From invisible workout underwear to moisture-wicking underwear, everyone has their own unique preferences when it comes to their fave panties. But nothing (and I mean nothing) beats the comfort and breathability of a trusty pair of cotton underwear. Known for being super leakproof and soft, cotton underwear is the perfect sidekick to your workouts or long days out and about. Plus, you don’t have to worry about chafing or irritation while you sweat, since it’s legit made for sensitive skin.
Best Cotton Underwear For Women
Unlike synthetic materials, which may cause excessive sweating and less air circulation, Cotton underwear provides breathability, keeping you cool and dry, says Ra’el Cohen, co-founder and chief creative officer of ThirdLove. This is beneficial, since “the water-wicking fabric reduces the likelihood of moisture-related issues such as rashes and discomfort.” Synthetic materials can also cause mild irritation on the skin (especially on a hot day), but Cohen adds that cotton is suitable for women seeking comfort or looking to reduce their risk of chafing.
In terms of vaginal health, cotton underwear is also the superior option if you want to avoid yeast infections, says Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, ob-gyn at the University of Illinois at Chicago and chief medical officer at Verywell Health. Yeast infections are more likely to be caused by wearing underwear made from synthetic materials, she says. So cotton is a helpful alternative in minimizing your risk.
What to consider
Materials
As mentioned, cotton is known for its breathability, but it’s also okay to buy cotton blend pair. “100 percent cotton is great, but cotton with a little bit of spandex will fit better and keep its shape,” says Cohen, who adds that a mix of the two makes your underwear stretchy and soft. Tencel, a synthetic fabric made from wood pulp, is another fiber that can be mixed with cotton for a super soft feeling, says Women’s Health executive fashion director Kristen Saladino.
However, the cotton percentage in your underwear should always be around 90 percent, says Deepa Ryan, Founder of Peachez. Some underwear may also have 10 percent elastane to give them a stretchy finish. Although cotton is known for its comfort and breathability, Ryan understands that it may not be your first choice in the aesthetics realm (hi, satin and silk). “In any case, be sure that the gussets of all your underwear are made of cotton to allow for moisture absorption, no matter the fabric of the underwear itself,” she advises.
Style and sizing
Cohen notes that you should also figure out what style you’d like to wear: Undies can be thongs, bikinis, hipsters, and briefs so you can get as little or as much coverage as you’d like. Once you’ve found your style, she says that the size you typically wear should be fine.
Still, if the fit is a concern, Saladino suggests looking at the customer reviews to see if the fit tends to run large or small, in addition to viewing the company’s sizing chart if it’s available. Below, we note which underwear requires sizing up or down.
Colors
The color of the underwear you select mostly comes down to what your style is. However, it’s also worth keeping in mind that darker colors contain more dye, which could “come off and irritate sensitive skin,” says Cohen. Her advice? Opt for organic cotton since the dyes aren’t as harsh, and wash newly bought underwear.
Care Instructions
Many underwear brands suggest hand-washing your underwear to preserve the quality. But if you’re used to relying on the washer and dryer, no worries! “You want to be able to wash and dry your underwear and not think about it,” says Cohen. “Cotton will last longer than synthetic fabric in the washer and dryer.” You can also use a lingerie bag in the wash for extra protection, says Saladino.
Pros
- It doesn’t lose its stretch
- Super soft
- Makes us feel protected in our clothing
Cons
- It’s a bit thick
- Wish there were more color options
While you may know Calvin Klein for its famous bralettes, the brand’s underwear is equally as cozy (that’s saying a lot after testing a bunch of different pairs over the last year). Case in point: this super soft Cotton Stretch Bikini panty, which is our favorite pair of cotton underwear on this list. It comes in a pack of three, and it’s made with cotton and elastane, so it’s cozy enough to wear all day without slacking on shape retention.
The waistband was made to stay in place while remaining flexible, which we love for workouts. Plus, it’s super easy to clean since it’s machine-washable. If black isn’t your thing, you can opt for the light gray version to mix things up.
I own two pairs of this underwear, and I love how, even after weekly use, the panty never stretches out. Every time I put it on, it feels just as stretchy and smoothing as it did the first time I wore it. While I love to lounge in it, I also recommend it for the gym as it contours my hips and tummy under my leggings.
It does feel a bit thicker than some of the other pairs on this list, which we don’t love in the summer as it can make us feel constricted. However, we do love that this underwear makes us feel nice and protected under our clothing.
| Materials | Cotton, modal, elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-3X |
| Colors | 24 |
| Care instructions | Machine-wash |
While you may know Calvin Klein for its famous bralettes, the brand’s underwear is equally as cozy (that’s saying a lot after testing a bunch of different pairs over the last year). Case in point: this super soft Cotton Stretch Bikini panty, which is our favorite pair of cotton underwear on this list. It comes in a pack of three, and it’s made with cotton and elastane, so it’s cozy enough to wear all day without slacking on shape retention.
The waistband was made to stay in place while remaining flexible, which we love for workouts. Plus, it’s super easy to clean since it’s machine-washable. If black isn’t your thing, you can opt for the light gray version to mix things up.
I own two pairs of this underwear, and I love how, even after weekly use, the panty never stretches out. Every time I put it on, it feels just as stretchy and smoothing as it did the first time I wore it. While I love to lounge in it, I also recommend it for the gym as it contours my hips and tummy under my leggings.
