Bottoming out?

December 18, 2011 4:59 PM

Underwear filter: Interested in switching to thong style panties and looking for some advice.

My major goal is eliminating panty lines and staying comfortable. Any recommendations on how to get used to thongs? Preferred brands or styles? And any thoughts on laundering and care? Many thanks in advance.

posted by anonymous to clothing, beauty, & fashion (26 answers total)

Hanky Panky things are supposed to be the most comfortable- they sell them at Nordstrom. They're a little expensive, but the knock offs aren't as comfortable as the original.

A more minimalist approach are the Gilligan and O'malley modal thongs at Target. They're cheap and basically as little underwear as you can wear and still technically be wearing anything, but they're super soft and comfortable.
posted by MadamM at 5:07 PM on December 18, 2011 [3 favorites]

I can't say enough good things about Hanky Panky thongs. My favorite is the Original Rise, but they have other styles you may want to try as well. They're incredibly comfortable (even for a non-thonger), and have held up well for me in normal cold loads of laundry, then air-dried. I'm sure washing them with Woolite in the sink would be even better, but they're surprisingly durable. And sexy! And panty line-less!
posted by argonauta at 5:08 PM on December 18, 2011

These two styles are by far the most comfortable in my opinion:

Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong

OnGossamer Hip G Mesh Thong

In terms of laundering, I wash in cold water on the delicate cycle and dry in the machine. They'd probably last longer if I did them by hand and hung to dry, but life is too short. They come out fine.
posted by telegraph at 5:08 PM on December 18, 2011

I find the most comfortable thongs are wider than a string between crotch and back, and do not have elastic hems. They don't get, uh, buried deep between the ass cheeks or pinch that way. My most comfy one is all-over stretch lace, Tommy Hilfiger.

Hand wash or delicate cycle for fine undies. Lingerie bags for the washer are great.
posted by slow graffiti at 5:10 PM on December 18, 2011

I always wash in the regular cycle in cold water and hang overnight to dry.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:13 PM on December 18, 2011

One thing to make sure of is that you're wearing the right size. A thong that's too small is way more uncomfortable than a thong that fits just right.
posted by litnerd at 5:20 PM on December 18, 2011 [3 favorites]

I've found that I only experience discomfort when I switch back and forth between thongs and other underwear styles. I wore thongs only for a few years and found them super comfortable. Now I wear mainly boyshort style underpants and they are great too. But when I run out of clean underpants and wear one of my thongs instead, I find it uncomfortable. Likewise when I've worn thongs for a few days running, and then switch back to boyshorts. I think it's not the thong string itself that is uncomfortable; it's just that the points where the underpants put pressure on your bottom are different for different styles of pants, so you have to get used to them properly.

So my advice is to do a full switch to nothing but thongs, rather than just wearing them when you are wearing nice dresses or tight clothes.
posted by lollusc at 5:43 PM on December 18, 2011

While I also like Hanky Panky thongs, they are a bit too pricey for me- though you can occasionally find them at stores like Loehmann's or TJ Maxx, in which case I'll grab them up.

Otherwise, I love Aerie's Lace Thong and Vintage Lace Thong, which are 5/$25 and they even sometimes run 7/$25 sales. Comfy! Affordable!
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:49 PM on December 18, 2011

I wore nothing but Jockey's No Panty Line Promise Thong for years and years. I found them super comfortable. Now I wear their modern brief, also super comfortable, and minimal pantylines.
posted by looli at 6:02 PM on December 18, 2011

One thing to make sure of is that you're wearing the right size. A thong that's too small is way more uncomfortable than a thong that fits just right.

I would add that the reverse is also true - don't size up because the underwear looks smaller. Buy your regular size. Too big, and it will move around on you and not be comfortable at all.
posted by shrieking violet at 6:10 PM on December 18, 2011

Seconding Aerie's thongs (really all of their panties are well made and comfortable).
posted by dchrssyr at 6:18 PM on December 18, 2011

I agree with what most people have said - size is very important. I would go to a store and buy different types and see what you find most comfortable. A thong should really feel like you're not wearing anything.

