A simple guide to the types of panties for women — briefs, bikini, hipster, boyshorts, thong, high-waist and seamless — and how to pick the right pair.
The different kinds of women's underwear include briefs, high-waist briefs, hipsters, bikinis, boy shorts, cheekiest, thongs, G-strings, seamless (no-show) styles and control or shaping briefs. They are different in three ways: how much they cover, where they sit on your waist and hips and what material they are made from. Once you know these three things picking the pair for an outfit, an activity or Pakistan's hot weather becomes much easier. This guide goes through each style by name tells who it suits and helps you decide what to keep in your drawer.
How Many Types of Panties Are There?
There is no number because brands make up their own names and some styles are similar. In reality ten everyday styles cover almost all that you will see when you shop. The best way to organize them is by two questions: how much of the back they cover and how high they sit on your body.
The amount of coverage ranges from briefs and boy shorts) through average (hipsters, bikinis) to very little (cheekiest, thongs and G-strings). The height of the waistband. Called the rise. Ranges from waist, which sits at or close to your natural waist down to low-rise, which sits on your hips. The fabric and how it is made then go on top of these two: the same bikini shape can be made from cotton, soft lace or seamless fabric with no stitches.
You do not need every style. Most women are happy with two or three shapes plus one or two for special outfits. Look through the Underwear collection to see how these styles look in real life.
Types of Panties and Their Names
Here are the styles you're most likely to see from most coverage to least with a note on who each one suits.
Full Briefs
Briefs cover the bottom and sit at or just below the waist. They are the all-purpose style: supportive, comfortable and easy to wear all day. A pair of everyday cotton briefs is the go-to for most drawers especially in a hot place where breathability is important.
High-Waist Briefs
High-waist briefs sit at your natural waist and cover the tummy. They are good under saris, formal clothes. Fitted eastern outfits and many women find them the most comfortable option for daily wear. High-waist lace briefs add a touch while keeping a smooth covered look.
Hipster
A hipster sits lower resting on the hips with straight sides and moderate coverage. It is an everyday shape that works well under jeans and casual clothes.
Bikini
The bikini is the common everyday style around the world. It sits below the waist on the hips with to-low coverage and higher leg openings than a brief. It suits outfits and body shapes which is why it is the go-to for many women.
Boy shorts (Boyleg)
Boy shorts have a square leg that covers the top of the thigh with full bottom coverage. They are comfortable under dresses and skirts because they reduce rubbing and many people find them the easiest to relax in.
Cheeky and Brazilian
Cheeky and Brazilian cuts sit between a bikini and a thong: they cover part of the bottom. Leave more skin than a bikini. They give visible coverage under tight clothes while feeling less minimal than a thong.
Thong and G-String
A thong has a strip of fabric at the back so it leaves almost no visible line under tight clothes. A G-string makes that back panel even thinner. Both are chosen to stay invisible under tight trousers or dresses rather than for coverage.
Seamless (No-Show) Panties
Seamless is a type of construction than a shape. The edges are. Cut instead of stitched and hemmed so there is no raised line to show through leggings or a fitted dress. Invisible seamless panties are the ones to pick when you want a finish under tight fabrics.
Control or Shaping Briefs
Control briefs use fabric to smooth the tummy and hips. They are similar to shapewear. Are helpful under formal clothes. If smoothing is your goal special tummy-control shapewear will do more than a normal brief while a shaping brief is an easier everyday option. Check the Shapewear range for stronger choices.
How to Choose the Right Style for the Occasion
Match the underwear to the outfit and the day than own one style for everything.
For clothes. Leggings, a bodycon dress tailored trousers. Choose seamless briefs or a thong so no line shows. For loose everyday eastern and western clothes, briefs, hipsters and bikinis are all comfortable and practical. Under fitted eastern clothes high-waist or control briefs give a smooth covered look. For sport and workouts choose a snug style that stays put and moves with you.
Because much of Pakistan is warm for most of the year breathability should be high on your list. Cotton and cotton-blend styles let skin breathe and handle heat and humidity well. Synthetic fabrics trap more heat so keep a cotton brief or bikini as your main choice and save lace, satin and seamless styles for special outfits.
Fabric, Comfort and Care
Material plays a part in comfort just like the style. Cotton is soft, absorbent and breathable which makes it the easiest choice for wear in a hot place. Lace and satin feel special. Look nice but are usually best for occasions rather than long hot days. Seamless bonded fabric is smooth and invisible but less breathable so it is worth switching to cotton for everyday comfort.
Health advice is clear on this point: the NHS recommends wearing breathable cotton underwear and avoiding tight synthetic styles to help prevent irritation and thrush. That is a reason to keep everyday cotton pairs as the base of your drawer and treat minimal or synthetic styles as occasional.
To make underwear last wash on a cycle use a mild detergent and air-dry instead of using a dryer, which is hard on elastic. Buying in bulk keeps the cost per pair low. With cash on delivery you can order a styles try the fit at home and learn which ones you actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of panties are there for women?
There is no number but around ten everyday styles cover almost everything you will shop for: full briefs, high-waist briefs, hipsters, bikinis, boy shorts, cheekiest, thongs, G-strings seamless no-show styles and control briefs.
Which type of panty is best for use in a hot climate?
Breathable cotton briefs, hipsters or bikinis are the everyday choice in Pakistan's warm weather. Cotton lets skin breathe. Handles heat and humidity better than fully synthetic fabrics.
What panties avoid a panty line?
Seamless (no-show) briefs and thongs are made to stay hidden under clothes. Seamless styles have. Laser-cut edges instead of stitched hems so nothing shows through leggings or a close-fitting dress.
Which panties are best under fitted eastern wear?
High-waist briefs and control or shaping briefs give the smoothest most covered line under saris and fitted formal outfits. Seamless briefs are a lighter option.
Are cotton panties better for health?
Health services such as the NHS recommend breathable cotton underwear and advise against tight synthetic styles because breathable fabric helps reduce the risk of irritation and thrush.
Once you group panties by coverage, rise and fabric the long list of names becomes simple. Keep a base of everyday briefs, hipsters or bikinis add seamless or thong styles, for fitted clothes and reach for high-waist or control briefs under formal wear. Choosing by outfit and climate than owning one style for everything is what makes a drawer truly useful.
Not sure where to start? Begin with a couple of everyday pairs and one seamless style and build from there. Look through the Underwear collection and order what fits your week.