A good pair of underwear has a few jobs. It’s functional for keeping one degree of separation between your clothes and your bod. It’s comfortable for long days and intense workouts. And it’s stylish, whether your outfit stays on or off.
So underwear is an important purchase. And the underwear brands you step into can make you a lifelong fan or fill you with buyer’s remorse.
I’m rooting for the first outcome. To help you out, here’s a look at five reliable and budget-friendly underwear brands available. These aren’t the fanciest options out there, but they all deliver a nice blend of value and style. You might also want to read: Best women’s underwear brands for wherever life takes you.
1. For date night: Victoria’s Secret
Victoriaâs Secret has a saucy reputation, but there are options for the demure fashionista. You can pick up five cotton prints or solids in different cuts for $30 or singles for $10.50.
Or, turn up the sexiness quotient with lace Brazilians or cheeky panties. Those are three pairs for $39.
2. Comfy Underwear: Hanes
Hanes has been making underwear for men and women for more than a century. Grab yourself some super-comfortable classic white briefs, bikinis, hi-cuts, boy shorts, hipsters and thongs in six packs for $27. Or catch a sale and get the same six-pack for half price. You can also occasionally mix and match styles for five for $25. Look for no-ride-up, comfort waistbands in breathable materials.
3. Everyday underwear: Jockey
Jockey has come a long way from its line of uncool briefs. The brand has struck a balance between feminine and practical. And the line-up is extensive. You have thongs, boy shorts, and everything in between, along with solids, polka dots, paisley and tropical patterns. thongs to boy shorts and everything in between, there are dozens of patterns such as dots, paisley and leaves.
You can buy three packs for $24, or less during a sale. Singles start from $10.
4. Sweet Underwear Sets: Aerie
Some of us insist on matching your bra or camisole to your undies. If you like to buy sets, American Eagleâs line Aerie has very pretty options. The lightly-padded bras offer plenty of support, and then you have a few options in underwear styles to match up with them.
5. Shaper: Assets by Spanx
If you like a little bit of hold and shaping in your everyday underwear, Assets, the less-expensive line from the founder of Spanx, will really stretch your dollar. Support levels range from medium for a sheer panty ($24), to super for a basic style ($14), to a lace-trimmed cheek peek ($22), to total waist control in a panty that pulls up to your bra strap ($23).
Tips for buying underwear on a budget
Keep your panty purchases practical with these tips:
- Buy in bulk. When youâre shopping for skivvies, keep in mind that youâll probably end up with the best deal if you buy in bulk, even in boutiques.
- Look for a cotton crotch. This comes directly from our gynecologist, a short Haitian woman who has practiced for close to 40 years (thatâs a lot of va-jay-jays). We do everything she says.
- Buy flesh-colored skivvies. Weâve seen London. Weâve seen France. We really donât want to see your underpants, so please spend a majority of your undergarment dollars on flesh-colored panties.
- Shop off-priced. Yeah, we love Hanky Panky panties as much as the next girl, but 30 bucks for a pair of underwear is simply ridiculous. Head to your local Marshalls, T.J.Maxx, or Ross (which has great undergarments) and scoop up a pair of cute undies for well under $5.
Now that your armed with the best budget underwear brands and the essential shopping tips, I send you off to shop for low-cost pieces you’ll love. Enjoy!