What kind of underwear you’re wearing can make or break your whole day. If you’re in an uncomfortable pair, something that digs, chafes, or pulls, you’ll spend every waking minute wishing you weren’t. If you’re in something great, though — something that makes you feel comfortable, sexy, and put together — then you can sail through the day unafflicted, and perhaps even a bit more confident. 

Finding a great pair of plus-size underwear can be a bit of a challenge, though. You have to find a pair that fits your body, in a style that you like, and a cut that you feel great wearing. It’s no easy task, especially when plus-size undies are still not nearly as prevalent as they should be in the marketplace. That’s why we went on a quest and consulted fashion underwear experts about what they think the best plus-size underwear is and why. Find all of the answers, ahead, along with advice on what to look for in a good pair of drawers for your next shopping spree.

Best Overall

Parade Vintage High Rise Brief

What We Love: It’s breathable, flattering, and comes in all sorts of cool colors and patterns.

What We Don’t Love: It only comes in sizes up to 3X.

What makes a good pair of underwear? For plus-sized consumers, it’s all sorts of things, from quality fabric to durability and style. Parade — a somewhat recent entrant into the underwear game that’s taken the internet by storm — offers all those things in spades, especially when it comes to their Vintage High Rise Brief. 

With a fairly high waist and fairly high-cut legs, these Vintage Briefs are both supportive and flattering, offering moderate butt coverage while still sitting right at your natural waist. They’re breathable, so you can wear them even if you have sensitive skin, and they’re comfortable under anything from jeans to a skirt. Plus, they come in a handful of colors and patterns, from basic black to vivid red. While they only come in sizes up to 3X, some Parade shoppers say these run a little big, so even customers who typically size larger could give them a try. Who doesn’t want a little comfort, after all? 

Material: Tencel lyocell, Tencel x Refibra, elastane | Size: XS–3XL

Best Budget

Lane Bryant No Show Full Brief Panty

What We Love: These underpants are supportive and stylish at the same time.

What We Don’t Love: Mostly nylon construction means they’re not very airy.

One of Lane Bryant’s best-selling pairs of panties, the No Show Full Brief is popular for a reason. The full-coverage brief has a flat, fairly wide stay-put elastic waistband, meaning it won’t show under your clothes. It also has leg openings and seams built with plus-sized customers in mind, meaning you won’t find yourself painfully constricted, no matter your size. 

They’re machine-washable, which is great, and they come in a whole range of colors, styles, and patterns, many of which change with the seasons. Also, they’re readily available at most of the outlet’s stores, meaning that if you’re on a vacation somewhere and happen to need a pair of underpants, it probably won’t be that big of a stretch to just head in and snag one — a convenience that, frankly, isn’t always afforded to plus-size customers in most stores.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Size: 14/16–38/40

Best Cotton

Lively Cotton Brief

What We Love: Who doesn’t love a good cotton brief? It’s a timeless classic.

What We Don’t Love: The style only comes in three colors.

A lot of people dislike cotton underwear. That’s probably because, when they were growing up, cotton underwear meant ill-fitting multi-packs of Underoo briefs bought at a big box store. Cotton underpants were boring, too big, and didn’t feel sexy at all. 

These days, though, cotton panties can be comfortable, sexy, and stylish, meaning that sensitive wearers or those who just like a good plant-based product won’t have to sacrifice anything to get the look and fit they want. Beyond all of that, the concept of a pair is just classic. Enter Lively’s Cotton Brief, which offers a full-coverage look that moves with the body, sits right above the hip, and is entirely breathable. It comes in basic black, white, and a fairly chic black and white stripe, and though it’s not available in an incredibly wide range of sizes, the brand says its XXXL cut should fit up to a 24.

Material: Cotton, spandex | Size: XS–XXXL

Best Sweat-Wicking

BALI Comfort Revolution Microfiber Brief

What We Love: The patented Cool Comfort fabric helps wick moisture away from the body.

What We Don’t Love: “Barely there” feel can be unsettling at first.

