This age-old dilemma splits ladies into two opposing camps: those who always wear underwear with leggings and have very strong opinions about it, and those who never wear underwear with leggings and also have very strong opinions about it.
Truthfully, it's a pretty brain-boggling topic but one we must discuss for the health of all womankind.
Should You Be Wearing Underwear with Leggings?
In short: it's all about personal preference.
Some women dictate that wearing underwear hides that whispered camel toe. While others state that going commando eliminates chafing, rubbing, confinement and those dreaded panty lines.
However, we can say with absolute certainty that those women who say gynecologists have decided it is unhealthy to go commando with yoga pants are talking nonsense. All gynecologists have differing opinions on this topic (much like every woman on the planet).
Having said all this, there are (of course) pros and cons to wearing panties under leggings, as well as tips on rocking the with-undies look.
Pros of Wearing Undies with Leggings
Completely Covered
Okay, VPL (visible panty lines) aren't all that attractive — we get it.
But, have you considered what else could pop out of our fairly translucent leggings when you aren't sporting a beautiful pair of panties.
With the risk of being crude, the unsuspecting public does not need to see your vagina, pubic hair, or any other part of your nether regions. Leave that for private viewings only, please.
Moisture Is Not Your Friend
Let's get real — moisture "down there" is absolutely not your pal. It can cause bacterial infections and urinary tract infections.
Wearing underwear with your leggings (whether you're working up a sweat or not) provides an extra layer to wick away the moisture.
Say Goodbye to Camel Toe
Camel toe is the bane of many ladies' existence, so, not going commando is a fab way of waving "bye-bye" to that unwanted fact of life.
It's pretty impossible to not sport a camel toe when you're wearing leggings without undies. We know, it sucks eggs.
Cons of Wearing Undies with Leggings
Visible Panty Line
Probably the most obvious con is that nasty VPL. Leggings can be expensive and smacking a visible panty line under them real reduces your booty's appeal.
In this sense, going commando seems the better option but it's either this or that pesky camel toe. You'll just have to pick the one you can live with!
Freedom? What's That?
We can't deny that wearing underwear with your leggings provides a bit too much confinement sometimes.
Going panty-free gives you a certain freedom. Whether this is more psychological rather than physical is up for debate but it still stands that you feel freer when you don't slip your undies on.
Yucky Yeast Infections
This depends on what material your go-to legging underwear is made from. If your chosen pair isn't breathable, the added layer can bring on yeast infections or UTIs which is neither pretty nor comfy.
If you're worried about yeast infections, check out these underwear options.
Wedgies Will Be Welcomed
Wearing undies with your leggings guarantees you're going to stand up from the bar and walk away from that gorgeous guy you've been talking to with a huge wedgie.
You don't want that. It's not cute! Try any of these panties to prevent wedgies.
When You Must Wear Panties with Leggings
There is one activity where you must wear your undies with leggings. What is it then, we hear you ask?
Exercise — especially in a class environment.
Trust us, nobody wants to see your bits and pieces in the clear light of day while they're trying to achieve zen at their weekly yoga session.
Nor does anyone want to spy your nethers while you're deadlifting a barbell in the gym or jogging past them in the park.
If you're worried about VPL while you exercise, here are the best thongs for working out.
Tips For Wearing Underwear With Your Leggings
Maybe you are now realizing that you would rather have a wedgie than showcase a camel toe.
Luckily, we've got a few tips to have you feeling comfy and even keep the cat in the bag with different types of panties to sport under your leggings.
Try Thongs
To get rid of the VPL while still rocking underwear, you'll need to wear a thong. They are the OG option and we can't fault them for their almost seamless capabilities.
But, there is still a waistband, which tends to be rather thin, that could peep through your tight leggings where it's a bit too snug on your hips. Opt for one with a wide lace band instead to negate this pesky problem.
Here are our picks for the best thongs to wear with leggings.
It's All About the Seamless Undies
We can't stress how much your life will change for the better once you start wearing seamless panties with your leggings and tight, stretchy pants.
It will take some thorough trial and error testing to find your perfect brand, cut and material but, in the words of Nike — just do it.
There are plenty of ones you could try, including:
- Commando — these are the best by a long way (in our humble opinion). They make their anti-VPL undies in loads of colors (natural and raucous patterns).
- Hanky Panky Bare — you might have heard of these guys' thongs but they've also developed some seriously great seamless pants. There are loads of styles to choose from, you won't want to wear any other brand again!
- Simone Perele Invisi'bulle — you'll feel like you're bare as a baby's bum when wearing these thanks to their super light fabric. Not to mention their sealed seams make for a fabulous, moisture-free environment for your unmentionable areas.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, it's all personal preference. You shouldn't let anyone tell you how to live your life, much less when, where and how you should wear your undies!
Everything you do should benefit yourself (and the health of your groin), while not putting others in a less-than-comfy situation. In short, as long as you're feeling like the boss you are, you're good to go.
