You know you need underwear when…

It could be the “Hoarders” billboard that looms outside Freshpair’s offices that made me think like this, but when I opened my underwear drawer today, my once bright and shiny collection of briefs, trunks and everything in between looked like a big, dull mess.  In with the newer additions were tarnished pairs of old, marked by years of wear and tear, the waistbands frilly with elastic that went kaput ages ago. I think my negligence came from overlooking these poor, unfortunate souls every time I reached in my drawer for a fresh pair, brushing them aside but never considering disposal might be the better option.

So this caused me to ask: when it comes to underwear, how old is too old?

Underwear, like everything else that is worn and washed, has an expiration date and just because it’s not printed on the box doesn’t mean we can ignore this fact. The whole “sentimental value” thing only works with jewelry and sweaters, so if that’s your reason for retaining a pair of BVDs with more pills than a pharmacy, sniff them goodbye and move onto bigger and more elastic things. We’re definitely on your side when it comes to wanting underwear with endurance—after all, good skivvies don’t come cheap nowadays—so we’ve done the dirty work and chosen a few favorites that will keep longer so you can spend your money on more important things (like jewelry and sweaters).

aussieBum Undies: They come in every color imaginable, so there’s a match for all types of guys. They’re your good, old-fashioned brief with a modern touch here and there to give them a better fit, and because they’re aussieBum, they look good on everybody (a bold claim, we know, but give them a try anyway—see what we mean). And they last forever.

2xist Contrast Contour Pouch Brief: I’ve cleaned out the ol’ underwear dungeon several times, and still manage to pass these off as survivors, no doubt due to their durability.

Calvin Klein Pro Stretch Reflex Low Rise Trunk: Sometimes you can’t argue with technology, and technology is to thank for the microfiber that makes the CK Pro Stretch Reflex Low Rise Trunk the underwear that takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin.’ This athletic trunk is durable, smooth, cool and keeps you dry as a bone. Pretty much a permanent installation in your underwear drawer.

Emporio Armani Stretch Cotton Hip Brief: Don’t let the fancy label fool you—there’s nothing dainty about these briefs. You can wash them and wear them and they still feel and look good as new!

You never know when your underwear will find itself in the spotlight, so don’t wait until they sag to throw them into the bag.