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Your whole day can be derailed by bad underwear—a terrible pair can pinch, pull, tug, and end up in all the wrong places. Many people have a drawer full of dozens of undies that just don’t quite fit. Padded Butt Lifter
And then there are the few favorites that rise to the top of the pile every time, rotating from your bum to your laundry bin and back again. Our goal was to find heroic pairs that will inspire you to evict the rejects from your drawer forever.
After extensive testing by a panel of Wirecutter staffers—with a range of body types and underwear preferences—five styles emerged as the best everyday undies: a classic, inexpensive cotton pair that comes in a multipack; a high-leg, retro-style bikini; a quick-drying, lightweight brief; a lacy pair of boy shorts; and a comfy, seamless thong.
These durable high-rise undies feel as familiar as a favorite T-shirt, and stay put without digging into skin—and the price is nice, so you can stock up. But they may create a visible panty line.
If you’re looking for affordable, 100% cotton underwear that doesn’t roll, bunch, or pinch, this is it. Our testers loved that they could put on a pair of Hanes Ultimate Breathable Cotton Hi-Cuts (also sometimes called the Hanes Ultimate High-Waisted Moisture-Wicking Briefs) in the morning, wear them all day, and toss them in the hamper at night without giving any of it much thought.
They stay put and feel good. These high-rise, high-cut briefs feel like a wonderfully worn-in T-shirt for your nether regions. Though these undies are not as soft as pricier pairs we tried, they aren’t rough or scratchy, either. They’re made from 100% cotton fabric, and they have a forgiving elastic waistband that sits an inch or two below the belly button, depending on your height and build.
Note: Hanes also makes versions of this style in a blend of 75% cotton and 25% polyester, which is often sold in multi-packs on the same product page as the 100% cotton model, much to the confusion and irritation of some customers. If you’re only interested in the 100% cotton pairs, be sure to check the fine print about the fabric content on the packaging of the exact set you choose.
All four of our testers (sizes S to XL) said this underwear fit well and sat securely at the hips without moving, bunching, or slipping—and the undies didn’t lose their shape throughout the day. But the defined seams around the waist and legs will show through stretchy or tight-fitting pants, so beware of visible panty lines.
They’re cheap and widely available. The Breathable Cotton Hi-Cuts are among the most affordable undies we tested: A six-pack costs about the same (or less!) than a single pair of our individually sold picks. And unlike many higher-end pairs, these undies can be found at almost any chain store. But they’re not as stretchy as our other picks, so they won’t fit as wide a range of hip sizes.
They’re low-maintenance. You don’t need to be precious with the Breathable Cotton Hi-Cuts—just toss ’em in the wash on warm, and then tumble-dry on low. (These undies are made of preshrunk cotton, so they won’t shrink with laundering.) And if they get stained, you can relegate them to period or laundry-day underwear without sobbing over the replacement cost.
They’re surprisingly well made. Considering this underwear’s low price, we were impressed with the quality. These undies have a fully enclosed gusset (crotch), which means the liner fabric is secured on both ends; this requires extra workmanship and helps the underwear hold up better. Even our pricier picks—with the exception of the Tommy John Women’s Air Brief—have an open gusset at one end, so it could peel back over time.
The 100% cotton Hanes Ultimate Breathable line comes in additional styles as well: a fuller-rear-coverage Brief, a lower-rise Bikini, and a low-rise Hipster.
This pair is a sexy yet comfy take on the everyday brief, with a high-cut leg and a high waist. For cotton undies, they’re pricey, but the high-quality material is unusually soft.
With high-cut leg openings and delicate lace trim, the cotton Natori Bliss French Cut Brief is pretty enough for date night, yet it’s also really comfortable to wear. So you’ll want to have this underwear in your everyday rotation. It’s no wonder this brief has developed a loyal following, including here at Wirecutter.
The fabric is ultra-soft and stretchy. The Bliss French Cut Brief is made from lightweight pima cotton (a high-quality, extra-long-staple variety), which feels great on the skin. The material includes 6% Lycra, so this brief easily conforms to curves, and the stretchy lace edging isn’t scratchy or irritating.
