Fact: There’s no item more important in your closet than underwear. After all, we wear it every. single. day. And while the fancy lingerie that we pull out every couple of weeks months holds a special place in our hearts, it’s the everyday go-tos that really deserve our praise.
With today being National Underwear Day and all, we thought we’d use the so-called holiday to find out which brand really warrants a lifelong commitment. We scoured Refinery29’s New York office, asking real women about what they look for in a comfy pair of underwear. From thongs vs. boyshorts to Hanky Panky vs. Aerie, see what your favorite R29 staffers have to say about undies and shop their end-all-be-all pairs in the slideshow ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Eliza Huber, Fashion Market Writer
Go-To Style: The more coverage, the better. I know high-waisted briefs aren’t always the most practical with underwear lines and all, but the level of comfort is second to none.
Favorite Brand: Lonely
They’re a little pricey, but once you’ve worn a pair of Lonely undies, you won’t think twice about the cost. Not only are they insanely comfortable and flattering, this pair is made of 95% bamboo so it’s crazy sustainable.
Lonely Bobbi High Waist Brief Nougat, $50, available at Lonely
Emily Ruane, Fashion Market Writer
Go-To Style: I don’t discriminate when it comes to undies! I’ll wear anything from thongs to granny panties as long as they’re comfy.
Favorite Brand: On Gossamer
I’m sure I’m not the only one who will say that On Gossamer underwear is really, really, REALLY comfortable. It feels like you’re wearing nothing at all [insert Ned Flanders gif].
On Gossamer Mesh Hip G Thong, $13.5, available at On Gossamer
Jessica Andrews, Deputy Fashion Director
Go-To Style: I pretty much live in thongs because they look best under all my summer dresses and skirts. But they *have* to be comfortable. If it’s ill-fitting, tight, or clingy, no thanks.
Favorite Brand: Hanky Panky
If there’s a more comfortable thong than Hanky Panky’s, I haven’t seen it (and I’ve tried pretty much everything). It’s soft, fits perfectly, it’s breathable, I could go on and on. The best part is it comes in pretty lace styles and fun colors so I can still feel sexy while getting granny-panty-level comfort. A win-win!
Hanky Panky Signature Lace Low Rise Thong, $22, available at Hanky Panky
Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty & Wellness Market Writer
Go-To Style: I generally love cotton or lace hiphuggers — they’re not only comfortable, but make me feel extra cute.
Favorite Brand(s): Aerie and Lively
I believe that you shouldn’t have to splurge on great quality comfy undies (not that there’s nothing wrong with a little Journelle spree), and both brands have amazing, stylish options for everyone’s budget. I’m obsessed with Lively’s lace-paneled high-waisted briefs. They combine all the comfort of granny panties, but they’re still stylish. In other words, they’re perfect.
Lively The Lace High Waist Bikini, $10, available at Lively
Channing Hargrove, Senior News Editor
Go-To Style: I prefer to wear thong underwear. My butt is super round and any other style will just give me a wedgie (and those hurt). I can’t deal with the panty lines.
Favorite Brand: H&M
Sadly, I often am not reaching for a super chic brand when its time to slide on a pair of skivvies. H&M’s low-waist cotton thongs do the trick for me. I can get a 7-pack for $14.99. You have to cut the tag out of the back because it’s too long for some reason with the care instructions but it’s not a bad trade off for a basic thong to wear every day.
H&M 7-pack Cotton Thong Briefs, $14.99, available at H&M
Chelsea Peng, Fashion Editor, Branded Content
Go-To Style: Exposed underwear is a favorite styling move of mine, but when I’m not after a deliberate high-waisted-brief reveal, I go for nude thongs so I can remain the captain of my own VPL-related destiny.
Favorite Brand: Commando
Commando’s are a Hollywood open secret that lives up to the hype — they skim the parabola of your butt without digging in, they’re label-free, and they fold up into nothing so that even the micro-est of bags can be a discreet overnight kit.
Commando Stretch Thong, $20, available at Commando
Marissa Rosenblum, Senior Director of Commerce
Go-To Style: Back in the early 2000s, I was tempted by the thong and its Euro-cut sister, the tanga, but after trying my darndest to make it happen, I am sure the thong is NOT it. Bikinis have just enough coverage — cheeks and bits are comfortably covered but hips get to breathe.
Favorite Brand(s): Everlane & Calvin Klein
I have two go-to brands. My favorite is the Everlane Supima cotton bikini. It’s super soft and breathable. The fabric is thin but not so much that it will get shredded with multiple washes. The other favorite is Calvin Klein bikinis with the elastic waist and they are reserved for my time of the month because the cotton is thicker and you can always find them on sale somewhere on the internet.
Everlane The Bikini, $12, available at Everlane
Sam Sasso, Beauty Writer
Go-To Style: *plays Sisqó Thong Song* I’m all about no-show underwear and thongs are the most practical option.
Favorite Brand: Aerie
I’d die on a hill for Aerie underwear, especially considering the fact that it usually costs less than $40 to restock my entire underwear drawer.
Aerie Cotton Ribbed High Cut & Mighty Thong Undie, $14.5, available at Aerie
Thatiana Diaz, Beauty Writer
Go-To Style: Honestly, truly — I hate thongs but I also hate visible lines so when I find a good, no-show panty, it’s like winning the lottery. I would much rather go about my day in full comfort while 1. not worrying about the world seeing the outline of my underwear and 2. my underwear not sitting so far up my rear-end for hours.
Favorite Brand: Calvin Klein
I attended a Calvin Klein event once and they gifted underwear — which as an adult is pretty exciting (less necessities to buy). It was already a winner for being seamless, but the best part was just how comfortable it is with a stretchy nylon material that never gives me wedgies, feels light, and has zero tags.
Calvin Klein Invisibles Hipster 3-Pack, $23.1, available at Bare Necessities
Liz Buxton, Lifestyle Market Editor
Go-To Style: Cotton lace thongs. Although I used to be a boyshorts only type of gal throughout most of my youth, ultimately I needed a pair of undies that wasn’t going to bunch up when I pulled on a tighter pair of pants — so, I switched to thongs. I discovered that the wider-cut, cotton-lace ones were much more forgiving and comfortable down there than the thinner more rigid t-straps of my 90s youth.
Favorite Brand: Hanky Panky
I’ve been an HP believer since I was about 15 years old; they are super-soft, breathable, lovely-looking, come in a range of eye-catching colors, and, although pricey, seriously last FOREVER. Plus, they also come in boyshorts styles too (for when my butt and I are feelin’ nostalgic).
Hanky Panky Signature Lace Low Rise Thong, $22, available at Nordstrom
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Source: Refinery29 – Eliza Huber