Panties lay the foundation for what we wear every day. Each style of underwear is designed with a particular function in mind.
Choosing the wrong underwear for your perfect outfit can kill your ensemble. Ever get a sneak peek at someone’s crack when she sits down?
A clear case of not matching the rise of the underwear with the rise of the jeans. It’s a simple mistake that can happen to anyone. But it doesn’t have to - at least not to you.
Armed with the right information, you can dodge embarrassing moments that leave you looking less than chic. We’ll go over various women’s underwear styles so you’ll know which ones to pair with what you have in your closet.
1. Bikinis
Best for: Jeans, skirts and dresses
Bikinis are versatile and can be worn with jeans, skirts, dresses - practically every outfit in your closet. Feel free to rock them underneath a gorgeous, flowing, loose skirt or a pair of wool-blend trousers.
This style of underwear usually has a higher cut on the legs. The rise is lower on the hip with a waistband that sits three inches below the waist.
It offers a good amount of coverage of your derriere. Granted, it won’t be as generous as the coverage you get with a brief, but it’s moderate. You’ll get a hint of cheek action.
Bikinis are a great option when you want to avoid "granny panty" lines but can’t abide the riding up activity of a thong. You’ll have just the right amount of coverage while keeping a sexy silhouette.
Cute and comfy, this panty comes in a wide variety of styles and fabrics. Opt for microfiber, cotton, and nylon if you crave support.
But if you want to lean toward the world of lingerie, choose delicate fabrics such as lace, sheer, or argyle mesh combined with cage back or strappy styles.
2. Boyshorts
Best for: Loungewear, loose sweatpants
No one will get a peek of your cheeks in this number. It’s a perfect option for loungewear on casual days or cozy nights in.
With a rectangular shape and generous leg coverage, boyshorts are the best option to wear under flowy, flared skirts. This is your go-to panty when you wear outfits that are flash-prone.
The full-coverage design will shelter your assets on a breezy day so you no longer need to steal your man’s boxer briefs. If a random gust of wind does happen to cross your path, it will look like you’re donning a pair of safety shorts - not your lingerie.
You can also wear this men’s brief inspired cutie with medium to high-rise pants. Opt for boyshorts in nylon, cotton, and microfiber for extra comfort. If you desire a more feminine look, you can select styles that have sheer lace, higher rises, and ribbon backs.
Here are some of our favorite boyshorts for style and comfort.
3. Briefs
Best for: That time of the month, loose pants, dresses
Briefs, affectionately known as granny panties, are great at providing full coverage in the front and back. With its high waistband, the brief is the kind of supportive underwear a girl turns to in times of need - hello monthly cycle.
When you crave security and relief, you want briefs. The bee's knees of comfy underwear, briefs only show a tad bit of cheek. They also show panty lines, but so what? When comfort is at the top of your list of panty priorities, who cares about VPLs?
Considering that the panty is designed with comfort in mind, the best fabrics to select will be microfiber, nylon, and cotton. More feminine than men’s briefs, they offer a snug, cozy fit and come in a range of rises including low, mid, or high.
Similar to shapewear, it sits high on the waist. Depending on the rise, it may rest just under the belly button or it can go as high as your chi-chis.
You can wear this style of underwear with low to high-rise bottoms. If you do want to avoid VPLs, stay clear of anything form-fitting.
If your tummy needs extra support, opt for control briefs to smooth muffin tops. A tight elastic waistband helps keep your paunch in.
Check out these briefs for the perfect combination of full coverage and style.
4. Cheekies or Cheeksters
Best for: Everyday underwear, intimate occasions
They’re called cheeky for a reason. You should sport this hottie when you want to reveal some extra skin. You’ll be given more coverage than a thong, but less than a bikini.
This style of panty is playful and fun. If you want to prevent panty lines, choose a style that has a wider hip band.
5. French-Cut
Best for: High-waisted pants, skirts and jeans
Feeling leggy? A french-cut is your best friend. With a high-cut, she’s designed to show off more of your leg.
Although the leg holes are cut higher, you’ll find that the waist sits the same as it does on a classic brief. The french-cut is a kind of bikini-brief hybrid so you’ll see a touch of cheek.