The Bliss undies are thinner, sleeker, and softer than our Hanes Ultimate Breathable Cotton Hi-Cuts pick, and they’re less wrinkle-prone. Normally priced around $20 a pair, they’re also far more expensive. However, Natori does sell them in three-packs (usually around $16 a pair).
They have a sexy, retro cut. The Bliss undies “combine the best of everyday underwear with really cute styling,” one tester said. This is a French-cut brief, which means it’s cut high at the legs, with sleek seaming that sits toward the front of the hips. The piqué design creates an elongated leg line that reveals more skin in the front, which nicely balances the fuller coverage on the rear.
These briefs were not constricting, and they hit our testers an inch or so below the belly button—though where they land will depend on your height and build. Our tester with curvier hips, another with more of a booty, and our trans tester all loved this pair’s retro look. But our straight-hipped tester said this pair gave her a “tiny bit of a wedgie,” and she wished it hit slightly lower on her belly.
The Bliss French Cut Brief is the one we tested. But the Bliss also comes in a Full Brief (with more coverage around the hips) and a Girl Brief (a lower-rise hipster cut).
This pair lies flat and doesn’t show under clothes. The Bliss French Cut Brief has lace trim at the waist and legs, and it isn’t purely ornamental: It’s also stretchy and durable, so it acts as an anchor to keep the underwear in place without bunching, rolling, or digging. Sewn to the body fabric with a strong zig-zag stitch, the delicate lace also has a smoothing effect (it doesn’t create panty lines or bulges). This pair’s generous frontal crotch coverage and stay-in-place lace work in tandem to lower the probability that you’ll experience a dreaded frontal wedgie.
This pair is an airy, stretchy second skin that stays in place and dries in a jiffy. But it’s more sheer than other styles we wore.
The Tommy John Women’s Air Brief is so soft, thin, and—yep!—airy that you might forget you’re wearing it. This mid-rise style offers full coverage, particularly in the rear, but the sheer nylon fabric prevents this pair from feeling dowdy. Plus, this brief wicks moisture and dries quickly, so it’s a great option for travel or if you tend to get sweaty.
The fabric is cool and whisper-thin. These undies are feather-light—they weigh just 2 ounces. And our testers raved about the nylon and spandex mesh material, describing it as smooth and buttery, with lots of stretch. The fabric is slightly sheer, so nobody will accuse these briefs of being matronly, despite their full-coverage silhouette.
If you prefer a more-revealing or less-revealing cut, this underwear also comes in other versions: The Women’s Air Thong, the Women’s Air Cheeky (a hipster style with less rear coverage), and the Women’s Air Hi-Rise Brief (a high-rise pair with full bum coverage).
They’re the quickest-drying undies we tried. We soaked the Air Briefs in water and hung them to dry—and they were ready to wear in about four hours. Combined with how lightweight they are, the quick-drying aspect makes them a terrific choice for travel, when you might find yourself doing laundry on the go.
Even when damp with sweat, the fabric didn’t feel uncomfortable against our skin. And the gusset (crotch liner) uses a proprietary “Cool Cotton” fabric, which the company claims is more cooling and moisture-wicking than regular cotton. (We did like the way it felt.)
They stay securely in place. While other nylon undies we tested tended to slip down—either because they lacked an elastic waistband or their fabric was too smooth—the Air Briefs didn’t roll, sag, tug, or bulge.
The waistband and leg bands are secure and snappy—they stayed in place and kept their shape after laundering. The seams on the waist, legs, and gusset are bonded, so they lie flat; these undies come with what the company calls a “no-visible-panty-line guarantee.” And, sure enough, they weren’t detectable beneath our clothing.
These are high-quality, durable briefs. One tester reported that after they washed their Tommy John Air Briefs weekly for nearly a year, they “are basically like new.” Among the little details that count: This underwear has a fully attached gusset, which means both ends of the crotch lining are attached to the main body of the underwear; this prevents that fabric from curling up over time. (The Hanes Ultimate Breathable Cotton Hi-Cuts underwear is our only other pick with a fully attached gusset.)
This pricey pair is durable, and it comes in dozens of colors and the widest range of sizes among our picks. But even though the lace fabric is comfy and stretchy, it’s not buttery-soft.
