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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
When you find the perfect pair of seamless underwear, it’s like finding a new and true friend. It allows you to feel comfortable and confident in the way you look and move, and you can trust that when it makes a promise (e.g., to keep you line-free in every outfit), it’ll pull through every time.
Tamara Conlin, vice president of Product Operations & Strategy at Parade, offers some guidance if you're in the market for this aforementioned pal. "True seamless underwear has an edgeless design—no lines under clothes, even leggings," she says. "When shopping for seamless underwear, it's best to look out for these second-skin materials and fabrics, and to find a pair that shows no lines at all."
Good seamless underwear offers coverage without leaving a visible panty-line. Some pairs will give a barely-there feeling, while others offer more support. We conducted hours of research on seamless underwear—evaluating different styles and brands on their fabric, fit, and size range—and consulted style experts to come up with this list of the absolute best.
Best Overall
Calvin Klein Invisibles Hipster
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Courtesy of Calvin Klein
Ultra-smooth
Clean cut edges
Tag-free
Run too small
Calvin Klein’s “invisible” underwear is everything we could want in a pair of seamless underwear. They’re comfortable enough to wear all day and night; they’re lightweight for a barely-there feel while still being resilient enough to last for years; and most importantly, they’re truly seamless—complete with clean edges—so they don’t show under clothes. Let’s not graze over the fact that they come in a plethora of colors and prints, so you’re sure to find the right pair for any mood.
Price at time of publish: $15 for Black
Material: Nylon, elastane | Colors: Black, White, Caramel, Sage Meadow +more | Size Range: XS–XL
Runner Up, Best Overall
Parade Hip Hugger Universal
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Good stretch
Very lightweight
Adapts to body shape
Faintly detectable panty line
For those who gravitate towards a fuller-coverage hipster style, this is Byrdie’s best recommendation. According to the brand, these are the world's first carbon-neutral edgeless underwear. "Universal is made with OEKO-TEX-certified recycled fabrics and utilizes a 100% organic cotton gusset," explains Conlin. "Parade's smoothest fabric ever molds to the shape of your body for a second-skin feel." Not only are these underwear super soft, but they also offer a wide size range. Another plus? Parade gives 1% of sales to organizations dedicated to social good. Erika Harwood, Byrdie's Senior Style Editor is a fan. She says, "When in doubt, I always end up reaching for a pair of Parade's buttery soft undies. They feel like you're wearing nothing and come in the most vibrant colors.”
Price at time of publish: $12 for a single pair or 3 for $30
Material: 80% recycled nylon, 20% elastane | Colors: Eightball (black), Sunflower, Antoinette +more | Prints: Navy Dot, Mirage +more | Size Range: XS–3XL
Best Budget
Fruit of the Loom Seamless Panties
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Courtesy of Walmart
True to size
Smooth waistband
Breathable
Doesn't hold up after some washes
This pack of seamless underwear by Fruit of the Loom is a budget score given the price for a pack of six and is beloved by reviewers. The brand boasts a stretchy fabric and tag-free construction for all four styles—bikini, high-cut, hipster, and low-rise brief—in its seamless line. We also appreciate the cheery pink and purple colorways, which are great if you’re bored of the typical nude and black variety packs. For an everyday no-show panty with little effect on your shopping budget, these tick off every box.
Price at time of publish: $17 for a 6-pack
Material: 100% nylon | Colors: Assorted pinks and purples, browns and pinks +more | Size Range: 5–9
Best Value
Commando Butter High Rise Panty
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Courtesy of Commando
High recovery
Elastic-free construction
Piling resistant
Has to be washed cold
Per the name, these panties by Commando are buttery soft with an elastic-free construction for a very breathable feel. Produced from luxury Austrian modal, they feature four-way stretch with a high recovery capability, meaning they snap back after all-day wear. They’re a great value not only because of their construction and comfort but for their longevity (they’re pilling resistant) and sustainability (they're made from renewable beech trees).
