How to Choose Comfortable Underwear

Reviewed by Melissa Young

Last Updated: June 27, 2024 References

Underwear isn't usually the most exciting type of clothing to shop for, but boy, are you in trouble if you pick the wrong pair! No one wants to feel their undies pinching, sagging, rolling, or rising up all day because that means you're stuck tugging at them. Finding comfortable underwear isn't difficult once you know how to get the right fit and choose a good fabric. Whether your shopping for men's or women's underwear, knowing your body type helps because certain styles can be more comfortable than others depending on how you're shaped.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Getting the Right Fit

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1
Measure your waist and hips. You’ll be able to find the proper size for your underwear across brands if you know your waist and hip measurements . Use a tape measure to measure your natural waist and the fullest part of your hips so you can choose the most comfortable size for your body.
- You can find your natural waist by bending sideways. A crease will form at your waist to help you identify it.
- Keep the tape measure parallel to the ground when you measure your hips.
2
Double check your measurements to consult sizing information. It’s a good idea to measure both your waist and hips twice to make sure that you get the same measurement both times. Once you have your waist and hip measurements, you can consult the sizing information for any underwear you’re considering to ensure a proper fit.
- Checking your measurement is important, because sometimes you don't get it right the first time.
- If your measurements are different on the second try, measure them a third time. One of these sets should match up, so use that set of measurements when shopping.
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3
Look for firm elastic. No one wants to be pulling at their underwear all day to keep it from slipping or falling down. Choose underwear that has firm elastic in the waistband so you know it will stay in place. ^{[1]
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- While firm elastic at the waist is helpful in underwear, avoid styles with elasticized leg holes. They have a tendency to bunch up, which can be uncomfortable.
4
Avoid underwear that’s too tight. Underwear that’s too tight doesn’t just lead to unflattering bulges and lumps beneath your clothing; it can also cause skin chafing and irritation from the friction. In general, any underwear that’s tight enough to leave marks on your skin is too tight. ^{[2]
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- Underwear that’s too tight also doesn’t breathe as well, so it can lead to health issues and leave you a little sweaty.
EXPERT TIP

Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist
Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.

Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist

Undergarments are the foundation of a great outfit. Confident style starts from the inside out. Wearing well-fitting undergarments helps you avoid discomfort and visible lines under clothes. Invest in high-quality pieces for proper support and confidence.
5
Check for bunching, rolling, or sagging. Before leaving the house for the day, it’s important to make sure that your undies are lying smoothly against your body. Any pair that bunches, rolls, or sags under your clothing is going to be uncomfortable because you’ll be tugging at them to keep them from pinching your skin or falling down. ^{[3]
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- Not only can bunching underwear be uncomfortable in the long run, but it can also look messy and ruin even the best outfit. This is especially important with dresses and skirts!
- If your underwear is bunching, readjust it so that it sits properly on you. If it still bunches, switch to a different pair.
- Bunching, rolling, and sagging is often a sign of old, worn underwear; it means that the fabric has lost its stretch and is now too big for you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Picking the Right Fabric

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1
Look for cotton underwear. Cotton is king when it comes to comfortable underwear because it is breathable. That means moisture won’t be trapped in the fabric so your undies won’t get as sweaty and you won’t have to worry as much about bacterial and yeast infections. ^{[4]
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- Because of the possibility of yeast infections, cotton underwear is a particularly good option for women.
- Cotton underwear is also less likely to cause chafing or rashes.
EXPERT TIP

Catherine Joubert
Professional Stylist
Catherine Joubert is a personal stylist who works with a wide range of clients on refining their style. She launched Joubert Styling in 2012 and has since been featured on Buzzfeed and styled celebrities such as Perez Hilton, Angie Everhart, Tony Cavalero, Roy Choi and Kellan Lutz.

Catherine Joubert
Professional Stylist

Opt for comfort over luxury. Personal stylist Catherine Joubert says: "If you have a larger bust, it's worth spending the money for a good bra. With underwear, though, you can just choose what you like, because they're going to wear out quickly at any price point."
2
Go with synthetic fabric for a slimmer fit. While cotton underwear’s breathability makes it more comfortable, it doesn’t always look smooth under clothing. For a slimmer, fit, opt for undies made from a stretchy, synthetic material, such nylon, Lycra, or spandex. Make sure that the crotch is lined with cotton, though, to ensure that you’re comfortable. ^{[5]
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- Consider the type of underwear labeled as "seamless" or "no-lines." They don't have any elastic in the hips or leg openings, making them ideal for fitted garments.
- A cotton lining in the crotch is important for another reason: it's breathable. If the crotch lining is synthetic, then you risk trapping moisture, which can lead to infections.
3
Save silk underwear for special occasions. Silk underwear definitely has a luxurious, sexy feel, but it doesn’t breathe as well as cotton. That means there’s a greater chance of moisture being trapped in your underwear, which can lead to infections. Only wear silk underwear on special occasions for the most comfortable feel. ^{[6]
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- This also goes for other types of fancy underwear, such as lace. While lace underwear does often have a cotton lining, it's not very comfortable or durable.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Finding the Right Men’s Underwear

