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Find anything you save across the site in your account Cotton Chemical Lace
By Andrea Navarro , Brigitt Earley , and Malia Griggs
While no-show thongs and sexy lingerie will always have a spot in our top drawer, nothing beats finding the best cotton underwear for women for everyday wear. The natural fiber is known for being soft and breathable, and when you consider everything that’s happening down there (especially during sweaty workouts or on a hot day), you really want a reliable pair that'll hold up. Maybe finding the best underwear isn't high on your list of exciting things to do—but it is on ours! Below, we humble Glamour editors and reviewers share our gold-standard undies. You know, the ones we pull out again and again from our drawers because of how good they feel against our skin, how seamless they are under our clothes, and—above all—how breathable. From thongs you can wear everyday to stylish Skims briefs to basic Hanes, here are our tested and loved picks for best cotton women's underwear.
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All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
These undies are lightweight, tag-free, and less than $3 a piece. “The lightweight jersey truly feels like a second skin under whatever I'm wearing: jeans, leggings…you name it,” says one Glamour tester. “I stocked up on these postpartum, because I didn't care if I ruined them, but haven't looked back. I love them!” They come in a wide range of sizes, as well as packs of 3, 6, and 10.
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Cotton underwear doesn’t have to look plain. Natori’s French-cut briefs have a pretty lace trim for those who like their staples to have a little something extra. “I love this pair not only because it's so comfortable, but also because it pairs nicely with my favorite everyday bra,” says one Glamour tester.
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This organic cotton underwear is a standout, with users raving about its extreme softness and breathability.The eco-friendly fabric is a big plus, and wearers appreciate the high-quality feel and full-coverage design. “I'm absolutely in love with these,” says Glamour tester Amaya. “The organic cotton is so soft and breathable, and I like that they have a high-waist fit, so I feel extra secure in them.”
All cotton is not created equal, at least in texture, and the Supima cotton in Everlane's underwear is known for its super softness—which is why you'll find it's such a top-seller. We're impressed by how seamless the thongs are, with a double-layered construction you don't see on most other thongs—meaning it stays put and stands up to crotch sweat (er, moisture).
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We've written about Kim Kardashian's Skims’s intimates a few times now, and that's because they're actually worth the hype. At the top of our list are its stretch-cotton briefs: The design is inspired by men’s boxers (the ribbing and stitching give it that sporty vibe), and the thick elastic band is practically begging to be showed off from under your high-waist jeans. “These give such cool-girl vibes,” says one Glamour tester. “I feel like I should be in some sort of photo shoot, but—nope—just lounging at home, living my best life.” Of note: a three-pack of these high-leg briefs is $36 (in case you're looking to save a little)—and the brand also makes some super cute boy shorts and boxers.
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“My skin is really sensitive, and these cotton briefs are not just super comfortable, but they also don't irritate my skin like other materials often do," says Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff. Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs owns a pack as well and says they're the undies she reaches for when she's in need of full coverage. “They're not the cutest underwear I own, but when I'm feeling particularly bloated, they're high-waisted, soft, and just what I want on my body,” she says.
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Calvin Klein's logo undies have been a women's and men's wardrobe staple since the ’80s. This multipack is a classic buy that can survive endless wash cycles. “These are so effortless,” says one Glamour tester. “And I love that the brand makes coordinating bras in all different styles.”
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For a no-frills, classic option, check out these soft cotton undies from Subset (formerly known as Knickey). One Glamour tester says these plus size-friendly cotton panties are great for buying in bulk (a pack of three costs $50, instead of $20 a pair) and loves the variety to mix and match. There are a ton of different silhouettes—from low-rise thongs to mid-rise bikini styles—to high-rise briefs and come in a range of colors. Our testers appreciates the fact that you can buy these with or without a leg elastic, too. The brand remains big on sustainability and recycling, and accepts all kinds of underwear, bras, socks, and tights (kids too!) which it uses for new materials like insulation, carpet padding, and furniture batting in exchange for $15 in-store credit.
Gap’s hipsters are basic in a good way. They're made from stretchy cotton, so they move with your body seamlessly—and the elastic trim on the waistband and leg openings adds a bit of structure. “These feels like second skin, thanks to the barely-there elastic and touch of spandex, which also help them lie flat instead of totally digging in,” says Glamour director of commerce Brie Schwartz. “Plus, they wash exceptionally well. I’ve had some pairs for years—should I admit that?—and they still look fresh after countless laundry sessions.”
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Several of our reviweres nodded to Pact's underwear as their top pick. “They're just good, basic, 100% cotton undies that I know come from a sustainable brand. They're breathable, durable, and don't ride up or give me wedgies,” says Glamour tester Katherine Howell-Kiser. All of Pact's clothing prioritizes the environment, including its intimates. Its cotton is GOTS-certified organic and Fair Trade Certified—meaning that it's met rigorous ecological criteria for its production as well as its responsible treatment of its farmers and workers.
Here are some cheeky-cute (not a word, but sure) undies that are Amazon bestsellers for their lacy appeal and affordable pricing. Shoppers are fans of the wide range of colors that come in each pack, and how the panties feel a little bit sexy but not too sexy. Worth noting: You may want to size up, and be sure to wash them on the gentle cycle so as not to mess up the lace trim.
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If softness is your top priority, you'll love these lightweight hipster briefs. Organic cotton tends to be gentler than regular cotton, making it a great option for people with sensitive-skin concerns. “ThirdLove is my go-to for all undergarments,” says one Glamour tester. “You can't beat the comfort, the fit is pristine, and you can always find a good matching set.”
“If you had asked me a few years ago to tell you what my favorite thongs are, I would've laughed in your face—you could not have paid me to wear one,” says Glamour tester Maria Navarro, who clearly had a change of heart thanks to this variety pack from Hanes. “I got these on Amazon because I was tired of visible panty lines underneath leggings, and now I regret not giving thongs another shot earlier,” she adds. These fuss-free thongs are extremely stretchy and don't dig into your skin or ride up your back to the point of discomfort.
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Bridal Lace Embroidery Designs “This is TMI, but I truly hate wearing undies, so I make it my mission to find seamless underwear that feels like nothing,” says Glamour tester Mia Nunez. These boy shorts from Aerie and designed to look and feel like a second layer of skin. They're buttery soft and don't cling onto your body whatsoever. “These leave no visible panty lines underneath my clothes, and I usually wear them with more formfitting things like leggings or body-con dresses,” she says.