The Ultimate Women's Underwear Guide

Does your underwear fit right? How do you choose the best underwear for your body type? What is a panty gusset? And what clothes work with different types of women's underwear? If you've asked these questions repeatedly but to no avail, the good news is that this ultimate women's underwear guide has all the answers in one place. Find the best advice about fits, sizing, fabric, cut and style to help you pick the best options for your wardrobe style. Want to find out more? Let's dive straight in.

Quick Links

• Frequently asked questions
• How to choose the best-fitted underwear for your body type
• How do you find the right size of women's underwear to buy?
• Types of women's underwear - Fabric & materials
• Women's underwear styles and when to wear them
• What is seamless underwear?
• Buy the best underwear for your wardrobe

Frequently asked questions

What is the best underwear for sensitive skin?

Sensitive skins love natural fabrics. That's why organic cotton and bamboo are among the best choices for different types of women's underwear. Cotton is naturally breathable and absorbs sweat. Bamboo underwear feels softer than cotton and is more absorbent, making it an irritation-free underwear option for women with sensitive skin.

What is the pocket in your underwear for?

Also known as a gusset, this extra layer of fabric in the crotch area of a woman's panty helps improve the underwear's longevity. Gussets are typically made of cotton, helping keep you cool and dry as you go about your day.

Should your underwear be tight or loose?

Women's underwear should not be too tight to leave marks on the skin and shouldn't be loose. Ideally, they'll offer a combination of movement, support and the coverage you desire.

How do you know if your underwear doesn't fit?

This is typically evident from bulging skin around the hips or waist. A red flag is feeling restricted with your leg movement, another sign that your underwear is too tight. If the seams are digging into your thighs and causing marks and indentations, it's time to shop for new underwear.

How to choose the best-fitted women's underwear for your body type

Panties for the apple body shape

In this shape, the shoulders and bust are typically larger than the hips with a waist that's not too defined. That's why an awkward problem is underwear rolling down. Picking the right size is key. Let's explore what to do and what to avoid.

Do

If you have an apple-shaped body, choosing high-waisted underwear like high-rise briefs or high-rise boy shorts is a great idea. It helps with offering support and full coverage for your tummy and hips.

Don't

Low-rise panties like bikinis could leave you feeling shapeless around the stomach. You'll also do well to avoid underwear styles like hipsters that typically sit below your navel.

Panties for the hourglass shape

The hourglass shape is a popular and coveted body type, ideal for a few different kinds of underwear. Let's find out some of the dos and don'ts.

Do

Invest in a hipster. Offering the benefits of boyshorts and bikinis, this style of women's underwear provides a heap of coverage and style. You could also choose lace panties with high-leg cuts. Another option is the high-waisted brief, which offers everyday comfort.

Don't

The hourglass shape is not without its challenges when selecting suitable underwear. For instance, if your underwear offers less coverage on the backside, it could creep up, making it uncomfortable. Opt for comfortable styles of your exact size.

Panties for the pear body shape

The pear body shape demands that you look for underwear designs that suit your narrow waist, wide hips and thick highs simultaneously. Here are some options to consider and avoid.

Do

Briefs will give you more coverage than bikinis. So, invest in some today. Hipster designs could also work for those who aren't long-waisted pears, helping you mix things up in your underwear drawer.

Don't

Boyshorts, while tempting, aren't the best choice for pear shapes because they cause strain around your hips. Also, tend to feel restrictive in the thighs.

Panties for the rectangle body shape

A straight silhouette without too many curves is the hallmark of the rectangle body shape. Typically, your shoulders and hips will have a similar width with little to no waist definition.

Do

Consider low-rise underwear or bikinis. The rectangle is the least restrictive body type.

Don't

Beware that too much coverage and fabric at the back could mean visible panty lines. Opt for seamless panties, in that case.

Panties for the inverted triangle

The body type is typically characterised by broad shoulders and bust, narrowing the body down towards the hip area. This creates the appearance of an inverted triangle. Here's what to pick and what to avoid.

Do

Opt for boyshorts in the correct size. Or, give bikinis a go, as they offer less coverage. Ensuring you get the right size will also mean no visible panty lines.

Don't

Avoid full coverage underwear, as all that extra fabric could alter the appearance of your backside, making it appear flat.

Panties for the long-waisted body shape

In this body type, the torso is generally longer in proportion to the legs. Pay attention to the rise of your panty, as this will help you pick the best one aligned with your body's shape.

Do

A traditional high-rise brief will be most comfortable. That's because you'll get full coverage around your belly button area. Another option could be a high-leg cut for a more comfortable finish. If you're comfortable wearing thongs, they're an excellent option to help eliminate panty lines.

Don't

Avoid low-rise options like bikinis or hipsters.

How do you know the size of women's underwear to buy?

It's common knowledge that comfortable and well-fitted underwear is crucial to your wardrobe. And yet, we're all guilty of sacrificing fit for fashion. Common types of underwear we pick are those that look beautiful but ride up the back, chafe skin, and more. If you can't wait to take off your pants at the end of a long day, have you considered that this could be the consequence of ill-fitted underwear?

So how do you know which size to buy? If you're struggling to find the right fit, follow our step-by-step guide.

Step 1

Measure your waist

Use a soft measuring tape to wrap around your waist. If you're unsure about the exact measuring area, a good trick is to bend sideways. Watch for the crease that forms around the waist and mark your spot. Remember to keep the tape parallel to the ground. Record the number.

Step 2

Measure the hips

Next, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips. Remember again to hold the tape parallel to the ground. Note the number.