Price at time of publish: $38
Material: 79% modal, 21% elastane | Colors: Black, Beige, Cinnamon, Toffee | Size Range: XS–XL
Best Bikini
CUUP The Bikini
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Flattering back V-shape
Sweat-wicking
Maximum wearability
Not as many petite sizes
These bikini briefs in modal are easy to wear every single day due to their comfort and versatility. While not technically seamless, the style’s back "V" shape makes it perfect for those looking for minimal coverage of the derriere. Plus, CUUP assures prospective wearers that it lies flat both high on the waist and low on the hips for maximum wearability. Hygiene is also a top priority here, with an antimicrobial and sweat-wicking lining to keep you comfy at all times.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: 88% modal, 12% elastane | Colors: Black, Salt, Clay +more | Prints: Leopard +more | Size Range: XS–XXXL
Best Briefs
Spanx Undie-tectable Brief
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Courtesy of NET-A-PORTER
Very comfortable
Lightly shapes the body
Very undetectable
Loses quality after three months
Need a little lift? SPANX's Undie-tectable Brief promises to make your tush appear a bit firmer while solving your panty line troubles, thanks to its elastic-free edges and comfortable smoothing waist. It’s available in four neutral colors to match every outfit’s necessity, but it also comes in Sea Salt and snake print for a dash of personality.
Price at time of publish: $24
Material: 77% nylon, 23% elastane | Colors: Red Pop, Umber Ash, Light Orchid +more | Prints: Raindots | Size Range: XS–XL
Best Thong
Intimissimi Brazilian Panties in Seamless Ultra Light Microfiber
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Ultralight
Breathable
Soft pastel shades
Tends to ride up a lot
Intimissimi's simple—and, well, skimpy—design is perfect for those who don’t care for coverage or support but prefer not to go commando. This particular style has a limited size range, so if you’re on either end of the spectrum or in between sizes, it may not be the perfect fit for you. A benefit of Intimissimi? Traceability. According to the brand, they produce 94% of goods in their factories with complete control of the supply chain.
Price at time of publish: $12 for a single pair; 3 for $35; or 6 for $60
Material: Microfiber | Colors: White, Black, Soft Beige, Silk Pink, Medium Beige, Flame Scarlett +more | Size Range: S–L
Best Compression
SKIMS Sculpting High Waist Brief
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Nordstrom
Prevents rolling
Effectively shapes and lifts
Very comfortable
Pricey for just one garment
May show under clothes
SKIMS seeks to enhance your body’s natural shape with its Sculpting High Waist Brief in a seamless construction. The brand claims invisibility under every garment and plenty of support around the core and butt. And since this style runs up to the bustline, it also features a silicone grip along the waistband to prevent rolling. Like virtually all of SKIMS's offerings, this brief comes in nearly a dozen skin tone colors.
Price at time of publish: $36
Material: 78% nylon, 22% spandex | Colors: Sand, Mica, Clay, Ochre, Sienna, Umber, Oxide, Cocoa, Onyx | Size Range: XXS–5X
Best Compression Thong
Commando Classic Control Thong
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Fast drying
Piling resistant
Machine washable
Fits uncomfortably to some
A supportive thong, like Commando’s Classic Control Thong, can be a game-changer. It offers a light to moderate amount of compression so that you may feel supported but not “stuffed.” The raw-cut edges help the nylon-and-spandex garment sit flat and minimize digging. Another plus? It’s crafted from sustainably made fabric, which is PEF-, REACH-, ISO 14001- and Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX certified.
Price at time of publish: $38
Material: 68% nylon, 32% spandex | Colors: Black, Beige, Caramel, Mocha | Size Range: XS–XL
Best High-Waisted
CUUP The Highwaist
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CUUP
Quality feel
Just the right amount of coverage
Bold and bright colors
Tend to stretch out quickly
For cheeky coverage and a flawless fit, look to CUUP’s high-waisted, low-hip style. Reviewers say they didn’t experience digging in this style, making the pair perfect for layering under thin or sheer dresses and skirts or simply lounging at home with the most comfort.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: 88% modal, 12% elastane | Colors: Espresso, Salt, Taupe, Clay, Black +more | Size Range: XS–XXXL
Best High-Waisted Thong
Cosabella Free Cut Micro High Waist Thong
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Cosabella
Made from sustainable material
Free cut
Simple construction
Small size range
Has to be washed delicately
This Italian-made free-cut thong is both comfortable and versatile enough to be worn daily. The style is designed to sit above the hip bones to complement your natural curves without any visible panty lines. Fun fact: The brand claims to have coined the term “No More VPL” back in the mid-1980s, so you could say they have experience in perfecting it.
Price at time of publish: $26
Material: 80% polyamide, 20% elastane body; 93% cotton, 7% elastane inner gusset | Colors: Cinque, Due, Sette, Tre, Uno, Quattro, Sei (skin tones) +more | Size Range: S–XL
Best High-Waisted Hipster
Intimissimi Invisible Touch Hipster
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Seamless edging
"Barely there" feel
Beautiful pastel and nude shades
Limited size range
Intimissimi’s Invisible Touch Hipster takes a unique approach to barely-there underwear. Its tulle-like fabric makes it soft and comfortable for wearers, and the seamless edges create a no-show effect. These would particularly be a comfortable pairing with slim-fitting high-waist trousers or skirts; however, be conscious of the brand’s more limited size range.
