Home » The Ultimate Guide to Understance Underwear
The Ultimate Guide to Understance Underwear
We currently offer 7 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
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
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 Lace
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
6. Sculpt
54% spandex, 46% polyamide
Shaping level:
8/10 (8 = can clearly feel the compression and it requires some wiggling to put on and take off. Has some give so it’s not punishing to wear.)
Pros:
This is our take on shapewear. It’s softer and more comfortable compared to traditional options. Made with boning at the waist, the waistband doesn’t roll down. This is shapewear you can breathe and comfortably eat in.
Cons:
The fabric is quite firm and isn’t the most breathable (though the gusset is 100% cotton).
Available sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
7. Soft Contour 2.0
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:
Compared to the original Soft Contour, this new version has an improved no-roll design. For the Bike Shorts, we reinforced the leg openings to prevent them from rolling up at the thigh. For the Brief and Thong, we added a wide elastic waistband to prevent it from rolling down at the waist.
Cons: Fabric is on the delicate side. Wash and dry with care!
Available sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, 4XL
What do you recommend for someone who has problems finding underwear that don’t give her wedgies? I carry a lot of excess weight in the stomach and buttocks & have an awful time finding underwear that fits properly and is made with a breathable fabric like cotton.
Hi there, we recommend the Pima Cotton Ultra High-Rise Boyshorts. Styles with fuller back coverage (boyshorts, hipsters, bike shorts) will do better than briefs and bikinis.
Any plans for a low-rise underwear option? I’m probably in the minority, but grew up in the 90s / early 2000s and I still prefer low-rise pants, which don’t work well with not low-rise underwear.
Hi Elizabeth, we have a low to mid rise Pima Cotton collection in the works. It’s positioned as a simple and affordable line with fun colours.
Looking for post-op (laparoscopic hysterectomy) high-rise, breathable and soft undies. Needs to gently cover incisions – one in navel. Others have recommended disposable mesh briefs but they are disposable, and don’t look comfy or soft. Usually wear bamboo or cotton Jockeys. Recommendations for your line, please. Thank you!
Hi there, we recommend the Pima Cotton Ultra-Highs (available in brief and boyshorts), or the Bubble Ultra High-Rise Bike Shorts. All three are soft with a hint of compression, and come up high enough to cover the belly button for most.
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?
Hi there, we recommend the Bubble High-Rise Brief, or Bubble High-Rise Boyshorts.
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
Hi there, we recommend the Pima Cotton line for your needs, especially the Ultra High-Rise Brief.
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.
We will include 4X as a regular size in future product planning!
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.
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.