Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers
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Comfort is of the utmost importance when it comes to underwear. Sure, there’s a time for a lace thong that’s sexy yet incredibly itchy and so thin that it slides around all night. But for your day-to-day when no one will see what’s under your clothes, nothing beats the feeling of buttery-soft cotton. Here, we polled the entire Cut style team and rounded up the best cotton underwear on the market (and in our drawers), including briefs, thongs, bikinis, and cheeky cuts that are just as pretty as they are comfortable.
Keep scrolling to shop for every body type and preference from brands like Hanky Panky, Cou Cou Intimates, Skims, Parade, and more.
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true options
➼ Our experts
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Style: High-rise cheeky, high cut
Shopping writer Chinea Rodriguez says she loves how “stretchy and soft these are.” They never feel too tight, and they don’t give you a wedgie (always a bonus). “Even though they’re high-waisted, they have a high cut on the thigh and are a little cheeky so they’re really flattering,” she adds.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: S–XL | Colors: 2 | Style: Mid-rise bikini, full coverage
Fashion writer Danya Issawi recommends Hanky Panky’s cotton underwear for maximum comfort and durability. Designed not to ride up, this pair has a medium-rise fit and full coverage in the back.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Style: Mid-rise thong
If you want to elevate your underwear drawer with pretty pieces featuring intricate, feminine details, look no further than Cou Cou Intimates. The sustainable brand’s cotton thong, finished with picot trim and a dainty bow, is a favorite of senior shopping editor Bianca Nieves.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 3 | Style: Mid-rise cheeky, high cut
A favorite of Cut Shop contributor Morgan Evans, Negative’s cotton briefs have a high cut that creates the illusion of longer legs and a high-waist fit for comfortable support.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Style: Low-rise thong
Aerie has been one of my go-to brands for underwear since middle school. Its affordable, no-frills cotton thongs and briefs never disappoint. This one has a concealed elastic waistband and breathable material.
Sizes: XS–6XL | Colors: 36 | Style: Mid-rise bikini brief, full coverage
Don’t sleep on Amazon’s in-house brand, Amazon Essentials. It offers wardrobe basics (like this six-pack of cotton bikini briefs) that are affordable and surprisingly high-quality.
Sizes: XXS–4XL | Colors: 8 | Style: High-rise cheeky, high cut
We’re Skims enthusiasts when it comes to our underwear. You’ll feel so damn good in this breathable cotton thong. It’s stretchy, flattering, and buttery soft.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: XS–3XL | Colors: 7 | Style: Low-rise cheeky, high cut
This pair features a unique curved high cut to flatter the hips and thighs. It’s cheeky but still provides much more coverage than a thong.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: XS–3XL | Colors: 5 | Style: Mid-rise cheeky, high cut
Not quite a thong but not quite a bikini cut, this pair features “barely there” coverage and a mid-rise fit. It stays in place all day. Plus, it’s available in sizes XS to 3XL.
Photo: Retailer
Sizes: S–3XL | Colors: 12 | Style: Mid-rise bikini, full coverage
Available in 12 colors, this pair offers the comfort of 100 percent cotton and the sexiness of lace trim. Reviewers say it’s so flattering and soft enough to sleep in.
- Morgan Evans, a Cut Shop contributor
- Hanna Flanagan, a shopping writer and editor at the Cut
- Danya Issawi, a fashion writer at the Cut
- Bianca Nieves, a senior shopping editor at the Cut
- Chinea Rodriguez, a shopping writer at the Cut