Best Women’s Underwear 2024 | The Strategist

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The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here.

The best women’s underwear, be it a bikini or a boyshort, feels like going commando instead. I should know: I have seen my fair share of wedgies and visible panty lines in my time as The Strategist’s resident underwear expert. But in trying all sorts of styles while making this guide, I found excellent everyday briefs, actually comfortable thongs, and everything in between. I also collected recommendations from lingerie connoisseurs, fellow Strategist staffers, and models to make sure no panty was left behind. And if you’re looking to upgrade your other unmentionables, we’ve got you covered with guides to the best period underwear, the underwear that famous people like best, and the best bra.

Update on September 18, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

The intimates industry has a reputation of being exclusionary — though that’s slowly changing. So whenever possible, I highlighted brands that make underwear in a wider range of sizes.

Whereas men’s underwear comes down to three main cuts (boxers, briefs, and boxer briefs), it’s the Wild West out there for women. There’s the sisterhood of briefs, bikinis, and thongs from which others descend, such as the boyshort, hipster, and cheeky. Then there are the capitalized cuts, like the French cut that harks back to the Baywatch days of one-pieces, and the G-string, which is the next best thing to nothing at all. Rise is another consideration — maybe you prefer a high-rise (à la “My Calvins” ), low-rise, or something in the middle.

How a pair feels will depend on what it’s made from. Cotton is a favorite for its breathability. Modal is an alternative known for its softness and for being a bit more sustainable. Mesh (usually manufactured from nylon) is also popular and known for its airiness. Almost all underwear will contain some elastane or spandex for stretch, which makes it more comfortable and form-fitting. Since underwear is such a personal choice, there’s really no right answer to which material is best — but to help you decide, I’ve detailed the materials used in every recommendation.

Even though almost all of us would consider underwear an essential, it isn’t always priced that way. My focus, therefore, was on the undies that truly feel well worth it. Each of the picks is denoted as $ (under $15), $$ (under $25), or $$$ ($25 and up). Note: For undies that come in sets, I calculated the cost of one pair to figure out which price category they belong in — and I noted any “buy more, save more” deals within the text.

Sizes: 4–7 (equivalent to 0–14) | Cut: Bikini, low-rise or high-rise | Material: Cotton | Price: $

If you’ve been reading the Strategist long enough, you might recall that I’m a longtime fan of Commando underwear. But a new pair has uncrowned them as my pick for the Best Women’s Underwear Overall: Jockey’s Elance String Bikini. For $24 per three-pack at full price — and often on sale for as low as $10 — you can easily stock up. (I’m usually wary of super-cheap buy-in-bulk prices because they can make a product feel so expendable, but this one’s an exception.) Low price aside, these undies don’t actually feel cheap. Made from 100 percent cotton, they’re comfortable and breathable. The cut might be called a bikini, but it’s closer to a brief, with full coverage in the back and a fairly adjustable rise: You can pull the string sides up high above your hips, but I like to wear them lower, below my belly button. They stay put too. Because the bikinis are in the Elance line, the elastic at the waist is covered with comfy cotton. I like that the logo tag is on the outside of the bikini instead of the inside, so nothing’s rubbing against my behind. (I can get plucky about this.) I do wish these came in more sizes — Jockey’s scale of sizes 4 through 7 is the equivalent of 0 through 14. Still, for the price, it’s hard to do much better. You don’t have to just take my word for it, either. Joanna Goddard, creator of Cup of Jo and the newsletter Big Salad, read about the string-bikini style in Laurel Pantin’s newsletter, “which surprised me because she has such particular and exquisite taste, and she was like, ‘Jockey underwear!’” Goddard ordered a bunch afterward and now counts the underwear as something she can’t live without.

Sizes: XS/S–L/XL| Cut: Bikini, lower rise, seamless edges | Material: Cotton, elastane | Price: $$$

Behind the scenes, I considered almost 60 pairs of underwear, and Commando, famous for a right-there-in-the-name, gone-commando fit, was the brand that was recommended to me the most. “If you’ve ever wondered what the stars on the red carpet were wearing underneath those sheer, unforgiving gowns, the answer is almost certainly a pair of Commandos,” explains costume designer Alison Freer.

