National Underwear Day is on August 5, so let us brief-ly tell you why we love underwear. It keeps us from ‘jiggling’ in public by covering our unmentionables! Plus, underwear appears in nearly every culture. Today, it comes in all colors, sizes, and fabrics. So all hail our underwear on National Underwear Day!
When is National Underwear Day 2025?
Underwear of all shapes, sizes, and colors is celebrated on National Underwear Day on August 5.
History of National Underwear Day
National Underwear Day was originally created by the brand Freshpair in 2003, as a campaign promoting a positive body image. Although men were part of the initiative as well, the focus was more on women, and how society perceives their body image. This was during a time when being confident in one’s bare skin was somewhat a new concept, and market trends were rapidly changing. The movement went viral, and National Underwear Day has been celebrated on August 5 every year since.The first underwear dates back to prehistoric times — with humans wearing a loincloth. During the Middle Ages, men wore linen shorts or ‘braies.’ Women wore a ‘shift’ under their dresses. In Britain, pants were long drawers covering the whole leg. (In fact, the word, ‘panties’ evolved from a shortened version of the word ‘pants.’) But women’s knickers didn’t appear until the 19th century.While underwear is primarily for protecting clothes from getting stained, the rising demand for lingerie led to more fashionable varieties of underwear. Lady Duff-Gordon of Lucile was the first to create lingerie that freed women from tight corsets. Breakthrough brand Victoria’s Secret was founded in 1977 and made underwear and nightwear both fun and functional for daily wear.National Underwear Day celebrates boxers, briefs, sports bras, and even some swimsuits. If it is worn underneath your clothing, it is an undergarment worth celebrating!
National Underwear Day timeline
French designer Lindsay Boudreaux becomes the first full-time underwear designer in the United States.
Agent Provocateur is founded in the U.K.
The largest crowd wearing only undergarments gathers in Salt Lake City, setting a Guinness World Record.
Nude-colored underwear becomes popular, with more consumers opting for it instead of bright vivid colors.
National Underwear Day FAQs
Is it OK to wear underwear two days in a row?
Health-wise, it is alright to wear the same pair of underwear for two days consecutively, as long as they are clean and aren’t prominently stained or marked.
Is it important to wear underwear?
Other than hygiene, wearing underwear absorbs sweat and generally shields the body from chafing or irritation from jeans, pants, etc.
Should you sleep with underwear on?
It is recommended by many health professionals that humans should sleep without undergarments.
National Underwear Day Activities
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Recruit some friends to a National Underwear Day parade you just created
Since you seem to be the type to march to the beat of a different drummer, why not put together a National Underwear Day Parade? Gather a group of your boldest, most unconventional friends and have a fun parade in someone's huge backyard. Or check online to find a large, officially-sanctioned parade in your town. A National Underwear Day Parade — hey, it could happen!
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Treat yourself to a new set of underwear
Nothing says confidence than a new set of undies. True, people won't be able to see them, but you’ll know they’re there! There's always something fun and affirming about having a secret power set under your suit or dress.
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Check out a burlesque show
No other type of show in the world is as much about the underwear as a burlesque show. Generally a 21+ sort of event, but if you want to see the best of extravagant undergarments, glitter, confetti, dance and music; there isn’t a better place to see it.
5 Facts About Underwear That Are Worth Knowing
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Amazon Apparel
Selling underwear made Amazon the ‘Biggest Apparel Seller’ in the United States.
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Underwear Fanatic
A 10-year-old named Jack Singer wore 215 pairs of underwear at once in 2010.
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Lucky underwear
It is considered lucky for women to ring in the New Year by wearing red underwear.
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Her Majesty’s underwear
A pair of Queen Victoria’s underwear made from yards of white cream fabric and with her initials embroidered on it, auctioned for $14,500.
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Barely legal
In Thailand, it is illegal to leave the house without wearing underwear.
Why We Love National Underwear Day
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Wearing underwear keeps you warm
Underwear is not just limited to your standard boxer or briefs. Long Johns are underwear with life-saving properties. Mountaineers, folks who live in very cold areas and winter sports enthusiasts can swear by their long-johns!
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Underwear has got your back-side
Admit it — we've all had wardrobe malfunctions. So you've been eating a few too many tacos or ice cream sandwiches and you bent over a bit too fast. You jumped over that puddle in the skirt that was a teensy bit tight. But, don't worry because your underwear has you covered literally...at least until you're able to tie your sweatshirt around your waist!
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Underwear is fun
Underwear comes in so many fun colors and patterns so why not have a blast with them? Wear your favorite superhero underpants, the bright pink ones that you bought on a whim or the underwear covered in cartoon characters that you got last Christmas. On National Underwear Day, have fun with your undies!
National Underwear Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 5 | Saturday |
| 2024 | August 5 | Monday |
| 2025 | August 5 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | August 5 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | August 5 | Thursday |
