In a garment, such as briefs or diapers for incontinent patients, which employ hook-and-loop fasteners, impairment of fastener operation by accumulation of lint on the hook-fastener tab is avoided by storing the hook-fastener tab in a pocket of the garment when the garment is being laundered. Preferably, the hook-fastener tab is secured in the pocket by elastic material so that it can be extended, stretching the elastic material, to fasten it to the corresponding female or loop-type fastener tab and will automatically be retracted into the pocket by the elastic material, as soon as it is released. The pocket may comprise PVC or other semi-rigid pliable smooth material and may be fabricated together with the fastener tab separately from the garment and attached to it is a "retrofit". Alternatively, it may be formed integrally with the garment.