If you can swing a splurge, I think a Commando undie is well worth it. I know, I know: $36 makes for a pricey panty. But the brand’s ultrasmoothing and super-comfortable Cotton Bikini is an upgrade to your underwear drawer for sure. It has seamless edges and a not-too-cheeky cut that doesn’t leave any panty lines, lies flat, and stays put. Overall, they are thinner and more invisible than the Jockeys. The fabric is a blend of cotton and elastane that’s very stretchy but doesn’t ever sag, even after regular washings. I have worn Commandos for over a year now, and I can say that, across the board, the quality’s there for the price. Like Jockey’s bikini, the size range on Commando’s bikini tops out at a L/XL. They’re pretty much perfect otherwise.

Sizes: XS–XXL | Cut: Brief, sits below hips | Material: Pima cotton, lycra, lace (nylon, spandex) |Price: $$

Then there are the Natori Bliss briefs, an all-time Strategist-reader favorite. “They’re cute. They’re comfy. The Pima cotton means they’re supersoft,” says Cora Harrington, the former Lingerie Addict and the author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie. These are up to her exacting standards, as someone who literally wrote the book on lingerie, for their quality fabric and the placement of the seams. “If something is comfortable enough for me to wear every day, then it’s probably comfortable enough for everyone. My body simply can’t tolerate anything less,” she declares. Harrington doesn’t even mind paying full price for them — though the $20 briefs are often included in Nordstrom sales. And Dolley Frearson, co-founder and creative director of High Fashion Home, calls them smoothing, promising that “they will eventually replace almost all of your underwear.”

Sizes: 4–11 (equivalent to 0–24) with plus-size version here | Cut: Brief with a high rise | Material: Cotton | Price: $

Unlike Jockey’s string-bikini style, there’s absolutely nothing sexy about its Elance brief. It’s the granniest of granny panties, with a very high rise, full back coverage, and lots of wallpaper-esque patterns like one dubbed “ditsy daisy.” Former Strategist senior editor Margaret Rhodes called these “the least risqué panties you’ll ever own.” The briefs hug my midsection without feeling uncomfortable in the slightest. They give me the support that a barely-there bikini won’t. “When I put them on, I feel as cocooned as ever,” adds Rhodes. The briefs are also available in more sizes than the Elance string bikinis — they go up to the equivalent of plus-size 24. A real bargain, a three-pack runs you $24 while a six-pack is $40.

Sizes: XXS–4XL | Cut: Brief, French leg, high-rise | Material: Cotton, elastane | Price: $$

The company formerly known as Knickey is now Subset, but its High-Rise Brief is mostly the same. The main difference is that it’s offered in a larger size range, XXS through 4XL. One Subset brief is around the same price as three Jockey briefs — the former, however, is cut with a high French leg, made out of organic cotton, and comes in a rainbow of shades like garnet and peach. You can choose between different rises: low, mid, retro (which is a more middle-waist rise, but with a lower leg), and high. These are the finishing touches that make it splurgeworthy. The undies have something of a following too. Hike Clerb founder Evelynn Escobar-Thomas calls them “the only underwear I want to wear.” The briefs are soft, don’t leave a line, and can go over a bump — she became a self-professed “granny-panty stan” during her pregnancy. Stylist Mac Doyle thinks they’re excellent for everyday wear because they don’t bunch up in a wedgie. You can stock up with a three-for-$50 deal, and the discount applies to any style from the brand.

Sizes: XS–XL | Cut: Bikini, low-rise with dipped waistband | Material: Modal, elastane | Price: $$

Free People’s in-house intimates line, Intimately, tends to be either super-sporty or effervescently frilly, but this bikini is a good in-between. It’s impossibly soft, made from a modal that’s light against the skin. Even with the seams and trimmings, plus a cheekier cut, there are no unseemly lines to be seen. (I even wore them underneath a sheathlike dress to be sure.) The low-rise, dipped waistband — sitting on my hip bone — keeps the underwear from peeking out of my jeans. The cut is lower than Commando’s, which I thought I would be uncomfortable with at first, but the underwear is still supportive enough with fuller coverage so that nothing’s hanging out. And I have been surprised at how well the briefs have held their shape, with no frayed edges, after once-a-week washes and close to a year’s worth of wear. For $16, that’s impressive. Even better: Free People has three-for-$30 and five-for-$45 deals to bring down the price per pair.

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Cut: Hipster, cheekier cut, high-rise | Material: Supima cotton, elastane | Price: $

Everlane makes minimalist underwear that, at first glance, could be mistaken for Hanes and are almost “aggressively plain,” says former Strategist writer Lori Keong. But that’s a big part of the appeal, especially if you’re in search of a high-waisted hipster that “makes your butt look like it’s starring in its own ’90s Calvin Klein commercial,” Keong explains. This pair rises to your navel without feeling confining or bunching up around your hips during the day, she says. They pass the very important VPL test, too. Lisa Buhler, founder of Lisa Says Gah, also vouches for Everlane, comparing its look to Hanro but at a fraction of the cost. Plus, Everlane offers a “buy more, save more” promo of three for $36.

