7 Essential Types of Underwear Styles for Women

Not to be dramatic, but your underwear is probably one the most important items in your wardrobe. The foundation of every outfit, the right pair can boost your confidence, and your comfort. But one style doesn’t always fit every occasion. There are several different types of underwear, which we will cover below.

Types of Women’s Underwear

Whether you love the freedom of a thong or the full coverage of a high brief, here’s a breakdown of the seven different women’s underwear styles you need in your top drawer and what outfits they’re best for.

 

1. Thong Underwear

Best for: Underneath tight dresses and fitted pants.

Ideal butt shapes: Round (O-shaped), Heart (A-shaped)

Don’t want your underwear to show? You probably already know you should reach for a thong. With zero coverage on your butt and minimal coverage on your hips, a thong provides a seamless and VPL-free look.

The typical thong consists of three parts: a thin waistband, a triangular piece of cloth in front, and a strip of cloth in the back that rests between the butt cheeks. There are different types of thongs, too, including tangas and G-strings. Tangas offer a bit more coverage than traditional thongs, having triangular cuts of fabric in both front and back. G-strings, on the other hand, offer less coverage and tend to be made with thinner strips of fabric. 

The type of thong you opt for will depend on your personal preferences in terms of fit and style.

 

2. Bikini Underwear

Best for: Jeans, skirts, dresses, you name it!

Ideal butt shapes: Square (H-shaped), Heart (A-shaped)

Bikinis are a popular style of women’s underwear that came about in the 1960s. Like your favorite bikini swimsuit, bikini underwear typically has a lower rise on the hip and a higher cut on the legs, while still offering plenty of coverage on your backside. Women appreciate this style for its overall comfort, medium level of coverage, and (usually) seamless appearance beneath various types of clothing. One of the most popular types of panties, bikinis pair well with nearly every outfit. 

 

3. Cheeky Underwear

Best for: Whenever you’re feeling cheeky!

Ideal butt shapes: Square (H-shaped)

Cheeky underwear offer more coverage than a thong, but less than a bikini, revealing a little more of your…cheeks. Most styles of cheeky underwear feature a bit of extra fabric at the sides, and the “cheeky” behind could range in design from almost full-coverage to almost thong-style (though it typically falls somewhere between). For the best results hiding panty lines, opt for cheeky underwear designs that are seamless. More flirty and playful than your typical bikini cut, cheekies are still a great everyday option.

 

4. Hipster Underwear

Best for: Low rise bottoms.

Ideal butt shapes: Inverted (V-shaped)

Halfway between a boyshort and a bikini, hipster panties have a bit more coverage on the leg-line than a bikini cut, but still sit a few inches below your natural waistline. Hipster panties are known for their ability to enhance your natural curves and shape, and many women find them very comfortable to wear. If you love wearing low rise pants and jeans, hipsters are pretty perfect, minimizing the risk of accidentally exposing your underwear.

 

5. Brief Underwear

Best for: High waisted bottoms or any time you want to feel more secure.

Ideal butt shapes: Square (H-shaped), Inverted (V-shaped), Heart (A-shaped)

Designed for full coverage with slimming lines, briefs are great when you want a little added support or an extra comfortable barrier between you and your high waisted pants. One major benefit of high brief underwear is the attractive silhouette it offers. This women’s underwear style provides ample coverage of your hips, butt, and even your lower stomach, all while complementing your natural shape. Sure, some may refer to this women’s underwear type as “granny panties,” but we’ve been seeing (and making) this high coverage cut in tons of modern colors and fabrics.

 

6. Mid-Rise Underwear

Best for: Mid-rise pants and skirts.

Ideal butt shapes: Square (H-shaped), Inverted (V-shaped), Heart (A-shaped)

With more coverage than a hipster, but less than a high brief, mid-rise bottoms barely graze your navel for a comfortable, mid-coverage fit. This type of women’s underwear can be found in various styles, as well, so you can experience the delight of medium coverage in your favorite styles. Designed for daily wear, this panty style works especially well under mid-rise pants.

 

 

7. Boyshorts

Best for: Loungewear and flashing-prone outfits.

Ideal butt shapes: Inverted (V-shaped)

For a full coverage brief that’s between a base layer and loungewear, the boyshort is a versatile piece that can function as well under clothing as it can on its own.  This style of underwear was designed with men’s boxer shorts in mind — hence the name — so it’s no surprise they offer many of the same benefits. For example, many women enjoy boyshorts for their ultra-comfortable fit and additional coverage. Additionally, this type of women’s underwear does a great job of eliminating panty lines for a clean, attractive look no matter what you’re wearing. Perfect for a night in, or as an insurance policy on a breezy day, the boyshort has you covered, literally.

 

Find Your Perfect Underwear

With so many types of underwear for women available, it can be daunting to figure out which ones are best for you. Visit our blog post on how to choose the right underwear for your outfit and body shape to learn what you should look for while shopping. Also, discover the essential types of underwear you should own before heading over to our expansive collection.

Find the perfect style (or styles) that fit you by visiting our collection of comfortable underwear that will elevate your everyday. We offer a variety of silhouettes in lace, cotton, seamless, mesh, and more that you’ll feel good in and love for every season. Buy your favorite panties in a bundle and save today!