The Ultimate Guide to Understance Underwear

We currently offer 5 core underwear product lines.

1. Soft Contour

Fabric:
69% modal, 31% Lycra® spandex 

Shaping level:
5/10 (5 = smooth out lines and unevenness in the skin, but won’t make you look a size smaller. Can feel light compression.)
 

Pros:
Modal is a plant-based fiber (made from birch tree pulp). It’s natural, breathable, and cool to the touch (in comparison, cotton is true neutral, and most synthetic fibers are warm to the touch). The free-cut fabric also makes this product line pretty invisible under tight clothes.
 

Cons:
Leg opening can roll up (especially on the 4’’ inseam bike shorts). Center-front seams on bike shorts are not fun to look at, though they are quite soft and will not chafe. 
 

Notes:
If you want a more contouring effect (more compression in the stomach area), choose a size down from what you usually wear. 
 

Available sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

2. Pima Cotton

Fabric:
88% Pima cotton, 12% Lycra
® spandex 

Shaping level: 4/10 (4 = light smoothing effect on the stomach, doesn’t make you look smaller. Can barely feel any compression.) 

Pros: Pima cotton is unmatched in breathability and hand-feel. It’s soft and supple, but quite tough when it comes to pilling- and fading-resistance. The fold-over waistband keeps everything in and feels like a hug. The leg opening is wide, but because it’s very soft, doesn’t chafe or strangle your legs. 

Cons: Leg opening tends to roll up (especially on the boyshorts). Material is on the thinner side and can be somewhat see-through in light colors. 

Available sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

3. Bubble


Fabric:
67% polyamide, 33% spandex
 

Shaping level:
6/10 for high-rise boyshorts and ultra high-rise bike shorts, 4/10 for mid-rise hipster, mid-rise bikini, high-rise brief, and mid-rise thong (6 = targeted compression that lightly flattens stomach area. Feels compressive but not suffocating. 4 = light smoothing effect on stomach, doesn’t make you look smaller. Can barely feel any compression.) 

Pros:
The molded back is the highlight of the Bubble panty collection. The underwear comes with “built-in” volume so they don’t shift around throughout the day or give you wedgies. They are also buttery soft. Our very best underwear for staying undetectable under clothes.
 

Cons:
Compared to natural fibers, synthetic fibers are warmer to the touch. The fabric is still thin so it won’t keep the heat in, but it won’t be as breathable as Pima cotton or modal.  

Available sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

4. Soft Touch


Fabric:
88% modal, 12% spandex
 

Shaping level:
1/10 (1 = no compression, no contouring effect, just some coverage) 

Pros:
Heavenly soft and cool to the touch. Very high-stretch waistband, won’t chafe or dig anywhere.
 

Cons:
The fabric feels slinky. On the lower-rise hipster and thong, the material is not very good at staying put. 
 

Available sizes:
XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL, XXXL/XXXXL

5. Whisper


Fabric:
Body: 43% cotton, 43% modal, 14% spandex  

Lace: 82% polyamide, 18% spandex 

Shaping level:
2/10 (2 = a touch of support, but no real compression) 

Pros:
These panties are breathable with a soft hand feel. They feature a very soft and smooth waistband, and elastic-free double fold leg opening that stays put and doesn’t pinch. There’s a bit of weight to the fabric so it feels substantial but not flimsy. 

Cons:
These panties are not supportive, nor shaping. They’re simple, everyday underwear. 

Available sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

8 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Understance Underwear”

  1. Want something with mid compression – high rise, invisible panty lines and something that doesn’t constantly slip down. Can you make a suggestion within your line?

  2. I am looking for underwear that fits! I have a full belly, a flattish behind, and relatively thin legs. I struggle to find something that fits my belly that is not baggy at the legs or butt. If it fits my legs & backside, it doesn’t cover the belly or has leg hole gaps between the front of my thighs and my belly or rolls off my belly.
    What shape/style would you suggest

  3. I haven’t ordered yet but you have my size in bras which is fantastic but for underwear the sizing just isn’t there. I’m usually a 4x but by your sizing I’d be a 5x and there is no options for that. I’m going to order and see if it fits but I feel like it won’t. You seem like a great brand that I’d like to support so please please please expand your sizing.

  4. I am looking for mid rise hipsters that are suitable for travel – quick drying, light to pack, no wedgies. I have never bought your products before. I also am looking for a sports style bra and a second non underwire bra; same features, light, very breathable, dries quickly. I hope to order in the next few days when your 40% sale is on.

    1. Hi Deborah,

      We would recommend the Pima Cotton Mid-Rise Brief, which will be on our website next week. It’s light, breathable, wedgie-free, though not as quick drying as synthetic materials. For supportive wireless styles, it will depend on your size. Our best selling wireless bras are Soft Sculpt Back-Close and Cate. They are both good travel bras.

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