Underwear
Underwear Styles Explained: Rise, Coverage and Fit
Compare briefs, bikinis, hipsters, boyshorts, cheekies and thongs by rise, coverage and leg line, then choose a cut for your clothes and comfort.
4 min read
Guides
Underwear
Underwear comfort comes down to five things you can check: the cut, how it fits as you move, the fabric, the size you choose from a brand's chart, and how you wash and dry it.
6 guides in this section
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Underwear
How Underwear Should Fit: A Comfortable Fit Checklist
Check your underwear waistband, leg openings, gusset and back coverage while sitting and moving, with fixes for rolling, digging, gaping and riding up.
5 min read
Underwear
Underwear Fabrics Compared: Fibre, Feel and Care
Compare cotton jersey, modal, lyocell, viscose, nylon and polyester underwear, including stretch blends, gusset linings and what labels tell you.
4 min read
Find your question
Which guide answers it
Each guide does one job. Start with the problem you have rather than reading them all.
I don't know which cut to try
Underwear styles explained →It rolls, digs, gapes or rides up
How underwear should fit →Cotton, modal or synthetic?
Underwear fabrics compared →Staying comfortable in heat and humidity
Underwear for hot, humid weather →Which size on this brand's chart?
How to read an underwear size chart →Washing, drying and when to replace
How to wash and dry underwear →
Cut, rise and coverage
Common cuts at a glance
Names vary between brands and countries, so check the product photo and the rise description, not just the name. No cut is right for everyone.
| Cut | Where it sits | Back coverage | Fit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brief / full brief | At or near the natural waist | Full | Most coverage; check the waistband doesn't roll at the top. |
| Bikini | Below the waist, on the hips | Moderate | Higher leg line; watch for the leg edge cutting in. |
| Hipster | Low, across the hips | Moderate to full | Wider sides; the waistband sits lower than a brief. |
| Boyshort | Low to mid | Full, with a short leg | Leg band sits on the thigh; check it doesn't ride up. |
| Thong | Varies | Minimal | Fewest visible edges under fitted clothes; comfort is personal. |
Fit in one minute
Four quick checks
- Waistband: lies flat without rolling, digging in or sliding down when you sit.
- Leg openings: follow your leg line without gaping or leaving deep marks.
- Back and gusset: stay in place when you walk, squat and sit, rather than riding up.
- Seams and edges: don't rub. A label or seam that bothers you is a construction issue, not a size issue.
What this section doesn't cover
These guides are about garments: cut, fit, fabric, size and care. They don't give medical advice. If you have a rash, broken skin or soreness that doesn't settle, ask a pharmacist or doctor.
We haven't tested products hands-on, so we explain what to look for rather than ranking brands.
More underwear guides
Underwear
How to Read an Underwear Size Chart
Measure your natural waist and fullest hips, check the brand’s sizing system, and choose a starting size when your measurements fall in different rows.
· 5 min readUnderwear
How to Wash and Dry Underwear and Bras
Follow underwear care labels, decode washing and drying symbols, choose hand or machine washing, and check when briefs or bras need replacing.
· 5 min readUnderwear
Choosing Underwear for Hot, Humid Weather
Choose underwear for humid days by checking fabric weight, seams, waistband, fit and drying conditions, with useful planning tips for activity and travel.
· 4 min read