10 Best Cotton Underwear for Women 2025, Editor Tested | Glamour

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Best Overall: Amazon Essentials Cotton Bikini Underwear

Amazon

Best for Everyday Wear: Hanes ComfortSoft Organic Cotton Briefs

Amazon

Best French-cut: Natori Bliss French-Cut Panties

Amazon

While lacy lingerie will always have its place in my top drawer, nothing beats the best cotton underwear. Forget nylon, lace, and mesh—this natural fiber is soft and moisture-wicking (a must for those of us who finish a workout or, hell, a short walk dripping in sweat). As a professional shopper, I know the specific pain of hunting for panties that hold up, stay seamless under clothes, don’t dig into your skin, and last for more than 10 washes. Below is our list of best cotton underwear for women, according to Glamour editors (myself included). Whether they’re thongs, briefs, bikinis, or boy shorts, we’ve tried them all.

How we chose cotton underwear

Our editors and testers recommended women’s cotton underwear that they’ve worn for at least six months. We evaluated dozens of styles for different body types and of different cuts. Here are the criteria we took into account when narrowing down options for this list:

Is cotton underwear best for vaginal health?

“Cotton underwear helps keep moisture away from the body and eliminates targeted heat,” Monica Grover, MD, ob-gyn and chief medical officer at medi-spa Vspot, tells Glamour. That’s a good thing, she says, since “overheating or moisture can disturb women’s pH and resistance to antibacterial treatment options.” Unlike synthetic materials, which have a tendency to trap heat, “cotton is naturally hypoallergenic,” says Dr. Grover, “which helps to alleviate any irritation—allowing for your vulva and vagina to breathe.”

Does that mean you should toss out all of your synthetic undies? Not exactly. But you might want to be more intentional about when you wear them—and consider cotton underwear, especially for workouts when other fabrics will keep you wetter and may lead to irritation or infection, says Beri Ridgeway, MD, an ob-gyn and cofounder of Ina, a brand of intimate skin care products.

What’s the difference between synthetic and cotton?

The biggest difference between cotton and synthetic materials is how they’re produced. “Natural fabrics, such as cotton, are made of animal- or plant-based fibers, while synthetics are man-made and produced entirely from chemicals to create fabrics like polyester, rayon, acrylic, and many others,” says Dr. Grover. Unsurprisingly, our skin reacts differently to these types of materials, so it’s worth paying attention to the fabrics that feel good on your body and skin—and the ones that don’t.

Do they have to be 100% cotton?

There are certain people who benefit from wearing cotton underwear more than others. “For a person who has never had vulvar concerns, irritation, or infections, I recommend they wear what makes them happy,” says Dr. Ridgeway. “But for those with irritation, itching, discomfort, or a history of infections, I recommend cotton, because the vulvar skin is delicate and vulnerable to irritants and allergens.”

Dr. Grover also notes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women with vulvodynia (persistent irritation of the vulva) wear 100% cotton underwear to help relieve symptoms.

Is it okay to wear 95% cotton underwear?

You can shop for blends, but the minimum of cotton should be at least 90% for breathability and comfort, says Dr. Grover. (All of the undies in this story are.)

Is cotton underwear better for women going through menopause?

“One-hundred-percent cotton is always best, especially during menopause, since it can prevent friction that can worsen vaginal dryness,” says Erica Montes, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and adviser for women’s health and wellness brand pH-D Feminine Health. Avoid synthetic materials like polyester, which can trap heat, and look for organic cotton options, which can minimize your exposure to irritating dyes and chemicals. Dr. Montes advises choosing looser-fitting underwear. “Comfort is important, especially since the vulva and vagina are changing during menopause, and the skin can be more prone to irritants and infections,” she says.

Meet our experts

Amazon

These basic undies are lightweight, tag-free, and less than $3 a piece. “I wouldn’t call these completely wedgie-proof. Does such a thing truly exist? But they come close,” says Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz. “I recommend sizing up, though. While I’m usually a true small or size 4, the band, which sits right at the bikini line, digs a bit in a small,” she says. “They’re also a proper bikini panty, meaning the elastic—which lies flat—sits right at the hip bone but low at the tummy. So if you prefer more of a hipster (like I do), you might want to check out my favorite Gap or Aerie options (later in this list). Bonus: These come in cute prints—I’m partial to the stripes and stars.” She adds, “The fabric is soft, and after multiple washes, they haven’t stretched.”

Amazon

I own a pack of these Hanes, and they’re the undies I reach for when I’m in need of full coverage. They’re not the cutest underwear I own, but when I’m feeling particularly bleh, they’re high-waist, soft, and just what I want on my body. Schwartz, as well as Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, owns them too. “I have really sensitive skin, and these cotton briefs are not just super comfortable, but they also don’t irritate the way other materials often do,” says Radloff. Schwartz notes that the band is quite thick, though, so if you prefer a pair that you can forget you’re wearing, this might not be the set for you. On the plus side, “they don’t shift around as much as my beloved Gap undies while I sleep, and because of the high band, I do feel like I’m wearing tummy-control underwear,” she says. Plus, they’re made of organic cotton, which is free of dyes and chemicals that irritate the skin.

