# Women: What's a normal number of underwear to own at any given time? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100 "2015-06-21T22:30:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/21 "2015-06-22T14:39:12Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I hate you :mad:… _off to ThinkGeek_ One of them has a Batman utility belt. And one is glow in the dark! Right now I have on _checks_ my Superman pair. Guess it could be Supergirl, too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/22 "2015-06-22T17:08:34Z")
I’m a girl. I have 12 pairs of underwear, including the ones I’m wearing. 6 bras. I would prefer a few more of each. But 150 pairs of panties? :eek: I wouldn’t have storage for that many and would view that as kind of… well, a waste of money. My DH would hit the ceiling and go straight on through even if I’d bought that many pairs at Wal-Mart. If they’re Expensive Quality Panties (in my view, department store on up), he would threaten to divorce me. I am not really exaggerating much there. Even at 5 bucks a pair, that’s $750. And at $8 a pair (isn’t that the VS bargain price, 3 for 24?), we’re talking at least $1,299 including tax. I have a lot of places I’d like to put an extra $1,299 but my vajayjay isn’t on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/23 "2015-06-22T17:36:58Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > 45 bottles of nail polish?! How could anyone have such a needlessly huge collection?? > > :: Awkwardly tries to draw attention away from her far, _far_ larger nail polish collection :: And here I am guilty about my 10 or so. I guess that gives me carte blanche to go buy more! As to holey underwear, while neither I nor my SO comment on each other’s underwear in that respect, I am the one who keeps them longer. it’s hard to get rid of a comfy pair, but eventually I will. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/24 "2015-06-22T17:41:21Z")
150 pairs over the course of 10 months? That is lunacy. Unless this woman’s junk is made of barbed wire and is shredding her panties with each use? I probably have 3 or 4 weeks’ worth. ---
**Author:** ![tadtooornamental](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@tadtooornamental](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tadtooornamental)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/25 "2015-06-22T22:33:35Z")
150 is a bit insane to me, but everyone does have those certain things they hoarde unnecessarily. I have about 8 different bedding sets, more yarn than I could possibly use in a year, and enough nail polish to go more than a year without repeating. On the underwear front, I probably have about 40 pair, but they span three sizes. Some that are too large to wear out, but still acceptable bumming around the house, some that fit, and some that I accidentally bought too small, but I’m losing weight so I’ll get into them sooner or later. I also have several fancy frilly pairs that just sit around, as they aren’t comfortable enough to wear unless you plan on showing them off, which I don’t. Bras, I have less than 12, 6 in regular rotation, 4 of which are strictly for the gym. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/26 "2015-06-22T22:49:01Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > If I wasn’t 100% sure you’re female, that would have told me you were a man. One of the duties of steady girlfriends seems to be getting rid of the Holy Holey Underwear. I’ve had several partner-less male flatmates and every single one had Holy Holey Underwear. > > Maybe you need a girlfriend? (duck and run) I also tend to accumulate holes in my socks without noticing them right away. There’s a older woman I work with who routinely inspects my socks. I get a public scolding if she finds holes. I find it absolutely hilarious. But I have to say, I’m a lot more conscientious about checking my socks before I walk out of the door. I know she shudders to think about what’s going on with my underwear. But she’ll just have to use her imagination, because I’m not about to let her get that close and persona! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/27 "2015-06-22T23:49:21Z")
It’s already been said numerous times–2 or 3 weeks’ worth is good, in case I skip doing laundry one weekend and don’t run short. What to do with old underwear and socks–this is my recommendation for both women and men. When they start to get holey or the elastic wears out, set them aside and pack them to take with you the next time you travel; you wear them one last time, throw them out, and then you aren’t dragging around a suitcase full of dirty socks and underwear. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/28 "2015-06-23T00:12:09Z")
Speaking as the primary laundry doer for a household containing one woman, about 30 pairs of panties and seven or eight bras. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/29 "2015-06-23T00:25:48Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > What to do with old underwear and socks–this is my recommendation for both women and men. When they start to get holey or the elastic wears out, set them aside and pack them to take with you the next time you travel; you wear them one last time, throw them out, and then you aren’t dragging around a suitcase full of dirty socks and underwear. I bleach the heck out of them in a dedicated laundry load to sanitize them, then use them as rags for really, really filthy tasks. Then toss. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/30 "2015-06-23T02:13:13Z")
