Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers
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Ask a bunch of people to recommend what they consider to be the best underwear for women, and you’ll get a bunch of different answers. Everyone has an opinion on their faves, and it usually depends on body type and personal preference — one person’s “most comfortable thong ever” is another person’s torture device. Below, we’ve done most of the work for you, rounding up the brands that are in the Cut editors’ drawers.
So, you’re looking for the best underwear for women?
➼ FAQs
➼ Best Thongs
➼ Best Bikinis
➼ Best Hipsters
➼ Best Briefs
➼ Our Experts
The Best Thongs
Best Cotton Thong
Skims Cotton Jersey Dipped Thong
Size: XXS–4XL | Material: 75 percent polyamide, 25 percent elastane, 100 percent cotton gusset
“Not to be dramatic, but I have never in my life owned a pair of underwear as good as Skims’ Fits Everybody dipped front thong. From the way they sit on my hips to the barely-there material that is made with magical technology that Kim Kardashian refuses to spill tea on (rightfully so), they go under my favorite dresses and hold me down during my workouts. I used to think thongs were just overrated strings going up my butt until Skims. I’m forever indebted to these underwear and Joanna Nikas, our deputy style editor, also seconds this ode to Skims underwear.” —Asia Milia Ware, beauty and fashion writer
Best Lacy Set
Hanky Panky Low Rise Cotton Thong (Pack of 3)
Size: One Size | Material: Cotton
“I have aged out of the Pink five for $25 sale. Hanky Panky thongs are my go-to underwear now. They don’t dig into places they shouldn’t and are made with Supima cotton, which I love.” —Danya Issawi, fashion writer
Best Barely There Thong
Commando High Rise Thong
Size: S/M–M/L | Material: 78 percent nylon, 22 percent spandex
“Simple and seamless: two of the reasons why I love my Commando thongs. They are incredibly reliable, whether it’s to wear with leggings or under my everyday clothes. Ten out of ten.” —Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor
Best Silky Thong
Negative Underwear Silky Thong
Size: XS–XXL | Material: 75 percent polyamide, 25 percent elastane, and 100 percent cotton gusset lining
Harper loves this barely-there thong that’s made of a stretchy nylon blend and cotton gusset lining because you get a comfortable fit sans panty lines.
Best Deep-V Thong
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Gush LBT
Size: XS–XL | Material: 90 percent recycled polyamide, 10 percent elastane, and 100 percent cotton gusset
“When we say you need to add some deep v’s to your drawer, we do not mean that of the mid-aughts menswear ilk. We mean the Little Black Thong from Hannah Richtman’s Gush, which is designed with a high waist and low cut for a universally flattering (and surprisingly comfortable) shape. At first, it can be a little intimidating. Is this a thong for ants? But no, it actually covers everything down there. I love my pair and I definitely feel confident when I wear mine.” —B.N.
Most Comfortable Thong
ThirdLove Comfort Thong
Size: XS- 3X | Material: nylon and spandex blend, and 100 percent cotton gusset
“The best underwear are the ones that don’t feel like underwear at all, and this one from ThirdLove fits the bill. It’s so lightweight, seamless, and silky smooth, I forget I’m even wearing it. The fabric feels like butter and the seams never roll up, plus this thong features a stitch-free design so I never have to worry about panty lines.” —Hanna Flanagan, shopping editor
Best Bikinis
Best Risqué Bikini
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Savage x Fenty Mesh Crotchless High Leg Bikini
Size: XS–3X | Material: 80 percent nylon, 20 percent elastane
“This crotchless bikini is certainly not for the faint at heart, but may be perfect if you’re looking for something spicy. And, amazingly, reviewers say they’re comfortable enough to wear regularly. I wear mine when I’m running low on underwear. It takes a while to get used to, but overall they are comfortable.” —B.N.
Best Seamless Bikini
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Nude Barre Seamless Bikini Panty
Size: S–XL | Material: 85 percent polyamide, 15 percent elastane, cotton-lined gusset
“This Black-owned brand is doing neutral and seamless underwear right. They’re available in 12 diverse shades, and the brand offers a number of virtual tools to achieve the most accurate match.” —B.N.
The Best Hipsters
Most Flattering Hipsters
Calvin Klein Invisibles Hipster Briefs
Size: XS- XL | Material: 73 percent nylon and 27 percent elastane
“I love a multipack underwear set, and this one from Calvin Klein is always my go-to because they’re seamless and reasonably priced, and I can wear them under anything sheer or tight without concern. They’re also super lightweight and comfortable yet virtually invisible under clothing, which is why I’ve bought more than I can count.” —Lindsay Peoples, editor-in-chief
Best Leakproof Hipsters
Proof Leakproof Hipster Underwear
Size: XS–3XL | Material: outer shell is 75 percent nylon, 25 percent spandex, and gusset is 69 percent cotton, 25 percent polyester, and 6 percent acrylic
“You may not be able to tell from the looks of it, but these top-rated hipsters can absorb up to five (five!) tampons’ worth of liquid. They also have some odor-reducing properties to help you feel fresh throughout your period. I normally wear mine when my period is almost over and I don’t want to stain my other underwear faves.” —B.N.
Best Mesh Hipsters
Parade High Rise Cheeky
Size: XS–3XL | Material: Recycled fibers
“When it comes to Parade underwear, I swear by the Seamless Universal collection (more on that below). However, a close friend kept raving about the mesh underwear and I’m glad I tried them out. You do have to size down since they run a bit larger, but once you find the right size for you, they’re the right amount of sexy and comfortable.” —B.N.
The Best Briefs
Best High-Waisted
Cuup The Highwaist
Size: XS–3XL | Material: 88 percent modal, 12 percent elastane with a 95 percent bamboo and 5 percent gusset
“Cuup gets all the love when it comes to its bras (and swim!), but I’m here to let you know that its underwear deserves all the hype, too. This cut from Cuup hugs your curves in all the right ways and is incredibly soft.” —B.N.
Best Silk Briefs
Gooseberry Intimates Manhattan Briefs
Size: XS–L | Material: 100 percent silk side split with lightweight tulle
One of Leclere’s favorites is this fancier pair made of 100 percent silk.
Best Mom-Approved Briefs
Negative Underwear Silk Brief
Size: XS–XXL | Material: 75 percent polyamide, 25 percent elastane, and 100 percent cotton gusset
While these aren’t exactly maternity underwear, these are the briefs mom-to-be and Harper the Label founder Claire Harper hasn’t ditched during her pregnancy. The smooth and stretchy briefs are made of nylon and spandex with a cotton gusset lining, and you can wear them comfortably even when you aren’t expecting.
Best Seamless Briefs
Wacoal High Cut Briefs
Size: S–XXL | Material: nylon/spandex and cotton blend
“They don’t show underwear lines at all,” says one fan. And the high-waisted cut provides coverage without feeling too grandma-esque.
Best Lounging Briefs
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Richer Poorer Cotton Modal Boxer Brief
Size: XS–XL | Material: 48 percent modal, 48 percent cotton, and 4 percent spandex.
“There’s nothing better than just lounging around in some extremely comfortable boxer briefs. While you do need to size up to get the perfect fit with this option from Richer Poorer, they are well worth it. I wear mine as pajamas.” —B.N.
Best Formfitting Briefs
Spanx Fit-to-You Pima Cotton Brief 3-Pack
Size: One Size and One Size Plus | Material: 300 percent stretch fabric with LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber and puma cotton gusset
When you don’t want shapewear but still want some extra support, these briefs from Spandex have you covered. For less than $50, you get three pairs that will go with all your closet and won’t show any visible panty lines when you wear them.
FAQs
Our Experts:
