ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF KNICKERS TO KNOW
Possibly the most intimate piece of clothing we own, our favourite knicker styles are a bit like horoscopes - super personal and just a touch mysterious. The best friend to your bra, these neat little bottoms come in many shapes, sizes, and materials. In the US, you’ll know them more commonly as panties, and the more general term ‘underwear’.
There are types of knickers for all sorts of tastes and occasions, from comfy briefs to cheeky thongs, leg lengthening brazilian knickers to flattering high waisted knicker options. And then there are those occasions where you want to go full on matchy-matchy and opt into a lingerie set. Whatever the season or mood, the right pair of knickers builds a foundation for not only a good outfit, but a good day.
THE TOP QUESTIONS COVERING ALL TYPES OF KNICKERS
As you may have already gathered, there are a lot of knicker types. But before we embark upon our underwear-odyssey , there are a few common knicker qs we want to touch upon...
WHAT ARE KNICKERS?
Firstly, what even are they?! Knickers are a type of undergarment worn underneath clothes, and typically cover the bottom of the torso to the tops of thighs. They’re designed for women and girls, and come in a wide range of styles.
WHY DO KNICKERS HAVE A POCKET?
This pocket is known as a gusset, and sits in the crotch of your knickers. It’s actually another piece of fabric, and is there to provide reinforcement to the design. It also brings additional breathability, keeping you feeling fresh and comfortable all day.
HOW MANY KNICKERS SHOULD YOU OWN?
This is all down to you. On average, it’s recommended you own around 25 pairs. But you can scale this up or down based on your lifestyle, and of course, how often you do laundry!
HOW DO YOU GET RID OF VISIBLE KNICKER LINE?
Dealing with visible knicker lines, or VPL as it’s commonly known, is down to the style you wear. Going for a seamless option, or a thong, tends to do the trick. You also want to ensure you wear a pair that fits comfortably, not digging in.
WHAT MATERIAL KNICKERS ARE BEST?
Again, this all hinges on personal preference. Knickers come in lots of different materials, from slinky satin to luxurious lace. For maximum breathability, cotton is your best option.
SHOULD YOU WEAR KNICKERS TO BED?
There’s no ‘correct’ answer to this question. Whether you wear knickers to bed is down to what makes you feel most comfortable. You can pair your comfiest knickers with your fave pyjama set or chemise, or go commando at bedtime - there really isn’t a right or wrong!
YOUR KNICKER STYLE GLOSSARY…
Here it is - the definitive guide to knicker styles. If you ever find yourself stuck on a knicker term, you’ll find your answers here. From briefs, to shorts, slinky styles and beyond, we’ve got it all covered…
CLASSIC KNICKER STYLES: KNICKER BRIEFS & SHORTS
These are your go-to knickers that you can wear all the time. You may see them called knicker briefs, midi knickers, or bikini knickers. They’re all the same design. Recognisable for their classic shape - midi rise on the torso, midi rise on the leg, with a relatively wide gusset - coverage on the booty varies from style to style. Let’s take a look at some examples. There’s the Aliyah briefs, a lacey option for knicker lovers.
Then there’s the Gracey, which puts a twist on the brief formula with sexy strappy details.
And of course, the Piper delivers time and time again on this classic design in a range of different colours.
For a slightly longer version of the classic brief, there’s knicker shorts. These can be a little longer than the former, and have wider side panels. This makes them perfect for those days you just want something comfy, like the bonded microfibre shorts.
For a little bit of everyday luxury, these Tatiana plain shorts with lace trim are perfect for the job.
And if you want to switch things up a bit, the lacey Mollie shorts have all the cute short details; with slightly cheekier coverage at the back.
FRENCH AND BRAZILIAN KNICKERS…
Think of these as the sexy, grown-up cousins of the classic brief. We’re talking higher cut legs, V-shaped waists, and extra flirty details. Read our dedicated guide to them for a detailed rundown of what Brazilian and French knickers are.
THONGS, G-STRINGS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
For those moments (you know what we mean), there’s the thong and all its iterations. Identifiable by a triangular style that’s wider on the front, they’re a delightful throwback to Y2K. Discover more about these little numbers by checking out our guide to thongs. What we will say is we love thongs for their versatility, they are a piece of sexy lingerie that we do find ourselves reaching for everyday too, they are just the best!
HIGH WAISTED KNICKER STYLE POINTERS
A gorgeous vintage-style look your thing? Go for high waisted knickers. Available in full brief, classic brief, and thong cuts, the key detail of this style is all in the name. High waisted designs not only can make you feel more comfortable, but look incredibly sexy. These Bonded high-waisted briefs are definitely giving 1950s vibes.
For something with a higher cut leg, check out the High waisted seamfree Brazilian, or add a little touch of lace with the Emmie high waisted thong.
SPEAKING OF HIGH…WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH LEG AND HIGH RISE KNICKERS?
These are all to do with where the knickers sit on your body. High leg refers to a further-up-the-leg cut that shows more of the thighs. High rise, on the other hand, refers to knickers sitting high on the waist, above the belly button.
WHAT ARE SEAMLESS KNICKERS, YOU ASK?
Seamless knickers are your secret weapon to banishing visible knicker lines. Known as no VPL knickers, their stitching is invisible and they lay noticeably flat against the body.
This gives them a smooth appearance that looks (and feels!) like a second skin. These come in all sorts of styles, including as thongs, Brazilian, ribbed, high leg, and shorts!
THE SEXY STUFF…WHAT ARE CROTCHLESS AND BUMLESS KNICKERS?
When you’re feeling it, it’s time for sexy lingerie, especially sexy knickers. Heck, pull out the harness styles whilst you’re at it. It may be date night. You might be romancing yourself. Whatever the reason, there are certain styles of knickers that will always turn the temperature up. And people love them for it.
First up, the crotchless style. The main design feature? The clue is definitely in the name. Need we say more? Check out the seductive Filippa thong, with its temptress-like, strappy design. Or steal the scene in the Darlah thong, which comes in a daring coral colourway.
Get your booty on show with a pair of bumless briefs. These playful, sexy knickers are perfect for intimate moments. Either opt for the Filippa briefs, or go all out with the Filippa bodysuit. Both designs feature the collection’s delicate floral embroidery, hardware details, and super seductive straps.
Knickers are like lipstick - we all have a type that we’re drawn towards. So we’re curious. What is your fave knicker style? Hit us up on Insta and let us know. Don’t forget to tag your posts and stories with #myboux so we can see!