It does feel a bit thicker than some of the other pairs on this list, which we don’t love in the summer as it can make us feel constricted. However, we do love that this underwear makes us feel nice and protected under our clothing.
Pros
- Doesn’t ride up
- Super soft
Cons
- Materials feel inexpensive
This low-rise thong is made with a super breathable, seamless fabric that moves with you, so it’s great for the gym. We love that, no matter what activity you’re doing, this underwear has enough material to provide coverage without bunching up in the crotch area. One of our testers even says she wears this underwear and nothing else because of its softness and ability to move with you rather than against you.
The panty is made out of 100 percent cotton with a super soft elastic band, so it’s super breathable but it also feels secure through workouts, long walks, and beyond.
Each order comes with a pack of six. And while you can totes invest in a colorful set, you can also buy it in all black, pastels, white, neon, stripes, and more. I mean, who doesn’t want a fun pair of colorful undies?
While this underwear doesn’t ride up, we did find that the material feels a bit thin and inexpensive. It doesn’t feel as high quality as the Calvin Klein pair we love.
| Materials | Cotton, spandex |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S-XL |
| Colors | 7 |
| Care instructions | Hand-wash only |
Pros
- Perfect under clingy summer dresses
- Smooths out your curves
Cons
- The brief is a bit constricting, so we recommend sizing up
This high-waisted underwear is perfect underneath a tight dress when you don’t want to put on shapewear, but you still want to smooth out your curves. After testing, we found that you can’t see any panty lines when you wear this brief. The added tummy support is also a plus, and we found that the waistband doesn’t roll down or bunch either.
Another perk: It runs from a size small all the way up to 5XL, so a wide range of body types are accommodated for. Our testers note that this brief is especially comfortable for those who are postpartum because it feels very supportive. Others say that it provides just the right amount of compression while remaining breathable. We love that this brief doesn’t sag at the butt, but stays tight around our entire backside (woo!).
Although this short is a bit thick to wear to the gym, it’s built for those hot days where sweat is kinda inevitable. Case in point: It’s made with a double-layer crotch for added protection as well as a sweat-wicking gusset that’s wide enough for a pad.
Our one con? The sizing is a bit off. We recommend sizing up, as the pairs we tried felt a bit snug and constricting.
| Materials | Cotton, spandex |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S-5X |
| Colors | 13 |
| Care instructions | Hand or machine-wash |
Everlane The Cotton Thong
Pros
- Tagless design
- Doesn’t pinch the skin
- Feels invisible
Cons
- Tends to bunch up at the crotch due to the thinner fabric
Everlane’s cotton underwear shows no lines through your clothing, which is why we never have to worry about panty lines when wearing it to the gym or out on the town. It features a super soft fabric alongside a tagless design and an ultra-smooth waistband, so you can trust it to stay out of sight and out of mind all day.
Our testers rave about how breathable and comfortable it is. They also note that this thong is extremely durable. We also think that it feels like a second skin, so you literally can’t even feel it while it’s on. In our opinion, it doesn’t really get better than that.
We do find that it bunches up in the crotch area a bit, but that’s to be expected with its thinner, lighter fabric. If you find that this underwear is bunching too much, we recommend opting for a size smaller.
| Materials | Cotton, elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XXS-XL |
| Colors | 3 |
| Care instructions | Machine-wash |
Pros
- It doesn’t get stuck in unwanted areas
- Not constricting
Cons
- Runs a bit small
If you ask anyone how they feel about thongs, someone is bound to mention the constricting feel of them—totally understandable. However, this breathable pair from Elacucos will do just the opposite.
The high-quality cotton in the fabric makes this thong uber comfy, and it doesn’t get stuck in any unwanted areas (IYKYK). If you’re worried about it being too tight, you can safely size up without worrying it’ll be too baggy.
Need more convincing? Testers agree that it’s breathable and soft. Additionally, they note that while the material is stretchy, it doesn’t loosen over time. Many of us editors think that this underwear is great to wear anytime, anywhere, as you don’t see it through your clothes.
Our one con with this panty? It runs a bit small, so be sure to size up when ordering online.
| Materials | Cotton, Spandex |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S-XL |
| Colors | 5 |
| Care instructions | Machine-wash |
Skims Cotton Rib Boxers
Pros
- Great for holding a pad while you sleep
- Feels like you’re wearing nothing
Cons
- Some say the material feels a bit thin
Sometimes, underwear doesn’t feel protective enough, but this rib boxer from Skims is the perfect stand-in. Super high-waisted, it holds in your tummy when you feel extra bloated. We found that it’s deal if you want that smooth appearance under a dress.
During your time of the month, it’s a great option for sleeping shorts (I have them in dark grey for this purpose). Pro tip: Put your pad in the gusset of this short if you want it to stay in place all night. It’s time to finally put your worries about leakage to rest.
Our editors are head over heels with this boxer. One even adds that it’s breathable enough to serve as the perfect sleepwear on or off your period. Others rave about how versatile it is. Some even double the boxer as loungewear for days at home because of how chic it looks paired with a cropped tee or an oversized sweater. However, if you’re looking for something on the thicker side, this short may not be what you want.
| Materials | Cotton, spandex |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XXS-4X |
| Colors | 6 |
| Care instructions | Hand-wash |