Price at time of publish: $18 for a single pair; 3 for $35; or 6 for $60
Material: Polyamide, elastane, and cotton | Colors: Black, Natural | Size Range: S–L
Best for Postpartum
HATCH Seamless Belly Brief
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Courtesy of A Pea in The Pod
All-day support
Light sculpting compression
Function, feel-good details
Only comes in one color
If you just baked a bun and you’re looking for something seamless to smooth things out, check out HATCH's Seamless Belly Brief. It offers full coverage and support with light sculpting compression but doesn’t look like a “granny [panty],” according to one reviewer. When figuring out your size, the brand recommends measuring the fullest part of your hips for the most comfortable fit.
Price at time of publish: $38 for a single pair or 3 for $99
Material: 84% modal, 13% nylon, 3% elastane | Colors: Sand, Black, Bordeaux | Size Range: S–XL
Best Nonslip
EBY Seamless Brief
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EBY
No-slip grip
Buttery soft
Various patterns and prints
Not many super petite sizes
EBY is fairly new to the underwear scene, but it's making its mark on the industry. Co-founded by Sofía Vergara, the brand's seamless brief is a solid go-to thanks to the nylon no-slip grip (so there's no silicone chafing), buttery soft material, and comfortable fit. If you need your undies to stay in place, whether you're headed to yoga or the office, these won't let you down. Plus, EBY funds microloans for women to start their own businesses as a way to get out of poverty, so you know your purchase is contributing to a good cause.
Price at time of publish: $17
Material: 85% nylon, 15% spandex body; 100% cotton lining | Colors: Black, Blue Opal, Grey, Pink Lady +more | Prints: Majestic Bloom, Sleek Tiger | Size Range: XS–4X
Best Colors
SKIMS Fits Everybody Thong
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SKIMS
Various colors
Very wide range of sizes
Doesn't dig into skin
Doesn't lose color or quality after washes
Waistband stitching is slightly visible under clothing
SKIMS prides itself on offering an inclusive color selection (as well as size range) for its products, be they an itty-bitty thong or a high-waisted brief. Most undergarments come in eight to nine skin tone colors, plus a handful of seasonal colors. Pro tip: SKIMS products are famous (or rather infamous) for selling out quickly and often, so sign up for waitlist emails to ensure you can grab your size as soon as it’s available.
Price at time of publish: $18 for a single pair or 3 for $36
Material: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane | Colors: Silver, Gold, Oxide, Cocoa, Onyx +more | Size Range: XXS–4X
Best Microfiber
Savage X Fenty Microfiber Hipster
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Courtesy of Amazon
Different fit types for customized experience
Full coverage
Appealing aesthetic
Not very breathable
With Rihanna at the helm, you can count on Savage X Fenty to know what they’re doing when it comes to undergarments. The brand’s popular microfiber hipster style comes in a broad palette of colors and features a midrise. Its bonded microfiber design and full coverage ensure you become one with the underwear—no panty lines allowed. The brand is known for its subscription service, but you can buy pieces a la carte, as well.
Material: Nylon, elastane, and cotton | Colors: Black Caviar, Brown Sugar Nude, Honey Nude +more | Size Range: XS–3X
Best for Sensitive Skin
Boody Full Brief
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Courtesy of Boody
Streamlined, stretchy silhouette
Extra coverage
Sustainable construction
Tends to roll down the stomach
For those whose skin doesn’t fare well with typical clothing fabrics, Boody might be a more comfortable option. The Aussie-born brand is known for its use of bamboo viscose, a material that has a host of advantages and is wildly different from cotton. Silky to the touch, this fabric is said to get softer with every wash while still maintaining its shape. The bamboo fibers made in Boody’s bras and underwear are certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, which means they've been tested for potentially harmful chemicals.
Price at time of publish: $16
Material: 80% bamboo viscose, 13% nylon, 7% spandex | Colors: Black, White, Light Grey Marl +more | Size Range: S–XL
Best Cheeky
Aerie No-Show Cheeky Underwear
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Fun prints
Moisture-wicking properties
Affordable
Shift a bit while wearing them
For Aerie, “no show” means no visible panty lines, period. With its No Show Cheeky style, it promises no lines anywhere, even if you’re in leggings. In terms of material, the combination of nylon and elastane makes this underwear stretchy and lightweight. (In fact, it’s the brand’s most lightweight fabric.) It also contains wicking properties to keep you dry when you sweat; in other words, these are fitness class-friendly.