Amazon

I love these because they’re so comfortable, lightweight, and pretty. I own a lot of big, balloon-y cotton panties that I wear to bed and on days that I feel bloated, but these are sexy, with flirty lace trim. Their design has two overlapping pieces of fabric that rise high enough on my leg, with soft enough material, that they never, ever dig into my skin. They lie totally flat and seamless under my tight leggings, are airy and breathable, smooth across my stomach area, and hit right below my belly button. Their pima cotton is silky soft and cooling too. My only complaints? They’re quite expensive, and I’ve noticed that after maybe 15 washes in the machine, they’ve started to sag a little. You’re supposed to hand-wash them, but I’m a little lazy.

ThirdLove

This organic cotton underwear is a standout; our reviewer raves about its extreme softness and breathability, and says that it’s not too constricting. The eco-friendly fabric is a big plus, and she appreciates the high-quality feel and full-coverage fit that offers light tummy compression. “You forget you’re wearing these, which is a total plus—there’s no slippage up or around areas that you don’t want fabric—but if you, like me, ignore care instructions and toss them in the wash anyway, you won’t get as much longevity out of them,” says Schwartz. The briefs include a 100% cotton gusset (the piece of extra fabric sewn into the crotch that helps with moisture-wicking and odor).

Amazon

These fuss-free, comfortable thongs have an extremely stretchy elastic band that easily adjusts without rolling down and high-cut leg openings that don’t dig into your skin or ride up in the back. The cotton material wicks away sweat and moisture, and Glamour contributor Maria Navarro says they hold up throughout the day—whether you’re working out, going to work, or out for the night. They also withstand washes without losing their shape. You can snag a six-pack for under $20. They’re not totally seamless, though, so depending on how tight your clothing is, that’s something to keep in mind.

Amazon

“I’ve worn this underwear pretty much exclusively for the last two years, which may not sound like a big deal, but in those two years, I’ve been pregnant and had my daughter, so my shape has changed a lot,” says fashion writer and Glamour contributor Anna Vognsen. Each breathable pair has a wide, thick waistband that’s double-layered to provide extra compression, which can feel helpful during bodily changes like weight gain, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. “They’re just high-rise enough to provide all-day support, but they don’t come up over my waistband or dig in,” says Vognsen. “I never notice them while I’m wearing them, but I do notice that on the days I don’t, other underwear just doesn’t feel as comfortable or as supportive.” Also worth a shout-out? These are some of the best plus-size underwear, with pairs that fit up to 51.1-inch hips.

Amazon

This hipster underwear has the full-coverage of briefs, but the lower-rise of bikini undies. Each pair is made of a soft, breathable cotton with a touch of spandex for stretch that doesn’t feel restrictive. Its bands are thin and lie flat, and it’s tag-free so that the panties are totally seamless under tighter leggings and dresses. There’s a cotton gusset that wicks moisture too. I love that they come in a ton of colors—and not just your basic black and white, either, but neons, too—and how durable they are after multiple washes.

Nordstrom

Hanky Panky is a best-selling lingerie brand (and Glamour editor favorite) due to how comfortable its intimates are—and primarily, its thongs. I have a couple in my collection, and though I low-key avoid the flossing-my-butt feeling of thongs, I reach for these when a tricky outfit requires one. I have to say, they’re pretty close to perfect—so much stretchier than most thongs, but yet they somehow hold their shape even through years of washing. The Supima cotton in these thongs is so soft and its beautiful lace never scratches my skin. They’re expensive, yes, but if you’re a thong girlie, you won’t regret having a pack of these in rotation.

Amazon

At some point in my 30s, I started wearing shorts under all of my dresses. They help with thigh chafing and make me feel more covered in case my skirt blows up. Though there’s nothing sexy about these Hanes boy shorts, they’re functional and soft. Also, I’m never stuck on the wedgie train, they’re very comfy, and they’re short and tight enough so that I can still technically wear them as underwear. Though they’re not high-rise enough to offer tummy control, they’re perfect for many of my skirts that have lower waistlines.

Skims

The gentle, extra-high-waisted elastic of these Skims briefs covers and lightly supports your baby bump, adapting as you grow (but not stretching out, so you can wear them postpartum too). The lightweight cotton-jersey fabric is supersoft and breathable—ideal when changes in your body temperature and sensitivity call for cooling, moisture-wicking materials. One of my friends wore these during her pregnancy. “They’re so, so soft and didn’t make me feel stifled and sweaty,” she says. “They covered my bump and kept it in place while I moved. I kept wearing them even after I gave birth, so they were really worth their value.”