17 Best Underwear for Women, According to Cut Editors
ByBianca Nieves,
senior shopping editor for the Cutwho researches and identifies the best fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products to add to cart. Her work has also appeared in Teen Vogue, Refinery29, Glamour, Fashionista, and others.
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?
“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
“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
“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
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.
“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.
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
“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.
“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.
“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
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
“The most important thing when it comes to underwear is always comfort; you’ll have your underwear on all day, and the fabric should be soft, breathable, and stretchy enough to move with your body,” explains Chine Leclere, head of operations at Gooseberry.
Besides comfort and wedgie-free wear, a good pair of underwear feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. Gush founder Hannah Richtman prefers moisture-wicking fabrics for comfortable wear all day. If that’s not for you, organic cotton or cotton in general is always a safe and breathable bet.
Lastly, it comes down to style. Do you want the full coverage of briefs and boy shorts, a cheeky bikini, or a high-rise thong?
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