Cotton, polyester or a blend:
which material should you choose?
What each material offers, how it ages, and which one suits sport, the office or summer.
Cotton is pleasant and breathable, but it dries slowly and stretches out if it contains no elastane. Polyester, often called microfibre, dries quickly, keeps its shape and suits sport, but it retains odours more. The best everyday compromise is cotton with a small share of elastane. The material is always shown on the garment's label.
The materials
Four materials compared
What each one offers, and what it needs in terms of care.
| Material | Strengths | Limitations | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Soft, breathable, comfortable all day | Dries slowly, stretches out without elastane | 40 degrees, air dry |
| Cotton with elastane | Keeps its shape, moves with you | Does not cope well with heat or fabric softener | 30 to 40 degrees, no hot tumble dryer |
| Polyester, microfibre | Dries quickly, light, keeps its shape | Retains odours more | 30 to 40 degrees, never fabric softener |
| Modal, viscose | Very soft, fluid drape | More delicate, loses its shape in heat | 30 degrees, delicates programme |
By use
Which material for which moment?
Choose the material according to what the day demands, not according to the price.
On the label
How to read the composition
Three details are enough to judge a garment.
- The share of cotton tells you about comfort and breathability
- A share of elastane of just a few percent is enough for the shape to return after washing
- Polyester, polyamide and microfibre are synthetic materials: quick drying, shape retention
- The care symbol shows the maximum temperature, not the ideal one
At UNDY
What arrives in the box
Mainly cotton and polyester, depending on the brand.
The boxers delivered by UNDY come from brands such as HUGO, BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Nike, Adidas or Puma. The most common materials are cotton and polyester, often with a small share of elastane; the exact composition is shown on the label of each garment. As the brands change from one month to the next, the subscription also lets you compare materials without buying anything in advance.
Socks subscription
One pair of branded socks per month.
Boxers subscription
One pair of branded boxers per month, sizes S to XL.
Combined subscription
One pair of boxers and one pair of socks every month.
Frequently asked questions
What people often ask
Read more
Other useful pages
Different brands, every month.
From CHF 39.90 for three months. A chance to compare materials without buying anything in advance.



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