The Hanky Panky Signature Lace Boyshort defied our expectations, in the best ways. This style can be a nightmare if it cuts in too tightly at the thigh, and lace has a reputation for being fussy and delicate. But this pair won over all of our panelists with its flattering fit, comfort, and quality.
It’s made of a stretchy nylon lace. The Signature Lace Boyshort is made of the same elastic, durable nylon lace as Hanky Panky’s well-known thongs. The material is sheer, with opaque detailing that provides some modest coverage. More than one tester commented that the woven lace made them feel “sexy.”
Though the intricate floral pattern looks like it could be scratchy, it’s surprisingly innocuous—not extremely soft, but not annoying, either. Plus, there are no side seams to dig into your hips, and the gusset (crotch liner) is made from smooth, breathable Supima cotton (a luxurious, extra-long-staple cotton).
This pair has a clever, curve-hugging cut. While boy shorts are typically cut straight across the thigh, with full rear coverage, the Signature Lace Boyshort has a slightly more-revealing, figure-enhancing design. The waist and leg openings are cut at an angle, to create a flattering V-shape, and these boy shorts show a hint of cheek in the back. “I can’t get over how great these made my butt look,” one tester said.
Most of our underwear picks have a front panel and a back panel attached by side seams. But the Signature Lace Boyshort has a single center seam, allowing it to smoothly hug the hips. Its wide, angled leg holes don’t dig into the thighs like those of traditional boy shorts. And the medium rise and flexible waistband were especially great for testers who had loose skin around their bellies.
The Signature Lace Boyshort doesn’t create panty lines under clothing, either: The lace edging lies flat, secured to the body of the underwear with strong zig-zag stitching.
This pair comes in tons of colors and sizes. The Signature Lace Boyshort is available in more sizes (XXS to 3X) than any of our picks; the largest size fits hips up to 58 inches, according to the company’s size guide. Plus-size pairs (1X to 3X) have a slightly thicker, more-substantial lace waistband.
Depending on where you shop, these boy shorts come in more than two-dozen colors, including a range of skin-tone shades.
This pair is built to last, if you treat it right. The Signature Lace Boyshort’s stretchy nylon lace is hardier and less prone to snagging than silk lace. And the stitching is sturdy at the seams and around the waist and leg opening.
Hanky Panky recommends hand-washing the Signature Lace Boyshort. Yet after months of wear and machine-washing (gentle cycle), our pairs have held up well. Be sure to put them in a mesh laundry bag; otherwise, the lace can get caught on zippers and buttons. And skip the dryer—these undies will last longer if they’re air-dried.
This seamless thong vanishes under clothing, and it doesn’t cut, rub, or irritate, as so many other thongs do. But the ultra-thin material might not feel sturdy and supportive enough for some folks, especially if you have loose skin around your midsection.
Thongs have gotten a lot of flak over the years. And we certainly get why some folks aren’t interested in having a strip of fabric riding up their bums. But the ThirdLove ComfortStretch Thong is the smoothest, stretchiest, and most tolerable thong we’ve found. “I can normally only wear a thong for a few hours before the string starts driving me nuts,” one tester said. “But I was able to keep this on all day without endless shifting or adjusting.”
The material is silky and ultra-light. The ComfortStretch Thong is made of a gossamer-thin nylon-spandex blend that’s smooth, soft, and breathable. The form-fitting, four-way stretch fabric moves with you, without slipping or riding up.
Because the material is so airy, it won’t provide much support for your tummy or hips, and some people may miss that. One tester noted that this thong didn’t feel sturdy around the loose skin under her belly button.
It’s invisible under clothing. The ComfortStretch Thong has a minimalist cut and seamless construction, with no bulky elastic around the waist or legs. (The seams are high-heat-glued rather than stitched.) So this thong is virtually undetectable beneath even the clingiest clothing. Its bonded edges lie flat, its wide hip band doesn’t dig in, and the midrise back reduces your chances of sporting an early-aughts “whale tail.” One tester noted that the ComfortStretch model was smoother under a tight jersey pencil skirt than any other one she’d tried.
The ComfortStretch Thong doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as a more-traditional, stitched thong—it seems less substantial. ThirdLove recommends hand-washing this thong in cool water. But after months of machine-washing ours on a delicate cycle and air-drying, we haven’t noticed any deterioration.
