We Asked 17 Women What They Love and Hate Most About Shopping for Underwear — Here’s What They Had to Say
Underwear. Thongs, briefs, boyshorts, or somewhere in between, you probably have some feelings about shopping for it. And you’re not alone. So, we asked more than a dozen incredibly talented women to share the good, the bad, plus the underwear-shopping grievances they’re still holding onto. Chances are, you’ll relate to at least a few.
A great underwear haul can mean finding a new favorite cut, discovering a brand that gets the fit right, or spotting something so good you start planning what to wear it under. Of course, shopping can also bring size charts that make no sense, cuts that fit nothing like the photos, and fabrics that don’t survive more than a few washes. As part of our ongoing conversations about what women want from their underwear, we decided to ask them directly.
We polled 17 women, including creators and models, to find out what brings them back to the underwear aisle and what makes them want to leave empty-handed. Destini Gwyn, for example, loves “that it feels like shopping for myself and no one else,” though she could happily skip how “inconsistent sizing can be across brands.” Meanwhile, Summer-Poppy Leach enjoys being able to shop garments that make her “feel confident and beautiful” but hates when “the knickers are always too big.” Read what everyone we spoke with had to say below.
Summer-Poppy Leach
“My favorite thing about shopping for underwear is that I absolutely love being able to purchase garments that make me feel confident and beautiful! I love treating myself and giving myself what I deserve!
However, my least favorite thing about shopping for underwear is when there’s a bra and knickers set and the bra fits great, but the knickers are always too big, as I have a large bust size and a smaller waist size. “
Nicole Polland
“My favorite thing about shopping for underwear is finding pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable at the same time. My least favorite thing is how inconsistent sizing can be between different brands, as it can make it really difficult to know what size to buy, especially when shopping online.”
Erica Sheley
“My favorite thing is finally finding the perfect fit. My confidence goes through the roof, and I really feel like that girl. My least favorite thing is when brands stop their sizing before women like me. It can make you feel like you weren’t even considered. “
Georgina Stephanie James
“My favorite thing is finding pieces that make me feel confident from the moment I put them on. I love beautiful lingerie, especially a matching set, as it’s such a simple thing that can make you feel put together and confident. As I’ve got older, I really value good quality underwear that not only looks beautiful but also feels comfortable and supportive. Beautiful, well-fitting underwear really is the foundation of every outfit.
My least favorite thing is finding the right fit. It can be frustrating when underwear looks beautiful and pretty, but doesn’t feel comfortable once you’re wearing it. Bras that dig in, don’t feel supportive, or don’t sit correctly can really affect how you feel throughout the day. I think the best underwear should combine both style and comfort pieces that make you feel confident, supported, and beautiful without having to think about them.”
Jenny Kleinknecht
“My favorite thing about shopping for underwear is that it’s one of the few things in your wardrobe that’s just for you, and I love the idea of romanticizing something so mundane. Unlike the clothes you wear out into the world, it’s not really about what anyone else sees. I think there’s something really empowering about treating yourself to lingerie or underwear that makes getting dressed feel a little more fun and intentional.
The flip side is that shopping for underwear can also be really intimidating. It means looking at your body honestly and we all have days where that’s harder than others. Instead of focusing on what I’d change about my body, I try to find pieces that fit comfortably and make me feel good. Once you find pieces that genuinely fit you well, getting dressed is a lot more fun, and you can appreciate your body for what it is.”
Camille Griffith
“My favorite thing is discovering a brand that nails comfort, style, quality, and makes me feel confident! My least favorite is when you can see underwear lines through leggings or dresses. I want everything to disappear under my clothes.”
Bri Marie
“My favorite thing about shopping for underwear is finding ones that I absolutely love. My least favorite part would have to be deciding between a neutral for under my clothes or deciding to get a fun color.”
Solene Fisher
“How inconsistent sizing is and how different pants can be in terms of comfortableness, even though they’re just pants and all so similar. I have so many I’ve bought but ignore in my drawer because I just don’t enjoy wearing them, even though they’re the same size as my others — it’s like having a favorite mug. I always reach for my Stripes & Stares or M&S pants, haha.”
Niamh Cowieson
“Underwear shopping is one of my favorite therapies. I love buying cute new pieces that make me feel sexy for myself, even if I’m wandering around looking like an Adam Sandler character. However, comfort for me is key, so I sometimes have trouble finding the right mix of sexy but comfy and practical. The sweet spot for this I’ve found is the seamless bikini underwear line from Victoria’s Secret — 100% cotton, super cute patterns, colors, and perfect for day-to-day wear!
Amanda Sanzari
“My favorite thing about shopping for underwear is finding styles that are both cute and comfortable. It always feels like a little confidence boost. My least favorite thing is how inconsistent sizing can be between brands, making it hard to know what will actually fit without trying everything on.”
Becky Budhoo
“My favorite thing about shopping for underwear is finding pieces that make me feel sexy, comfortable, and confident. I love when a brand like Victoria’s Secret combine soft, high-quality fabrics with cute, feminine designs because it proves you don’t have to choose between style and comfort.
My least favorite thing is when brands prioritize looks over wearability. There’s nothing more disappointing than buying something that looks beautiful but isn’t comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. I think the best underwear should be empowering, making you feel sexy, while still being comfortable.”
Giovana Faggion
“What I love most about lingerie is how it can instantly boost our confidence. If you want to have a great day, take care of yourself, wear a beautiful matching lingerie set, and let yourself feel amazing. Most of the time, no one else will know what you’re wearing, but just knowing it yourself completely changes your confidence and can positively impact the way you carry yourself throughout the day.”
Isabel Megale
“My favorite thing about underwear shopping is the deals that come with it, truthfully. There’s usually a promotion going on where you get the 10th pair for free or something, which I always appreciate because I tend to buy in bulk. My least favorite part might have to be locking eyes with whatever older man is in the store, because there usually is one around. I feel bad because usually he doesn’t want to be there, but unfortunately, he now knows what pairs I’m going to be wearing for the foreseeable future.”
Kaliyah Wozny
“My favorite thing is I feel like you can never have too much underwear, and my least favorite thing is when they don’t fit right or are painful.”
Destini Gwyn
“My favorite part about shopping for underwear is that it feels like shopping for myself and no one else. It’s one of those small rituals that remind me of my femininity. Even if no one else sees it, wearing beautiful underwear changes how I feel throughout the day. There’s something empowering about choosing pieces that make me feel confident and comfortable.
My least favorite part is how inconsistent sizing can be across brands. You can know your size perfectly for one brand, only to order the same size elsewhere and find it fits completely differently. I wish shopping for underwear felt less like trial and error and more like finding pieces that consistently celebrate my body.”
Celine Fonseca
“My favorite part is picking out pretty pieces that make me feel confident. Even if no one else sees them, wearing underwear that I love just makes me feel put together. My least favorite part is that the underwear sections in stores are usually so messy, so it can be frustrating having to dig through everything to find the size or style I’m looking for.”
Lauren Jensen
“When I’m shopping for underwear, I always look at the materials first because, especially with underwear, that’s what matters most. I’ve been loving Fruity Booty, a London-based brand, as well as Cou Cou Intimates. And I do love a SKIMS moment too. My least favorite part is how difficult it can be to find pieces that balance design, natural fabrics, and a truly great fit, especially when you have proportions that don’t always fit the standard size chart. I think that’s why I naturally gravitate toward boutique designers when shopping for underwear; they tend to be much more thoughtful about craftsmanship.”
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