I’d love to say that underwear has one job: look good under your clothes. But we all know that’s not true. You may also need your underwear to do things like smooth bulges, feel nice, look pretty, keep you dry, and so much more.
So rather than share the prettiest, softest, or sexiest underwear brands, I’d like to share a more practical list of undie brands organized by theme: daily wear, comfort on a budget, for lovers of lace, sports, incontinence, and period panties.
Note that my definition of “best” comes from several sources, the first being my own experience. Where I don’t have the experience to decide, I leaned on user reviews, Google searches, and best-sellers data.
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1. Calvin Klein for daily wear
Daily wear is an all-purpose descriptor to categorize the panties that do most things well. They’re comfy enough to wear for many occasions, they look nice, fit well, and are not terribly expensive. They’ll add some glam to your jeans and t-shirt outfits and also wear nicely underneath a cocktail dress. And if the jeans or cocktail dress come off, you’ll still feel good about your choice in panties.
In my mind, Calvin Klein undies check those boxes. For that reason, CK is my best underwear choice for daily wear. The consistent fit is what I appreciate most. No matter what style, my size always fits nicely without any pinching, pulling, or gathering.
- What’s to love. Consistent fit, reasonable price points (especially if you shop sales), and beautiful, but simple styling.
- Styles to shop. The Invisibles Hipsters seamless underwear styles are nice to have on hand, since they look great under anything. Tangas are another good pick, because they’re comfortable and sexy. With a narrower backside, these are a slightly cheeky style that’s still wearable.
- Pricing. $15 to $45 per panty, but they are regularly on sale.
Runners up: Chantelle SoftStretch panties and On Gossamer’s Mesh collection are also popular in this category.
2. Hanes for comfort on a budget
Hanes underwear is enormously popular among women, and for good reason. Hanes makes unfussy versions of all the essential styles, from thongs to briefs. And a good many of those styles are priced below $10 a panty. Invest in a 10-pack on sale and you could score your undies for $4 a piece.
- What’s to love: Affordable pricing, focus on soft cotton pieces, and breadth of styles available
- Styles to shop: Hanes Originals Bikinis made of stretch cotton are a nice choice for casual days. Hanes Ultimate Bikini, which have moisture-wicking capabilities, are also highly rated by shoppers. Both styles come in a range of color and pattern options beyond the standard white, beige, and black.
- Pricing: Most styles are less than $10 per panty. Hanes leakproof panties are the exception. These are normally priced in the mid-$20s per pair.
3. For lovers of lace: Natori
If you demand dainty, feminine styles, Natori may be your go-to. The brand has a wearable intimates range with pieces that are delicately outfitted with lace. Mind you, this isn’t the stuff of Frederick’s lingerie — you can still wear Natori panties daily without fear of being strangled by some design feature that’s intended to be sexy. But the detail factor is definitely a step-up from Calvin Klein.
Another plus is the price point. Unlike La Perla panties, which will set you back three digits, you can buy Natori underwear for $25 to $40 a piece.
- What’s to love: Feminine, but wearable styling
- Styles to shop: The Feathers Refresh Girl Brief is pretty without lacking in coverage. And, the Pretty Smooth Shortlette offers a sleek silhouette from hip to upper thigh.
- Pricing: Thongs are priced from $14 and the shortlette is $50. Most styles are in the $25-35 range.
4. Reebok for working out
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This is another personal pick — Reebok seamless hipsters for sports and working out. I opted for my own favorite here because I seem to be at odds with what other people want in undergarments for sport. In my research, I came across many recommendations for thongs in this category. And yeah, I get that you don’t want visible panty lines, but I can’t think of anything more uncomfortable than wearing a thong for a long run or intense yoga session.
In the hopes that I’m not the outlier in this conversation, I’m going with what I think is important in a sporty panty: comfort, good fit, and moisture-wicking capabilities. By those standards, Reebok’s seamless hipster wins.
- What’s to love: Breathable, moisture-wicking construction in a seamless, tag-free design
- Styles to shop: Seamless hipster briefs are my pick for sports, but there’s also a seamless bikini brief for those who prefer less coverage.
- Pricing: $30 for a five-pack
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5. Everdries underwear for incontinence
Leakproof panties needn’t feel or look like diapers. Everdries underwear doesn’t and that’s probably why this brand is so popular among women with incontinence. The Everdries panty looks like a hipster brief, except that it’s made with multiple layers to lock in moisture away from your skin and your clothes. Choose a normal or high-waisted style in black or white. Or invest in a multipack that features more colors, including pink.
- What’s to love. A non-bulky, leakproof style at a good price point
- Styles to shop. There are only two — a high-waist and regular option.
- Pricing. $25 for one pair or $125 for a five-pack, but watch for sales.
6. Thinx for your period
You can wear period underwear alone or with pads, tampons, or cups. Their purpose is to keep your skin dry and your clothes stain-free. Like incontinence panties, period underwear uses several layers to lock the moisture inside.
Thinx is a popular choice in this category with its machine-washable, reusable line-up. Made with cotton, nylon, and elastane, Thinx panties control odor and can hold the equivalent of five tampons. The styles, ranging from hiphuggers and boyshorts to bikinis and thongs, are rated by their absorbency power — so you can choose the right option according to your flow.
- What’s to love. Lots of empowering information on the Thinx website and styles suitable for many lifestyles
- Styles to shop. Modal cotton lace briefs don’t look like period underwear, nor do the modal cotton bikinis.
- Pricing. Around $40 per pair. Watch for sales.
7. Assets by Spanx for shaping
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 to total waist control.
- What’s to love. Reasonable price point and effective shaping.
- Styles to shop. All Around Smoother Briefs and the All-in-One Body Slimmer for your slinkiest dresses.
- Pricing. $16 for panties, ranging up to $38 for the body slimmer.
Shop Assets by Spanx at Target.
Tips for buying underwear on a budget
Keep your panty purchases practical with these tips:
- Buy in bulk. When you’re shopping for skivvies, keep in mind that you’ll 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. We do everything she says.
- Buy flesh-colored skivvies. We’ve seen London. We’ve seen France. We really don’t 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 and scoop up a pair of cute undies for well under $5.
Undies for your lifestyle
It’s not easy to define the best women’s underwear brands. There’s a good reason for this: More underwear makers today are designing with a purpose in mind. That purpose might be comfort, sex appeal, or keeping your clothes free of stains during your period. Because we have these options, what’s best is relative.
Read next: Best shapewear brands on a budget
Hopefully I’ve armed you with a compelling list of women’s underwear options suitable for wherever life takes you. Be sure to let me know if your favorites aren’t here. Make a good case and I’ll add them.