It comes in lots of sizes, though the fit may not work for everyone. The ComfortStretch Thong is available in sizes XS to 3X, and it will fit people with hips measuring up to 56½ inches. Among our picks, only the Hanky Panky Signature Lace Boyshort has a broader size range.
However, because of its thong shape, this pick is relatively narrow in front and has a more-slender gusset (crotch liner). So those with wider-set hips—or anyone who prefers more crotch coverage—might not find this thong comfortable.
We’re going to use the word panties only once in this guide, and it’s to tell you that we’ll never use it again. If that’s not a reason to trust us, we also interviewed multiple experts to understand the design, fit, and fabric of underwear. And we spoke with an ob-gyn to understand underwear’s relationship with vaginal health.
Our testers had no insight into which experts we interviewed. So even though we spoke with Romaine Sargent, then VP/GM for Hanes, and Rachel Erickson, director of design and merchandising for Hanes, the testers rated their models independently, and our picks were not influenced by the experts.
We limited our scope to underwear specialists (rather than to general-clothing brands), and we tested mass-market multipacks, intimate lines, and direct-to-consumer disruptors. After researching hundreds of styles, we narrowed our pool to 27 pairs for in-person testing.
Our testing panel consisted of three cis women and one transgender woman, and the underwear sizes they wore ranged from S to XL. Testers had various self-described body shapes (straight hips, wide hips, bigger booty), and three of our testers identified as having post-pregnancy tummy pooches. Underwear sizing is wildly unstandardized, but all of our picks are available in sizes S to XXL. Some are offered in a far broader range, from XXS to 3X, fitting hip measurements from 32 inches to 58 inches. Our trans tester did not test thongs.
Testers wore each pair for at least a full day, with favorite pairs quickly moving into regular rotation. The underwear was rated on the following criteria:
Fabric quality: We considered the fabric’s feel, weight, and texture. Nearly every pair, no matter the body material, had a breathable cotton gusset (crotch liner).
Fit: Testers rated fit on a scale from 1 to 5, noting whether or not the undies rode up, rolled down, or otherwise bunched, or if they became uncomfortable during everyday activities.
Style: We prioritized mainly bikini and brief styles, which make up the majority of the market. We also tested a range of boy shorts and thongs. We didn’t consider styles that are not meant to be worn all day.
Cost: We set a maximum budget of $35 per pair. On average, the underwear we tested was about $14 per pair.
We also considered (but didn’t heavily weigh) the following things:
Color range: Underwear that comes in a variety of colors, including multiple skin tones, is ideal. But we didn’t consider this to be as essential as it is for bras.
Sustainability: We looked at each company’s sustainability practices, but there’s no concrete way to know whether the claims are accurate (and many companies have no stated sustainability practices).
Of our picks, Hanes outlines its sustainability on a dedicated website, as does Hanky Panky and Natori.
If you want a smooth, flattering bikini that shows more cheek: Cuup’s The Bikini Modal is made from a blend of modal and elastane, so it feels soft and stretchy. The gusset (crotch liner) is made of “antimicrobial” bamboo (the company’s words), which we didn’t find quite as breathable as cotton. But testers liked the V-shaped waist, high-cut legs, and cheeky cut. “It sat seamlessly on my hips and didn’t cause any indents in the softer areas,” one tester said. This bikini comes in sizes from 1 (33- to 35-inch hips) to 7 (46- to 49-inch hips). We also liked this brand’s thong version, which is made from the same smooth fabric and comes in the same array of sizes.
If you want a multipack of basic undies in a sporty fabric: The affordable Fruit of the Loom Breathable Micro-Mesh Bikini Underwear is made of a quick-dry polyester-spandex blend material that reminded us of basketball shorts. All of our testers loved the fit—these undies were ultra-comfy and stayed put. And they come in a wide range of sizes, from 5 (36- to 37-inch hips) to 13 (56- to 59½-inch hips). But the sporty look was divisive, and we found the marketing of the “Fit for Me” extended sizes to be off-putting.
If you want seamless nylon undies with full tush coverage: Sold individually or in discounted three-packs, the Jockey Smooth & Shine Seamfree Bikini is made of a machine-washable nylon/polyester/spandex blend; it comes in sizes from 4 (34- to 35-inch hips) to 9 (47- to 49-inch hips). Testers liked this underwear’s stay-put design, comfortable fit, and clean lines. But ultimately, they preferred our nylon pick from Tommy John, which isn’t quite as full-coverage in the rear.
