Should Lingerie Always Go In The Top Drawer? A Guide To Organizing

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Sit through any home organization show, and you'll hear this universal refrain: Put your lingerie in the top drawer! And if you hear it often enough, you might start believing that placing your intimates anywhere else would be inconvenient. While following some practical "organizing rules" can be useful, they may not agree with everybody and their routines. To illustrate, the middle drawer or the side cubby may feel more approachable if you're short or you dress while sitting. Put simply, there could be numerous instances when a top drawer wouldn't cut it to house your lace and satin.

So, to put this golden rule to the test, we spoke exclusively to Jessica Litman, who runs The Organized Mama, a blog dedicated to sharing ADHD-friendly organizing tips. When prompted for her opinion on whether lingerie must always go in the top drawer of a dresser, she responded in the negative. "I don't think it matters where you store your lingerie as long as it is easy for you to find," she said. In other words, there's no need to get too hung up on where you store your underclothing. Just pick the place that's at the best height for you and doesn't require you to rummage through workout leggings every morning to find your favorite bralette.

After picking the most convenient spot to store your lingerie, it's time to organize it. Though, as Jessica Litman put it in her exclusive interview with House Digest, you may want to start with a ruthless edit first. After all, just because lingerie is an essential doesn't mean it shouldn't spark joy. So, before establishing any color-coding systems or purchasing fancy organizers, wear — and strut about in — your stuff. "Make sure everything fits and you feel confident wearing [it]," she advised. "If something doesn't make you happy when you are wearing it, then you should not keep it."

Another question you should ask yourself before decluttering your underwear drawer is whether you're hoarding items for sentimental reasons or holding onto them for "it would fit me if I lost some weight" scenarios. If it's the latter, give them the boot. The stretched-out grandma panties that have seen enough menstrual cycles, the sheer camisoles with their frills undone, and sports bras that aren't supportive enough deserve no real estate either. 

Rather than maximizing quantity, focus on quality, retaining the pieces that make you feel confident inside and out. That being said, keep a sufficient stock that will last you about 15 days — assuming you aren't being too tardy about washing your laundry or skipping important steps before starting a new load.

Now that you're decided on the delicates to keep, consider organizing them like you're running a fitting store. "I like storing lingerie like you would find at a store. [Having them] displayed nicely in a drawer makes getting dressed a fun experience," stated Jessica Litman in her exclusive chat with House Digest. For that, you may want to invest in a collapsible or adjustable Simple Houseware Underwear Drawer Organizer. Alternatively, get drawer dividers so your bra clasps don't snag on your lacy panties. Better still, categorize your lingerie on themes, such as "everyday," "activewear," "date night," or whatever you deem fit. Another way is to separate them based on color or material, like grouping molded cup bras and wireless essentials independently with their clasps shut.

Consider laying down scented liners, such as SCENTORINI Fresh Linen Drawer Liners. "I have folded underwear in a drawer that has [scented drawer] liners," said Litman. "But make sure they don't irritate you before lining. Mine are in a bag that wraps around my drawer." 

In case you've ever considered hanging lingerie to resolve your cluttered closet chaos, Litman insisted it's redundant. "I have never found it necessary to hang lingerie in a regular closet," she stated. But if you've got spare space, utilize non-slip hangers with notches to put up matching sets or bustiers. Going forward, be sure to sort out and freshen up your drawer weekly.