If you’re shopping plus-size, Calvin Klein also makes a good hipster that comes exclusively in sizes 1X to 3X. Shanel Esaloo, a buyer for 11 Honoré, counts the underwear as one of the only ones she “would literally scream off of the rooftops for people to buy” in multiples. The logoed waistband offers good midsection support.

Sizes: XXS–4X | Cut: Tanga with higher-cut leg | Material: Cotton, elastane | Price: $$

A tanga cut is between a brief and thong. Like Commando’s Cotton Brief, the Cotton Jersey Cheeky Tanga from Skims gives you medium back coverage, with a cheekier cut that doesn’t make a visible panty line, according to Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell. “The rise in the front comes about to right under my belly button,” Milliner-Waddell says, “without feeling like I’m in granny panties.” There’s no riding up or rolling down, either. The style comes in more sizes (XXS to 4X) than either Jockey or Commando. Plus, you can pick from soothing colors like “mineral” and “kyanite,” along with limited-edition hues that are ever-changing. Milliner-Waddell did notice that her pair seemed to get thinner on the first wash but have held up nicely since. You can get one pair for $20 or three pairs for $36 (exactly what the best-overall Commandos cost at full price).

Sizes: XS–5XL | Cut: Boyshort, high-rise | Material: Recycled fabric, cotton lining | Price: $

Parade is known for its commitment to sustainability — usually using recycled materials in its undies — and curve-hugging cuts that go up to a size 5XL, one of the biggest ranges here. Its Re:Play line is meant to be ultrasoft, smooth, and stretchy. Megababe founder Katie Sturino owns at least ten of its boyshort, which she says are comfortable and never sag or roll down. “Maybe this happens more if you have a big stomach; maybe not. But you know when your underwear starts to dip and you have to pull it up in the front? It’s a horrible feeling that I never experience in the boyshorts,” Sturino says. The underwear isn’t “overly supportive,” in the best way, as Sturino likes something lightweight rather than tight. “I would be happy never hearing the loathsome term ‘control top’ again,” she adds. Parade also sells the boyshorts at Target and as part of a multipack on Amazon.

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Cut: Brief-boyshort, mid-rise | Material: Nylon, elastane | Price: $

Aerie’s underwear is much loved among Strategist staffers. Because Aerie has a “seven for $30” deal, you can usually buy all its styles in bulk for cheap. Its Boybrief, a cross between a brief and a boyshort, caught my eye. Although this style is available in only two colors (a nude called “sand” and black), Lauren Chan, founder of plus-size womenswear company Henning, owns about 20 of them. In addition to being soft and lightweight, they have a mid-rise, low-cut leg opening, and full bum coverage that Chan considers to be the perfect silhouette — one that’s not always easy to find with the high-rise, high-cut legs popular these days. These come in a colorful crossover version that Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen likes for its ultra-flattering waistband. The “airy” pair also served Goertzen well during a bachelorette trip to Vegas when she wore them beneath a mesh dress that was a “tad see-through.” Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio owns several pairs, liking their minimal appearance. “I’m extremely averse to logos on my underwear,” she says.

Sizes: XS–XXL (equivalent to 0–18) | Cut: Thong, mid-rise | Material: Mesh, spandex | Price: $$

Thongs are probably the most polarizing panty. Originally I awarded the “best thong” medal to Hanky Panky, but now I stand by Tommy John holding the title instead. I especially appreciate that this thong comes in a range of sizes — and is offered in a three-for-$54 set — in contrast to Hanky Panky’s one size-fits-all approach. (Strategist editor Maxine Builder, an avowed fan, advises checking this more thorough size guide rather than the one on the product page to make sure you get the best fit.) The phrase comfortable thong has historically been an oxymoron in my mind, but for the sake of due diligence in my research for this guide, I tested out Tommy John’s Air thong after Builder evangelized it. (Builder credits the material — “the lightest, softest mesh you’ve ever touched” that also happens to be “no show whatsoever.”) There’s decent coverage to the pair — about the same in the front as I would expect from a bikini. The back of the thong doesn’t dig in, which is usually my biggest complaint with thongs. I would warn you to cut off the branded tag in the back, because it rubbed against my behind annoyingly.

