To sign "underwear," form an "L" shape with both hands by extending your index fingers and thumbs. Place your hands near your waist or upper hips. Move your hands down and inward toward your center, tracing the outline of the leg openings of a pair of briefs.
Sign 'I', 'NEED', 'BUY', 'NEW', and then sign 'UNDERWEAR' by tracing the brief line at your hips with your index fingers and thumbs.
Sign 'PLEASE', 'FOLD', and then finish by signing 'UNDERWEAR' using the L-handshapes at your waist.
Point to the person for 'YOUR', sign 'UNDERWEAR' by tracing the shape at your hips, and then sign 'SHOW' or 'VISIBLE'.
Sign 'I', 'NEED', 'BUY', 'NEW', and then sign 'UNDERWEAR' by tracing the brief line at your hips with your index fingers and thumbs.
Sign 'PLEASE', 'FOLD', and then finish by signing 'UNDERWEAR' using the L-handshapes at your waist.
Point to the person for 'YOUR', sign 'UNDERWEAR' by tracing the shape at your hips, and then sign 'SHOW' or 'VISIBLE'.
No, you do not need to make physical contact. Hovering your hands an inch or two away from your waist and hips while tracing the shape is completely acceptable and very common.
Yes! Even though the sign visually traces the shape of traditional briefs, it is used as a general, inclusive term for all styles of underwear, including boxers, trunks, or panties.
The sign for 'pants' typically uses both hands to pull up the pant legs or trace down the length of the legs. 'Underwear' is a much smaller movement focused specifically at the waist and upper thigh area.
