How Many Pairs of Underwear Should Women Own?

How Many Pairs of Underwear Should Women Own?


When it comes to how many pairs of underwear women own, it’s usually a tale of two extremes — you’re either rotating the same 7 pairs or your drawer is so stuffed you can hardly pop it open.

Whether you’re a underwear junkie or a one-and-done kind of lady, have you ever wondered if there is a definitive number of underwear you should actually own?

How many pairs of underwear should I own?

We believe that women’s underwear is the base layer of your personal style — the less visible but equally important medium of self expression.

If you prefer a minimal, more utilitarian wardrobe consisting mostly of everyday essentials, you might own a dozen pairs of tried and true favorites that would do the trick.

If you’re on the other end of the spectrum, your panty drawer probably contains every style from a high-waisted boyshort to a supersoft thong. Let’s not even get started on the colorways...

So what’s the answer?

While there is no definitive right or wrong — we’ve found that most women own 20 pairs of underwear (a three-week supply), striking the perfect balance between adequate and excess.

Three major factors to consider when taking stock of your own underwear drawer are comfort, aesthetic, and practicality.

From a sweaty workout to a wardrobe change and a bustling schedule to an unexpected surf on the crimson wave, we’d suggest having a couple of extra pairs of underwear for good measure.

When should I replace my underwear?

Knowing when to part ways with your underwear is also a key decision to make.

We all have that one lucky pair of underwear from 5 years ago that we just can’t bring ourselves to throw away. When investing in something as intimate as your underwear, choosing affordable pieces that don’t cut corners in terms of quality can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

For those of you who value environmental consciousness, a word like sustainability might play a huge role in determining when to replace a pair of underwear.

Luckily for you, our core fabric is made of 85% recycled nylon and all of our materials are free from harmful chemicals that pollute your skin and our waters, but maintain both durability and a buttery-soft feel.

Updating your top drawer on a timely basis also crosses into the realm of hygiene — did you know that replacing your underwear reduces the risk of urinary tract infections?

All things considered, we’d recommend replacing your underwear every six months to a year.

Looking to add a new pair of underwear to your collection? Parade's got you covered

Starting at $8 a pair, Parade offers seamless, smooth and comfortable underwear in colors for every day of the week.

We have over 200+ style and color combinations sized from XS to 3XL.

Shop across our top underwear collections:

» Thong underwear

» Brief underwear 

» Boyshort underwear

» Cheeky underwear

Parade underwear is made from recycled materials & fabrics: cotton lining & mesh for breathability, nylon for a silky feel and spandex for comfortable stretch.

We offer three fabric platforms across our underwear collection:

  1. Universal: No visible panty lines (even under leggings), this seamless underwear feels like you're wearing nothing. Made from recycled fabric with an organic cotton lining

  2. Silky Mesh: Luxurious superfine silky mesh underwear, with a breathable cotton liner, lightweight & buttery feel with 360 degree stretch

  3. Re:Play: Ultra-soft underwear for everyday wear. Made from recycled super-fine fabric, a breathable cotton liner, lightweight & cool touch with 360 degree stretch