Price at time of publish: $9 for a single pair or 6 for $30
Material: 87% nylon, 13% elastane | Colors: True Black, Sands, Deep Plum +more | Prints: Cobalt Blue | Size Range: XXS–XXL
Best Low-Rise Boyshort
Tommy John Second Skin Boyshort
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Courtesy of Tommy John
Non-piling
Delivers extra freshness
Made from quality material
Construction produces an odd fit
If you’re one of the few people excited about low-rise jeans coming back in style, this may just be your new go-to. Tommy John’s Second Skin Boyshort is meant to feel just like that: a second skin. The non-pilling, super soft modal fabric makes it suitable for everyday wear. You can expect comfort despite the hip-hugging rise, too, thanks to a waistband that “won’t roll, bunch, or pinch,” according to the brand.
Price at time of publish: $18
Material: 90% micro modal, 10% spandex | Colors: Black, Maple Sugar, Peach Skin +more | Size Range: XS–XXL
Best for Working Out
Parade Thong Sport+
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Parade
Durable interlock seams
Sweat-tested by real athletes
Quick drying
Middle seam could be better constructed
Parade’s Brief Sport+ has all the ingredients needed to make comfortable activewear: sweat-wicking, cooling, edgeless, and quick-drying. According to Conlin, "Breathability and comfort are of ultimate importance when choosing seamless underwear," which is especially true if you plan on having a sweat session in them. Not only does it both feel and look invisible under leggings and bike shorts, but it’s also been said that they stay put quite well. This all sounds like a recipe for a successful workout class if you ask us.
Price at time of publish: $13
Material: 80% recycled nylon, 20% elastane body; 100% cotton lining | Colors: Eightball (black) | Size Range: XS–3XL
Best for Sculpting
SKIMS Sculpting Seamless Mid Waist Briefs
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Underwear can be sculpting and seamless at the same time—you'll just want to make sure you snag a pair that targets sculpting support to the midsection. This sculpting brief sculpts your waist and smooths your stomach while providing seamless shapewear coverage that's invisible beneath clothing.
Material: Nylon, spandex | Colors: Sand, Mica, Clay, Ochre, Sienna, Umber, Oxide, Cocoa, Onyx | Size Range: XXS–5X
Final Verdict
Calvin Klein’s “invisible” underwear is everything we could want in a pair of seamless underwear, which is why it takes our top spot. On top of their seamlessness, they’re comfortable enough to wear around the clock thanks to a lightweight, barely-there feel. And still, they're resilient enough to last for years. Our second-favorite is Parade's Hip Hugger Universal, a fuller-coverage hipster style.
Meet the Expert
Tamara Conlin is the Vice President of Product Operations & Strategy at Parade. She has nearly 15 years of experience in merchandising and product development. She's also worked at Gap, Lululemon, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
What to Look for in Seamless Underwear
Material
Seamless underwear is generally made from nylon and spandex, though some brands are making the most of modal. The latter has many benefits: It's approximately 50% more absorbent than cotton and durable enough to wear for years. Modal also doesn’t pill or shrink in the wash and is eco-friendly because it’s biodegradable and made from plants. Another material featured in this roundup that’s worth mentioning is bamboo viscose. According to undergarment brand Boody, it’s a super soft fabric that feels light and gentle on your skin while also being breathable and moisture-wicking. (Get a sense for it with Boody's Full Brief, which is made mostly from the fiber, plus 13% nylon and 7% spandex.)
That being said, different materials may cater to different needs. If your priority is product lifespan, a modal may just be your best option. Mostly nylon and all-nylon options tend to be less expensive since nylon is one of the most cost-effective fabrics.
Cut
Cuts will suit different people differently, so it’s important to consider the styles in which you’ll be most comfortable in your prospective outfits. A high-waisted hipster and a boyshort might work equally well as the underpinning for a sheer minidress, in which case it would come down to whether you feel more comfortable with more material around your core or your butt. By the same token, a seamless thong and a pair of seamless cheeky underwear may not work equally well under a bodycon dress. If you don’t want lines but still need some structure, go for compression or, at the very least, a high-waisted option.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like materials, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Hayley Prokos, Byrdie’s Associate Fashion Commerce Editor, wrote this article. After hours of researching and chatting with our expert, she gathered enough insight to determine which seamless underwear styles are worth buying.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough seamless underwear from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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