I hadn’t heard this phrase until just a couple of years ago, so when people were talking about ‘going commando’ I didn’t have a clue. Well, I thought it probably had to do something with the military. LOL Although that’s really not far from the truth.
But the meaning of this innocuous phrase had shifted quite a bit from it’s original meaning, used in the armed forces in America to mean “toughening up” and dating back to the 1950s or 60s. According to the article “Do Commandos Go Commando?” by Daniel Engber, “It’s possible that ‘going commando’ first poked its way into the public consciousness during the Vietnam War, when American special forces were spending extended periods in hot, wet jungle environments.” So apparently commandos were encouraged to go commando to prevent the dreaded “crotch rot” found in the steamy climate.
“Going Commando”–as in wearing no underwear– seems to have emerged in 19974 in a book on college slang, though its popularity shot through the roof after Joey and Rachel “went commando” on an episode of Friends in 1996. And its been gaining fans ever since.
There are several advantages, ladies, to stepping out au naturel: you don’t have to worry about panty lines, you don’t have to scramble for clean undies, and you don’t have to endure the bulk of briefs or the wedgie-like discomfort of thongs.
Perhaps the best one, however, according to Cosmopolitan, is a feeling of sexual 
adventure. “Not wearing panties is risqué; you get a naughty rush knowing you’re so exposed,” explains Los Angeles clinical sexologist Ava Cadell, PhD. Removing the barrier that shields your intimate anatomy makes you more in touch with your innate sensuality.”
Not to mention what the thought of you all bare underneath that flirty skirt will do to your man’s libido. Brings out his oh so lustful thoughts at just the hint that you’re bare to your soul down there.
Just like we women get that peak of interest when we suspect a man has “gone commando.” Come on, ladies. Think about the Scots and their kilts! Haven’t you suspected (read hoped), just a wee bit, that a good breeze would leave nothing to your imagination? LOL (Is it just me, or is there something super sexy about a man in a kilt?)
My heroine, Pam, in Almost Perfect finds herself in an angry confrontation and decides when she can’t find her panties, she’d rather go commando than stick around and deal with Roger.
Have you ever gone commando? Ever been forced into it by circumstances? Ever even thought about it? I’ll start by saying, No, I’ve never gone commando. I think I would feel too wicked and know that everyone knew I didn’t have anything on! LOL What about you?
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
I go commando all the time. In fact, I haven’t worn any panties since I left school six years ago. Even at school I was often naked under my skirt. I also don’t wear a bra.
The freedom of having no underwear on under a dress or skirt has to be experienced to be believed.
Most of my skirts and dresses are quite short and the breeze up my skirt as I walk along is wonderful.
I could never go back to wearing panties. They are a complete waste of time.
Pauline R
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Nope, can’t say I have…Though I’ve written heroes who go commando… But not heroines…
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I had to go commando once for a procedure and then I went to the grocery story after. It did make me feel uncomfortable. The one thing that bothers me is when people go the store and try on pants while they go commando. It makes me think twice before buying a pair of pants.
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No, I’ve never gone commando. I’ve never really thought about it I guess. lol
I’m boring I guess.
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Nope, I’ve never gone commando. I never even really thought about it. lol
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I have gone commando–and will again. But I will never leave the house without a bra. I just don’t like the feeling of them loose like that–except at home, lol.
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I live in Canada – you go commando up here you could get frostbite on parts your don’t want bitten by frost! – Bitten by something else is a totally different story.
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lol! Too, funny!
I live in MN, and we have to wear layers.
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I’ve regularly gone commando since my senior year of university, except when I’m having my period. One of the posts on the Raves section of my old Angelfire site was even entitled “The Joys of Going Commando and Sleeping in the Nude (don’t get any ideas, you perverts!).” Once you start, you never go back! Although I’d certainly never go commando if I were wearing a skirt above a certain length, for fear I might give an eyeful to those around me.
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I smiled all the way through your post, and I learned something new. I’d never heard of “go commando” before, nor have I done it. But I’m always open to new ideas–at least for my characters, if not for myself. I’ve got to say that going from a teeny-tiny thong to commando isn’t much of a stretch!
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While this blog had me grinning from start to finish – including the comments, I might add – I’ll refrain from “exposing” myself by answering. Ha! I think more males go commando than women, and I see nothing wrong with that. I only have a problem with women going au natural when they’re wearing a skirt/dress shorter than mid-thigh.
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Nope. Never. Not counting around the house, but not even then much. Don’t like the feeling.
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Only when I sleep do I go commando. 🙂
Marika
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I’ve never gone commando – well I hardly ever wear a bra – but a friend does because the panty lines irritates her caesarian scar. She was trying on dresses recently in prep for daughter’s wedding and when the sales woman asked to help her, friend said NO lol. Am surprised you didn’t know the term – it’s like the full monty
It’s just as sexy for the guy to go commando, by the way ….
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I go commando when I get home from work as I like to feel comfortable down there and not have to worry about undies riding up my arse crack also feels good when it’s shaved too like I do
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Hate the underclothes for sleeping or hanging around the house. However, I usually don’t go commando in public (well, unless heading out to meet my sweetie 😉
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I’m one of those who goes commando every day and I love it! Hate wearing bras and panties. I sleep in the nude too. Okay, TMI, right, sorry 🙂 Going commando is a term I’ve read many times in my RS books and used many times in my own stories too. Great post, Jenna!
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Only under my PJs. I’m with you Jenna. I couldn’t do it in public. i’d worry everyone knew. 🙂
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I do at home, like with pj’s. I can’t really remember a time when I have gone commando outside my home. I may have to try it once, lol.
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Okay, this is TMI, but my husband did that Nam thing and he hated underwear. He couldn’t figure out why we wore undies. And what turns me on? A man in tightie whities. I also love a man in a white dress shirt with jeans. Okay, I’m strange. And I’d argue with my husband because he was always commando, but it was sexy.
And those gals who meet their Navy career husbands after they’ve been gone a cruise for six months… I promise probably three fourths of them are commando. And he knows what is not there! They aren’t just walking funny because they still have sea legs. So now the rest of the world knows that the darling woman in a pretty suit is lacking undies as she meets her husband. It’s not something new – it’s been going on probably forever. LOL
OTOH, when a friend’s daughter got kicked by a horse and knocked unconscious, the head nurse at the hospital wasn’t too sure if this was the daughter of her friend or a homeless person. They kept cutting away smelly “barn” clothes until she got down to a pretty pair of matching undies. She knew then it was the young woman that she’d watched grow up.
As my cop friend used to say, “Yes, Mom, he/she had clean underwear. We found them in the glove compartment.”
E.
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A very thoughtful article, which is no surprise coming from you, Jenna. Yes, I’ve gone commando, but not in recent years. I’m pretty sure no one would want a flash of my butt these days!
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I have on occasion gone commando. I’ll not say why. It’s a verra different feeling. That makes you aware of yourself. LOL
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Talk about being self-aware! You’re braver than I, Casea! LOL
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I’ve been going commando since the early 1970’s. Can’t go without a bra through.
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