A cheeky exposé on intimate organization, laundry habits, and the bizarre tribalism surrounding underthings.

There are few things in life more polarizing than pineapple on pizza, cats vs. dogs, or whether you should text back “haha” or “lol.” But hidden deep in your dresser drawer lies a lesser-known domestic battlefield: how in the holy hamper are you supposed to organize your underwear?

Do you fold your panties into precise origami triangles? Do you roll them like adorable little sausages? Or do you just fling them into the drawer and let fate sort things out?

It may sound trivial, but trust me—underwear chaos reveals character. And today, we’re diving headfirst into the cotton, lace, and mystery of it all.

The Folders: Order, Peace, and a Hint of Obsession

We begin with the proud Folders—those methodical souls who treat their underwear drawer like it’s an exhibit at The Container Store.

We spoke to Marjorie St. James, 61, retired librarian and self-declared “panty perfectionist.”

“I iron and fold every pair,” she said matter-of-factly. “Thongs get the military tuck. Bikinis are creased once. Boyshorts get a double fold and are organized by mood.”

Mood?

“Yes. I have flirty Wednesday drawers, brooding Sundays, and my ‘I’m going to get things DONE today’ briefs.”

The Folders believe in dignity, grace, and presentation—even when nobody’s looking. “It’s about respecting the fabric,” said Antonio Lopez, 38, yoga instructor and mindfulness coach. “If I can’t center myself, I center my socks and underwear instead.”

The Folders have precision. Discipline. Do we envy them? Yes. Do we understand them? Debatable.

The Rollers: The Tidy Rebels

Next we have the Rollers—a practical bunch with military roots and Pinterest dreams. This method, popularized by Marie Kondo and basic training alike, creates neat, plump bundles that stack beautifully.

“I roll everything. Socks. Boxers. Even my lingerie,” said Clarisse, 28, a traveling makeup artist who lives out of her suitcase. “My entire underwear drawer looks like a sushi bar of cotton and lace.”

Rolling saves space. It’s tidy, it’s efficient, and it’s mildly addictive.

One anonymous source confessed,

“I rolled my ex’s underwear after we moved in together. He left me. But my drawer? My drawer still sparks joy.”

The Roller community is strong. They hold workshops. Share TikToks. Own drawer dividers from Japanese import stores. They are not to be trifled with.

The Flingers: Agents of Chaos

Then we come to the Flingers—the unbothered, the uninhibited, the wild-at-heart. You know who you are.

You come home, do your laundry, and then? BAM. Into the drawer it goes like a confetti cannon of briefs and bralettes. No order. No shame. Just vibes.

“I tried folding once,” said Ben, 44, a bartender from Philly. “Lost two pairs. Never again.”

Flingers argue that life is too short to fold your underwear. “No one sees it but me,” said Kisha, 32, who described her drawer as “a delightful soft mess.” “I treat it like a treasure hunt. Every morning I dig through and let destiny decide.”

Is it lazy? Maybe. Is it liberating? Absolutely.

Psychologists might call this “controlled chaos.” I call it “free-range fashion.”

The Hybrid Drawer

Now, let’s not forget the Hybrid Humans—those who fold the fancy, roll the athletic, and fling the daily driver pairs into the void.

“I have a system,” said Lacy, 50, a museum curator with a suspicious number of silk panties. “If it cost more than $20, it gets folded. If it’s from the clearance bin? It gets flung like a discus.”

These folks live in the gray area. Are they masters of balance or just indecisive?

We may never know.

But… Does It Even Matter?

You might be thinking, Why are we even talking about this?

But underwear is intimate history. It’s a daily ritual. A private act of self-care. The way you store it reflects how you treat yourself when no one else is watching.

• The folded drawer is a reflection of control and intention.

• The rolled drawer is functional and stylish.

• The flung drawer is raw honesty and chaotic comfort.

And guess what? None of them are wrong. (Okay maybe the people who ball up wet underwear and toss it into the corner—we’re watching you!)

A Brief History of Underwear Storage

Let’s detour into some history, because underwear wasn’t always so drawer-friendly.

In ancient Rome, subligaculum (loincloths) were sometimes hung from pegs or folded into travel packs for soldiers. In 16th-century Europe, noblewomen had their linens stored in elaborately carved linen chests, and undergarments were often perfumed with lavender or herbs.

Victorians had “linen cupboards” guarded like treasure troves. Servants were sometimes responsible for ironing and folding bloomers—with precise creases.

By the time the 1950s rolled around, modern lingerie drawers came with dividers for brassieres, girdles, and drawers (yes, the drawer for drawers).

We’ve come a long way, baby.

Underwear As Identity

Let’s face it: underwear organization is never just about laundry. It’s about who you are.

The person who folds is the person who plans their vacations six months in advance. The roller likely has a gym schedule and knows how to fold a fitted sheet. The flinger probably owns a junk drawer labeled “junk.”

And that’s okay. Embrace your system—or lack thereof.

Underwear Therapist Weighs In

We spoke to Dr. Unda Pantz, a fictional therapist who specializes in “domestic psychology,” to get her take.

Q: What does underwear organization say about our inner lives? “A folded drawer speaks to structure and fear of unraveling. A flung drawer symbolizes freedom and a possible aversion to authority.”

Q: Should couples share drawers? “Absolutely not. That’s how relationships die.”

Q: What’s the biggest red flag? “Boxers shacked up with socks. That’s not a drawer—it’s a cry for help.”

Q: How many pairs of underwear is too many? “If you can go three months without doing laundry, maybe reel it in.”

Your Turn: What Kind of Underwear Organizer Are YOU?

Let’s take a moment to self-reflect. Open your drawer. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

…

What did you find?

• A gentle rainbow of neatly folded underthings?
• Little fabric burritos stacked in rows?
• A swirling cyclone of mystery briefs?

Whichever camp you fall into, know this: you’re valid, you’re beautiful, and your underwear deserves its moment in the spotlight.

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Final Spin: Folding Under Pressure

So… fold, roll, or fling?

Maybe it doesn’t matter.

Maybe the real joy is in the choosing. The ritual. The silent affirmation that even in chaos, we have a soft space to return to.

Because no matter what your underwear drawer looks like—it’s yours.

And that, my friend, is pretty darn beautiful.

Stay cheeky out there.

Support The Laundry Club Blog: Because if I’m brave enough to write 2,000+ words about your underwear drawer, the least you can do is buy me a coffee—or at least some new socks.