At the beginning of the previous semester, I dedicated a post to the top 5 bras every college girl should own. These bras, I noted, were essentials that could totally make or break your look.
In order to create the perfect foundation for your outfit, the panties you choose are equally important! If your lingerie drawer is in need of an upgrade, if you’re unsure of what to wear under that new dress, or if you simply consider yourself a lingerie junkie like I do, read on! These five styles should be staples in every college girl’s wardrobe.
Table of Contents
1. Boy Shorts/Booty Shorts
Why they’re a must-own:
Boy shorts are surprisingly great under skirts and dresses, or anything with a more flowy construction. A great pair of boy shorts won’t show any traditional panty lines, so you can wear them underneath fairly tight pieces, too. Another reason they’re great? Coverage. If you’re wearing a skirt on a windy day, wouldn’t you rather be wearing booty shorts than anything smaller?!
When buying boy shorts, make sure you pick pairs that are snug enough to hug your body, but not tight enough to cause the dreaded muffin top. Don’t go too loose either, though! There is nothing worse than a saggy, baggy pair of boy shorts!
Top Picks:
Product Information: Sheer Lace Boyshort, Forever 21. Lace Striped Boyshort Panties, Charlotte Russe. Aerie Ultimate Tanga, American Eagle. Ruffle Mesh Boyshort Panties, Charlotte Russe.
2. Nude skinny/seamless thong
Why it’s a must-own:
A nude thong is as basic and essential as you can get. It’s a must for dressy events, or wearing under a pair of tight white or light-colored pants or leggings. If you’re into this season’s sheer trend, pick up one of these styles ASAP!
A skinny thong is likely to be your best bet with minimal coverage, while a seamless thong will create a similarly invisible look with a bit more fabric. If you’re not into thongs, a nude pair of seamless boy shorts is a great alternative! Nude skinny and seamless thongs are also great to wear out shopping–they’ll never conflict with anything you try on, from dresses to bikinis!
Top Picks:
Product Information: Aerie Lace Thong, American Eagle. Commando Better Than Nothing Tiny Thong, Journelle.com. La Perla Seamless Thong, Net-a-Porter. Seamless Control Boyshort, Forever 21.
3. Low-rise bikinis
Why they’re a must-own:
Low-rise bikinis are many girls’ “go-to” undies, and for good reason! They can be worn pretty much every day on campus. Low-rise bikinis fit perfectly under jeans, pants, and your favorite skirts, with more coverage than a thong but less than a boy short. Low-rise bikinis are comfortable, cute, and great for everyday activities, especially if you’re a low-maintenance kind of girl. An added bonus: they’re cheap and can be found almost everywhere!
Top Picks:
Product Information: Shimera Seamless Stripe Hipster, Nordstrom. Natori Bliss Brief, Nordstrom. Cheeky Lace-Trim Hipster, Victoria’s Secret. Ribbon-Trim Hipster, Old Navy.
4. Hanky Panky-style lace thongs
Why they’re a must-own:
THEY. ARE. SO. COMFORTABLE! In fact, Hanky Panky brands these one-size, stretch-lace, knit thongs as “the worlds most comfortable”. Aside from the comfort factor, these thongs never create panty lines, as they lie perfectly flat against your skin, almost blending into it. As you can probably imagine, they work well under just about everything: with a drawer full of Hanks, you’d be set for any occasion.
Hanky Panky thongs are hands down the best underwear I have ever worn, and let’s be honest–at almost $20 a pop, they had better be! This being said, because of Hanky Panky’s success, other companies have started knocking off their design at a much lower price point–you can find full-lace thongs at Victoria’s Secret, Gilly Hicks, and even Target. The St. Eve brand, often featured at Marshall’s, makes a great knock-off, too. If thongs aren’t your thing, shop around for stretch-lace trimmed boy shorts or hipsters instead.
Top Picks:
Product Information: Hanky Panky Original Thongs 5-Pack, Bloomingdales. Cheekiest Lace-Trim Thong, Victoria’s Secret. Hanky Panky Vikini Bikini Panties, Nordstrom. Wide Waist Lace Thong, Tilly’s.
5. Wild undies!
Why they’re a must-own:
So far, my picks have focused on basics and essentials–must-have pieces that will work well under specific garments. Sometimes though, you just want to have fun!
Outrageous underwear can make you feel pretty, sassy, and flirty all at once! Pick your favorite cut, then get a few pairs in prints, patterns, neons, or even as a part of a matching set. Wild undies are an instant pick-me-up, and a secret shot of confidence – even if you’re wearing sweats, you’ll feel glamorous and sexy knowing you have fabulous lingerie on underneath. So have fun and work it, girls!
Top Picks:
Product Information: Sequin Butterfly Thong, Wet Seal. Spree Girl Set of 3 Lace Front Hipsters, Bluefly. Nylon Spandex Stretch Diamond Grid Lace Panty, American Apparel. Lace Bow Thong, Wet Seal.
What are your thoughts?
What is your favorite style of underwear? Do you own any or all of my picks? What other styles would you recommend? Let us know with your comments!
Love the article! Although I don’t wear all these types of underwear (I’m a thong girl), I apreciate the variety.
For those of you who think thongs are uncomfortable, a strange thing happened to me: I started wearing them because it looked better with most of my outfits, and after getting used to it, I can’t wear anything else! I feel uncomfortable in bikini types, although I wear boy shorts to bed (I don’t like walking around in a thong, that definitely it’s to much). And I don’t think they’re trashy at all; they are hot, maybe too hot for a high school girls, but definitely great for college and older.
I love boyshorts but they always give me wedgies! Does anyone else have this problem? I usually stick to hipsters.
I also love, love, love underwear! I’ve never bought Hanky-Panky underwear, but the underwear that I have that has a lace waist band is straight up the most comfortable pairs I own.
i love love love this article
im a lingerie collector…..i have every thing on ur list except the nude tone coz i always prefer colours, prints, laces(better start looking for nudes now)
and i always match the top with the bottom(been watching too many victoria secret fashion shows)
but yeah i hear the thong is out and boyshorts are the new thongs
thongs are fine for dresses or pants that cling to ur butt but no whale tales!!!!
but even a nice fitting pair of boyshorts can do that.
thisizkim-boyshots can giv u wedgies if they are not the right fit for u(but also a lot of movement can make that happen too)
Cute article! I totally agree.
Hey girls! I’m glad you’re liking this post! I’m a lingerie addict, so it was super fun to write and even better to read your comments!
I’m definitely a boy shorts/cheeky girl, they’re super cute and comfy. Although for some outfits thongs are just the way to go. Love you Cosmo, but like Julie said–if thongs are out I don’t wanna be in! I actually think they’re super comfortable and easy, which is always a plus!
love it. Tamara – I’m trying to get into wearing thongs, sometimes i can wear them
But i loveeeeee my bikini cuts, and boy shorts.
great article. I’m a victoria’s secret junkie, but im going to have to check out the Hanky panky (love that name lol) brand
if thongs are out, I don’t want to be in 🙂
I’ve gotta say, I love my Victoria Secret bikini panties. I’ve had them for about 7-8 months and they still fit the same as when I got them, no stretching or breaking elastic like I got with the packs of underwear I used to buy. They are totally worth the $8 a pair, but they go on sale often (usually $25 for 5, but you have to buy in multiples of five).
I love lace trimmed bikini cut undies, my favorite pair are ivory and black stripes with ivory lace edging and a cute little ribbon bow at the front. I always feel so girly and sexy when I wear them. I only wish I had a matching bra 🙁