How to clear out the underwear drawer without regret

Short answer: Clear out the underwear drawer by taking everything out, sorting by condition and fit, and keeping what you actually wear. Put the uncertain pieces in a box for a few months, so you can see whether you miss them before anything is gone for good.

Take everything out of the drawer

Start by emptying the whole drawer and laying everything out. Only then can you see what you have and how many there are of each kind. Many discover they own several pairs of the same thing and none of what they are missing. It gives an honest starting point before you decide anything.

Sort into three piles

Make three piles: what you wear, what you are unsure about, and what is worn out. Loose elastic and fabric that has gone thin belong in the last. What you wear goes back. The uncertain pile is the interesting one, because you need to be a little more sober there, so you do not throw out something you actually like.

Feel the fit

Put on the uncertain ones and feel how they sit. Does the elastic pinch, do the legs ride up, or does a seam chafe? Then the fit is wrong, and you will not wear them, however nice they look. Keep only what feels good when you walk, sit and bend.

The box for the uncertain

This is where you avoid regret. Put the uncertain pieces in a box and store it away for two to three months. If you do not reach for anything, the answer is clear. If you miss a pair, take it out again. That way it is never a decision on the spot.

What goes out and how

Worn out items should not just sit there. Use them for cleaning if you like, or hand them in where textiles are collected. Check whether any whole pairs can be used by others, and pass them on. It feels better than stuffing everything in the bin, and the drawer becomes easy to overview.

Refill with care

Once the drawer is cleared, it is easy to see what is missing. Buy a few things at a time and choose by what you actually wear. Look at the bamboo tank top for men if you want a soft layer under the shirt or T-shirt you already own. Do not buy for stock, buy for need.

Keep it in order

Put the underwear in rows so you can see it all, and do not let a pile grow in the corner. Use a simple rule: when you buy something new, a worn pair goes out. That way the drawer does not grow again. Wash the underwear according to the care label, at a low temperature and without fabric softener, so it lasts longer.

The rest of the wardrobe

Once the underwear is in place, the rest can follow. You can see the whole selection in the range for men and work out what would make sense to add. Sweatpants, for example, take up little space and are worn a lot, so look at bamboo sweatpants for men if your homewear is worn out.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clear out the underwear drawer?

Once a year is plenty for most people. You can also do it when the season changes, or when you are clearing the wardrobe anyway. What matters most is that it becomes a habit.

When is underwear worn enough to be replaced?

When the elastic is slack, the fabric has gone thin, or a seam has come apart. Also if it no longer fits well. If you are unsure, put it in the box for the uncertain.

What do I do with worn out underwear?

Use it for cleaning, or hand it in where textiles are collected. Do not put it in the ordinary bin if there is a better option in your municipality.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.