
Things have improved already so I’m sure after a few more washings I’ll be able to rub, pinch, and flick my nipples all I want 🙂 Any idea if the no-iron and wrinkle resistant properties have been washed away? I suppose I can continue to iron since I’ll still have to do the old shirts anyway. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/36 "2006-11-27T20:18:14Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] You know how people use moleskin to surround a hurtin’ blister? Maybe you could moleskin your nipples like washers around a pink bolt. Given the height of the average nipple, you might want to place 3, maybe even 4 layers on top of each other, a _nipple silo_ if you will. [/QUOTE] Yeah, no one will notice, either. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/37 "2006-11-27T21:11:53Z")
Bounce and other dryer sheets only contact the outside of your clothes, so they are still scratchy on the inside. Your clothes are pleasantly soft to anyone you might brush up against, but not to you. So, either wash your shirts inside out or use liquid softener. If your machine doesn’t have a softener dispenser, you can get a Downy softener ball. You put the stuff inside and close it. Drop it in the wash, and it opens during the first spin cycle ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231/38 "2006-11-27T21:24:31Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] I haven’t eaten any pasties or seen any pasties in Washington. But in SoCal a ‘pass-tee’ is a meat pie, and a ‘pay-stee’ is a nipple cover. [/QUOTE] In Okieland, also. Well, actually, I picked up the ‘pass-tee’ pie from Brit friends, had never heard the word said prior to a couple years ago. But ‘pay-stees’ are definitely stick-on nip shields. Maybe a Manssiere? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undershirt-fabric-softener-or-pasties/381231.md?page=1)