We all know the key to looking good in your clothes is confidence. What some of my curvy sisters may not realize is that confidence is not the only key you need.
I mean, it opens the door to looking your voluptuous best, but to really carry off a solid style statement, you need good foundational garments. For me, a strong silhouette needs underwear that:
- Don’t dig in and cause weird dents and bumps
- Do support me where I need it
- Do make me feel beautiful
So I tried Hips & Curves underwear. Here’s my review.
Choosing Plus-Size Underwear
So what’s a girl to do? We can’t try on underwear before we buy because ewww.
Some places allow returns and refunds, but you really need hours of wear to decide if you love your undies in the real world. And no business in their right mind is accepting returns after you've done that (are they?).
What works for me is what I have coined the Panty Perusal Process:
By following these three steps, I’ve managed to score some of the best fitting plus-size underwear I have ever owned.
They’re on par with the fit I found when I went to see a real-life fitting specialist (side note: I highly recommend seeing a fitting specialist). Finding a model with your build helps you see how the style works with your curves.
Checking sizing charts helps you find underwear that won’t dig, roll, or, y’know, cut off your circulation. Waiting for a sale lets you test drive the goods and decide if they’re the best choice for you before you outlay full price.
My sister-in-law and I both use my proprietary PPP method. And although we have very different body shapes—let’s call mine aggressively pear, and hers Jessica Rabbit hourglass—there are a handful of plus-size underwear brands we both swear by.
So without further ado, I’m going to review one of them: Hips & Curves.
Here’s what I love, what I don’t, and my top 3 picks from this curve-friendly Australian brand.
Hips & Curves Overview
Hips & Curves has a veritable rainbow of underwear options, plus some bold and on-trend prints. They’re easily my go-to for racy, lacy underwear on date nights, but they’re still versatile enough to do high-performing everyday undies, too.
As part of the City Chic plus-size fashion brand, Hips & Curves specialize in dressing (or undressing) curvy bodies, so their styles never feel like an afterthought of something that was made for someone skinny. I feel like they’re here to dress me.
Pros
Cons
Great for…
Women who like Torrid and Lane Bryant styles, but at a much more accessible price point.
My Top Hips & Curves Picks
#1. The Alina Thong
I scored the Alina thong in Ruby and Bright Rose—the entire range was 50% off at the time—and she is one sexy mamma-jamma. With seductive stretch lace, a satin-trimmed mesh back, and dainty peek-a-boo cutouts bracketing the diamante detailing, Alina is delightfully up-front about what she wants.
Fabric
The lace is a Nylon / Elastane blend for generous stretch and staying power, and the satin is 93% Polyester / 7% Elastane. As always, the gusset is 100% breathable cotton. Since this thong is made up primarily of lace and mesh, with a satin trim, it is supremely breathable and cool.
Comfort
According to the sizing chart, I was a 2XL, and that turned out to be the best choice for me. I don’t experience any stretching or sagging with wear, and feel comfortable and well supported all day in my Alina thong.
Expert construction means that despite the lack of a solid waistband, this thong stays in place all day—no roll-down, no twisting, and no awkward adjustments on the commute home.
Style
These are sexy with a capital S-E-X-Y. I don’t typically go for a thong, but these vivid, look-at-me colors and the clever cut are designed to please the wearer and the beholder. Ruby is a deep, premium-looking red, and Bright Rose is a vibrant cool pink—both can be purchased with a matching bra.
Special Mention
I loved this style so much I recently ordered the Alina High Brief in Bright Rose, for a gorgeously seductive, fuller coverage option. They’ve got the same sweet cutouts, the satin, the lace, and the mesh, for all the va-va-voom.
#2. The Carmen Shorty
Looking for a more conservative style than a thong, but more cheek than a full brief, I picked up the Carmen Shorty in Blush. This pair is cut to give a little cheek and spice up your under-wardrobe, and they’re perfect for feeling effortlessly cute on a night in. They’re also incredibly comfortable—so much so, that I’ve had the Carmen in heavy rotation even when I have to venture into the office.
Fabric
Nylon / Spandex / Polyester make up the lace, and the mesh has a 74% Polyester, 26% Spandex blend for 4-way stretch and resilience. These underwear feel really durable to the touch, even though they look super-delicate and pretty. This is probably the Hips & Curves underwear I wear the most, and after months of use I haven’t experienced any pulling, fraying, or unravelling. There’s a tear in the lace, but that, my friends, is a story for a never-time.
Comfort
Yes! These are lightweight, breathable, wick moisture away from my skin on muggy summer days, and are comfortable enough to wear as I potter around the house.
Style
Soft enough to wear when I’m running errands, cute enough to wear with nothing but a smile.
#3. The Smooth & Chic Control Shorty
I’m not a big fan of control briefs. They have to push my padding someplace, and it usually ends up overflowing over the waistband, sausage-style. Fortunately, the Smooth & Chic’s version of control is less sausage-squeeze, more support. I love the higher waist to smooth out lumps and bumps, the full coverage butt and tummy, and the ultra-breathability.
Fabric
The body and lining is Polyamide and Elastane for a firm, solid hold and great support. Polyamide—a form of Nylon—isn’t breathable, but it does wick moisture away from the skin to keep you feeling dry. Elastane, which makes up around ¼ of the fabric blend, has a better breathability profile.
Comfort
I’ve already TMI’d you to death about my robust lower body, I know. And if you don’t have my problems, you could probably deliver a solid A+ for comfort. But as someone who will never—not ever in this life—have thigh gap, the Smooth & Chic line is a little too tight around the leg holes. Definite VPL when I wear dark pants.
Style
Simple, classic, high-waisted style that delivers gorgeous support and butt-lift. The stretchy, smooth fabric is extremely flattering on bottom-heavy gals, and the low-profile waistband doesn’t dig, roll down, or rub.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a good place to start your plus-size underwear journey—or you’re just over poorly-designed, uncomfortable, unappealing panties—Hips & Curves are ready to serve. With a bold and brave range of colors, cuts, and styles—from demure white lace cheekies to deep, dark crotchless thongs—this is the plus-size fashion brand your outfit needs.
Ready to enter the world of the lace cut-out thong? I’ve got your back. This is one of the best.
