All of us can easily conjure up an image of an unruly individual going about their day oblivious to the fact that they’re sporting the not-so-chic look known as plumbers crack. The human instinct is to snicker or look away, but the bottom line is that no one wants to be that guy (or gal). Yet, we all could be.

Why do we wear underwear in the first place? To protect and cover our privates, of course, so when things like plumbers crack occur, it’s a sign that your underwear isn’t doing its job properly. Just as there are many butt shapes in the world, there are many different types of panties and men’s underwear styles and they are all prone to mishaps! Worry not, because all these issues come with simple solutions!

The truth is, plumber’s crack is a fairly easy problem to solve so I’ve included a bunch of other underwear fails to make our time here worthwhile. Let’s get right into it! 

Everyone deals with misbehaving underwear every now and again. Since underwear is a necessary daily staple (for most of us), it’s important to know how to identify what’s causing various issues and the steps to take to fix them!

Plumbers crack is a pretty notorious underwear fail. After all, it’s even earned a cheeky name (see what I did there?)! Plumber butt refers to a situation in which your butt crack emerges from the top of your pants and becomes visible to the world. This can create some awkward or embarrassing situations but it’s easily avoidable! Here’s how to stay away from the plumber butt crack:

• Get a belt (or jeans that fit better): The easiest fix for plumber butt is to ensure that your pants are going to stay where they’re supposed to. This often comes down to choosing a size that fits you more snuggly at the hips or opting to wear a belt. 

• Try high-rise underwear: This is a solution that may not look graceful if you’re sticking to low-rise bottoms. That said, exposing the top of your underwear is probably better than giving everyone a sneak peek of your private canyon.

• Try wearing undershirts: Undershirts are another easy solution to plumber’s crack. You can find ones that look nice under most shirts and will stay tucked into your pants. 

• Wear a longer shirt or a dress: If undershirts are not your thing, try wearing something longer for your top layer. For ladies the solution is easy; just throw on a dress and there won’t even be a chance for your buttcrack to show. Guys may need to experiment a bit more to find longer shirts that alleviate the problem without looking oversized, but it’s still doable!

   

As important as it is to keep your booty hidden, your underwear is also something that you don’t want to be visible to the public eye. This isn’t a problem with most outfits, but can become one if you lean towards more form-fitting clothing. Here’s how to avoid visible panty lines:

• Wear a thong:  Why do women wear thongs?  Well, besides being comfortable, thongs are also the best solution for visible panty lines. The lack of additional seams around the leg openings makes the undies more discreet. 

• Wear trunks/boxer briefs: For guys, the solution is more coverage, rather than less. Briefs are likely to be the most visible of all men’s underwear types and boxers are too bulky to fit under sleeker outfits. That makes trunks and boxer briefs your best bet. The leg openings tend to rest close to the thighs so the seams won’t show. 

• Ditch the underwear: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can skip out on the underwear completely. This will definitely eliminate panty lines, but can lead to other issues, like chafing. The choice is yours!

Chub rub is something anyone can easily suffer from. It occurs when your warm sweaty thighs start rubbing against each other. The sensation can be annoying, and may also lead to persisting issues like redness, itchiness, irritation, and bumps on your skin. Luckily, there are a few simple solutions for preventing chafing:

• Wear boxer briefs:  Men’s boxer briefs are your best bet for preventing chafing. The form-fitting design and mid-thigh cut will keep your skin protected from friction caused by basic movements. 

• Wear boyshorts underwear: For women, the solution is boyshorts underwear! The full-coverage design will keep your thighs from rubbing against one another. If you’re not a fan of full-coverage undies, just throw on a pair of tight shorts over your bikini or thong undies!

• Use lotion: Creams and lotions are a great idea even if you’ve got full-coverage underwear on. Not only do they moisturize your skin, but they also make your legs smoother and less sweat-sticky—win-win!

