The lingerie industry is all about creating the perfect fit for women — and the options are endless. The most important factor, says a Good Housekeeping Institute textiles expert, is how well the fibers stretch and feel against the skin. That’s why many undergarments are made of spandex (as well as cotton, silk, wool and other fabrics) or blends with the softest and most flexible materials.
It’s also not uncommon to find unique materials or added benefits, like period-friendly panties. The gynecologist-approved Phenomenal line, for example, offers high-waisted briefs that are designed to hold up to six tampons’ worth of blood. “They’re not bulky like a tampon and they absorb like one,” Phenomenal CEO Meena Harris tells us.
Other options include:
Love Stories, a brand founded by stylist Marloes Hoedeman, is all about making refined feminine and sexy underwear that’s actually comfortable. The collection includes seamless underwear that eliminates dig-ins and double-layered fronts to offer more support — particularly for postpartum bodies. The brand’s thongs, meanwhile, have a high-waisted design that hugs the buttocks and comes in sizes that can be worn as a hipster or boyshort.
Rihanna took a risk and disrupted the market last year with her Savage x Fenty lingerie range, which has a host of models, including Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa and FKA Twigs. Known for its racially diverse and body positive models, the brand has made a big impact on the industry and has paved the way for others to follow suit with sexy but comfy top-drawer essentials that feel just as great as they look. women’s bamboo underwear