I Asked Plus-Size Fashion People for Their Favorite Underwear—They Named These
Though our jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, and tanks get tons of use throughout the year, not even our most frequented wardrobe items are employed as often as our underwear, aka the starting point for every good outfit. Because of this, it's essential that the pairs we invest in are good, meaning that they fit well, are comfortable all day long, and don't show through whatever's worn above them. It's a big job and one that's rarely achieved on all fronts.
For those who happen to wear a size above 16, finding a pair of panties that checks off every box is all the more difficult due to the fact that many of the lingerie world's major players still refuse to design with the majority of women in mind. But according to the five style experts ahead, there are size-inclusive underwear brands that have mastered the trade in a major way. All you need is a point in the right direction to find them. Scroll down to see which size-inclusive underwear brands passed their test and shop their all-time favorite pairs each.
Ireanna Bradshaw, Content Creator
@mynamesireanna
Ireanna's pick: Auden
"For me, personally, I feel like a good pair of underwear is a necessary must. My personal favorite for every day is the Seamless Thong from Auden from Target. They come in nude, black, yellow, gray, [and more colors, and] are a high-waisted thong that's breathable and comfortable."
Shop Ireanna's favorite Auden underwear:
Sizes: XXL to 4X
Material: 90% nylon, 10% spandex
"I love these, they’re super comfortable and help me feel good. I am 3 months postpartum with my third baby and I love how it covers my mom rolls without too much pressure on my tummy." — Customer review
Shop more beloved Auden styles:
Sizes: XXL to 4X
Material: Nylon and spandex blend
"These are the most comfortable underwear! I highly recommend" — Customer review
Sizes: XXL to 4X
Material: 74% nylon and 26% spandex with cotton lining
"These are so comfy and soft and feel sexy while still comfortable. I love them." — Customer review
Sizes: XXL to 4X
Material: 90% nylon, 10% spandex
"These are a definite Skims dupe. I wear these around the house and even to the pool! I love the coverage…price and material!" — Customer review
Sizes: XXL to 4X
Material: 93% nylon, 7% spandex
"FINALLY a pair of comfortable underwear that are high waisted, have a bit of compression, and don't give me muffin top or ride up my butt! I have been searching for underwear like this since aerie stopped making the only decent underwear they had for plus size women. These are finally it! I absolutely love them. They don't stretch out throughout the day and start riding up. Literally the best undies! I want 20 pairs." — Customer review
Chichi Offor, Associate Shopping Editor at Who What Wear
@thechichio
Chichi's pick: Skims
"I've been really loving all things Skims lately, and their high-waisted thong is the most comfortable thong I've personally ever worn. The Fits Everybody material is incredibly light and soft as well."
Shop Chichi's favorite Skims underwear:
Sizes: XXS to 4X
Material: 76% polyamide and 24% elastane
"I have been searching for underwear like this for years after VS discontinued my favorite seamless thong. I love the material and the stomach coverage." — Customer review
Shop more beloved Skims styles:
Sizes: XXS to 4X
Material: 76% polyamide and 24% elastane
"I love this underwear. It fits perfectly and stays put all day- I’ve worn them to work, to yoga, while hiking, and every activity in between and they are comfortable all day long!" — Customer review
Sizes: XXS to 4X
Material: 76% polyamide and 24% elastane
"Love it! These were my first skims panty purchase. I typically wear large but ordered a medium due to reviews stating they run big. Medium fit perfect. Highly recommend. Already ordered several more pair." — Customer review
Katrina Nichole, Fashion and Fitness Content Creator and Model
@thekatrinanichole
Katrina's pick: ThirdLove
"I am obsessed with ThirdLove for size-inclusive underwear and actually just ordered a new restock from them because I love them so much. I specifically wear their Comfort Stretch Bikini Underwear. It’s perfect for ultra-cheeky gals like me and there’s no lining under any clothing garments."
Shop Katrina's favorite ThirdLove underwear:
Sizes: XS to 3X
Material: Nylon and spandex blend with 100% cotton gusset
"I bought these undies after a friend recommended them. They are SOOOO comfortable and really hug to my body. You could not see them (no panty lines) under my shorts. They were so comfortable, I forgot I was wearing them." — Customer review
Shop more beloved ThirdLove styles:
Sizes: XS to 3X
Material: Nylon and spandex blend with 100% cotton gusset
"No ride-up, stretchy without being too tight. Right size, not that awkward feeling of somehow being too big or too small. Will be buying these again!" — Customer review
Sizes: XS to 3X
Material: 76% nylon, 24% spandex with 100% cotton gusset
"Comfortable smooth hipster that stays in place. Love!!!" — Customer review
Sizes: XS to 3X
Material: Organic cotton and spandex with 100% cotton gusset
"Feel and Fit is nice and true to size - I appreciate the availability of thongs in larger sizes. Cute, basic cotton and exactly what I was hoping for - thank you!" — Customer review
Sizes: XS to 3X
Material: 94% nylon and 6% spandex with 100% cotton gusset
"Super soft. Perfect coverage. Perfectly sexy" — Customer review
Essie Golden, Content Creator, Founder of Golden Confidence, and Co-Founder of Thick Laces
@essiegolden
Essie's pick: Parade
"One of my absolute favorite brands is Parade. When it comes to fit, styles, and representation they get it right every single time. For everyday underwear, I need something comfortable, breathable, and something that moves when I do but doesn't roll down. The High Rise Cheeky in sexy silky mesh is perfect for summer and beyond. They have a style for every comfort level."
