National Underwear Day is celebrated every year on August 5th, dedicated to celebrating comfort, confidence, and the often-overlooked undergarments we wear every single day. It’s a lighthearted holiday that also carries a genuinely useful message: quality underwear matters more than most people think, both for comfort and for supporting those in need.
History of National Underwear Day
National Underwear Day traces back to a marketing campaign started in 2003 by Freshpair.com, an online underwear retailer, as a fun way to promote body confidence and encourage people to invest in quality undergarments. What began as a brand promotion has since grown into a widely recognized unofficial holiday, celebrated with underwear-themed parties, charity runs, and even public “underwear runs” in some cities where participants strip down to their skivvies for a good cause.
Over the past two decades, the day has evolved beyond its retail origins. Charities and nonprofits have embraced National Underwear Day as an opportunity to highlight a surprisingly overlooked issue: underwear is one of the least-donated items at homeless shelters and clothing drives, even though it’s something everyone needs. Many organizations now use the day to run donation drives specifically for new underwear and socks.
How to Celebrate National Underwear Day
- Treat yourself to a fresh new set of underwear
- Participate in a local “Undie Run” — charity fun runs done in underwear, often raising money for causes like homelessness or cancer research
- Donate gently used or new underwear to shelters (underwear is one of the least-donated but most-needed items at homeless shelters)
- Share body-positivity messages on social media using hashtags like #NationalUnderwearDay
- Watch for underwear sales and promotions from your favorite brands
- Host or attend an underwear-themed party (yes, this is a real thing in some cities)
Fun Facts About Underwear
- Underwear as we know it has only existed in its modern form since the early 20th century — before that, people wore looser undergarments like union suits and bloomers.
- The word “underwear” wasn’t commonly used in everyday language until the 1870s.
- Boxer shorts were invented in the 1920s, originally designed for boxers to wear during matches, which is where the name comes from.
- Many homeless shelters specifically request new, unworn underwear donations, since it’s one of the most under-donated clothing items nationwide.
- The average person owns about 21 pairs of underwear, according to consumer surveys.
- Ancient Egyptians are believed to have worn some of the earliest forms of underwear, made from linen loincloths.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Underwear Day?
National Underwear Day is celebrated annually on August 5th.
Why do we celebrate National Underwear Day?
The day started as a marketing campaign in 2003 to promote body confidence and quality undergarments, and has since grown into a broader celebration that also raises awareness for underwear donation drives at homeless shelters.
Is National Underwear Day an official holiday?
No, it’s an unofficial observance, not a federally recognized holiday. It’s one of hundreds of fun “national days” celebrated informally throughout the year.
What is an “Undie Run”?
An Undie Run is a charity fun run where participants run a course in just their underwear, often to raise money and awareness for causes like homelessness, body positivity, or cancer research.
What should I donate for National Underwear Day?
Most shelters and donation drives request new, unworn underwear and socks in a variety of sizes, since these are consistently among the least-donated but most-needed clothing items.