If you want a seriously chic semi-sheer thong: The Negative Sieve Thong is comprised of two triangles of honeycomb mesh fabric securely attached to a wide, silky elastic waistband, which sits flat and stays put. One tester raved, “If The Row made thongs, they would look and feel like this.” But another panelist didn’t love the skimpiness of this thong, and she reported feeling “unsexy” because of the way her skin protruded over its waistband. At over $30, this thing is a splurge, though its design and construction do feel special. It’s available in sizes XS (34½- to 36-inch hips) to XXL (45- to 46½-inch hips).
The Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Bikini earned points for being well made. But testers were turned off by the giant tag sewn into the garment and the in-your-face branding.
During testing, our panelist with wide hips was the only person able to test the Gap Breathe Bikini (available in XXS to XXL) and the Gap Organic Stretch Cotton Bikini (XXS to XL), due to stock issues. Both pairs fit well, but we’ll need more data before we consider making them a pick.
The Parade Ultra-Soft Re:Play Dream Comfort Brief is a cheeky nylon pair that comes in lots of colors and an impressive range of sizes—from XS (34- to 36-inch hips) to 5X (57½- to 59½-inch hips). But the waistband peeked out of our jeans in the back, and there were some hiccups with the text-message customer service.
A couple of our testers liked the lacy, low-rise Soma Embraceable Signature Lace Bikini. However, two others said that the lace felt rough and the leg bands cut into their skin.
The Commando Butter Hipster is beloved by stylists for its zero-panty-line silhouette, and it’s likely great for short-term wear. But the raw edges rolled and slipped with minimal movement on our part, and the fabric felt perilously thin.
Due to stock issues, the Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger wasn’t available in every tester’s sizing.
Our testers didn’t like the feel or fit of the Auden Women’s Seamless Thong from Target’s house brand.
The nylon Jockey No Panty Line Promise Tactel Thong dug into testers’ skin. So this one was difficult to wear for a full day.
Two of our testers loved the Italian-made Cosabella Comfie Thong, which has a wide, lacy waistband that stays nicely in place. But our wide-hipped tester complained that the waistband dug into her hips. This thong is also expensive and comes in limited sizes (the largest is XL).
We wanted to test the underwear from Nubian Skin, which comes in nude shades for people of color. But the UK-based company has a $100 free-shipping minimum and a complicated return policy. However, some styles are now available online at Net-a-Porter.com.
Rihanna’s well-priced Savage x Fenty line offers ultra-sexy styles in an inclusive range of sizes. But we decided against testing it at this point, because the company follows a subscription model similar to that of Fabletics: If you don’t sign up for the monthly membership, you won’t get the great deals.
We were excited about Kim Kardashian’s underwear line, Skims, which comes in a wide range of sizes, styles, and nude shades. During our testing, Skims pairs were selling out before our eyes; the few pairs we did manage to buy were solidly constructed and fit well, but we weren’t able to have enough testers try them to confidently recommend them.
Slick Chicks Adaptive Underwear has fasteners that open and close the seams at the hips. This underwear is intended to be easy to put on or take off from any position—sitting, standing, or lying down. Cara Liebowitz, a disability-rights activist and wheelchair user, tested a pair for us. She found that the clasp dug uncomfortably into her left side, making all-day wear impossible.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
Maureen Whelihan, MD, FACOG, Elite GYN Care of The Palm Beaches in Greenacres, Florida, phone interview, July 30, 2020
Romaine Sargent, VP/GM, and Rachel Erickson, director design and merchandising, at Hanesbrands Inc., joint phone interview, September 18, 2020
Asia Mone’t, fit model specializing in intimate apparel, phone interview, August 26, 2020
Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict blog, phone interview, August 24, 2020
Heather Garcia, senior director of merchandising, Bare Necessities, phone interview, August 7, 2020
Annemarie Conte is a deputy editor at Wirecutter. She has written and edited for multiple local and national magazines throughout her career. You can follow her on Instagram.
Zoe Vanderweide is a staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.
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