How to STOP Underwear From Riding Up (Permanent Solutions)

You know the feeling. Your underwear was fine when you put it on, and an hour later it has migrated into wedgie territory that you cannot fix in public.

Here is how to figure out which cause is yours and what to do about it.

Why Underwear Rides Up

The underwear is worn out

Elastic wears out from washing and stretching. Once the waistband and leg openings lose their grip, the fabric has nothing holding it against your body.

Loose fabric gets pushed upward as you move because your body creates the perfect gap between your butt cheeks for it to gather into.

The size is wrong

Underwear that is too large has excess fabric that bunches as you move. Underwear that is too small stretches tight and gets pulled into a wedgie every time you take a step.

The fit needs to be snug without squeezing. If you cannot try them on, buy one pair in a new brand before committing to more.

The style does not match your body shape

Some cuts ride up more than others. Bikini-cut underwear is more likely to ride up on round, defined buttocks because the narrow back panel cannot stay anchored.

For men, regular boxers bunch under fitted pants because there is too much loose fabric. Boxer briefs (paid link) with a longer leg eliminate this by hugging the thigh.

The fabric is wrong

Thin, slippery fabrics bunch and roll toward the center of your bottom. The fabric needs enough thickness and stretch to stay flat against your skin.

Cotton is breathable but can lose its shape quickly. Bamboo and modal blends hold their stretch better while staying soft.

Your outer clothes are too tight

Skinny jeans and fitted trousers push against your underwear and force it to bunch at the crotch. The tighter the outer layer, the more likely your underwear is to ride up.

Looser-fitting pants give your underwear room to stay in place without being compressed.

How to Stop Underwear From Riding Up

Replace worn-out pairs

If the waistband does not snap back when you stretch it, the pair is done. Underwear worn regularly should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.

Do an honest audit of your drawer. Anything with holes, stretched-out elastic, or fabric that no longer grips your body should go.

Here is a quick video I made on cleaning out your underwear drawer:

Spacious Dresser Drawers in 15 Minutes

Get the right size

Underwear should fit snugly without digging in. The waistband should sit flat on your hips, and the leg openings should stay put without leaving marks.

If you have gained or lost weight recently, your old size may no longer work. Buy one pair in the new size to test before replacing your whole drawer.

Choose the right style for your body

For women: boyshort-style underwear (paid link) has more fabric covering the bottom and stays anchored better than bikini or thong cuts. If you have round, defined buttocks, a wider back panel prevents riding up.

For men: boxer briefs with a 6-inch inseam are the most resistant to riding up. They hug the thigh and prevent bunching, so avoid regular boxers under fitted pants.

Pick a fabric that holds its shape

Look for fabrics with enough stretch to hug your body but enough structure to stay flat. According to Wirecutter’s underwear guide, modal and bamboo blends are the best at holding their shape wash after wash.

Avoid 100% cotton if riding up is your main problem. Cotton stretches out during the day and loses its snug fit.

Here is my personal comparison of the best boxer briefs fabrics:

Best Boxer Briefs for Men: Merino Wool vs Bamboo vs ExOfficio v Cotton

Match your underwear to the activity

Office underwear and gym underwear should not be the same pair. Athletic underwear is designed with moisture-wicking fabric and a tighter fit that stays in place during intense movement.

For running, cycling, or gym work, invest in performance underwear (paid link) with a compression fit. The difference in riding up is immediate.

Put them on the right way

When you get dressed in a rush, you may pull your underwear on unevenly or too high, which sets it up to ride up all day.

If you wear boxers under trousers and they bunch up, try this: insert the boxers into the pants so the waistbands line up, then pull both on together as one unit. The pants hold the boxers flat from the start.

Wear looser outer clothes

If nothing else works, the problem may be your pants, not your underwear. Tight clothes compress your underwear into a smaller space and force it to bunch.

Try wearing the same underwear under a looser pair of pants. If the riding up stops, you know the outer layer was the cause.

For related problems, see how to stop pants from riding up and how to stop shorts from riding up.