# What is the purpose of underwear? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2000, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969 "2000-11-20T16:05:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/1 "2000-11-20T16:05:31Z")
Specifically, men’s undershirts. I haven’t worn one since I “left home,” and I wonder if I’ve been committing a fashion faux pas. Is it for modesty, in case a shirt is a little thinner than normal? Is it to keep warmer (really a major concern where I live). Is it to provide a first line of defense against perspiration stains on shirts? Is it because “we’ve always done it?” Any ideas??? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/2 "2000-11-20T16:10:21Z")
Underwear is supposed to keep your clothes clean, so you don’t have to wash them so often, so they won’t wear out as fast. That’s certainly why we wear underpants. I assume undershirts are to keep perspiration away, especially underarm perspiration (in the case of T-shirts). I agree with you, though. I haven’t worn them in years. It’s true you can see my chest hairs under a sheer shirt, but the alternative is to see my T-shirt. I’m not sure that’s any more appealing. Just wear thicker shirts, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/3 "2000-11-20T16:51:52Z")
Re the visible undershirt look: I associate that with scrawny middle-aged East Asian men wearing transparent dress shirts with tank undershirts showing through. Definitely not a look I would choose. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/4 "2000-11-20T16:55:56Z")
I have not worn any underwear at all since I went away to college. I mean, it’s totally useless. Loose and natural–that’s the way to “hang”! One of my lovers in college was a fiercely proud, independent, intelligent young black lady. She said: “I’m grown up now, I can keep my own shit & piss under control, so I don’t need to wear a ‘diaper’ anymore!” The only function underpants can realistically serve is for ladies when they’re on their period and need something to hold the pad in place. Otherwise, it’s far healthier for the vagina to have access to fresh air–stifling the vagina by wearing panties makes it much more susceptible to infections. If I were a woman, I would wear long skirts and be naked under them all the time, except for during my period. ---
**Author:** ![JoeyBlades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JoeyBlades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyBlades)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/5 "2000-11-20T17:10:23Z")
I don’t think undershirts are much of a deterrent from underarm perspiration. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’re cut out under the arms to prevent overheating and reduce the chance of perspiration. T-shirts on the other hand, may have been intended to wick perspiration away from nice shirts… I think the original purpose of underwear, in general, is to prevent chafing and irritation from fabrics and chemicals. In the days before permanent press, starch was the way to control wrinkles. However, starch made garments stiff, abrasive, and sometimes, when mixed with a bit of perspiration, caused skin rashes. Especially on the soft sensitive skins. Today, the need for underwear is not so great, however I did have to go underwearless with jeans once. Perhaps it was because I was moving around a lot, but I definitely experienced some uncomfortable chafing (if you know what I mean). I’ve also experienced the same problem with boxer shorts because they can rise up when I’m down (again, if you know what I mean). ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/6 "2000-11-20T17:23:01Z")
It was disappointing when that kid asked Bill Clinton, “Boxers or briefs?” and he answered “Briefs.” He should have said either: “It is beneath the dignity of the President of the United States to answer such a question” or “Heck, I don’t wear underpants at all!” Just imagine what might have been – Undershirts for men died out when Robert Mitchum went barechested in one of his movies. Hats for men died out because Jack Kennedy refused to wear them. Clinton had the opportunity to annihilate the men’s underpants industry, but he passed it up. ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/7 "2000-11-20T17:43:59Z")
I’m going with **CalMeacham** ’s interpretation on this one. I’ve worn an undershirt or T-shirt for as long as I can remember. There are probably more reasons than this, but this is why I do it-[ul] [li]I don’t always like the fabric the ‘over’ shirt is made of.[/li][li]It creates a perspiration, dead skin, other yucky stuff, barrier between you and the ‘good’ shirt. This also may make it last longer, I really don’t know. I _do_ know that it smells better after a long day.[/li][li]I like the way the white T-shirt looks underneath. It gives a ‘crisper’, cleaner, look.[/li][/ul] But keep in mind, you have to wear the ‘right’ ‘T’ underneath. It needs to be completely white and have a broad, snuggly fitting, collar. They’re a bitch to find these days, but it’s all I’ll wear when it comes to an undershirt. That and my **BVD’s** , that is… ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/8 "2000-11-20T18:32:08Z")
“What is the purpose of underwear?” So you don’t get skid marks in your jeans. Seriously – Cnote and Cal got many of the reasons. I find that not only does the “outer” shirt smell better after a long day, but I do too. Perhaps it is because the undershirt eliminates the armpit skin on skin. Even with deodorant (w/o an undershirt) at the end of the day I can start to notice some funk brewing. Much less so if I wear an undershirt. Also, as they pointed out, If I wear an undershirt, I don’t need to wash my “outer” shirt every time I wear it. And I absolutely need to wash it if I dont wear one. More work for me and the shirt wears out faster. ---
