Nude Underwear Exists That Actually Matches Your Skin Tone
- 1/22
Nude Underwear Exists That Actually Matches Your Skin Tone
We updated this guide in December 2022 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab were in stock and reflected current prices. GH Institute pros added a comprehensive shopping guide as well as new picks from SKIMS, Aerie, Parade and more.
While you may focus most of your energy on finding the perfect dress or pants, the right underwear can make or break an outfit. There are so many different styles and fabrics to choose from that underwear shopping can feel daunting. You need to find something that feels comfortable, stays in place, isn't visible under clothes and won't break the bank. And, most importantly, it needs to use hygienic materials.
The fiber scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab are constantly testing undergarments like bras, pantyhose and shapewear (we even test swimwear) both in the Lab and by sending styles to consumers for real-world testing. The team evaluates things like washability, stretch recovery, fit, comfort and more to find the ones that will feel great and actually last. To find the best underwear to buy, GH Institute analysts surveyed other editors to learn about favorite brands, tried out a variety of pairs firsthand and put them to the test in the Lab.
Our top picks:
Continue reading past our top underwear picks to learn more about how to buy the best underwear for you with expert shopping tips from the Good Housekeeping Institute's fiber scientists.
Courtesy Photo - 2/22
1) Women's Underwear Beyond Soft Panties (6-Pack)
Fruit of the Loom
amazon.com
$12.46
When Good Housekeeping Institute pros survey editors and readers for their favorite underwear brands, Fruit of the Loom continues to dominate. Underwear can get pricey, but the cost often goes down when you buy it in bulk. This six-piece set comes out to less than $2 per pair. GH Institute analysts appreciate that this pack also earned more than 27,000 rave reviews from users who say this set ended their search for comfortable underwear that fits well and stays put. This style is available in plus sizes too.
Fruit of the Loom - 3/22
2) Fits Everybody Thong
SKIMS
nordstrom.com
$18.00
Thongs aren't known for being comfy, but users say this SKIMS thong is one of the most comfortable. With smooth polyamide-blend fabric, it has a soft feel while staying put. One tester raves, "This is the first thong where I even forget I am wearing it." Good Housekeeping Institute analysts love that this style is available in seven nude shades, so you can find your closest match.
Skims - 4/22
3) Second Skin High Rise Brief
Tommy John
tommyjohn.com
$18.00
This style is made with modal, which is known for being a super-soft fabric that feels incredibly smooth against skin. This brand is pricey, but testers found that this underwear feels breathable and lightweight while staying perfectly in place. The brief style in particular offers good coverage that may be visible under some clothes.
Tommy John - 5/22
4) Microfiber Low Rise No Show Thong (6-Pack)
Wealurre
amazon.com
$19.99
"I've purchased multiple packs of this underwear, as it stays perfectly hidden under clothes," raves one GH editor. The silky, stretchy nylon/spandex blend lies flat on the body with seamless construction to help prevent visible panty lines. At just over $3 a pair, these thongs are an unbeatable value. This style does have a more limited size range available.
Wealurre - 6/22
5) Comfort Stretch Bikini
ThirdLove
thirdlove.com
$15.00
Bikini style underwear provides the perfect mix of coverage with cheekiness, as it's a bit more low-rise with higher leg openings. This style from ThirdLove is seamless and stretchy with 20 color options, including seven different nude shades to find your skin's best match. Most underwear is final sale when you buy it, but ThirdLove has a generous 60-day, any-reason return policy, so you can get a full refund, even if you've worn it and just don't love it.
Thirdlove - 7/22
6) Vanishing Edge Microfiber with Lace Hipster
Soma
soma.com
$20.00
Nothing's worse than underwear that rides up, but this genius design has silicone strips on the inside to keep it in place throughout the day. These strips also help get rid of panty lines despite the full coverage in the back. The style has hundreds of five-star reviews from users who swear it stays put and feels incredibly comfortable.
The fabric itself is silky smooth and comes in lots of colors and prints. There are also plenty of other styles in this collection with gripping capabilities.
Soma - 8/22
7) Real Me Crossover Boybrief Underwear
Aerie
ae.com
$8.95
The Aerie Real Me underwear line is popular among GH Institute analysts because they're "buttery soft and smooth" without any painful digging in. This style features the brand's signature crossover waistband for a flattering, chic detail. This is a full-coverage brief style that's available in 16 different shades. Note that some reviewers found that it shrunk in the wash, so make sure to follow the care label closely.
Aerie - 9/22
8) Lace Cotton Cheeky Panty
Torrid
torrid.com
$14.50
Torrid designs clothing and accessories specifically for full figures, with lots of options for plus-size underwear. This medium-coverage cheeky style is one of its best sellers, with a cotton fabric that feels comfy and lace trim that adds stretch. The underwear sizing goes from 00 (for size 10) through 6 (for size 30), which fits up to a 64-inch waist. Users say the undies run true to size and love how comfortable, durable and good-looking they are.
Torrid - 10/22
9) Signature Lace Original Rise Thong
Hanky Panky
amazon.com
24.00
Hanky Panky is super popular for its lace thong, which comes in a seemingly endless number of color choices and is surprisingly comfortable, despite not looking like your typical comfort panties. It also comes in only one size, though there is a plus-size version. There's also a boy shorts style for those who want more coverage. All of the brand's styles have a "V" shape in both the front and back, instead of going straight across, which is designed to be more flattering.
