The 5 Best Women’s Underwear of 2025
Top pick
This pricey pair is durable, and it comes in dozens of colors and the widest range of sizes among our picks. But even though the lace fabric is comfy and stretchy, it’s not buttery-soft.
The Hanky Panky Signature Lace Boyshort defied our expectations, in the best ways. This style can be a nightmare if it cuts in too tightly at the thigh, and lace has a reputation for being fussy and delicate. But this pair won over all of our panelists with its flattering fit, comfort, and quality.
They’re made of stretchy nylon lace. The Signature Lace Boyshort is made of the same elastic, durable nylon lace as Hanky Panky’s well-known thongs. The material is sheer, with opaque detailing that provides some modest coverage. More than one tester commented that the woven lace made them feel “sexy.”
Though the intricate floral pattern looks like it could be scratchy, it’s surprisingly innocuous—not extremely soft, but not annoying, either. Plus, there are no side seams to dig into your hips, and the gusset (crotch liner) is made from smooth, breathable Supima cotton (a luxurious, extra-long-staple cotton).
The cheeky cut hugs curves. While boy shorts are typically cut straight across the thigh, with full rear coverage, the Signature Lace Boyshort has a slightly more-revealing, figure-enhancing design. The waist and leg openings are cut at an angle, to create a flattering V-shape, and these boy shorts show a hint of cheek in the back. “I can’t get over how great these made my butt look,” one tester said.
Most of our underwear picks have a front panel and a back panel attached by side seams. But the Signature Lace Boyshort has a single center seam, allowing it to smoothly hug the hips. Its wide, angled leg holes don’t dig into the thighs like those of traditional boy shorts. And the medium rise and flexible waistband were especially great for testers who had loose skin around their bellies.
The Signature Lace Boyshort doesn’t create panty lines under clothing, either: The lace edging lies flat, secured to the body of the underwear with strong zigzag stitching.
They come in tons of colors and sizes. The Signature Lace Boyshort is available in more sizes (XS to 3X) than any of our picks; the largest size fits hips up to 58 inches, according to the company’s size guide. Plus-size pairs (1X to 3X) have a slightly thicker, more-substantial lace waistband.
Depending on where you shop, these boy shorts come in more than two-dozen colors, patterns, and material variations.
They’re built to last, if treated right. The Signature Lace Boyshort’s stretchy nylon lace is hardier and less prone to snagging than silk lace. And the stitching is sturdy at the seams and around the waist and leg openings.
Hanky Panky recommends hand-washing the Signature Lace Boyshort. Yet after months of wear and machine-washing (gentle cycle), our pairs have held up well. Be sure to put them in a mesh laundry bag; otherwise, the lace can get caught on zippers and buttons. And skip the dryer—these undies will last longer if they’re air-dried.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- The nylon lace isn’t itchy, but it also isn’t particularly soft.
- You can’t be careless with these lace undies and expect them to go the distance. One tester who machine-washed and -dried hers—sans lingerie bag—reported that they tore in under a year.
- This is our most expensive pick. These boy shorts are currently just under $35, which is pretty pricey, even if the quality and fit are great. But they do go on sale at department stores and online outlets like Zappos.
Details
- Size range: XXS (32- to 33-inch hips) to XL (44- to 46-inch hips); plus sizes 1X (47- to 50-inch hips) to 3X (55- to 58-inch hips)
- Fabric: 100% nylon body; 90% nylon, 10% spandex trim; 100% Supima cotton gusset
- Colors: over two-dozen, including various skin tones, evergreen classics like black and navy, and brights
- Care instructions: Hand-wash this pair in cool water; air-dry.
