How to Keep Your Underwear from Showing

Co-authored by LaTricia Brown

Last Updated: January 28, 2023 References

For many women, underwear can be a fashion Achilles heel. Finding a pair that is simultaneously comfortable, affordable and invisible can feel next to impossible, especially if you're working with a particularly tight or short piece of clothing. Thankfully, lingerie retailers have worked hard to supply women with multiple options for cuts and colors, so that when you walk out the door in the morning, you can feel confident that your underwear line is nowhere to be found.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Underwear

1
Wear a thong. A thong is the go-to underwear of choice for fashion stylists for many reasons – they're completely invisible under even the tightest pants and skirts, plus because they lack seams, they can sometimes be more comfortable to sit on.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}
- In addition to reducing panty lines, wearing a thong can also help cure any acne you might have on your backside.
- Certain fabrics cause friction when they rub up against the skin, which can lead to acne. Wear a cotton thong to avoid or help clear up any pimples you might have on your butt.
- Many people prefer thongs because it's almost impossible to grow out of them. Since there is less fabric, thongs tend to grow and shrink to accommodate any weight fluctuations you may have.
- Wear a thong underneath a pair of tight fitting jeans or skirt.
2
Try a G-string. The G-string or V-string as it's sometimes called, is the skimpiest form of underwear. G-strings are similar to thongs, but with even less coverage on the back and sides.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}^{[3]
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- Wear a G-string with a bodycon dress or in any situation where you might otherwise choose to forgo underwear entirely.
- G-strings are also a good choice if you're planning to wear a sheer dress or skirt.
3
Experiment with boyshorts. If you can't bear to part with your fuller cut underwear, boyshorts might be a good alternative for you. Boyshorts are cut similar to briefs, but they fall under the butt cheek, which means they are less likely to be noticed underneath tight pants or skirts.^{[4]
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- Look for a lace boyshort – the lace will help the panty line look less conspicuous.
- Always choose a flat lace. Textured lace will cause your underwear to bunch underneath your clothing.
- Wear a boyshort under yoga pants for coverage and comfort as you work out.
4
Invest in laser cut underwear. Laser cut underwear is the thinnest form of underwear available on the market and is meant to look and feel like you aren't wearing underwear at all.^{[5]
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- Laser cut underwear comes in a variety of different cuts, so you can find a pair that feels comfortable for you.
- Because laser cut underwear is seamless, it will never unravel after a wash.
5
Wear a jockstrap under fitted dress pants. Men can get panty lines too, so if you're wearing a pair of tailored pants that hugs your rear, you may want to swap out the boxers for a jockstrap.^{[6]
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- Jockstraps can be purchased online or in sporting goods stores.
- If you don't feel comfortable wearing a jockstrap, a pair of briefs is the next best thing for fitted pants.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Concealing Your Underwear Without Changing It

1
Cover up with shapewear. Shapewear is designed to smooth out any unintentional lumps and bumps you might have. Shapewear is available in a variety of cuts for both tops and bottoms and can be purchased at a Target or department store near you.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}^{[8]
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- Wear shapewear if you plan on wearing anything formfitting.
- To choose the correct size in shapewear, measure your waist and the fullest part of your hips.^{[9]
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- Treat shapewear like regular lingerie – hand wash it in cold water and allow it to air dry.
- You do not need to wear underwear underneath your shapewear.
2
Pick the right fabric. There are certain fabrics that naturally disguise panty lines and the thicker the fabric, the less likely you are to see any underwear. If you are going to wear something tight on your lower half, select a thick fabric, like denim or wool; the more textured the fabric, the better.^{[10]
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- If you still want to wear fabrics like jersey or silk, look for clothing in loose cuts.
- Prints can also be useful in disguising panty lines.
3
Add another layer. If you're wearing a tight skirt, try creating a barrier between your underwear and your skirt. You can do this by adding a layer of tights or pantyhose, or by slipping a light slip under your skirt.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.}^{[12]
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- You can also wear tights under your pants in the winter to add another layer of warmth and to conceal your underwear line.
- Get rid of static electricity by running your skirt and slip through a wire hanger a couple of times before trying them on.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding the Right Underwear for Each Outfit

1
Wear nude underwear under white pants. White pants are a summertime classic, but if you choose the wrong underwear, they can be a disaster. Choose your nude underwear in a color that closely mimics your skin tone.
- If you don't have nude underwear, a light gray pair will also work.
- Avoid wearing white or black underwear underneath white pants – both colors are equally noticeable.
2
Wear simple underwear under your wedding dress. Choosing lingerie for a wedding is tricky; you want your underwear to be beautiful for your wedding night, but invisible during the ceremony and reception.^{[13]
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- Keep in mind the silhouette of your gown. For example, a gown with sheer panels or a plunging neckline is best to wear with a nude or skin tone seamless panty.^{[14]
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  Expert Source
  
  LaTricia Brown
  Master Tailor & Creative Director
  Expert Interview. 9 July 2021.}
- Choose your underwear in a color that matches your skin tone.
- Avoid pretty details, like bows. Those details might show through your dress, even if the rest of the underwear doesn't.
- Choose your underwear in a size bigger than normal so bulges won't be visible through the dress.
- If you have your heart set on wearing a certain piece of lingerie on your wedding night, change into your fancy underwear after you remove your dress.
3
Be comfortable while working out. Depending on who you are and your underwear preferences, this advice may sound like heresy. But there are times when going sans underwear can be effective – for instance, when you're working out.^{[15]
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- If you are going to go bare during a workout, make sure to wear bottoms with built in underwear or moisture wicking capabilities.
- Avoid thongs when working out. The friction caused by your thong sliding around as you work out may cause UTIs or other bacterial infections.
- If you are going to wear underwear when working out, look for fabrics that are non-abrasive and that have flat seams.
- Men should wear boxer briefs for sports with medium intensity and jockstraps for high intensity sports.^{[16]
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4
Pick the right underwear for a romantic occasion. Most of the time you want to cover your underwear up, but when it comes to date night, you want to make sure your underwear is ready to be seen. Follow these tips to pick out a lingerie that works for your body type.^{[17]
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- If you're petite, try ruffles to suggest an hourglass figure and a push up bra to give your curves a boost.
- If you're curvy, try an underwire lace bra with a high waisted panty.
- If your body type is athletic, wear a baby doll nightie with a garter.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I stop a bra from showing through thin, white material?

Community Answer

You can wear skin-colored bras, so that they are less likely to show through the material.
Question

Does this article apply to babies, toddlers, and/or teens too?

Community Answer

Yes, it can apply to anyone who doesn't want their underwear to show.
Question

What color is non-visible or less visible for a bra when wearing a white shirt, nude or white?

Community Answer

Both should be fine, so long as you have a well-fitting bra. Also, you want your nude bra to match your skin tone somewhat, which also helps to make it less visible. Personally, I use nude.