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1
Go with boxers for breathability. If you tend to sweat a lot or are prone to rashes or chafing, boxers allow for better airflow. For the best fit under clothing, choose a pair that has shorter, slimmer legs and a stretch-band waist. ^{[7]
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- Boxers aren’t the best choice if you wear a lot of slim-fitting pants, such as suit trousers or skinny jeans.
- Boxers offer little support, so be sure that’s not important to you before choosing them.
If you have thicker thighs, underwear styles with legs, such as boxer or boxer briefs, tend to ride up during wear. That can cause rolls that show through your clothing. Instead, choose briefs to keep the extra material away from your legs. ^{[8]
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3
Pick boxer briefs if you have a large backside. A cross between briefs and boxers, boxer briefs offer a slim fit and more support than boxers. They are especially comfortable for a larger backside because the stretch allows them to provide more coverage than briefs do so you won’t be tugging at your underwear all day. ^{[9]
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- Boxer briefs are also a comfortable option if you are tall because their higher waistband doesn’t slip down beneath the waistline of your pants when you bend over.
4
Select boxer trunks for a slim build. Boxer trunks, or hipsters, are a shorter version of boxer briefs, which usually sit at the mid- to upper-thigh. They are a comfortable option if you have a slim build because there isn’t much bunching under your clothing. ^{[10]
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- If you have thicker thighs, boxer trunks aren’t usually a good option because they can ride up as you move.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Selecting the Best Women’s Underwear

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With their lower waistline and moderate coverage, a bikini brief is usually the classic option when it comes to women’s underwear styles. They will be a comfortable option for most body types, so it’s a good everyday style of underwear. ^{[11]
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2
Opt for high-waisted briefs if you have a large belly. If you carry most of your weight at your stomach, underwear with a lower waistband can be uncomfortable because it may bunch and roll. Choose a high-waisted brief style, which will cover your belly so you don’t have to keep pulling your undies up all day. ^{[12]
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- High-waisted briefs can also be a comfortable option if you are curvy or have an hourglass figure.
3
Wear a thong if you prefer slimmer fitting clothing. There’s nothing more annoying than tugging at your underwear to keep it from bunching under skinny jeans and other tighter fitting bottoms. A thong can be the most comfortable option because it has a barely there feel in the back that won’t add any bulk under your clothing. ^{[13]
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- Thongs can be uncomfortable for some people, so test a pair out at home before committing to wearing them out for the day.
4
Grab boy short underwear if you have a larger backside. For a pear shape body, where most of your weight is carried in your lower body, boy shorts provide plenty of coverage for a large butt. Opt for a seamless pair, and you won’t have to worry about them showing up under clothing. ^{[14]
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- While they’re especially comfortable if you have a large backside, boy shorts work on nearly every body type.

Community Q&A

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Question

My underwear develops holes in the crotch. What does that happen and what type should I buy?

Community Answer

It's totally normal for holes or bleached spots to develop in the crotch of women's underwear. Vaginal secretions can be fairly acidic so they can wear away at the fabric or bleach dark colored undies. In general, higher quality underwear will be less likely to wear out than inexpensive pairs.

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Question

Where can I buy underpants made for short men?

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These are available on the internet. You can search for your waist size and get your preferred ones.

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I am a male and I like to wear female panties - is this okay or is it wrong?

Community Answer

It's your choice, it's not wrong, just a preference. If you're comfortable with them, then enjoy wearing them.

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Tips

To make your underwear last, be sure to consult the care instructions when you wash them. Some may be delicate and require special washing techniques.

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Check for moisture wicking. If you sweat a lot or are in active work all day, consider moisture wicking fabric for your underwear. This type of underwear should wick away moisture and dry quickly.

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If applicable, consider how you will wear pads with your underwear. Winged pads will not work with boxers, so you will either have to wear wingless pads, or wear a different type of underwear.

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Warnings

Always wash underwear after purchase before wearing. You don't know who has been trying them on "au naturel" contrary to fitting room regulations, and it’s a good idea to wash them to removing any residue left over after the manufacturing processes.

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How to Choose Comfortable Underwear

Steps

Getting the Right Fit

Picking the Right Fabric

Finding the Right Men’s Underwear

Selecting the Best Women’s Underwear

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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