Now that I’m well into my 30s, #priorities look a little different! Two things I’ve finally had enough of are mediocre underwear and mediocre bedsheets. I spend so much of my life in these things, and figured why not spend more money and effort to upgrade the mundane versions into awesome ones that’ll bring me joy?
I shared on Instagram a while back that I was on a mission to overhaul my undies drawer, and asked for your favorite brands and styles (non-thong, since my butt doesn’t have the tolerance for those anymore!). Out of nearly a thousand recommendations, I rounded up the top most recommended ones and wanted to share my thoughts after trying each one out!
1. Chantelle Soft Stretch Seamless Briefs
One size
Bottom line: Going to start with the best. These were my personal favorites of the bunch and worth the extra $. Barely-there feel with reinforced waistband and leg holes that actually stay put. Good deal during NSale with discounts on 1 pair, or when you add 3 pairs to cart (best value).
These have a super lightweight seamless feel, and truly no visible panty lines for me. The reinforcement strips of fabric along the waistband and legs (see photo below) are key for keeping those areas flat against my skin, compared to laser cut which sometimes rolls or flips. I have both the high waist (hits at my belly button) and the hipster cut; while both are great, I think the hipster is most universally flattering. Note these are “one size fits most” and most of the negative reviews are due to these fitting smaller than the reviewer expected.
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2. Aerie Real Me Boy Briefs
Sizes XXS – XXL
Bottom line: light, hip-hugging boy briefs with a ton of stretch
These were a top reader favorite, and are comfy for all day wear without wedgies for me. The fabric is super stretchy and very lightweight, almost reminiscent of nylon stockings. These arrive looking tiny but easily stretch to hug your figure and curves. XS in these fit me well, and they also offer XXS! These were not the winners for my body because the waist rolls down a bit on my post-baby belly, but I did like them and worth a try if you like boy briefs.
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3. Soma Vanishing Edge
Sizes S – XXL (Bikini cut starts in xs)
Bottom line: unique silicone strips to keep undies in place, but most sizing only starts in sz S, no XS. Don’t overlook the Enbliss collection!
From all your messages, this brand and style has quite the fan following! Their Vanishing Edge design has a band of thinner silicone strips along the leg opening, which I know many of you love. For me, it felt a little unusual in the beginning but soon you forget about them being there. What’s nice about SOMA is they do offer tons of cuts including high leg, retro briefs, hipsters (my personal pick) but I wish they offered more sizes bc S will not fit someone XXS/XS.
I also tried a pair from their lesser known Enbliss collection which was actually my favorite Soma style! They don’t have the silicone strips and the material is soo buttery smooth and comfy against the skin. The edges on this one are also reinforced and lie flat, and the fabric is thicker and slinkier against the skin than Chantelle. They’d be a serious contender for my favorite if they made more sizes!
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4. Everlane The Invisible High-Rise Hipster
Sizes XXS – XL
3 for $36
Bottom line: slim fitting, petite friendly mid-high rise with modest coverage. Not always seamless under clothing, but love the light “hold” from the compression.
A retro cut brief with a little compression in the fabric. XXS fits me perfectly without loosening up or rolling throughout the day. The cut has modest leg holes and the rise hits ~ 2″ below my belly button (not as high as Chantelle or Soma’s high rises). These also feature a reinforced flat waistband (none around the leg holes, though) and cotton lined crotch, and the fabric is a little firmer feeling than other brands reviewed here.
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5. NEIWAI Barely – Zero Mid Waist Brief
Code Jean for 15% off
One size
$15/pair, 2 pairs for $12 or 3 pairs for $10.66
Bottom line: Medium weight, mid-high rise laser cut option. “One size” fits XS-S best.
I previously shared a detailed review of NEIWAI’s Barely-Zero collection, and have a few of these to match my beloved bras. Their “mid rise” hits similar to Everlane’s “high rise.” These are intended to be one size fits all, but it seems the ideal fit is on someone XS – S (based on my friends’ input and customer reviews). These come in low or mid rise, and are perfectly fine and very comfy. I prefer the Chantelle though for the reinforced edges over these laser cut edges!
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6. Target Auden Laser Cut Hipster
Sizes XS – XL
5 for $20
Bottom line: Great budget friendly, lower rise option.
These are another major reader favorite and a great value for the price, however note they run a little big. The fabric is smooth and slinky (which feels great) but may ride down if you can’t get a small enough size. Style is a laser cut edge without reinforcement strips – similar to Neiwai except a little thinner and bigger.
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Let me know if I covered your go-to undies or if you have a personal favorite from the list above!
Curious what bedsheets would you recommend?
I just bought the Chantelle High Rise underwear per your rec and they do seem to give me wedgies all the time. Are the hipster ones better for preventing wedgies?
