When you choose what to wear under your regular clothes, do you think about the best
material for your underwear ? You've probably considered it at some point for aesthetic reasons, but have you ever stopped to think about the repercussions it can also have on your health? We mustn't forget that this type of garment covers
particularly sensitive areas of the human anatomy . And in the case of men, choosing the wrong fabric can contribute to the growth of bacteria and other harmful organisms, both on the skin and in the mucous membranes or urethra. Remember that your
men's underwear is like your armor, and to protect yourself properly, you need to choose the most appropriate material.
What material should you choose for underwear?
Centuries have passed since the first linen underwear was worn by the upper classes of ancient civilizations. And over this time, uses, styles, aesthetic tastes, and, of course, materials have varied. Today, the
variety is endless . That's why it's important to be informed before choosing.
Cotton underwear
When choosing underwear materials, many people lean toward garments made from
natural fabrics . This includes cotton underwear, as it is a material extracted from nature. Specifically, it belongs to the
plant fiber family , just like linen or hemp. However, it is also very common to source raw materials from the
animal kingdom , as is the case with wool or silk.
Cotton maintains its undisputed title as the best material for underwear.
Natural fibers stand out because they don't require any processing or decomposition, and they can be spun directly. However, despite these common factors,
not all natural fabrics are suitable for making underwear . For example, linen lacks elasticity and also tends to shrink. And, in the case of silk, its initial price combined with the difficulties in caring for the fabric make it an inefficient alternative for everyday use.
On the other hand, wool has the ability to absorb moisture without us even noticing it on our skin. However, like silk, it's difficult to care for.
Cotton , on the other hand, has certain characteristics that have made it the
most common and widely used material for underwear worldwide .
Synthetic fiber underwear
When we talk about
synthetic fibers , we're referring to fabrics artificially manufactured by humans, using chemicals in the process. In the case of underwear, the most common fabrics are elastane, polyamide, and, above all, polyester.
Polyamide is much more durable than polyester or cotton, and is also highly elastic. On the downside, it takes longer to dry, which is why it's often used separately, without mixing it with other fabrics.
Polyester is an easy-to-wash material that doesn't tend to shrink. It also has two other factors in its favor: it doesn't retain moisture and is very stretchy, which gives it extra comfort, especially for sports underwear.
Elastane can be defined as an ally, both in combination with synthetic and natural fibers. Its inclusion as part of underwear material is intended to add elasticity to garments, providing greater comfort and a snug fit to the body's contours. Just by mentioning that it can stretch up to six times its length, you can get an idea of its enormous adaptability.
Given all these explanations, it's easy to understand why
blends of several of these fibers are often used. This is the way to take advantage of the best characteristics of each to create the best material for underwear.
Underwear made of manufactured fibers
Manufactured fiber is also a type of
artificial fiber , but unlike the previous types, it is
extracted from nature . Specifically, it is obtained from tree cellulose and then treated with a
chemical process .
One of the best-known manufactured fibers is
rayon , or today's
viscose . Despite its comfort and ease of washing, it consumes too many resources to be considered a good material for underwear. The same is true of
modal and
bamboo , both manufactured fibers, but not optimal for making underwear. In the first case, due to its high cost; in the second, due to its tendency to quickly lose its shape.
So which one do I choose?
Cotton maintains its undisputed title as the best material for underwear . And this is so for several reasons. The first and most important is health, since cotton is a fabric that
facilitates absorption and prevents moisture . It is also
hypoallergenic . Therefore, if you have sensitive or atopic skin, cotton ensures an irritation- and eczema-free experience, meaning it is a perfect fabric to
prevent chafing . In fact, cotton underwear is one of the best options to prevent infections.
Added to these characteristics is the
softness felt when cotton fabric touches the skin, making it a very comfortable and pleasant alternative. But the benefits of cotton don't end there.
Sustainability is an increasingly valued characteristic with the popularization of
organic cotton . This is organically grown cotton, whose production must meet very specific certifications, and whose processing does not involve any chemicals.
As you can see, there are many
fabrics for underwear , but cotton offers the best characteristics. Comfort, durability, hygiene, and sustainability define this fabric and make it the most popular choice for men's underwear.
