Image © Natalia Kostikova
Have you ever put on a once-beautiful bra only to find it has a tear in the fabric, or found yourself frantically hunting through a heap of underwear for that comfy, no-show panty when you’re late in the morning? The start of a new year is a great time to reevaluate how you’re storing your lingerie and nightwear. Reorganizing does take a little work, but if done properly, you’ll never have to worry about misplacing or damaging something again!
So, what is the best the way to store your underwear and sleepwear collection?
Image © Natalia Kostikova
How to store bras
When it comes to bras, most of us store them flat. But if you hang yours up, use hangers with clips and hang them upside down from the band; hanging bras from their straps puts the elastic under constant strain which will lead to it stretching out sooner than it otherwise would.
While unpadded bras can be folded in half to save space, molded cups need extra care. Squashing them – even just inverting one to place it inside the other – can lead to permanent creases and warping. Instead, stack them so that each bra’s cups are being filled out and held in shape by those of the bra below or behind it.
Finally, don’t forget to fasten the bras’ hooks before storing them so that they can’t snag on anything.
Shadowline® Spandex Full Brief Panty
How to store panties
Is your underwear drawer currently a haphazard mess? The simple solution is to add some drawer dividers or organizers, especially if you can find ones with small compartments that are perfectly sized for individual pairs of panties (hint: they’re also ideal for socks and pantyhose). Then you can simply fold or roll each panty up into a neat parcel, slot it in, and with the most minimal effort you’ll be feeling as organized as Marie Kondo!
Able to keep your panty drawer tidy without the need for dividers? It’s still worth checking that the inside of the drawer is completely smooth. Run your hand over the interior to check for rough surfaces, or screw edges that could catch on a delicate fabric. These issues are easily fixed with a large fabric basket that you can slot inside the drawer, or a drawer liner – a sheet of thick, sometimes scented paper that sits at the bottom.
Image © Olga Vaskevich
How to store sleepwear
For larger items, such as chemises and robes, choosing to fold or hang them mostly just comes down to personal preference and how much closet space you have. Our nylon fabrics are inherently low-wrinkle, so you can store your Shadowline® nightgowns and pajamas away in a drawer without worrying that they’ll look crumpled when it’s time to wear them.
Would you rather hang up your sleepwear? Check your hangers for any rough edges; to avoid damaging fine fabrics such as nylon, silk and lace, it’s worth investing in some good-quality hangers that are completely smooth.
And remember, just as with bra straps, items with stretchy shoulder straps such as our Silhouette Lace Bodice Long Nightgown will retain their elasticity for longer if they’re stored flat instead.
Image © Natalia Kostikova
A few final lingerie storage tips
Keep everyday essentials at the front
Have bras or briefs you wear over and over? Organize your lingerie drawer so that they’re within easy reach – it’ll be one less thing to worry about on those rushed mornings!
Or, regularly rotate your storage system
On the other hand, a garment that’s always shoved to the back of a drawer is easy to forget. If you want to make sure all of your underwear is getting the attention it deserves, and prolong the lifespan of your favorites by not wearing them all the time, then a rotating system may make more sense for you. For example, you could always put clean underwear away at the back of the drawer to bring different styles to the front.
Limited drawer space? Think vertical
If you have more lingerie than drawer space available (we hear you!), store your bras and briefs in boxes instead which you can stack on top of each other inside your closet. Clear boxes will help you to quickly identify what’s inside each.
Add a little fragrance
If you love your clothing to have a wonderful scent, try adding a fragranced drawer sachet (or drawer liner!) or attach one to a hanger. Certain scents even help to repel moths and other pests.
Use a lingerie case when travelling
Don’t forget to take good care of your smalls when they’re away from home! Slip your delicates into a fabric bag to protect them inside your suitcase. Hard bra cases are also available to prevent molded styles from becoming misshapen.
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful. A little extra care is all it takes to keep your purchases looking beautiful for longer! Want to learn more? Here are our best practices to avoid damage when washing and drying your lingerie or nightwear too.
