Underwear isn't usually the most exciting type of clothing to shop for, but boy, are you in trouble if you pick the wrong pair! No one wants to feel their undies pinching, sagging, rolling, or rising up all day because that means you're stuck tugging at them. isn't difficult once you know how to get the right fit and choose a good fabric. Whether you shopping for men's or women's underwear, knowing your body type helps because certain styles can be more comfortable than others depending on how you're shaped.
Getting the Right Fit
Measure your waist and hips. You’ll be able to find the proper size for your underwear across brands if you know your waist and hip measurements. Use a tape measure to measure your natural waist and the fullest part of your hips so you can choose the most comfortable size for your body.
You can find your natural waist by bending sideways. A crease will format your waist to help you identify it.
Keep the tape measure parallel to the ground when you measure your hips.
Double-check your measurements to consult sizing information. It’s a good idea to measure both your waist and hips twice to make sure that you get the same measurement both times. Once you have your waist and hip measurements, you can consult the sizing information for any underwear you’re considering to ensure a proper fit.
Checking your measurement is important because sometimes you don't get it right the first time.
If your measurements are different on the second try, measure them a third time. One of these sets should match up, so use that set of measurements when shopping.
Look for firm elastic. No one wants to be pulling at their underwear all day to keep it from slipping or falling down. Choose underwear that has firm elastic in the waistband so you know it will stay in place.
While firm elastic at the waist is helpful in underwear, avoid styles with elasticized leg holes. They have a tendency to bunch up, which can be uncomfortable.
Avoid underwear that’s too tight. Underwear that’s too tight doesn’t just lead to unflattering bulges and lumps beneath your clothing; it can also cause skin chafing and irritation from the friction. In general, any underwear that’s tight enough to leave marks on your skin is too tight.
Underwear that’s too tight also doesn’t breathe as well, so it can lead to health issues and leave you a little sweaty.
Check for bunching, rolling, or sagging. Before leaving the house for the day, it’s important to make sure that your undies are lying smoothly against your body. Any pair that bunches, rolls, or sags under your clothing is going to be uncomfortable because you’ll be tugging at them to keep them from pinching your skin or falling down.
Not only can bunching underwear be uncomfortable in the long run, but it can also look messy and ruin even the best outfit. This is especially important with dresses and skirts!
If your underwear is bunching, readjust it so that it sits properly on you. If it still bunches, switch to a different pair.
Bunching, rolling, and sagging is often a sign of old, worn underwear; it means that the fabric has lost its stretch and is now too big for you.
Picking the Right Fabric
Look for cotton underwear. Cotton is king when it comes to comfortable underwear because it is breathable. That means moisture won’t be trapped in the fabric so your undies won’t get as sweaty and you won’t have to worry as much about bacterial and yeast infections.
Because of the possibility of yeast infections, cotton underwear is a particularly good option for women.
Cotton underwear is also less likely to cause chafing or rashes.
Go with synthetic fabric for a slimmer fit. While cotton underwear’s breathability makes it more comfortable, it doesn’t always look smooth under clothing. For a slimmer, fit, opt for undies made from a stretchy, synthetic material, such nylon, Lycra, or Make sure that the crotch is lined with cotton, though, to ensure that you’re comfortable.
Consider the type of underwear labeled as "seamless" or "no-lines." They don't have any elastic in the hips or leg openings, making them ideal for fitted garments.
A cotton lining in the crotch is important for another reason: it's breathable. If the crotch lining is synthetic, then you risk trapping moisture, which can lead to infections.
Finding the Right Men’s Underwear
Go with boxers for breathability. If you tend to sweat a lot or are prone to rashes or chafing, boxers allow for better airflow. For the best fit under clothing, choose a pair that has shorter, slimmer legs and a stretch-band waist.
Boxers aren’t the best choice if you wear a lot of slim-fitting pants, such as suit trousers or skinny jeans.
Boxers offer little support, so be sure that’s not important to you before choosing them.
Opt for briefs if you have larger thighs. If you have thicker thighs, underwear styles with legs, such as boxer or boxer briefs, tend to ride up during wear. That can cause rolls that show through your clothing. Instead, choose briefs to keep the extra material away from your legs.
Selecting the Best Women’s Underwear
Choose bikini briefs for everyday. With their lower waistline and moderate coverage, a bikini brief is usually the classic option when it comes to women’s underwear styles. They will be a comfortable option for most body types, so it’s a good everyday style of underwear
Opt for high-waisted briefs if you have a large belly. If you carry most of your weight at your stomach, underwear with a lower waistband can be uncomfortable because it may bunch and roll. Choose a high-waisted brief style, which will cover your belly so you don’t have to keep pulling your undies up all day.
High-waisted briefs can also be a comfortable option if you are curvy or have an hourglass figure.