Sizes: XXS–XXL| Cut: Thong, high-rise | Material: Cotton, spandex | Price: $

This Gap thong is made from a breathable cotton rather than the airier mesh of Tommy John’s — and costs about half the price. “I don’t think a better pair of underwear exists,” says former Strategist deals writer Leah Muncy, who also suggests sizing up to get the perfect fit. The combination of a high leg and dipped V-shaped waist makes them much beloved. “I am so glad that we as a society have rediscovered the universally flattering V-waist,” Muncy says. She buys them in bulk, especially when they’re on sale (which is often). And you can get three for $18, too.

Sizes: One size | Cut: Thong, high-rise | Material: Nylon, lace (spandex trim), Supima cotton lining | Price: $$

Hanky Panky has perfected the silhouette of a thong — and was the second-most-mentioned underwear brand behind Commando. Sullivan saw its popularity firsthand when she worked at a boutique in college: “Let me just say that Hanky Panky reigns supreme.” She has bought their thongs again and again.

Barbara Corcoran, founder of Corcoran Group, recommends the label’s Signature Lace Original-Rise Thong, which features a high-on-the-hips rise and a V-shaped waistband that’s meant to keep the panty in place. “Everyone seems to wear these,” she says. “They come in every color, so it’s like a lace crayon box when you open your drawer.” Corcoran considers them an essential, explaining that she has rarely thrown out a pair, as the stretch material never gives up. Though they’re labeled one-size, Hanky Panky recommends these for sizes 4 to 14.

If you want to stock up, Hanky Panky’s three-packs are your best bet. Iva Pawling, co-founder of Richer Poorer, owns several sets of the lingerie line’s low-rise thongs. “I am equal parts proud and embarrassed that I have been wearing only Hanky Panky underwear for, oh, about 14 years,” she says. “I don’t have to think about them, and they just work.”

Sizes: XS/S–L/XL | Cut: Boyshort, high-rise, raw-cut edges | Material: Microfiber (nylon, elastane) | Price: $$$

Because boyshorts have been hit-or-miss for me, I didn’t think I would like Commando’s Classic Boyshort as much as I do. But these are made of a paper-thin microfiber, and I can barely feel them, let alone see any VPL — even underneath a tight pair of pants. I feel like the boyshort really contours around my curves instead of digging into them. The edges, which don’t have any elastic, also have a smoothing effect. These make for a really reliable pair of underwear that you can wear underneath anything. This versatility slightly softens the $30 price tag.

Sizes: XS–XXL | Cut: Cheeky, low-rise | Material: Polyamide, elastane, cotton | Price: $

Two model multi-hyphenates, artist Anna Theroux Ling and actress Hari Nef, namechecked Victoria’s Secret’s No-Show line, which they rely on for photo shoots. It’s an open secret that models should wear no-show underwear, “because you don’t know what they’re going to put you in,” meaning that if “you’re in your Hello Kitty underwear, that’s not the look,” Nef says. Nef likes Victoria’s Secret’s cheeky panties, which are cut more minimally but decidedly “not a thong, at least not the way we traditionally think of them,” Nef says, adding: “I hate those.” (You’re getting more coverage than a thong, but less coverage all around than with a boyshort or a brief.) These are made from polyamide, a cousin of nylon, and they come in dozens of colors and patterns. Victoria’s Secret often has the panty on sale, and you can mix-and-match five pairs for $30.

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Cut: Brief cut cheekier, mid-rise | Material: Cotton (pointelle) | Price: $$$

I like to think of knickers as better-looking briefs, often with details like ruffled edges and lace trimmings. Intimates line Cou Cou makes a knicker inspired by French lingerie — it’s sewn from bespoke pointelle, edged with a little lace, and topped with a ribboned bow. The pair is frillier than a standard brief. They’re great if you want something that looks knickerlike but without too much bulk. Since these are slightly fancier, they’re like a pick-me-up when I want an underthing that’s not as unassuming. (Note that you can see their outline when wearing closer-fitting clothes.) These are reminiscent of traditional briefs, but they sit right at the hipbone and they don’t have as cheeky of a cut in the back. The cotton is breathable, especially thanks to the eyelets in the pointelle fabric. You can get them in a thong too, or a tanga (which is closer to a G-string).

This Belongs To is another notable knickers-maker — though it is much more of a splurge. Former Strategist senior editor Chelsea Peng owns a knicker from the brand emblazoned with chile peppers and another embroidered with the words “ain’t my first rodeo.” Peng thinks of them as her “sporting underwear” to show off under something sheer. (Since This Belongs To is a British brand, the sizes can be confusing, so double-check the sizing chart.)

