By: Heather Bien
Leggings are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re going to the gym, looking for another layer under your jeans in winter, or simply lounging at home, cozy sustainable leggings are the ideal choice.
While the wonder of leggings is widely agreed upon, opinions diverge on one central question: are you supposed to wear bamboo underwear with leggings?
Our short answer? You should wear your leggings however you want. Whether you want to learn how to measure your hips while shopping for a new pair of undies or go commando, you should consider your chosen activity and legging fabric, along with your goals for the longevity of your garments.
In this short guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of wearing undies vs. no undies with your seamless leggings.
Should You Wear Underwear With Leggings?
If you choose not to wear underwear underneath your black leggings, we completely understand. There are no judgments here! Sometimes we wonder why underwear was invented anyways!
As you know, underwear can have a few downsides.
- Uncomfortable undies can confine, pinch, chafe, and rub.
- The visible panty line is so undesirable it has its own acronym, the “VPL.”
- If you exercise in your undies, they might need to go in the wash right afterward.
With all of this in mind, omitting underwear seems to be the most simple fix. And experts agree—going commando can relieve discomfort.⁴
In fact, avoiding tight pants and underwear can even reduce the risk of the following unwanted conditions:
- Rashes
- “Underwear acne,” aka irritation from tight elastic
- A Yeast infection
- A Bacterial infection
Whether you’re working from home or wearing spandex leggings as shapewear under your dress, no one will know or care that you’re not wearing underwear, and you’ll experience increased comfort and better personal health.
But this begs the question—is it always okay to wear leggings without underwear?
The Caveat: Sometimes, Undies Can Help
Omitting undies sounds great in theory, but in practice, so much depends upon the specific leggings you’re wearing and where you’re wearing them.
In particular, you may want to think twice before hitting the gym in workout leggings alone.
Why? There are several reasons why leggings alone can sometimes fail you:
- Fabric matters – Prefer natural textiles? Unfortunately, when dampness collects in cotton leggings, bacterial infections can thrive. Luckily, there are some naturally antibacterial options like sustainable bamboo viscose.
- Leggings can get sweaty, too – If you’re planning an intense workout, the problems that arise with sweaty underwear can occur with workout leggings, too. That’s why some activewear leggings are designed with pantyliners to help address dampness. Be sure to choose a moisture-wicking option and launder your workout bottoms as is needed.
- You may need to wash your leggings more often – If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint and use fewer resources, you might not wash your leggings with every wear. After all, they may look and smell perfectly fresh if you’ve just been chilling at home! However, underwear should be washed with every use, and the same goes for leggings that are being used as a double-duty undie/legging combo.
Of course, if you’d prefer to wear underwear while you’re working out, you’re not alone!
Leggings + Underwear: A Match Made in Heaven
While it may feel comfortable to lounge around in your leggings at home, many people prefer an extra layer of protection when they’re out in the world. Plus, there are some other benefits to wearing underwear with your leggings, whether you’re opting for a bamboo g-string, bikini, or boxer brief style.
These include:
- Comfort while working out – Tight, sweaty underwear can lead to irritation and infection. The same goes for tight, sweaty leggings! Adding an extra layer of moisture-wicking fabric can help keep you comfortable and cool while you meet your fitness goals.
- A reduced need for laundry – While you’ll still need to wash your underwear after every use, you may be able to squeeze an extra day of wear out of your leggings. That means fewer trips to the washing machine, less expenditure on detergent, and a lower water bill. We call that a win-win-win.
And if you do decide to wear underwear with your leggings, that doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable or suffer from the dreaded VPL.
Instead, make sure your chosen brand fits the following criteria:
- Made of a naturally moisture-wicking fabric like bamboo viscose
- Sewn with seamless technology to reduce discomfort
- Elastic, form-hugging fabric to conform to your unique shape
With the right types of underwear, you’ll get that commando feel with all the added benefits of an extra layer.
Choose Your Adventure With Boody’s Bamboo Viscose Underwear
So, should you wear underwear with leggings? Now that you better understand some of the benefits of wearing and not wearing underwear underneath leggings, it’s up to you to make the best choice for your lifestyle.
When it comes to getting dressed, there’s no right or wrong—it’s all about your comfort!
Whether or not you decide to wear undies with your leggings, Boody offers ultra-comfortable bamboo clothing made from breathable, moisture-wicking bamboo viscose fibers.
From women’s cropped leggings to long sleeve t-shirts, explore our collection of soft and sustainable styles. Browse bamboo viscose activewear, sustainable athleisure, women's underwear, and loungewear to find the perfect essentials for your day, whether you’re conquering a mountain of emails or a literal mountain.
About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
Sources:
- Who What Wear. The Little-Known History of Leggings https://www.whowhatwear.com/history-of-leggings-trend/slide6
- CNET. Yes, you should wear underwear while working out. https://www.cnet.com/health/fitness/yes-you-should-you-wear-underwear-while-working-out/
- Bustle. 11 Benefits Of Not Wearing Underwear, According to Experts.https://www.bustle.com/wellness/11-health-benefits-of-not-wearing-underwear-according-to-experts-3567510
- Well + Good. Do You Have To Wear Underwear With Leggings? https://www.wellandgood.com/do-you-have-to-wear-underwear-with-leggings/
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By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
