# What is underwear? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321 "2006-01-23T22:56:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/21 "2006-01-24T05:30:31Z")
I think of bras in general as underwear, but when I say underwear I mean underpants, briefs, boxers, all those things that cover the bottom parts. A slip is a slip. And a girdle is an abomination. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/22 "2006-01-24T05:41:26Z")
If the camisole is like [this](http://www.herroom.com/FarrWest-Vintage-Bloom-Camisole,Farr01-514,4.cfm), [this](http://www.shopnational.com/product.cfm/wc/901001/sgid/7656_), [these](http://www.essence.com/essence/beautyandstyle/fashion/0%2C16109%2C610393%2C00.html), or (some of) [those](http://auctions.overstock.com/cgi-bin/auctions.cgi?PAGE=PRODDET&PRODUCTID=17958698&cid=64264&fp=F) and used to preserve modesty due to sheer clothing, then yes it is underwear. In some cases they show more than others. For example, I’d be less likely to wear a very definite “intimate” camisole under that pink blouse on the third link, instead I’d probaby wear somthing more along the lines of one of [these](http://www.dollardays.com/detailimage.asp?itemid=239567) in an appropriate color with it. At the least, I’d get a camisole that was plainer, and not satin to wear under it. I wouldn’t go for the colors, and cuts shown on the page the shirt is on though, not with that shirt. Camis that are generally meant to be worn as outerwear are made differently. They are often of cotton, the straps are thicker/rounder, (a lot of the camis I’ve seen meant to be used as half slips have the typical flat satin ribbon strap like you see on full slips) or there are more of them, and often they will also be thicker than camisoles meant to be worn under clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/23 "2006-01-24T06:29:13Z")
Underwear in our house means undergarments that cover your naughty bits. Also known as skivvies or shreddies (for men), panties and knickers (for women) and undies (both). Bras are bras. Socks are socks. Slips are slips, and yes I do wear one if I’m wearing a skirt. Mom taught me that a lady wears a slip… and there’s no way I could get away with wearing a short and/or tight skirt. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/24 "2006-01-24T09:51:13Z")
> [@brightpenny](#): > > If I wear my panties on my head, then are they still underwear? Are you wearing a hat over them? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/25 "2006-01-24T10:39:20Z")
Some t-shirts are underwear, some aren’t. For instance, all those t-shirts I have that have pithy expressions, pictures, or even mathematical tables on them are clearly meant to be visible, both by the manufacturer and by this wearer. But the V-neck t-shirts I wear under my shirts to work (I wear t-shirts so I don’t sweat through the armpits of the shirt; V-neck because I don’t wear a tie) would look kinda ridiculous on their own; they’re underwear. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > slips (does anyone wear slips any more?) My wife does. Not always, but sometimes. Seems to depend on the properties of the dress. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/26 "2006-01-24T16:39:42Z")
People, especially women: listen up: **wear a slip**. Your sheer skirt or dress which reveals wrinkly panty lines, is not attractive. Double if it’s a thong. Do you think it’s sexy? It’s not. It’s ugly and makes you look like trailer-trash. This is not Big Brother (or Big Sister) talking, trying to restrain your oh-so-young free spirit. This is Your Mother Speaking and you need to put on a slip. Otherwise you are NOT well-dressed. You are frumpy. That is all. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/27 "2006-01-24T16:44:24Z")
Underwear is the bare minimum you’d be caught in answering the door. Whatever that is for, it’s your underwear. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/28 "2006-01-24T16:49:50Z")
> [@Ellen Cherry](#): > > People, especially women: listen up: **wear a slip**. Your sheer skirt or dress which reveals wrinkly panty lines, is not attractive. Double if it’s a thong. Do you think it’s sexy? It’s not. It’s ugly and makes you look like trailer-trash. This is not Big Brother (or Big Sister) talking, trying to restrain your oh-so-young free spirit. This is Your Mother Speaking and you need to put on a slip. Otherwise you are NOT well-dressed. You are frumpy. > > That is all. Thank you. I agree that some things need slips, but these days slips and pantyhose are both considered frumpy by the youth-dominated culture. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/29 "2006-01-24T17:08:10Z")
> [@brightpenny](#): > > I agree that some things need slips, but these days slips and pantyhose are both considered frumpy by the youth-dominated culture. and, in some case, are undies ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/30 "2006-01-24T17:40:40Z")
What is underwear? [This](http://www.rathergood.com/pants/), my friends, is underwear. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/31 "2006-01-24T18:11:57Z")