Sizes: XS–XL | Cut: Bikini, French cut | Material: Cotton | Price: $

For decades, Baywatch nostalgia from her formative years has led novelist Molly Prentiss on a quest for underwear with the same “vulgar V shape of those exaggerated high-cut suits.” Online window shopping has only led to disappointment — the Mishas from Arq have “substantial seams” that interfere with the look she’s going for, and high-rises from Pansy aren’t high enough for her taste. But a “midnight off-market marketplace deep dive” led her to Elsy Marie on Etsy. Prentiss says that she “hit the intimates jackpot” with this high-cut pair, which have a triangle shape well-suited “when slung above a curvy pair of hips,” are made from sustainably sourced cotton, and cost less than $15. She adds, “It was just the jolie laide my private parts needed, and I’ve ordered multiple times since. The rest of my underwear have begun to depress me in comparison.”

Sizes: XS–XL | Cut: Bikini, French cut | Material: Italian mesh (polyamide, elastane) | Price: $$$

As an employee of Maude, maker of one of our favorite vibrators, Sullivan definitely has thoughts on both intimacy and intimates. The Canova, a slinkier take on the bikini, is one of her favorites (a feat considering she owns enough undies to not have to do laundry for about a month). “There is something I love about entirely sheer underwear, even if you’re just wearing them randomly on a Tuesday,” she says of the see-through Italian mesh and leg-lengthening cut.

Sizes: S–XXL | Cut: Brief, high-rise | Material: Tencel lyocell, elastane | Price: $$$

Montinique Dever, founder of Riot Swim, wore Boob’s briefs all throughout her pregnancy, but even after giving birth, she still reaches for these. They were designed with postpartum bellies in mind and have a double-layered front to provide more support (especially for those recovering from a C-section). The panties are made without any seams to dig into your skin, a feature Dever says she’s especially grateful for.

Sizes: XS–6X | Cut: Brief, high-rise | Material: Cotton, spandex jersey, polyester | Price: $

Strategist writer Arielle Avila, who’s in charge of our personal-care coverage, named Period’s underwear the best period underwear. The material — a blend of cotton and spandex jersey, along with polyester layers — doesn’t feel bulky and stays leakproof even on her heavy flow days. “It’s also flattering without cutting into my skin around the waistband or leg openings,” adds Avila. The look is part of the appeal. Back in 2021, Strategist contributor Liz Carey called the high-waisted briefs “sexy enough to shoot a pandemic thirst-trap photo in, even while they’re trapping your flow.” That same year, Phenomenal CEO Meena Harris named them something she can’t live without. Ouisa founder Bryn Taylor likes a lighter version, as “they’re not bulky like a pad” but absorb as well as one. The light can hold up to six tampons’ worth of blood, while the heavy one can hold eight to ten.

• Karen Iorio Adelson, former Strategist senior writer• Harling Ross Anton, creative consultant• Lisa Buhler, founder of Lisa Says Gah• Maxine Builder, former Strategist editor• Jasmine Caccamo, stylist• Lauren Chan, founder of plus-size womenswear company Henning• Barbara Corcoran, founder of Corcoran Group• Montinique Dever, founder of Riot Swim• Mac Doyle, stylist• Shanel Esaloo, buyer at luxury plus-size label 11 Honoré• Evelynn Escobar-Thomas, founder of intersectional hiking club Hike Clerb• Kim France, founding editor of Lucky • Dolley Frearson, co-founder and creative director of High Fashion Home• Alison Freer, costume designer and Strategist contributor• Brenley Goertzen, Strategist writer• Cora Harrington, author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie• Meena Harris, CEO of Phenomenal• Lori Keong, former Strategist writer• Erica Lall, ballerina• Anna Theroux Ling, model and artist• Latifah Miles, Strategist writer• Leah Muncy, former Strategist deals writer• Hari Nef, model and actress• Iva Pawling, co-founder of Richer Poorer• Chelsea Peng, Strategist senior editor• Margaret Rhodes, former Strategist senior editor• Bee Stuart, personal stylist and founder of QueerYorker• Katie Sturino, Megababe founder• Lily Sullivan, senior brand marketing manager at Maude• Bryn Taylor, founder of Ouisa• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor

Additional reporting by Hilary Reid, Lauren Levy, and Jenna Milliner-Waddell.

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