Bali’s Comfort Revolution Microfiber Brief offers a four-way stretch for maximum comfort, as well as a patented fabric blend that helps wick moisture away from the body, meaning you’ll stay cool and dry no matter how hot it is outside. The briefs’ light-as-air feel might seem a little weird at first, especially if you’re used to rocking cotton or more sturdy, supportive underwear, but if you’re a sweaty person — or if you just sweat when you’re working out — then you’ll love these.

Based on the color of the briefs you pick — there are over 10 options — you’ll either get a knit-in or wide lace waistband on your underpants, both of which help keep these little beauties right where they belong. 

Material: Nylon | Size: 7–11

Best Period

Thinx Lace High Waisted Underwear

What We Love: You’ll never have to worry about period leakage again if you’re wearing these.

What We Don’t Love: They’re more expensive than other period-friendly options.

Period underwear has popped off in the past ten or so years, going from a kind of quirky entrant into the women’s market to something that almost every major underwear manufacturer makes, all with varying degrees of success. 

Still, Thinx was one of the first makers of period underwear and the brand is still around — and popular — for a reason. The panties are comfortable, reliable, and come in a fairly decent range of sizes and colors. The Modal Cotton Lace high-waisted underwear has a sort of retro ’50s flair that summons up Marilyn Monroe while also offering wearers a lot of absorbency. In fact, with a four out five drops rating on the Thinx scale, these panties can allegedly hold about four tampons worth of blood, a figure that’s both staggering and comforting. And while they’re a little more expensive than a regular old pair of underpants off the shelf at Target, you won’t have to buy pads or tampons anymore, so you’re not only saving a little bit of money, you’re also doing your part to save the Earth.

Material: Supima cotton, Tencel modal, elastane | Size: XS–4X

Best Maternity

Bodily All-In Panty

What We Love: These ultra-stretch underwear can be worn during and after pregnancy, making them a cost-effective buy.

What We Don’t Love: They’re not the sexiest underpants in the world, but does that even matter?

You don’t really realize when you get pregnant just how much stuff you’re going to need to buy. There’s all the stuff for the baby, sure, but there’s also all the stuff for you, from stretch mark cream to wider shoes. Some of that stuff you might be able to scrape together from friends who have already been through the experience, but you’re going to want to pony up for your maternity underwear, especially if it’s the Bodily All-In Panty.

A high-waisted, full-coverage panty that’s super soft and stretchy, the All-In can be worn when you’re pregnant and even after you’ve given birth. The fabric feels cool on your skin even after a C-section, and the low-cut thigh means that you won’t be uncomfortable or overly cinched when you sit down. With a handful of color options and a slightly higher cut in the rear, though, they’ll still help you feel a little sexy, even in times when you might not.

Material: Micromodal, elastane | Size: S–3XL

Best High-Waisted

Intimissimi High-Rise Hipsters

What We Love: The design is so classic.

What We Don’t Love: They only come in boring basic colors.

A clean and classy pair of briefs, the Intimissimi High-Rise Cotton and Lace Hipsters are pretty much perfect for everyone, from a college freshman striking out on their own to a menopausal mom just looking for what works. 

Made of soft stretch cotton and trimmed with some lovely lace, these panties offer a reasonably solid amount of coverage while still giving the wearer a little something extra. They ride up a little on the butt, making them just a hint more racy than practical — but they also cover a good portion of the wearer’s abdomen, potentially up until just under your belly button, depending on your body’s size and shape. All in all, the Intimissimi High-Rise Cotton and Lace Hipster is, more than anything, just a great pair of underwear.

Material: Cotton, elastane | Size: XS–XXXL

Best Boyshort

Bloomers Knickerboxer Lace Boyshort

What We Love: Who doesn’t love a nice lacy pair of underpants?

What We Don’t Love: If you’re not used to underpants made almost entirely of lace, it can take some getting used to.

There are all kinds of boyshorts out there, from ones that ape men’s boxer briefs to those that are essentially just tiny pieces of lingerie. Bloomers Knickerboxer Lace Boyshorts fall somewhere in the middle, offering the fit and security of a bigger boyshort with the sex appeal and style of whatever racy little number you might have saved in the back of the drawer. They feel like you’re wearing nothing at all — and that’s a very good thing.

