It feels kinda weird doing either, actually.
January 10, 2007 4:09 PM Subscribe
Long johns: Are you supposed to wear them accompanying underwear, or as underwear?
either / or
depending on how cold it is, if it is comfrotable.. etc
posted by edgeways at 4:11 PM on January 10, 2007
depending on how cold it is, if it is comfrotable.. etc
posted by edgeways at 4:11 PM on January 10, 2007
Seconding as. Yeah it feels a bit weird -- you can think of them as fuzzy, longer-legged boxer-briefs if that helps.
posted by cps at 4:12 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by cps at 4:12 PM on January 10, 2007
It's complicated. If you're wearing them under clothing, then you wear underwear underneath them. If you're wearing them solo to bed, then you don't wear underwear underneath them.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 4:17 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 4:17 PM on January 10, 2007
I wear them as underwear. They call them long underwear for a reason. For gentlemen, anything but tight briefs would be uncomfortable underneath them due to bunching issues. If it is extra cold/windy, I wear a special pair of windproof briefs underneath, but I don't see what the point of regular briefs would be. On the other hand, my girlfriend wears them with underwear underneath. No doubt others will weigh in, but the answer might depend on the wearer's sex.
posted by ssg at 4:17 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by ssg at 4:17 PM on January 10, 2007
However you like, but the advantage to wearing something under them is the longjohns stay can then clean for a few days. Like, I have *one* pair of 40-below polarfleece longjohns, not one for each day of the week.
posted by Listener at 4:26 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by Listener at 4:26 PM on January 10, 2007
They call them long underwear for a reason.
ssg speaks the truth. Although I would argue that something made of polar fleece, however long, is not underwear.
posted by mendel at 4:33 PM on January 10, 2007
ssg speaks the truth. Although I would argue that something made of polar fleece, however long, is not underwear.
posted by mendel at 4:33 PM on January 10, 2007
Depends is you are male or femme. I wear undies with them. My husband does not.
posted by Brittanie at 4:48 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by Brittanie at 4:48 PM on January 10, 2007
They feel kind of uncomfortable without, at least for me. My pants legs pull them down, and once you've gone indoors from the cold everything gets sweaty and chafe-y, and not in the good way. In the well, hopefully I won't get a yeast infection way. It helps me to think of the long johns as a layer, rather than under wear.
posted by Sara Anne at 4:51 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by Sara Anne at 4:51 PM on January 10, 2007
With, for the same reason Listener said: Repeated Use.
posted by phixed at 4:54 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by phixed at 4:54 PM on January 10, 2007
They call them underwear because they are not acceptable to be worn as the outermost layer of clothing, not because they are supposed to be the innermost. Victorian ladies, for instance, had about five layers of underwear.
I go with wearing something under for Listener's reason, but it's really just a comfort/convenience decision - Miss Manners does not care.
posted by jacalata at 5:14 PM on January 10, 2007
I go with wearing something under for Listener's reason, but it's really just a comfort/convenience decision - Miss Manners does not care.
posted by jacalata at 5:14 PM on January 10, 2007
Ladies: With
Men: Your call, unless you don't do your own laundry, in which case, with, because washing those things is a pain.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:17 PM on January 10, 2007
Men: Your call, unless you don't do your own laundry, in which case, with, because washing those things is a pain.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:17 PM on January 10, 2007
I wear my long johns with underwear, for Listener's reason. Plus it's warmer. And I have the option of taking them off when it warms up or I get inside.
posted by hydrophonic at 5:19 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by hydrophonic at 5:19 PM on January 10, 2007
With.
I am a girl, and I prefer my undies snug against my business, and long johns don't stay snug, as Sara Anne said.
Plus, there's that whole previoiusly-mentioned, I-only-have-one-set thing.
posted by clh at 5:27 PM on January 10, 2007
I am a girl, and I prefer my undies snug against my business, and long johns don't stay snug, as Sara Anne said.
Plus, there's that whole previoiusly-mentioned, I-only-have-one-set thing.
posted by clh at 5:27 PM on January 10, 2007
I wear them under my briefs, because it makes me feel like a superhero.
Kidding. Listen to Listener. (Although Wikipedia says the old-fashioned one-piece long undewear was worn without shorts.)
posted by faster than a speeding bulette at 5:30 PM on January 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Kidding. Listen to Listener. (Although Wikipedia says the old-fashioned one-piece long undewear was worn without shorts.)
posted by faster than a speeding bulette at 5:30 PM on January 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
jacquilynne, how are they a pain to wash? Unless you mean washing the same pair every day over and over.
I only have one pair, but I've also been known to wear thick tights under jeans to a similar effect. It's not as good as waffle-weave but it's better than nothing.
posted by Brittanie at 5:52 PM on January 10, 2007
I only have one pair, but I've also been known to wear thick tights under jeans to a similar effect. It's not as good as waffle-weave but it's better than nothing.
posted by Brittanie at 5:52 PM on January 10, 2007
I may be projecting from my childhood.