Step 3

Find your size

Use these numbers and refer to the panty chart below to find the right fit. Shopping for bras and underwear together? Refer to the only bra-fitting guide you'll ever need.

Women's Underwear Sizing Chart

Types of women's underwear - Fabrics & materials

Underwear fabric has a significant impact on the overall fit. Always consider a combination of good looks and comfort when choosing underwear material. After all, it needs to feel breathable to help you get through your day without discomfort. Underwear fabrics will typically include natural and synthetic options. Natural materials like cotton, bamboo, silk, and hemp are fantastic because they create airflow, preventing heat and moisture from getting trapped. Synthetic options include nylon, spandex, satin, polyester and lace. Remember to choose comfortable fabrics and leave the frills only for special occasions like date nights, for instance. Let's explore.

100% Cotton

One of the best organic fabrics for women's underwear types, cotton is easy to wear for extended periods. They're also gentle on the skin and help avoid irritation and discomfort.

Silk

Shiny and more expensive than cotton - silk is a natural fibre known for its moisture-wicking properties. It's also very soft, offering oodles of comfort.

Nylon

Nylon instantly comes to mind when you think of panties that don't make you feel like you have anything on. With soft, silky textures, nylon dries quickly and is wrinkle-free. It's least likely to lose its shape and offers a seamless experience. Nylon isn't the best choice for everyday underwear, but it is terrific for special occasions and certain outfit types.

Cotton Blends

Cotton blend fabrics like polycotton offer sufficient breathability and softness. The polyester content in this underwear makes it resistant to shrinking and increases its longevity.

Bamboo Viscose

Viscose comes from chemically processing wood pulp or bamboo fibres. It feels soft and silky to the touch, sometimes softer than cotton. Thus making it an excellent choice for special occasion garments. It's an ultra-comfortable anti-bacterial fabric for many women's underwear styles.

Satin

Think beautiful underwear, and satin instantly comes to mind. Composed of 100% polyester, satin is best worn for short periods. It's not very breathable and therefore not recommended for everyday wear.

Hemp

Hemp, a natural fibre, is automatically anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. These types of panties are breathable, reducing moisture and heat-induced yeast infections. Hemp underwear will retain its shape despite prolonged use. It also retains colour well and won't get dull with repeated washes.

Women's underwear styles & when to wear them

Now that we've covered the basics of sizing and fabric types, let's explore the types of women's underwear available.

Bikini Panties

Bikinis offer medium coverage, with the waistband typically sitting between the naval and the hip. High-cut leg openings with good coverage at the back are the characteristics of this underwear style. Bikini briefs are available in various fabrics and colours to suit multiple needs.

When to wear them

Due to their size and shape, bikinis are a versatile underwear option for several occasions and outfits. They pair fabulously with jeans, pants, skirts or dresses. Bikini panty lines tend to be relatively invisible. However, they can be more prominent with certain fabrics, so keep this in mind when wearing tight-fitted clothing.

Boyshorts

Boyshorts or boyleg briefs have a rectangular appearance and are modelled after men's boxer briefs. Their design is similar to hipsters. Boyshorts tend to offer full coverage, sitting just below the crease line of the cheek. At the same time, some go down as low as the thigh.

When to wear them

Pair your boyleg briefs with medium to high-rise pants for maximum comfort. They are available in various fabric options like cotton, nylon and microfibre materials. Opt for seamless panties when wearing skirts and dresses. However, this underwear type is prone to showing panty lines, so we recommend them with loose-fitted jeans or skirts and pants. Modest at best, opt for boyleg/boyshorts for day-long comfort.

Hipsters

A combination of boy legs and bikinis, hipsters are best knowns for offering good coverage. With a broader waistband, this underwear style hugs the body and hips fully. They come with bikini-style leg holes and are available in various colours and fabric choices.

When to wear them

Hipsters are excellent for women with pear-shaped bodies or those with more athletic builds. They work beautifully for figure-hugging outfits, high or low-rise jeans and short skirts and dresses.

Briefs

Briefs are your full-coverage underwear option, often with a higher waist. Designed for maximum comfort, briefs provide full coverage on both the front and back. Women's briefs are available in low, mid and high rise options. Alternatively, for maximum coverage, make full briefs your go-to. These are particularly effective with tummy control and support for the lower back.

When to wear them

Wear this modest underwear with just about any clothing option. A quick reminder, though, their thicker fabrics will mean panty lines will be visible around the edges. We recommend them with thicker fabrics like denim and other thick clothing. If you're wearing high-waisted bottoms, high-rise briefs are perfect. This everyday women's underwear option is great to wear with loose-fitting dresses and skirts.

Thongs

Other sought-after options in women's underwear are thongs. They offer minimal coverage, also preventing the appearance of panty lines with figure-hugging apparel.

When to wear them

Depending on your taste, thongs are perfect with clothing options like shorts, dresses and skirts. You might also consider them with see-through fabrics like white pants, jeans, tights or leggings.

What is seamless underwear?

Without conspicuous seams or visible stitching on the outer areas, seamless underwear has the ability to offer a snug and exceptionally flat fit. Plus, they're incredibly comfortable, as garments are composed of fine materials. Seamless underwear adapts to your body type, helping you step out in confidence. What's more, these women's underwear types are made today from hypoallergenic and recyclable fabrics. The stark difference with traditional underwear is the appearance of seams underneath tight-fitting and figure-hugging outfits.

Buy the best underwear for your wardrobe.

Women's panties are available in endless fabric, pattern, colours and style options. This means you have the flexibility to choose anything from a stylish thong to a more modest bikini or full briefs. You can now explore the different types of women's underwear or head straight to the hub to find more fashion inspiration for your wardrobe.