Why do I keep getting wedgies? There are a few reasons, but they all come down to the fit of your underwear. The reason why you have to adjust often and find ways to discreetly remove your undies from your butt is because your underwear isn’t staying put (like it’s meant to). Here’s how to fix the problem:

• Double-check your size: Sizing issues are responsible for a majority of underwear fails and that’s particularly true for wedgies. If your underwear is too tight, it’s likely to make its way closer to where the sun don’t shine. If it’s too loose, it will slide around your body with every movement (equally as unpleasant).

• Try a different underwear style: Some styles of underwear, namely the ones that offer less coverage, are more prone to wedgies. If your bikini underwear or men’s briefs are giving you a hard time, it may be a good idea to switch to a full-coverage style.  

• Get rid of old undies: As underwear ages, it becomes thinner, weaker, and saggier, which changes the way it fits your body. Getting rid of undies that have lost their structural integrity is the easiest way to avoid the issues that come with it. If you’re stuck on what to do with old underwear, there are plenty of sustainable solutions! 

A little bit of ripeness and sweat are unavoidable features of having genitals, however, your underwear may be escalating both of these things to uncomfortable heights. The wrong kind of underwear traps moisture and does not allow airflow, creating the perfect environment for swamp crotch (a sensation no one wants to feel). Here’s what to do to prevent excessive sweating and smells:

• Invest in breathable underwear: Boys, if you’ve ever asked, “ Why do my balls smell?” it’s probably because your underwear isn’t breathable. Your bits (and kitties, girls) need a little airflow to prevent excessive sweating, which can lead to a bit of stank. If you favor synthetic undies and often find yourself dealing with smelly junk or a sweaty vagina, it’s time to make the switch to natural fabrics!

• Wear clothing with a looser fit: The clothes you wear over your undies matter too. If you’re prone to wear tight clothes made of synthetic materials, you may find yourself sweating in more places than your crotch! Try going for something more flowy for your bottoms if you deal with excessive sweating and odors a lot.

• Change your underwear regularly: In the case of stinky smells, the culprit is your underwear only half the time. Your hygiene practices matter, too. Be sure to wash your privates daily with a gentle soap and put on a clean pair of underwear each time. None of that flipping your underwear inside out nonsense, please.

  
  

Being equipped with the knowledge on how to fix your underwear problems (and avoid that dreaded plumber's crack) should alleviate any discomfort you may run into. That said, choosing the right kind of underwear may keep you from running into these issues in the first place! Here are some factors to consider when shopping for new undies:

FABRIC

Synthetic fabrics are known to contain toxic chemicals that can have ill effects on your genital health and even interfere with your libido. Natural fabrics are a better idea for all articles of clothing, but especially underwear! Hemp is among the best options because it is breathable, antibacterial, and very durable. That makes it a great option for your body—and your wallet, because hemp underwear is sure to last you longer than anything purchased from fast fashion brands (which doesn’t even cover the environmental impact of fast fashion). Other natural fabrics like organic cotton, merino wool, and Tencel are great options, as well. 

Many underwear issues are caused directly by an incorrect fit. If your underwear is too tight, it’s more likely to slide up your tush throughout the day. If it is too loose, you’re susceptible to rocking that plumber butt crack. How should underwear fit? The general idea is for every part of the underwear (the band, the leg openings, and the front and back panels) to rest snugly against your body without any pinching or squeezing.

FUNCTION

There are many different styles of underwear out there. When answering the question “ How many pairs of underwear should I have? ” it’s important to consider your lifestyle. What activities do you engage in regularly? Which style of underwear suits those activities best? Owning several different styles of underwear and categorizing them by occasion and function is an easy way to avoid underwear fails. For example, high-waisted underwear may not be the best choice for workout underwear, but they’re perfect for steering clear of plumbers crack!

Your underwear is meant to support you, not annoy you on the daily! Now that you’ve got the know-how to fix various underwear fails, you’ll never have to suffer silently again!

Which underwear fail do you deal with most often? And have the tips here provided an insight into how to solve it? Share your thoughts in the comments!