The options for underwear seem so grim these days. Even low quality cotton boxer walmart briefs are like 3 / $25 here in Canada. I'd really like to find an option for ordering quality wool men's and women's underwear online. Any frugal tips?
I have also heard that sewing underwear diy style is a great option. Any experiences?
Posted Aug 12, 2019, 3:00 AM UTC
Marshalls, Ross, Burke's outlet, TJ Maxx, comando
OP is in Canada. I don’t think we have any of these (at least not where I am out west)
Y'all have commando
I'm the type of guy who makes occasional fly mistakes... need back up or friends in HR
Winners is TJMaxx in Canada
I'm not sure if they'd be available in Canada or what their price would be, but I've been happy with Kirkland boxer briefs from Costco. $12-14 per 4 pack depending on whether they're on sale in the US. Not wool, though.
These are awesome! They're available in Costco in Canada.
I like them more than the Saxx that were $30+ each that I was buying before I found the Costco ones!
There are Costcos in Canada. Also there are sometimes coupons you can get from the manufacturer—some have them on their website, sometimes if you call the 1-800 number on the back of the package the customer service agency will send you a coupon.
There may also be some good back to school deals coming up.
I figured, but wasn't completely sure.
Wool underwear? Really? Maybe for a trapper in the 1860s. Man that makes me itch just thinking about it. There are other ways to stay warm.
High quality wool isn’t itchy at all! Just tends to be expensive
You're not from Canada, eh? Stanfield's. You'd call them longjohns, and yeah, the goid ones are usually wool and they aren't cheap. You don't want cotton in winter.
No but I visit fairly often to go canoeing. I’ve never been in the winter. If I ever do I’ll be sure to bring some polar fleece “stanfields” for sure!
If you can get the fabric you want, sewing your own is indeed an option. The excellent Canadian pattern company Jalie has a nice pattern. https://jalie.com/3885-gerald-underwear-sewing-pattern
I second Jalie patterns. They’re pretty much the best patterns I’ve ever worked with.
I made myself swimsuit shorts last year which I actually wore to the pool today! (Have been wearing them for the past several months and they don’t look homemade at all)
That said, sewing stretch material was a new experience for me and I’m hesitant to recommend it to anyone who doesn’t have some good experience sewing other stuff.
I love sewing stretch materials! I feel like my cuts and darts don't have to be as accurate. :D If you are struggling with keeping the fabrics aligned (the top and bottom stretching at different rates thru the machine), try using a walking foot. A walking foot effectively gives you an additional set of dog feet. So the fabric feeds easier. Also, I have found that putting tape on my machine, makes the bottom fabric move easier. My favorite stitch is a three-point zig-zag, I feel like it is the best combination of stretch and stability. Cheers!
I think the issue for me wasn’t the structural part of the sewing. I have the right foot and got special needles and everything, and did a nice close zigzag and the shirts I made held together really well.
My issue on my first try was more with finishing stitches. Sewing the fabric stretched out seemed fine and the end result looked great, but I’ve broken quite a few of the straight stitches wearing the shorts.
Luckily the material somehow holds its ironed/learned folds amazingly (who knew?), so it’s not too noticeable with black thread on black fabric. But it still annoys me.
I guess I have to stretch the fabric more while sewing next time? Maybe use wider stitches? Not sure.
Yes. It took me forever to wrap my brain around this... how far should i stretch it, stitch length, etc. But I have figured out.. it is about seam length (not fabric length) - stick with me here.
Think about how far with the fabric has to stretch on your body - that is your max seam length. Which is different that fabric length (cus the fabric will shrink back up).
So if your finished edge need to stretch, say 40in to go over your head, when you sew the piece, the fabric should be stretched to 40 inches, so the seam is 40 inches max. It will spring back to its original size, but that is how you will avoid popped stitches.
I don't know why it took me so long to figure (years?) that out, but once I did it worked well. Personally. I use a twin needle and a small stitch when hemming, or if I don't care what it looks like, I do a overcast edge.
thanks that's a good tip!
So if you are going to sew them.
- The Jalie patterns are amazing. They are multi sizes and well made. They are a little pricey.
- For free - you can "copy" your favorite pair into a pattern. There are lots of videos on how to make patterns from your clothes.
- There is a old vintage book called "undies" it's a great reference, your library may have it.
- Consider cost of materials, cheap stretch wool is going to be 10-15 dollars a yard (might get 2 pair out of a yard) plus elastic for the top.
- There are ways to get fabric for less, you are at an advantage as the color of your foundation garments don't matter as much as outerwear. Ebay, yard sales, upcycling old clothes.
- Make a practice pair, or two, or three until you get it right. Use something with a similar stretch factor. Old jersey sheets, old shirts, etc. that way you aren't practicing on your nice fabric. Things RARELY fit the first time you make them. (I once made 10 practice copies of a dress! but the final one was perfect, so worth it.)
Good luck, have fun!
You probably won't find wool underwear for cheaper than 3 for $25. You could try sewing or knitting your own. This would be a pretty advanced project for either craft. I've had trouble getting homemade underwear to stretch correctly, but not be excessively baggy.
I've been buying Amazon Essentials underwear. The 7-pack products are relatively cheap and the quality is decent.
Taobao
I sew my own. Lots of people do it. Lots of patterns are available from lacy thong ones to mens boxer briefs.
I find that my variety is best found on line directly from Hanes.com. I can get a six-pack of cotten underwear for under $2 per pair. And then there's discount codes and such.
I buy Hanes on amazon 4/$12-$15. It is what it is.
imo the best way to be frugal with underwear is to hand wash or line dry so they last longer. i usually skip the dryer with my favorite underwear and there is a noticeable difference in how they look compared to other pairs
i don't think sewing would be frugal unless you already sew and have tons of scraps to use up. otherwise there's lots of upfront costs for materials not to mention the value of your time
If you're going to sew your own, what is your time worth?
If I can mow grass what's my time worth to mow it myself? If I can cook, is it worth it to cook? I see this fallacy a lot. Depending on what money and actual resources people have, their current situation, and what they prefer, it can be worthwhile to do anything.
If you currently have skills in sewing it can be worth quite a bit considering people may have spouses and kids on top of things. Also people learning skills like to practice on items that will not be seen by the majority of the public. Convenience doesn't always pay, even if it's cheaper on paper.
I guess if sewing is a hobby of yours, you wouldn't see it as work. I however do not sew, so it wouldn't be worth my time to learn and sew my own.
I guess it all just comes down to how you'd like to spend your time.
honestly part of the appeal is the potential to make a perfect fitting pair exactly how I want them, which I cannot seem to find for sale.
I reckon once you get that pattern perfect you'll be able to crank out subsequent pairs much faster.
Nothing wrong with having different priorities in life my friend.
It's worth it NOT to support companies that don't pay a fair wage https://youtu.be/pTIfY9SmJdA
Marshall's normally has undies on sale for $1 where I am
Amazon Marshall’s Walmart Costco Fields
Cool thing about underwear is that if you get a big enough wardrobe. Then they should last over 10 years.
Clearance section of your favorite stores.
Wool? Really? You can buy like a 12 pack of briefs at Walmart for $12 that will last years. Amazon has tons of cheap options as well.
I keep a few good pairs for when I feel it's likely someone whose opinion I care about will see them.
The rest of the time I'm wearing some GAP briefs I bought 4 years ago.
aliexpress
Commando