Shop Essie's favorite Parade underwear:
Sizes: XS to 3X
"The best underwear. Love this style." — Customer review
Shop more beloved Parade styles:
Sizes: XS to 3X
Material: 75% Tencel lyocell, 19% Tencel x Refibra, and 6% elastane
"Greatest thong I’ve ever worn. I’m obsessed with these cotton ultra flattering high rise thongs. Parade keep making em, I’ll keep buying em!" — Customer review
Sizes: XS to 3X
"I love this style of underwear! Super comfortable, it doesn't ride up, doesn't fall down, doesn't pinch or bunch up, and the bling is adorable!" — Customer review
Sizes: XS to 3X
"Nice fit. I don’t like thongs or full coverage panties. This is a nice compromise and my butt doesn’t eat the back end. The design compliments my figure and makes me look slimmer. Beautiful design too." — Customer review
Veronica Campos, Model
@veroocampos
Veronica's pick: ARQ
"My favorite everyday underwear of all time is from ARQ. It's the brand's new underwear style called the Misha. It's a high-waisted, high hip cut undie that fully covers the booty and holds you in nicely. It's different from the full-coverage high-waisted style, so it feels lighter underneath clothing. ARQ is the most inclusive undies brand that I know of and their color and pattern choices are divine!"
Shop Veronica's favorite ARQ underwear:
Shop more beloved ARQ styles:
Jess Sims, Freelance Writer and Author
@imjesssims
Jess's picks: Universal Standard and Love, Vera
"Universal Standard has really well-made underwear. I love sexy lingerie and lacey bits but I work from home, and sitting around in some comfy underoos that cover my entire backside is comforting. As is pretty standard with Universal Standard's size range, the underwear also goes up to a size US 40.
"Love, Vera is a Black woman–owned lingerie brand that sells some of the sexiest underpinnings I have ever seen and they always have models of all body shapes and sizes, which I really appreciate. I believe their underwear goes up to a 4X in most styles and the sizing is pretty consistent with true plus (as opposed to junior plus, which tends to run smaller)."
Shop Jess's favorite Universal Standard underwear:
Sizes: 4XS to 4X
Material: 47% lenzing modal, 47% cotton and 6% elastane with 100% cotton lining
"Just perfect. Perfect rise, doesn’t budge or roll down throughout the day. Breathable. I didn’t think I could be this excited about a pair of underwear but they’re amazing and totally worth it!" — Customer review
Shop more beloved Universal Standard styles:
Sizes: 4XS to 4X
Material: 47% lenzing modal, 47% cotton and 6% elastane with 100% cotton lining
"Worth every penny... Comfy and stays in place. Will be purchasing more." — Customer review
Sizes: 4XS to 4X
Material: 47% lenzing modal, 47% cotton and 6% elastane with 100% cotton lining
"I LOVE these. I don’t even care that they’re a little higher than a lot of my pants lol. They feel really really good. Did I already say how much I love them?" — Customer review
Sizes: 4XS to 4X
Material: 69% nylon and 31% elastane with anti-bacterial/microbial and anti-odor
"These shorts are amazing! I got them on sale with a promotion and wasn't expecting anything all that great, but they are the perfect lightweight base layer for dresses or skirts. They are super stretchy (they don't squeeze the life out of me or create a big muffin top), and they have a lovely slip so that dresses or skirts don't cling. They are not high-control shapewear, but they effectively smooth some of my lumps and bumps. I highly recommend giving them a try!" — Customer review
Shop Jess's favorite Love, Vera underwear:
Shop more beloved Love, Vera styles:
Sizes: S to 4X
Material: Floral lace with cotton-lined gusset
Sizes: S to 4X
Material: Polyamide and elastane blend
"Fit perfectly and comfortable. Very sexy." — Customer review
Sizes: S to 4X
Material: Polyamide and elastane blend
"The quality of this item is so amazing. It can give any person wearing it a quick confidence boost because the lace is extremely sexy! It doesn't itch at all and I highly recommend purchasing." — Customer review
Sizes: S to 4X
"Love the look and feel of the softer fabric! Love the soft flat embroidered hearts. The fit is great too!." — Customer review
Shop More Plus-Size Underwear
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Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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