**Author:** ![Uniball](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Uniball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniball)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/9 "2000-11-20T18:39:30Z")
I like to go commando when I’m wearing jeans. But boxers are my favourite, they leave room for hanging out. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/10 "2000-11-20T20:23:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ishmintingas \* > \*\*It was disappointing when that kid asked Bill Clinton, “Boxers or briefs?” and he answered “Briefs.” He should have said either: > > “It is beneath the dignity of the President of the United States to answer such a question” > > or > > “Heck, I don’t wear underpants at all!” > > Just imagine what might have been – > > Undershirts for men died out when Robert Mitchum went barechested in one of his movies. > > Hats for men died out because Jack Kennedy refused to wear them. > > Clinton had the opportunity to annihilate the men’s underpants industry, but he passed it up. \*\* Knowing Clinton now, I would’ve expected the retort to be, “You show me yours, I’ll show you mine!” ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/11 "2000-11-20T20:29:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Undershirts for men died out when Robert Mitchum went barechested in one of his movies It wasn’t Robert Mitchum, it was Clarke Gable, and the movie was _It Happened one Night_ (1934) with Claudette Colbert. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/12 "2000-11-20T20:32:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ishmintingas \* > \*\*Undershirts for men died out when Robert Mitchum went barechested in one of his movies. \*\* I think you’re thinking about Clark Gable in **It Happened One Night** (1934). He checked into the motor hotel with Claudette Colbert, took off his shirt to exhibit his manly un-teeshirted chest, and BINGO…they all won Oscars. Hey, and what is it with all you guys and your “sheer shirts” and “transparent dress shirts” ? Buy COTTON SHIRTS, for chrissake. See-though tops are ladies-only, as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/13 "2000-11-20T20:34:30Z")
Oh yeah, that’s right, I had the title _It Happened One Night_ in my mind, but was too lazy for fact-checking. Good to know you can count on the Dopester Brigade to catch just about any errors. I’m no expert on old movies, but I read how _It Happened One Night_ was credited with persuading men to go barechested; the context was the 1988 film _Bull Durham_ and Susan Sarandon’s flashing her garter belt – the result was a sudden increase of garter belt purchases at Victoria’s Secret. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/14 "2000-11-20T20:43:28Z")
Nah, I just mention the ones I notice. Incidentally, when Robert Mitchum appeared pantsless in _Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison_ (1957), it threw the nation’s haberdashers into a panic. Fashionistas and boulevardiers from East Hampton to Beverly Hills began appearing on the avenues totally bare-assed. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/15 "2000-11-20T20:55:29Z")
Personally, I almost always wear briefs–they keep things, um, “under control,” and prevent chafing in a major way. The few times I have gone w/o undies have been unpleasant–both b/c of chafing and b/c of fear of the zipper. Boxers are OK, occasionally, but the same issues (chafing, no control) still crop up from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/16 "2000-11-20T21:58:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ishmintingas \* > \*\*The only function underpants can realistically serve is for ladies when they’re on their period and need something to hold the pad in place. Otherwise, it’s far healthier for the vagina to have access to fresh air–stifling the vagina by wearing panties makes it much more susceptible to infections. If I were a woman, I would wear long skirts and be naked under them all the time, except for during my period. \*\* What if you got pantsed though? ☹ I’d like that but I’d be afraid of getting my period and not having underwear on. I usually wear undewear to bed. It just feels strange not having any on…but if its healthier to go commando, then go commando I will. What about bras? Personally I never wear one. The last time I did was when I had to…for my eighth grade graduation. Other than that, I never do. People think its odd. \ is it? ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/17 "2000-11-20T23:05:36Z")
**Zoggie** - Is it because you don’t _need_ to wear a bra? or you don’t _feel_ like wearing a bra? If their perky little things that kinda say ‘Hi’, like Charlize Thilton’s do, then by all means, go for it! I’ll never object. But if their monsters flayling around and about whenever you walk, you might want to find some support. Those can get scary. As with anything cross-gender, my opinion means nil. Do whatever floats your boat. ---
**Author:** ![JoltSucker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@JoltSucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoltSucker)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/18 "2000-11-20T23:35:10Z")
Why do you need to wear an undershirt? [ul] [li]Because it keeps your shirt from scratching your nipples.[/li][li]Because dark nipples and chest hair will show through all but the densest shirt material. We really don’t want to know what your chest looks like (unless you’re female :D).[/li][li]Because if you get sweaty, your undershirt clings to your skin, not your shirt.[/li][li]Because it keeps you warmer in cold weather.[/li][li]Because it keeps your chest hairs from getting caught in the button holes (if you’re a really hairy dude).[/li][/ul] Why do you need to wear briefs or boxers? [ul] [li]Can you say “zipper”? :eek:[/li][li]To minimize chafing.[/li][li]To keep brown streaks out of your pants.[/li][li]To keep the drips out of your pants.[/li][li]To keep post-coital oozing out of your pants.[/li][li]To let you sweat in your underwear, and not in your pants.[/li][/ul] Good enough reasons? ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/19 "2000-11-20T23:40:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\*Hey, and what is it with all you guys and your “sheer shirts” and “transparent dress shirts” ? Buy COTTON SHIRTS, for chrissake. See-though tops are ladies-only, as far as I’m concerned. \*\* Well, tell this to a Filipino wearing a Barong Tagalog and he’ll probably call you an ignorant American :). The Barong tagalog IS transparent and see through, and you only look decent in one if you have a t-shirt underneath it (or a longer sleeved shirt). ---
**Author:** ![Uniball](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Uniball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniball)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2000, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969/20 "2000-11-20T23:52:59Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by JoltSucker \* > \*\* > [li]Because it keeps your shirt from scratching your nipples.[/li]_\* People REALLY should put Kramer’s male bra, the “Bro”, in the market. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-underwear/41969.md?page=2)