Type of underwear and how to choose a pair of panties

Underwear styles and designs are based on function for different types of clothing, so the right (or wrong one) can make or break an outfit. There's a reason why the saying "Don't get your panties in a bunch!" exists; ill-fitting underwear can seriously kill your mood.

Innovation in types of underwear has come a long way – and there's still quite a ways to go – but now that there are so many options to choose from, it's hard to know which type is best for what. That's where we come in. We'll go over different types of underwear and which ones are best for what you're looking for.

Cheekiness Scale

Before we get into the different types of underwear, let's talk about cheek coverage. Women's underwear styles differ primarily by how much cheek they show, from full range to none at all. As we list the different types of underwear, we'll also note their level of "cheekiness."

1. Thong

 

Thongs are made for super minimal coverage (avoid visible panty lines) with a T-shape string in the back. Like the bikini, it sits three inches below the waist, with the sides usually hitting right at or above the hip bone. They come in various fabrics, from cotton to lace, so that you can wear them every day and on special occasions.

Wear thongs with: Form-fitting / bodycon skirts and dresses; tights and leggings.

Cheeky-ness level: Bare cheek.

2. Hipster

 

As the name suggests, the waistband on hipster (or hip hugger) underwear sits on the hips, a couple of inches below the waist, and have low-cut leg holes. They come in various fabrics for comfort and style, including lace, mesh, cotton, and microfiber.

Wear hipsters with: Low-rise jeans and pants.

Cheeky-ness level: ¾ cheek.

3. Bikini

 

Bikinis are a type of underwear similar to the brief but without as much coverage. The waistband sits three inches below the waist and has high-cut leg holes. They also come in string bikini form, in which the leg holes are constructed with a thin string of fabric. They can come in the same comfy fabrics as briefs (cotton, microfiber, and nylon) and the more delicate ones like lace and argyle mesh.

Wear bikinis with: Bikini underwear types are super versatile. You can wear them with anything from your favorite pair of jeans to a mini skirt.

Cheeky-ness level: A hint of cheek.

4. Boyshort

 

Boyshorts are modelled after men's briefs, hence the name. They take on a more rectangular shape than most panties and are similar to the hipster, the critical difference being that they have a lower-cut leg. Some legs go down as low as the thigh. Comfort is vital with boyshorts, so fabrics tend to be cotton, microfiber, and nylon.

Wear boyshorts with: Medium to high-rise pants. With all the coverage they provide, you'll want to reserve these for a casual day. They're a good choice for lounging around the house with your True Body Bra.

Cheeky-ness level: No cheek.

5. G-String

 

G-string types of underwear have the least amount of coverage, i.e. none, only covering your vajay (barely). Like a thong, it forms the same T-shape but with a much skinnier string in the back. G-strings tend to be made with more delicate fabrics, including lace and satin.

Wear g-strings with: If you're going for a no-underwear underwear look, a g-string is what you want. Great for form-fitting / bodycon skirts and dresses; tights and leggings. Any time you want to avoid visible panty lines. Probably not the most comfortable when wearing jeans and denim, but that's your choice!

Cheeky-ness level: Bare cheek.

6. Brief

 

Briefs are a type of women's underwear that provide lots of front and back coverage. In a nutshell, they're designed to be comfortable. They can come in a variety of rises from low to high. Because they're more about comfort, the most common fabrics used for briefs are cotton, microfiber, and nylon.

Wear briefs with: Low to high-rise pants.

Cheeky-ness level: A hint of cheek.

7. Tanga Brief

 

Tanga types of underwear provide moderate to minimal coverage, with back content that is more than a thong but narrower than a bikini. They're a good option if you want something between a bikini and a thong.

Wear tanga briefs with: Form-fitting / bodycon skirts and dresses; tights and leggings.

Cheeky-ness level: Bare cheek.

8. High-Cut / French-Cut

 

High-cut / French-cut types of underwear have the same high waist as the classic brief but feature high-cut leg holes that rise above the thigh's widest part. They're a sort of bikini-brief hybrid. You can find them in fabrics from mesh to microfiber.

Wear high-cut underwear with: Low-rise jeans and pants.

Cheeky-ness level: Hint of cheek.

9. Control Brief

 

Control briefs are like regular briefs but with the added function of shapewear. This women's underwear style creates a smooth silhouette around your abdomen. They sit high on the waist, just under the belly button, with some styles going as high as under the breasts.

Wear control briefs with: Form-fitting / bodycon skirts and dresses; tights and leggings.

Cheeky-ness level: Hint of cheek.

10. Seamless, Cotton & Lace

 

Seamless, cotton and lace fabrics are the most common (and most-loved) fabrics for underwear. Our True Body Underwear is an example of seamless underwear that provides smoother-than-smooth coverage.

Women's underwear types with cotton give our butts that pillow-soft comfort we love, perfect for days when you just want to throw on your favorite joggers and tee.

Lace types of underwear are a favorite because they're an elegant everyday option but still sexy enough for a night out.

Wear these with: Pretty much anything! Women's underwear types made in these fabrics come in all different styles. Cotton thong or lace thong? Just let your mood decide.

Cheeky-ness level: Varies.

When it comes to women's underwear styles, we can and should have all types of underwear in our wardrobe, ready for whatever outfit we decide to rock. The best part about shopping for lingerie for women is that we get to choose the fabrics and styles we want without worrying about whether it's right for our bodies. They're suitable for everybody!