Designed with women’s constantly changing bodies in mind, these Bloomers are comfortable and stretchy, with invisible seams and edge work. The lace waistband hits just below wearers’ belly buttons, and every pair comes complete with a full-size, 100 percent cotton gusset, meaning that even your most sensitive parts will be well taken care of. They also come in five very cute, bold colors so you can go traditional with something beige and boring, or you can make things a little spicy with some bold red lace.

Material: Nylon, spandex, cotton | Size: XS–2XL

Best Seamless

Skims Soft Smoothing Briefs

What We Love: Well-priced and well-made, these briefs are a game changer for anyone looking for something seamless.

What We Don’t Love: Most of the color options are skin-toned or fairly sedate.

Love a “no underwear” look but can’t fathom going commando? Consider a pair of Skims Soft Smoothing Seamless Briefs, which are downright invisible under just about any garment. Made of smooth and stretchy nylon and spandex, these briefs sit high on the waist and have absolutely no seams, meaning you won’t have to worry about panty lines even if you’re sporting something slinky and satin. 

High cut and available in six skin tones, these briefs can help you feel like Skims owner Kim Kardashian for however long you’re wearing them. Best of all for plus-sized gals is the fact that Skims makes a conscious effort to fit all body types, choosing not just to size up their panties from XS to 3X without fitting them to actual women but to adjust the underwear accordingly for plus-size needs, whether that means a sturdier waistband, a larger gusset, or whatever else a larger wearer might require. Now that’s thoughtful.

Material: Nylon, spandex | Size: XXS–4X

Best Postpartum

Motherhood Maternity Postpartum Seamless Support Underwear

What We Love: These come in a two-pack, which means less to think about once the baby comes.

What We Don’t Love: They’re hand wash-only.

A lot can change when you have a baby, and we’re not just talking about the new, small life that’s now dominating your world. Your postpartum body goes through it, too, moving and shifting into whatever your new body looks like. Motherhood Maternity’s Postpartum Essentials Support Underwear is designed to help ease that transition along, offering a soft, C-section-friendly waistband and front panel, but also a medium degree of compression and support, meaning you can sort of guide your slightly deflated belly back into its (somewhat) original shape. 

Because they’re seamless, they're less likely to give you visible panty lines (VPL), and they’re wildly comfortable — something that’s pretty crucial given how many weird and uncomfortable things happen in and around your body both during and after pregnancy. If you’ve had or are having a C-section, this kind of high-rise, supportive underwear is a must-have for about three to six months after the procedure, too, though you might love them so much that you find yourself wearing them well after that.

Material: Cotton, nylon, spandex | Size: Small/Medium–3X

Best Thong

Universal Standard UltimateS High Rise Thong

What We Love: The high-rise front offers tummy coverage even though your butt is exposed.

What We Don’t Love: In the bigger sizes, the front coverage could be a little more robust.

As a brand, Universal Standard made a name for itself by crafting chic, well-fitting clothing for the plus-size market. Gradually over time, the brand has expanded to cover all sorts of sizes from 00 to 40, but given its expertise with all sorts of builds and bodies, it’s fair to say that you can put a little more trust in the options than you might in a company who merely dabbles in anything over an XL.

That’s why we were thrilled when we heard Universal Standard was creating an intimates collection, UltimateS. These well-made basics are great for all types of bodies, made from a cotton jersey-modal blend that feels very light. The High Rise Thong is great because it offers wearers a good amount of front coverage and the racy “no underwear” look in the back, giving you the best of both worlds. It’s the perfect choice for those who might want to dabble in thongs but hate how low-rise or revealing they can be.

Material: Lenzing modal, cotton, elastane | Size: 00–40

Best Almost Thong

Dreamgirl High Waisted Lace Panty

What We Love: These are essentially lingerie, and we’re okay with that.

