The Best Thongs for Women, According to Experts

Most of the experts we spoke to chose Hanky Panky thongs as their everyday thong. “Hanky Panky normalized the thong and made it an accessible wardrobe essential for millions of women,” says Cora Harrington of the blog the Lingerie Addict and author of the forthcoming book In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie. “Their stretch lace thong has countless imitators, but none come close to the original.” It’s the go-to thong for New York City girls, says Cindy Kahng, owner of the East Village boutique Azaleas. “They’re lacy, one size, comes in low-rise or high-rise and in every color of the rainbow,” she says.

Cosabella thongs are another popular choice, and Laura Henny, owner of the Rack Shack, a body-positive bra boutique for all shapes, colors, and genders in Bushwick, Brooklyn, prefers its lace look over Hanky Panky’s (though she likes both brands). The Cosabella Trenta thong is the everyday choice for Rachel O’Donnell, social-media manager at the Lingerie Journal: “The lace is soft to the touch and feels a bit more luxurious than your average one-size-fits-all thong.” It’s also seamless and comes in a rainbow of colors.

Chantelle’s Soft Stretch collective is a newcomer to the lingerie scene, but it’s quickly becoming a favorite. Harrington, who’s not usually impressed by “new” lingerie technology, says the French brand’s Soft Stretch fabric is the “real deal”: “It’s soft, smooth, seamless, super comfortable, and it wicks moisture away effortlessly from the skin (a necessity in hot weather!).” It’s also a favorite of Henny.

For a truly seamless and comfortable fit, Susanne Alvarado of Manhattan’s Sugar Cookies recommends Commando’s classic thong. According to the brand, the thong is raw-cut and made with “luxe European microfiber” and is “elastic-free,” eliminating digging and panty lines while being very soft.

A Journelle favorite is the in-house brand’s Estelle thong, which offers a seamless, everyday fit with a slightly thicker band and lace detailing in the back.

Another great seamless option is Fleur du Mal’s Charlotte Lace Seamless Thong. “They’re great to pair with summer outfits and any special occasion dress that can’t bear a VPL,” says Kahng.

“Sometimes you just need a nude thong,” says Lingerie Addict’s Harrington. But the lingerie industry has a pretty narrow definition of nude — which is where Nude Barre comes in: “Nude Barre was one of the first brands to offer nude lingerie in a range of skin tones, and their seamless thongs fit exactly as they say — like a second skin.”

“There’s a huge movement toward natural fibers,” says Harrington. She likes Skin’s organic pima-cotton thong as an everyday option, and so does Journelle’s media and marketing coordinator Danielle Iserlis.

With the popularity of high-waisted pants and skirts on the rise, it’s only natural to want a thong that accommodates these new styles. Alvarado and Journelle’s Iserlis both recommend Hanky Panky’s retro thong, which “gives you a flattering coverage with its extra-wide waistband and V-front,” according to Alvarado.

Kahng also recommends the adjustable string thong by Clo Intimo, a lingerie company started by Colombia native Claudia Ochoa (all the pieces are designed in New York City and manufactured in Colombia). A best seller at Azaleas, the Fortuna is “a little sexier and daintier,” according to Kahng, and comes with sliders to adjust to any hip width. Each pair even sports a semi-precious stone amulet meant to ward off bad spirits.

If you’re looking for something a little sexier yet minimalist, Sugar Cookies’ Alvarado recommends Aubade’s Nudessence G-string. It’s made of soft tulle and stretchy satin that “hugs your body for a second-skin fit,” according to Alvarado.