It seems that everyday, there’s always new “innovative” lingerie that is “revolutionary” to the “needs of all women”. But how can you actually meet the needs of all women as we’re all built differently. The perfect t-shirt bra that is advertised with six or seven different shaped women sends a message that isn’t true. Seriously, just sit back and think of all the campaigns that use women of different shapes, sizes, even races. Makeup, undergarments, jeans, hair products, shoes… almost everything out there now is a culprit of false advertising; which makes me angry. And not for the reason you think.
It angers me because when I see there’s a product out there for me, I want to try it for the universal fit, color, and style in relation to my body? More times than not, it fails. But many people have either eaten up the gimmick or settled that no other brand will even come close to doing better, so they just give in.
I won’t ever settle, for anything, and neither should you. [We’ve all been down the settler’s road before, sometimes too often. Where did it get us? Yeah, exactly!] So in late spring, right before it hit summer, I had this idea to ask as many women I knew about their panty habits. I actually brought it up during the Yummie by Heather Thomson press preview because they had created, what I would consider, an ideal underwear. A member of their marketing team took to her Facebook and the many ladies who work in her office to question their panty habits as well.
And there were four commonalities from all the data received:
- Women, yes, GROWN women, still shop at Victoria’s Secret for undergarments.
- I’m not even going to touch this. There are so many questions I have as to why and how this is possible. Some did say they shopped them for the sales, but still! In my opinion, shopping at VS after a certain age just doesn’t make sense. Just like I think teens shouldn’t be strutting around in a pair of $500 + heels, I don’t think adulting women should be looking to Victoria’s Secret as the place for everyday undergarments. There’s a point we get to in our over 18 life where we shouldn’t want ‘PINK’ emblazoned on our bums.
- Hanky Panky came in a VERY close second if not a tie.
- I’ve never tried a pair, but I’m more of the breathable cotton, granny panty variety. From what their site shows there is little that we have in common except for the love of beautiful colors.
- Thong wearing is strong and very much alive today.
- Reading everything, I felt like I was the only person besides a handful (like 5 people) who didn’t wear thongs. I tried it in high school, so very well could have been wearing the wrong size or style – but it felt like floss. Then when I tried to dig out my wedgie, it took me way to long to remember I had decided to wear dental floss that day.
- A small margin of us have found the ideal panty, and that is disappointing for the simple reason that with all these technological advancements we still can’t create a collection of panties, not just one, that all woman can purchase. And not because, “it’s better than nothing,” but because it’s perfect for them.
Now, from all the responses received, there was one that was so thorough I couldn’t not share (she gave the go ahead as well). Caroline Reuschel is not only a very dear friend, but also a Lingerie Stylist at Rigby & Peller in Chicago. [I didn’t know until she responded with more advice and tips on lingerie that I’ve probably ever seen written, that she was specialist. Like, she even included photos. What she sent over could be used for a case study.] Based off of Caroline’s responses, here are some of her top panty picks and why:
- Aubade Italian Brief: “I am only a thong wearer, but the Italian brief is an extremely gorgeous, sexy, but daily wearable full-bottom brief that lays seamless under tight dresses or pants. All Italian briefs will be more expensive than most lace thongs or full briefs, because any time there is high quality lace on a bottom, the price increases. This is an excellent recommendation for women who don’t like thongs but are looking for something seamless.”
- Stella McCartney: “The bottoms are beautiful, but you almost need the matching bra. She uses some poly-blends, so if someone is sensitive to fabrics or needs cotton, this wouldn’t be a perfect match. Plus she has a very small size run.”
- Hanky Panky Retro Thong: “This bottom has been so popular recently. I have a lot of bridal clients who want a cute panty under their wedding dress, but they want to feel comfortable and not as ‘naked’ as with a thong underneath. It is completely seamless, lace and will not give anyone VPLs. This is popular for women who are a little self conscious of their lower abdomen. Though there is no shape wear feature, it mentally makes us feel better than a low rise thong.” [Note: the brides who opt for the Retro Thong, are not wearing skin tight dresses.]
- Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong and Cosabella: “They are a good price point and last so long that I’ve never had a hard time spending $20 a pair. Some people look at me wide-eyed when they hear the price, but they are the most comfortable thong I have ever worn in almost 15 years. They are made with stretchy lace, one size fits all, and they are absolutely line-less. Even when women are very afraid to put on a thong, they are blown away at the comfort of this product. The only thing to look out for, if you are a first time purchaser, is there are two cuts of their “one size” thong – low rise and original rise. Low rise is great for women who are not very pear shaped. I am 5’’4’, wear a 27 pant and absolutely need the low rise, because original rise has too much material for my body shape. Meaning it will not lay flat and comfortable on my body. For my mother, who is a dress size 12/14*, she is 5’1’ and cannot wear low rise because she needs a bit more material. With the original rise, that extra length/rise is perfect for someone with wider hips and a rounder bottom. [*Caroline actually made the note “If that’s wrong she will kill me…lol.”]
- Hanky Panky Retro V-kini: “My pregnant friends live and swear by these. They are stretchy, breathable and come up higher so your growing belly is covered a bit as well as supported by forgiving lace.”
- Hanro Cotton Brief: “With high end bottoms, sometimes it’s difficult to find an all cotton panty, especially a seamless option that will lay completely smooth and comfortable. Hanro is a very well known brand, mainly in Europe, and deserves all the recognition they will receive from their recent entrance into more US boutiques. The cotton brief we cannot keep in stock enough. For anyone feeling reserved about putting any other material on their bodies…they need this bottom. They have almost any style available in their cotton seamless collection, including high waist and thong.”
- TC Fine Intimates: “This is for women of all shapes and sizes that need something that will guarantee no movement but want seamless. Most women requesting this product either need it for a formal event or have had issues in the past, so don’t trust that new styles won’t ride up or down creating a line or wedgie. TC uses their own cutting edge technology called Wonderful Edge, which is an extremely light weight silicon edging on the inside boundaries of the bottom, in every style.”
Woof, you weren’t expecting all of that were you? Well now you have it now as a reference guide. And I know for some the sticker prices may be somewhat off-putting, so here are some tried and true non-gee panties that always make me feel secure (and available in very appealing color ways).
- TomBoyX – 4.5” Trunks
- Yummie by Heather Thomson – Nadine Brief
- Freya – Fancies Boyshort
- Warner’s – No Pinching. No Problems® Seamless Hi-Cut
Caroline’s recommendations are available in the Rigby & Peller stores nationwide, but their online stock is limited to a select few brands. Click the link above to find out the location closest to you, plus come back for when we talk bras with Mlle. Reuschel. Who knows, I may be a thing wearing addict by then!
If there are brands or styles you like to wear, let me know. It’s always a treat to learn about new brands or revisit old ones. If you’re a specialist or expert out there who doesn’t agree, please remember, not all panties were created equal. When we find something that has worked time and time again, we tell our friends, family, and clients. So your experience of the industry will greatly differ from someone in another country, city, even retailer. I will say, wouldn’t it be interesting to have a group of different specialists from all over the world come to together and just talk about their experience – the brands they love, the ones they think should just shut down, the ones who are underrated/overrated, etc. All from varying retailers of high-end and low-end, and different ages. That would be one interesting and very insightful conversation. [If a publication chooses to take this idea and execute it, you better give credit.]