What We Don’t Love: Certain colors and fits are occasionally hard to find, especially in popular plus sizes.

Dreamgirls’ most popular panty last year, according to fashion designer Jenny Han, this High Waisted Lace Panty is seductive and slinky. Made of a lace blend, the panties have a cute peekaboo cutout right above the butt as well as a scalloped lace trim and cheek-baring rear fit. You can wear them for a romantic rendezvous, underneath something business-like for when you’re trying to maintain a sense of (sexy) self, or just around the house if you’re feeling spicy. 

You can trust that these will fit well, too, because as Han explains, Dreamgirl takes special care to tend to the plus-size market. “First and foremost, fit and comfort are our priority,” she says. “Brands like Dreamgirl will use different patterns for a 3X than for an XS, whether it is closing up a cutout, fuller coverage in the front and back, raising the waist, [or] adding different quality trim and elastics. We want to make sure the wearer is comfortable and it fits their natural shape.”

Material: Lace | Size: 1X–3X

Best on Amazon

Fruit of the Loom Eversoft Cotton Brief Underwear

What We Love: There’s something to be said for finding a pair of underwear you like and then just buying in bulk.

What We Don’t Love: We’re not positive, but at this price point it’s probably safe to assume that they’re perhaps not made the most sustainably.

Believe it or not, Fruit Of The Loom has been around for almost 200 years. That’s for good reason: It makes quality undergarments at affordable prices, for a wide range of body types and ages, from kids to the elderly. That’s probably why, on Amazon, the most popular result for plus-size-friendly underwear is the 10-pack of Fruit Of The Loom Women’s Eversoft Underwear, which has a 4.4-star rating with over 100,000 reviews. 

A bargain at less than a dollar a pair, these come in low rise, high cut, and traditional brief styles, are made of 100 percent cotton, and are pretty comfortable right out of the bag. They’re available darn near everywhere, and they’ve been put through the proverbial wringer in terms of testing, meaning that you can bet that your waistband won’t twist and your seams won’t unravel after just a few washes. They’re tag-free, too, which is especially nice if you’re looking for maximum comfort above all else.

Material: Cotton | Size: 5–14

Best Shaping

Honeylove Silhouette Shaping Briefs

What We Love: These stylish panties are a tummy control dream.

What We Don’t Love: Nude, black, and white colorways leave thrill-seeking wearers wanting.

There are all kinds of tummy control shapewear products on the market, from shorts that leave you gasping for breath to panties that make you say, “Are these things doing anything at all?” 

Honeylove’s Silhouette Shaping Briefs come in somewhere in the middle of all that, offering a smart and substantial amount of support while also remaining both stylish and comfortable. That effect is due to Honeylove’s shaping system, which uses velvet piping to create support even in garments like these seamless, supposedly wedgie-proof briefs. They’re pretty sexy looking, too, so you won’t have to feel shapewear-shy even if things are getting a little risqué after a date. They’re machine washable, too, which is always a plus.

Material: Nylon, Lycra | Size: XS–3X

Best Brief

Natori Feathers Girl Brief

What We Love: Lacy construction means you get brief-level coverage with maximum breathability and sex appeal.

What We Don’t Love: You’re supposed to hand wash them.

Lush, lovely, and with a retro flair, Natori’s Feathers Girl Briefs are equal parts smart and seductive. With their full-coverage styling, you can feel secure in what you’ve got going on down below. You can also feel fashionable, given the stunning imported feather lace that makes up most of the actual body of the briefs. 

Best of all if you’re eco-conscious: Depending on the color you choose, there’s a good chance that your garment will feature recycled lace, meaning that the Feathers Girl Briefs aren’t just sexy, they’re sustainable. 

