Ten Types of Women’s Underwear

1. Thong

Thongs are made for super minimal coverage (to 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 a variety of 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.

2. Hipster

Like 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 a range of fabrics for comfort and style including lace, mesh, cotton, and microfiber.

Wear hipsters with:Low-rise jeans and pants.

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), but also the more delicate ones like lace and argyle mesh.

Wear bikinis with:It’ll depend on the fabric, but bikini underwear types are super versatile. You can wear them with anything from your favorite pair of jeans to a mini skirt.

4. 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 more itty-bitty string. Think loin cloth with straps. 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. Basically any time you want to avoid visible panty lines. Probably not the most comfortable in jeans and denim, but that’s all you!

5. 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

6. Boyshort

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

Wear boyshorts with:Medium to high-rise pants. With all the coverage, you’ll want to reserve these for casual day. 

7. Tanga Brief

Tanga types of underwear provide moderate to minimal coverage, with back coverage 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.

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 just above the widest part of the thigh. 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.

9. Control Brief

It’s like a regular brief, 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.

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 wanna 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.