This style pairs well with high-waisted pants, skirts, and jeans. Get playful and buy a pair in mesh or go for microfiber if you need more comfort.
6. G-String
Best for: Tight pants, leggings, tight dresses
Like the thong, but with even less coverage, the g-string is only designed to cover your lady bits. A tiny string forms a T-shape, leaving all of your rear end on full display.
It’s a bold, barely-there style that leaves little to the imagination. Paired with delicate fabrics such as lace and satin, it becomes a very sexy panty.
This gem is perfect for outfits that require a discreet, no-panty look such as booty-hugging leggings and form-fitting dresses. When your outfit calls for minimal coverage and no panty lines, this is a safe bet.
However, it may not be the most comfortable option to wear under jeans. Daring yet practical, this racy panty serves the purpose of preventing visible panty lines with minimal coverage on days when going commando isn’t your cup of tea.
7. Hipsters
Best for: Mid to low rise pants and jeans
The hipster, aka “hip hugger,” is a style of panty that sits right on the hips and has low-cut leg holes. It falls a couple of inches below your waist.
The comfortable, easygoing construction is between a boyshort and a bikini. You’ll get a bit more coverage on the leg-line than you would with a bikini cut.
With wide coverage on the sides, this style isn’t as cheeky as other ones. This hip loving jewel provides almost complete coverage in the back.
A hot hybrid of a bikini and a brief, it won’t fall, shift, or ride up. It stays on the hips to accentuate the curve line of a variety of shapes. Plus, it comes in a range of fabrics for comfort such as cotton and microfiber.
Embrace your flirty side with styles that feature peek-a-boo keyholes. Feeling more feminine? Opt for cute details such as mesh, lace trim, and sheer fabric.
For a fun, sporty vibe choose hipsters in bold colors and patterns. Figure enhancing hipsters are ideal for mid to low rise jeans and pants. It’s great at reducing the chances of accidentally exposing your underwear when you bend over or sit down.
Finding the right hipster underwear can be hard, so we did the heavy lifting for you. Here are our picks for the best hipster panties.
8. Mid-Rise
Best for: Mid-rise pants, skirts
Mid-rise undies provide more coverage than a hipster. However, they don’t cover as much territory as a high brief.
The construction of this panty is neither too high nor too low. The underwear will barely graze your navel.
This style of underwear is better suited for mid-rise pants and skirts. It’s a comfortable, casual style that is created for daily wear.
9. Seamless
Best for: Skirts, dresses, casual pants
This type of underwear is perfect for wearing underneath outfits that require a smooth look. You may not be in the mood to wear a thong or g-string.
With a seam-free panty, you can get the benefit of wearing a style that offers fuller coverage and prevents VPLs. A bikini style will give good mid-cheek coverage.
But you might want to go for a hipster style if you need more rear coverage. This panty doesn't have stitches, making it perfect for every skirt, panty, or dress you have in your closet.
You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style with this adorable panty. Due to the flat-seam design, you don’t have to worry your pretty little head over trifling things such as bunching, riding up, or shifting.
Check out our favorite seamless underwear here.
10. Thongs
Best for: Dress pants, tight pants, leggings
Designed with a T-shape string in the back, thongs sit three inches below the waist. Typically the sides will rest right at or above the hip bone. It sports a high-cut leg in the style of a bikini panty.
Thongs should be an essential staple in any woman’s wardrobe if she’s concerned about the dreaded VPL. A seamless no panty line look is easy to achieve with this underwear that has zero butt coverage and next to no coverage on the hips.
However, if you want to avoid being uncomfortable in this sexy number, you need to find the right size and material for your body. Opt for lightweight, high-tech fabrics that provide a barely-there feel.
The best time to break out this hot mama is when you’re getting ready to put on a tight dress or fitted pants. Thongs are versatile creatures and can be worn during the day or on special occasions depending on the fabric and construction.
You have plenty of options to choose from. Thongs come in everything from laid-back, simple cotton styles to draw-dropping pearl laced lingerie and everything in between.
Here are some of our personal favorite thongs for any budget.