Material: Nylon, Lycra, elastane | Size: S–3X

What to Keep In Mind

• Fit: There’s nothing worse than a great-looking pair of underwear that just doesn’t fit — it rides up, slips down, or chafes. That’s why when buying underwear you should look for both style and substance, fit and fashion. That’s especially true for plus-sized customers, who sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to garment fit. According to Lori Pressler, an intimates buyer at Macy’s, most reputable underwear manufacturers generally try to design their underwear by testing them out on differently sized models. That way they can see if, say, the gusset that works for someone that’s a size two needs to be tweaked a little when dealing with someone who’s a size 12 or a size 22. That being said, if you’re concerned about your underwear’s fit, then you should stick to brands you know and trust, or that you’ve read good things about from reputable sources. In the age of the internet, there are plenty of “plus-size” fashions and sizes out in the world (and on Amazon) that, really, are anything but once you get them on.
• Material: Pressler recommends that plus-sized customers seek out seamless fabric and a stretch waistband if they’re looking for that “second skin” stretch. Kate Bellman, Editorial Content Director at Nordstrom, recommends prioritizing stretch, durability, and the quality of the product. “Within underwear specifically, stretch is key so that the underwear does not feel snug or uncomfortable on the seams and outside edges. A cotton gusset is also essential when buying underwear for breathability and sanitization purposes,” she says
• Silhouette: Han put together a handy reference list explaining most of the styles on the market today, which can be handy for anyone planning on heading to the store. As she explains, “Briefs provide good support and minimal coverage and are great for everyday wear, especially under tight-fitting clothing. Thongs are great for avoiding VPL under form-fitting clothing. They’re also great for special occasions but not the most comfortable option for everyday or physical activities. Sports and performance underpants offer moisture-wicking properties, support, and reduce chafing. They’re great for working out. High-waisted underpants are great for extra support and coverage and they’re great to wear every day, especially under dresses and skirts. G-strings are designed to minimize VPL and provide a no-show appearance, and they’re best for special occasions or romantic occasions. Crotchless panties have an open crotch designed for intimate or romantic occasions and are not intended for everyday wear, while boyshorts have great rear coverage and are very popular for everyday wear and versatility.”
• Variety: There’s something to be said for creating a sort of capsule collection of underwear in your drawers at home. You might like briefs for everyday use, but perhaps you could think about picking up a thong for special occasions, silhouettes, or nights on the town. Tired of wearing the same underwear to bed, to work, and to the gym? Consider switching up your routine and grabbing something moisture-wicking for a workout or something breezy and breathable for bedtime.
• Availability: Having the foresight to order all your internet online weeks in advance of when you’re going to need or want them is great, but how often does that happen? It’s more likely that you’re going to realize you need more underpants ASAP and that’s when you’ll end up popping for something cheap, nearby, and that gets the job done well enough. The fashion experts suggest that you keep a brand or style availability in mind when buying. Chantelle and Natori are Nordstrom customer-favorite brands that offer one-size-fits-all panties that make it easy for our customers to shop, Bellman says. They come in multiple silhouettes such as thongs, briefs, high-waist thongs, boyshorts, and hipsters, with a year-round three-for-$48 buy and save program, meaning that if you’re all of the sudden in need of some new underwear before you head off on spring break with your buds, it won’t be that hard to replenish your stock if you’ve chosen something dependable and available.

Your Questions, Answered

How often should you wash your underwear?

As a general rule, all our fashion experts say that you should wash your underwear every single time you wear it, if only for hygiene’s sake. As Han explains, washing every time, “will prevent buildup of bacteria,” though she notes that it’s “important to follow the care instructions on [each pair] to avoid damaging them” and recommends using both a mild detergent and a lingerie bag. If you can, hand washing lacy or silky underwear is a good idea as well.

Why Shop With Us

Marah Eakin, the author of this article, has been a journalist reporting on entertainment, fashion, and culture for almost 15 years. From the silky “high pants” her grandma told her to wear at Confirmation to the everyday cotton briefs she generally relies on now, she estimates she’s owned about a thousand pairs of underwear over 40 years.

As a plus-sized woman herself, she knows the pitfalls, perils, and pains of uncomfortable underwear and has made it her mission to convince people that life’s too short not to be comfortable. She also spoke with Nordstrom Editorial Director Kate Bellman, Macy’s fashion buyer Lori Pressler, and fashion designer Jenny Han.