# What is the purpose of undergarments? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716 "2019-03-07T18:50:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/41 "2019-03-12T21:24:27Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > 1. underwear protects your outer clothes from… smears and stains > > 2. underwear or bras (depending on your specific configuration) keeps stuff from flopping around > > 3. the extra layer of fabric helps cover up the underlying shape, so random people can’t see your nipples and camel toe/moose knuckle They are called “foundations” for a reason. Clothing looks better with them. I agree, bras aren’t the most comfortable garment in existence, but when you are built like your German grandmother, it’s more comfortable to wear one than go without. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/42 "2019-03-13T03:44:12Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Really - what’s the point? I mean apart from having clean underwear in case you get in an accident… Both. I get chafing between my legs. Enough so that it wears holes in my boxer briefs after a while. I can’t imagine how bad out would be without underwear. Plus, it allows me to go wear pants more than once without washing them. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/43 "2019-03-13T04:02:32Z")
Funk barrier! I find Wal-Mart’s Curvation bras are perfectly comfortable and inexpensive. If they dig into your shoulders or ribs or if the underwire is poking you, it’s the wrong size. Likewise, if you take a picture of your back in the bathroom mirror and your t-shirt reminds you of a snake swallowing a dozen eggs, it’s time for a new fitting. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/44 "2019-03-13T04:17:47Z")
Crotchless panties. Pretty sure I know their function. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/45 "2019-03-13T17:48:55Z")
The main reason I wear boxers is so that I feel “dressed”, as I’d feel incomplete without it. But I only feel the need to feel that way when I am at work (office environment, business casual). At home, going out socially, on weekends, always in the summer, etc- I’m commando. I just sprinkle some baby powder on the ol’ tackle box and can get a couple wearings out of pants/shorts. I never wear an undershirt but all shirts get laundered after one wearing. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/46 "2019-03-13T17:52:13Z")
“Knickers are just a drip tray for your bits, Germaine.” ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/47 "2019-03-14T18:53:49Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. This is a hi jack for this thread for a simple question - us this originate with The Simpsons, or did that reference something earlier? ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716/48 "2019-03-14T19:27:38Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > And if you need emergency services after an accident your underwear stands a good chance of being no longer clean anyway. In my experience that doesn’t happen in real life nearly as much as people think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-undergarments/830716.md?page=2)