They take forever and a day to dry, and all the ones we've ever owned weren't dryable in the washer. My father's really good pair were wool, so basically handwash only. Though, they're probably made of like, thinsulate lined microfiber with teflon anti-stain formulas now so you just toss 'em in the wash.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:55 PM on January 10, 2007
They take forever and a day to dry, and all the ones we've ever owned weren't dryable in the washer. My father's really good pair were wool, so basically handwash only. Though, they're probably made of like, thinsulate lined microfiber with teflon anti-stain formulas now so you just toss 'em in the wash.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:55 PM on January 10, 2007
as if you usually wear boxers
with if you wear briefs
posted by andythebean at 6:12 PM on January 10, 2007
with if you wear briefs
posted by andythebean at 6:12 PM on January 10, 2007
Short underwear is worn for hygiene, to protect your clothes from your smelly bits. Long underwear is worn for warmth. If you tend to wear your clothes more than once between washes, then wear short and long underwear together. If you wear your clothes only once between washes (this seems to be an American thing), then it doesn't make a difference. And if you wear your short underwear more than once between washes (this seems to be a [insert-culture-you-wish-to-insult] thing), it also doesn't make a difference.
posted by randomstriker at 6:36 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by randomstriker at 6:36 PM on January 10, 2007
With, both to keep them cleaner and so they can be removed if I get too hot.
posted by Mitheral at 6:42 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by Mitheral at 6:42 PM on January 10, 2007
With.
Yes, I'm a lady, and no, I don't wash them with every wear. I wear long skirts as a rule and in the deepest of winter I haul them out to wear as an additional layer for warmth while hiking or waiting out in the cold. It is nice to have the option to remove them if I know I'm going to be inside for an extended period, especially if they've gotten snowy at the ankles.
posted by cobaltnine at 6:55 PM on January 10, 2007
Yes, I'm a lady, and no, I don't wash them with every wear. I wear long skirts as a rule and in the deepest of winter I haul them out to wear as an additional layer for warmth while hiking or waiting out in the cold. It is nice to have the option to remove them if I know I'm going to be inside for an extended period, especially if they've gotten snowy at the ankles.
posted by cobaltnine at 6:55 PM on January 10, 2007
Maybe I'm really weird. But today, actually this came up for the first time. Well, kind of yesterday too. I wore long underwear yesterday to work and they kind of ride low and my shirt rides up as I move and walk around the store so they kind of poke out but don't actually cover enough. So today, I wore my long underwear and wore a pair of boxers (my usual choice of underwear) OVER them. That way, they don't show when I bend over or when my pants hang a little low. Is that weird? I think it just doesn't matter and it all depends on what your situation is. Do what is comfortable and appropriate for your particular dress code.
posted by idledebonair at 7:40 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by idledebonair at 7:40 PM on January 10, 2007
I don't know, but I need a source. My legs won't fit in ones with the proper waist size.. (And, I don't want to pay $15 a pair!)
posted by Chuckles at 7:45 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by Chuckles at 7:45 PM on January 10, 2007
Oh ya, on topic, I find the 'support' offered by briefs can be helpful while cycling.
posted by Chuckles at 7:46 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by Chuckles at 7:46 PM on January 10, 2007
If you're on a bicycle you might need something extra to prevent frostbite in places where no person should ever have frostbite.
posted by craniac at 8:16 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by craniac at 8:16 PM on January 10, 2007
I like the ones from Wintersilks (I get a rash from synthetics). They can be machine washed and then drip-dried overnight.
posted by brujita at 9:03 PM on January 10, 2007
posted by brujita at 9:03 PM on January 10, 2007
I live cold climate (northern Sweden, close to the artic circle) where many people often use long underwear daily during the winter (the others just walk around in regular pants alone all the time...) and I have never seen anyone using them without regular underwear underneath as well.
And short underwear above? Only when you want to play superman :-)
You typically don't have enough (I have at least 5 times as many regular underwear to long underwear) of them to change everyday, so it's a partly a hygiene thing. It also enables you to change in and out easier when needed.
posted by rpn at 1:38 AM on January 11, 2007
And short underwear above? Only when you want to play superman :-)
You typically don't have enough (I have at least 5 times as many regular underwear to long underwear) of them to change everyday, so it's a partly a hygiene thing. It also enables you to change in and out easier when needed.
posted by rpn at 1:38 AM on January 11, 2007
If typical long undies don't fit you right (they are made for the pencil-legged, I think) then knit pajama bottoms are a great substitute.
Single-piece top & bottom types of underwear MUST be worn as underwear, else you can't go to the pot without stripping down...unless you do the superhero thing FTASB mentioned (but then you also have to wear your socks over your shoes, ala Superman)
But you're free to do as you please. If male, please send photos.
posted by Goofyy at 3:56 AM on January 11, 2007
Single-piece top & bottom types of underwear MUST be worn as underwear, else you can't go to the pot without stripping down...unless you do the superhero thing FTASB mentioned (but then you also have to wear your socks over your shoes, ala Superman)
But you're free to do as you please. If male, please send photos.
posted by Goofyy at 3:56 AM on January 11, 2007
Chuckles writes "I don't know, but I need a source. My legs won't fit in ones with the proper waist size.. (And, I don't want to pay $15 a pair!)"
Superstore was clearing out white two piece separates at $5 each last week. The bottoms are roomy and comfortable though I'll have to stitch the elastic in place, i kind of moves around in the tube they placed it in.
posted by Mitheral at 6:46 AM on January 11, 2007
Superstore was clearing out white two piece separates at $5 each last week. The bottoms are roomy and comfortable though I'll have to stitch the elastic in place, i kind of moves around in the tube they placed it in.
posted by Mitheral at 6:46 AM on January 11, 2007
it (the elastic) kind of moves around in the tube they placed it in.
posted by Mitheral at 9:26 AM on January 11, 2007
posted by Mitheral at 9:26 AM on January 11, 2007
With! For so many reasons - so they can be worn multiple times without washing, because I like my undies fairly snug as a lady, so you can remove them if you get stuck inside for a long period, etc.
posted by marginaliana at 10:28 AM on January 11, 2007
posted by marginaliana at 10:28 AM on January 11, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by timeistight at 4:11 PM on January 10, 2007