For my thongs, I either hand wash them (a lot of them are lace) or wash on cool and then air dry.

I personally love thongs, and for a long time they were the only things I wore (now I've moved to the booty short type panties). They may be intimidating, but they can be very comfortable and they boost your self esteem a bit too. Good luck.
posted by Danithegirl at 6:48 PM on December 18, 2011

I'll second the modal thongs from Target as good starter panties (sorry, just made myself giggle a little there) if you aren't ready to invest in something pricier. They're very light and comfortable.
posted by elizeh at 7:35 PM on December 18, 2011

It's worth mentioning that thongs don't always eliminate panty lines. Sometimes they just produce thong-shaped panty lines. And if you're wearing a lightweight, flowy skirt or pants, you run the risk of the fabric getting stuck between your butt cheeks when you walk. Awkward.

The best way to avoid panty lines, thong or no thong, is to get undies as flat and seamless as possible, so they lay next to the skin and don't have any raised areas. Wide, stretchy lace waistbands, like on Hanky Panky, are quite good.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:50 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

A more minimalist approach are the Gilligan and O'malley modal thongs at Target. They're cheap and basically as little underwear as you can wear and still technically be wearing anything, but they're super soft and comfortable.

Seconded. I can't be bothered to hand wash or hang dry my underwear, but these are cheap enough that I don't mind the extra wear & tear.
posted by desuetude at 8:07 PM on December 18, 2011

If the thongs don't work for you, Commando undies are very good for no-lines-under-anything.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:12 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

You should buy thongs made of 100% cotton or silk-- or as close to that percentage as possible. Synthetic thongs cause a lot more infections than ones made of natural fibers, which will definitely be something to consider if you wear thongs every day.

Regardless, you should not wear thongs when you are working out. Because of the sweat factor, the bacteria from your rear end travels on the string of the thong to your vaginal area and can cause infections.
posted by devymetal at 9:06 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Also a big fan of Hanky Panky. Sign up for their email list and you'll get emails about their sales. I only buy them on sale, and stock up on them then.
posted by gingerbeer at 10:05 PM on December 18, 2011

Oh, and I wash them in the washing machine on cold and hang them to dry.
posted by gingerbeer at 10:24 PM on December 18, 2011

hrm. my link didn't show: Commando underwear at Nordstrom, reviewed at Daily Candy.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:00 AM on December 19, 2011

Nthing Hanky Panky. The only thong I (and many of my friends) will wear regularly. I have had good luck at the Gap - with their "super soft" line.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 10:04 AM on December 19, 2011

The lace-all-around undies, such as Hanky Panky, led to some very unpleasant jeans seam pinching in front for me. I like Aerie's lace-on-top-normal-cloth-on-the-bottom approach.
posted by anaelith at 10:18 AM on December 19, 2011

I agree with rachaelfaith's comment about lace thongs. The good styles have a thicker band of lace that is is elastic all over, which is a big improvement over a thong with a thin elastic string because the string applies too much... um... psi... on key underwear regions.
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:03 PM on December 19, 2011

The butt-floss part should be as thin as possible. I fond the ones where it is an inch wide with seams very irritating and uncomfortable, but the ones with just a 1/4 inch elastic strap are just fine and never bother me. And yes, make sure it's not too small.
posted by catatethebird at 6:55 PM on December 19, 2011

Also, looking at the pic of the Hanky Panky style, that triangle of fabric in back would totally irritate my skin. And of course, there is just an adjustment period where you get used to thongs. I wear them about 20% of the time, and boy shorts most of the rest, with no problems, but back in the day they took some getting used to.
posted by catatethebird at 6:59 PM on December 19, 2011

Be sure to do a mirror check! I suspect that leering members of the public find "thong lines" more entertaining than panty lines.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 12:07 PM on December 20, 2011