Amazon - 11/22
10) Adaptive Bikini Underwear
Slick Chicks
ae.com
$26.00
Slick Chicks makes adaptive underwear with clasps on both sides that make getting dressed easier for wheelchair users or mobility-impaired individuals. They're designed to be simple to put on when sitting or lying down. The nylon and spandex fabric has a cotton liner for a soft feel and moisture-wicking capabilities. Because they're from a smaller business, they have a higher price tag than other featured pairs.
Aerie - 12/22
11) Shortie Thigh Saver 4"
Knix
knix.com
$36.00
Chafing when wearing skirts or dresses in the summer is a sure way to ruin a hot day. Keep your inner thighs protected with a pair of anti-chafing boy shorts from Knix. The four-inch inseam is just long enough to keep you covered without being visible under shorter hemlines. We love that this lightweight style with a built-in gusset is available in six different shades to match a variety of skin tones.
Knix - 13/22
12) Thong
EBY
join-eby.com
$15.00
When you're working out, you need underwear that will stay dry when you sweat and stay in place as you move. This one's made with a lightweight fabric that's moisture-wicking, and it stayed hidden under workout leggings, according to testers. Because of its fitted design, some online reviewers preferred to size up. This thong — as well as the cheeky and brief styles — has a cotton gusset and free-cut leg openings to prevent panty lines. EBY offers a subscription service to try each of its intimates products.
EBY - 14/22
13) The ReNew Barely There Hipster
Everlane
everlane.com
$18.00
Everlane is known for its transparency and focus on ethical fashion, so when you buy this underwear, you can see the cost to make it and the markups. On top of that, it's made with recycled nylon, so it's a more environmentally responsible garment. The underwear has a high-rise fit with bonded seams that lie flat to reduce visibility under clothes. The fabric is smooth and stretchy to provide a good fit and comfortable feel.
Everlane - 15/22
14) Higher Power Panties
Spanx
amazon.com
$34.20
This all-in-one garment from Spanx is underwear and shapewear, so you don't have to wear two separate pieces. The underwear portion has a cotton gusset, so there's no need to double up. The seamless design helps smooth all around without constricting you or feeling too tight. The high fit also means no worrying about it digging in, and there's a silicone strip at the top edge to prevent it from rolling down.
Spanx - 16/22
15) Invisible Sculpt Hip Hugger
Parade
yourparade.com
$12.00
With a bit more coverage on the sides than bikini style underwear, hipster styles have a lower rise compared to briefs, falling right at your hipbone. Parade's newest seamless line offers smooth underwear in a variety of fun colors and patterns. Good Housekeeping Institute analysts especially love pairing Parade underwear with the matching comfy bralette. Testers liked that this pair has a lightweight, breathable feel. One said, "I've had mine for a couple of years, and they're still holding up well after multiple wears and washes," but some found it rode up a bit under clothes.
Parade - 17/22
16) Leakproof Bikini
Knix
knix.com
$23.00
We've evaluated period panties, and Knix is a top performer in both lab absorbency tests and consumer wear tests. In fact, it feels just like regular underwear, so you won't even realize you're wearing one designed for periods. It has a medium absorbency to wear alone on lighter days or as backup to other period supplies on heavier days. Plus, it's inclusive, with a variety of nude shades and sizes up to 4XL.
Knix - 18/22
17) Mid-Rise Hipster
Knickey
knickey.com
$17.00
If you prefer to buy organic products, this brand offers tons of ultrasoft organic cotton intimates. Organic cotton is not only grown without pesticides and harmful treatments, but it also uses a lot less water to grow. And because it's certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), you know the entire production process follows strict guidelines. The underwear is made from 95% organic cotton that feels soft, it has full coverage, and it's available in a variety of shades.
Knickery - 19/22
18) Cotton Dream Tailored Boyshorts
Maidenform
macys.com
$12.00
For ultimate lounging underwear, boy shorts are popular for being extremely comfortable. This style from Maidenform is a favorite among GH editors for its soft cotton feel, with one editor calling them the "workhorses of panties." They're designed to hit right at the hipbones to stay hidden under a variety of different outfits, and they have no tags, which helps prevent skin irritation. Many reviewers say they've been loyal to this style of underwear for more than a decade!
Maidenform - 20/22
19) Cotton Essentials Cheeky Panty
Savage X Fenty
savagex.com
$14.95
Show a bit of skin without the wedgie effect of a thong with cheeky underwear: This style is higher cut to show off more of the booty. Founded by Rihanna, Savage X Fenty makes affordable underwear and lingerie in a variety of sizes with fun, stylish colors and patterns. This pair has chic lace detailing around the edges for a sexy look while using cotton jersey for a comfy feel. Note that this pair is only $5.48 if you sign up for the brand's VIP membership.
Savage x Fenty - 21/22
20) Supersoft French Cut Underwear (3-Pack)
Jockey
amazon.com
$27.00
The higher-cut design of this pair from Jockey helps elongate your leg with a classic look. Online reviewers rave that this pair looks and feels more expensive than styles double the price. Good Housekeeping Institute analysts appreciate the use of Tencel for a silky feel that's still moisture-wicking and breathable. Make sure to look at the size chart closely to find your best fit.
Jockey - 22/22
21) Baller Black
Woxer
woxer.com
$18.00
Woxers are boxer-style underwear that are designed to fit a woman's body better than pairs designed exclusively for men. Made with a silky modal material that's breathable and soft, reviewers rave that the snug fit doesn't dig in or fall down. This style has a five-inch inseam and is available in more than 30 shades. The brand also offers a variety of inseam lengths and matching tops too.
Woxer