It must just be different for every body type! I wear the hipster as my everyday over the high rise so perhaps worth giving it a try
Love your blog! Always great recs, with helpful details, and always looking great! Happy to report that the Soma with the lace edging in the back are now my “zero VPL” faves. SO glad to be able to toss my old, falling-apart undies LOL because after years of hunting, I finally have the perfect replacement. Their “warm amber” is also perfect for my slightly tan/gold (Cantonese) skin tone. Thanks for all the great info!!!
(Specifically, the Embraceable Signature Lace Hipster)
Chantelle are pricey but my most comfy. The Target ones don’t last and are a waste of money. They begin ripping even with hang drying. I’ve started investing in more quality pieces 3 kids later now that I’m 40. 😀
I would love to know what you find out about bedsheets too!
You all have to try the UNIQLO Airism ultra seamless underwear. It’s great and only $7.90
Any strapless bra recommendations? I remember you posted something just recently but I cannot seem to find it. Thanks!
I don’t have a strapless bra option that I love, but I do love the Bristols 6 nippies for pieces that are best without a bra
Not necessarily no-show (unless you order the longer cuts), but for those requesting cotton options, I am a huge fan of TomboyX underwear. I am petite but have always had a “bubble butt” and wedgies are a perennial issue with traditional “boy short” underwear – not so with these! The boy shorts are I believe their most popular, and my personal favorite, but they run from bikini all the way to 9″ boxer brief styles. It is a queer friendly and size inclusive brand (on both ends of the sizing range) – I am 5’4″ and often wear a 0 or 2 in US sizing but take a S here, and they do offer XS (plus their size chart actually appears to be accurate).
Hi Jean,
Would you recommend any of these to wear as a no show option under workout leggings? I’m currently wearing thongs and would love to find something more comfortable.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Kathy, of the ones I tried I would personally recommend Chantelle as the best no-show option but other commenters mentioned that some styles do show under leggings so I would take a quick read through the other comments here!
I have and love the Auden (seamless for me even with leggings) and the Aerie pair (comfy, but not seamless on me). I’m excited to try these other brands, thanks Jean!
I agree that Soma should offer more in smaller sizes. I like the vanishing edge cotton bikini in XS but at times feel like an XXS would fit better.
I’m currently in love with the Spanx Undie-tectible briefs.
Thanks for this much needed review, Jean! For anyone wondering about the Target underwear, they have a bunch of affordable options. I’ve been wearing the “Women’s Comfort Hipster Underwear – Auden (Material: 57% Cotton, 38% Modal, 5% Spandex)” for a few months and find them really comfortable! The type I got has seams that are kind of visible in jeans, so I’ll be checking out the other options in this list!
Great post. I really prefer cotton panties and the only no-show cotton option I have found are the Commando Cotton Bikinis which have raw edges (truly no VPLs). Unfortunately, only the Commando website carries size XS and sites like Nordstrom and Saks only carry S/M and up so it’s hard not to pay full price and they are pretty pricey. If anyone knows of other cotton no show options, please share!
Love the honest reviews! Would you workout in any of these?
A postpartum rec: INNERSY High Waisted Women’s Underwear were great for me after a c-section.
Can attest that the no show Uniqlo underwears do give wedgies because they don’t have a reinforced edge at the openings. They don’t move around as much if you’re wearing something tight hugging like leggings but I do need to readjust the underwear when pulling on a tight pair of leggings/jeans/pants since they roll like Jean mentioned. I actually didn’t know there existed underwear with reinforced edging so this is good to know! Other than the sliding, I do like the look and feel of the Uniqlo underwears. I have the hiphugger and bikini style, personally prefer the look of the bikini style!
Thank you for the review and letting me know about the lower rise option at Target. Would you be doing a review on the Uniqlo options?
Hi! I did buy the Uniqlo ones since they’re very popular, and debated including them on this list. They are very similar to the Target and Neiwai, a little silkier in feel which was nice but the cut of the back on an XS kept giving me wedgies and sliding a bit. It was also hard to find sizes and colors in stock. My local store only had this style so that’s the only one I tried.
All these are great options. However, I would love to see some options that are 100% cotton. I tend to feel sweaty in nylon/spandex/polyester ones and find them not so breathable.
Hi PG – Everlane makes fully cotton options, as does Auden at Target and most of these other brands listed here!
I agree with you about breathability! For 100 percent cotton, I have two great recommendations – Pansy and Decent Exposures. Pansy is entirely produced in the USA from the cotton to the dying and sewing. Pansy is 100 percent compostable – even the tag is cotton! Pansy is well made, and comes in fun, more trendy colors and a couple of different styles. Decent Exposures is well made and very customizable but runs a little larger. Both have organic cotton options.
Thanks for letting me know about the Chantelle high waist briefs! I loved the neiwai one per your earlier post and only wished it sits higher on my waist so it doesn’t roll when I sit (especially after one wash). can’t wait to try these babies out!
Hope you love them! Both are nice but I am definitely liking a higher rise these days