I just counted and I have 76! :eek: Whoa I really didn’t think it was that many!! Though to be fair that’s from quite a few years, they pile up, it’s not like I bought them all in one year. And I really only ever wear half of those. All VS, but it’s not they were much money. All either bought in their 8 for $26 specials, or their $2.99 semi-annual sales or as their free monthly gifts. 150 in just ten months though, yeah that’s crazy excessive. (Don’t get me started on how many socks I have as well! Like three dresser drawers full!) ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/31 "2015-06-23T03:02:41Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Second question: What would you say about someone buying around 150 different panties over the course of 10 months? Is that normal? Surely there’s a story here, and we all want to hear it! ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/32 "2015-06-23T04:01:43Z")
Three bras; one on, one in the drawer and one in the wash. Undies - about a week’s worth. More than enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/33 "2015-06-24T17:15:20Z")
I also tend to hang around in the 2 - 3 weeks’ worth of undies crowd. If I drop under 14 pair, I make it a point to stock up (because sometimes, I fail at laundry for a week). I’ve also gotten to where I tend to wait until there’s a big underwear sale and then I buy a bunch, and “retire” an equal number of my older ones all in one go. Also, the first time I get even marginal slippage out of the elastic? OUT THEY GO! No exceptions! I have 8 bras in regular rotation. (I just bought two new ones). This is not counting the handful of “special” undergarments - I have, for example, a strapless bra that I didn’t count, and a few other undergarments that are basically only for use with certain outfits and I don’t really wear unless I’m wearing that outfit. There might be as many as a dozen of that kind of underpinning. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/34 "2015-06-25T01:42:50Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > She’s not a free-bleeder, is she? I just looked this up. The concept is just a joke, right? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/35 "2015-06-26T23:17:50Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I just looked this up. The concept is just a joke, right? :eek: I’d assume so, but the world is full of an endless assortment of individuals and philosophies, and simply anything is possible. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/36 "2015-06-28T17:40:10Z")
Thanks all for the responses! > [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](#): > > Surely there’s a story here, and we all want to hear it! Well, it’s not much of a story. Let’s just say that now I can intrude upon women’s discussions better informed on at least one topic. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/37 "2015-06-28T19:26:24Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I just looked this up. The concept is just a joke, right? :eek: There is a site called the museum of menstruation which suggests that [free bleeding was probably common for women in 17th/18th century Europe](http://www.mum.org/whatwore.htm), and they would just leave a trail wherever they went. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/38 "2015-06-28T20:24:19Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I bleach the heck out of them in a dedicated laundry load to sanitize them, then use them as rags for really, really filthy tasks. Then toss. Interesting, but I’m not sure that would work with some of my underwear. But for others, it could, so I’ll think about it next time. Of course, I have about 60 pairs of underwear. Like others said, accumulated over the years, through specials and promotions. Since I end up using them like 6 times per year, they last quite a while. I do eventually toss them when they get holes or the elastic band gives away. I have quite a lot of bras because I’m always terrified the type I like will disappear, so let’s just say I stocked up in case bra-apocalypse happens. I still retire them, and there are a few who may be retired before the year is done. Also, if I try a new style and I like it and it fits, I buy a couple more in that style, just in case. I don’t see what the dispute or issue is, after all. Unless like mentioned before, the person is unable to cover more basic immediate needs (housing, utilities, food), then it is harmless. ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/39 "2015-06-29T00:03:32Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > It’s already been said numerous times–2 or 3 weeks’ worth is good, in case I skip doing laundry one weekend and don’t run short. > > What to do with old underwear and socks–this is my recommendation for both women and men. When they start to get holey or the elastic wears out, set them aside and pack them to take with you the next time you travel; you wear them one last time, throw them out, and then you aren’t dragging around a suitcase full of dirty socks and underwear. Exactly. I tend to accumulate about 4 weeks’ worth in theory, but I’m one of those people who prefers not to wear patterned undies under white pants, and likes to wear something close to the color of my other clothing so it doesn’t peek out so obviously when I bend over. Also, if I’m a bit, er, spongy, I like a slicker, thinner fabric when my jeans feel tight. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100/40 "2015-06-29T01:03:35Z")
Where the heck do these undies get stored anyway? That seems ridiculous. I’ve got about 14-21 days of utilitarian, “every day” under wear and a few - maybe 7 or so - nicer pairs that I wear when I’m seducing my husband and even that is a pain in the butt (ha) to find room for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-whats-a-normal-number-of-underwear-to-own-at-any-given-time/723100.md?page=3)