> [@brightpenny](#): > > I agree that some things need slips, but these days slips and pantyhose are both considered frumpy by the youth-dominated culture. We (the youngins) don’t necessarily think slips are frumpy, we just don’t wear skirts and dresses enough to keep some around. In my mom’s generation (my mom is 45, so adjust yourself as necessary) and before, wearing skirts and dresses was a daily occurrence for young ladies; in fact, it wasn’t just fashionable, it was expected. In my generation, you get funny looks for wearing dresses and skirts- afterall, why not just wear jeans? The point is: I have several skirts, but not enough to justify buying slips for (also, none of mine are sheer or long- so it would make no sense to have slips). Pantyhose, on the other hand, are an abomination. I can only speak for the California (a fellow Doper from Detroit informed me that hose are very common there), but it is very rare to see a person under 30 wearing hose- even in a business suit. A formal dress/skirt with tan/nude pantyhose just looks silly. Not to mention, all the fashion magazines talk about how awful nude hose are and, as we all know, they are _always_ right 😛 What is underwear? The things on the bottom: panties (HATE that word), thongs, g strings, boyshorts, boxers, etc. And **Ellen Cherry** , that’s why I just don’t wear anything at all! 😃 (KIDDING!) ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/32 "2006-01-24T18:45:49Z")
> [@Mr Bus Guy](#): > > Underwear is the bare minimum you’d be caught in answering the door. Whatever that is for, it’s your underwear. My thick purple terrycloth robe is underwear? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/33 "2006-01-24T19:19:41Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > **We (the youngins)** don’t necessarily think slips are frumpy, we just don’t wear skirts and dresses enough to keep some around. In my mom’s generation (my mom is 45, so adjust yourself as necessary) and before, wearing skirts and dresses was a daily occurrence for young ladies; in fact, it wasn’t just fashionable, it was expected. **In my generation** , you get funny looks for wearing dresses and skirts- afterall, why not just wear jeans? The point is: I have several skirts, but not enough to justify buying slips for (also, none of mine are sheer or long- so it would make no sense to have slips). > > Pantyhose, on the other hand, are an abomination. I can only speak for the California (a fellow Doper from Detroit informed me that hose are very common there), but **it is very rare to see a person under 30 wearing hose** - even in a business suit. A formal dress/skirt with tan/nude pantyhose just looks silly. Not to mention, all the fashion magazines talk about how awful nude hose are and, as we all know, they are _always_ right 😛 > > What is underwear? The things on the bottom: panties (HATE that word), thongs, g strings, boyshorts, boxers, etc. > > And **Ellen Cherry** , that’s why I just don’t wear anything at all! 😃 (KIDDING!) _bolding mine_ I have a lump in my throat… I’m officially **old**. At 31. Whaaaaa! ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/34 "2006-01-24T19:23:58Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > The things on the bottom: panties (HATE that word), thongs, g strings, boyshorts, boxers, etc. I kind of like the UK term “knickers”, as in “don’t go getting your knickers in a knot”. Also I like “bum” and “naughty bits” and “snogging” while I’m at it. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/35 "2006-01-24T19:44:19Z")
**What is underwear?** Well… _It holds the pickle Hides the anus And makes sure Our poop don’t stain us_ Actually, “Burger King” would make a great name for a brand of underwear. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/36 "2006-01-24T19:55:29Z")
> [@Kitchen Wench](#): > > _bolding mine_ > > I have a lump in my throat… I’m officially **old**. At 31. Whaaaaa! No! You’re only as old as you feel (of course, I think I just made you _feel_ old, but that isn’t the point). Also we are, in fact, a generation apart (I’m 20), so it isn’t much of a stretch to think that our generations are going to have different fashion sensibilities (that’s right: I’m looking at you with your 80s/ early 90s bangs back in high school! :dubious: 😛 ). ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/37 "2006-01-24T20:08:51Z")
> [@Kitchen Wench](#): > > _bolding mine_ > > I have a lump in my throat… I’m officially **old**. At 31. Whaaaaa! Don’t feel bad, if you’re implying that you are ‘old’ because you like to wear dresses and skirts. My 23 y.o. stepdaughter often goes out wearing a pleated skirt that hits several inches below the knees, though she does ordinarily seem to prefer pants and jeans. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/38 "2006-01-24T20:24:48Z")
> [@Kitchen Wench](#): > > _bolding mine_ > > I have a lump in my throat… I’m officially **old**. At 31. Whaaaaa! Don’t feel bad, if you’re implying that you are ‘old’ because you like to wear dresses and skirts. My 23 y.o. stepdaughter often goes out wearing a pleated skirt that hits several inches below the knees, though she does ordinarily seem to prefer pants and jeans. IMHO a thong visible above low rise jeans is not underwear; it’s just an unfortunate fashion choice. The weird thing about the thong-peeping-out-of-pants look is that, IMO, either the jeans or the thong would look great when not worn with the other. To this typical male, a woman in a thong on the beach is sexy; but worn visibly above the waistline of pants it it only seems to say, “I’ve got a narrow piece of elastic material up my crack.” ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/39 "2006-01-24T20:25:17Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Actually, “Burger King” would make a great name for a brand of underwear. “Home of the Whopper,” right? ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321/40 "2006-01-24T20:29:39Z")
> [@Spectre of Pithecanthropus](#): > > Don’t feel bad, if you’re implying that you are ‘old’ because you like to wear dresses and skirts. My 23 y.o. stepdaughter often goes out wearing a pleated skirt that hits several inches below the knees, though she does ordinarily seem to prefer pants and jeans. No, I don’t particularly enjoy wearing skirts or dresses. I end up wearing them for weddings and funerals. But on those occasions, I have to wear hose (blindingly white skin) and a slip (I wear long, flowing skirts). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-underwear/341321.md?page=3)