Gift Buying Guide - Styles of Women's Underwear

If you're planning to surprise the special woman in your life with sexy lingerie or underwear, it pays to understand the many types available today. This is something most men just aren't familiar with, but it makes all the difference to the person who will actually wear it! You want to get her style right and choose something that suits her personality as well, so here's an overview of the styles of underwear for women to help you shop around for exactly what you're looking for.

Sexy Styles of Women's Underwear

If you're buying her a gift, you probably want something that will make her look and feel sexy. The following styles are good choices, but there are a few added to the end that, while not traditionally considered sexy, may make her feel more comfortable and allow her inner vixen to shine through.

Wide-Waistband Thong

This style is perfect for women who love string thongs but still appreciate a bit more coverage. This style isn't incredibly skimpy because it has a wide lace waistband that stays under clothing with no panty line. It also pairs beautifully with sexy lingerie!

Boy-Short Thong

This style is good for avoiding bulges in the midsection but doesn't constrict like a high-waist style. It hugs the hips yet sits low on the waist. 

G-String

This is a style of thong with no coverage at the rear and just a narrow strip at the back that extends to the waistband. This style of women's underwear more than any other offers no coverage, making it a clear choice for pairing with lingerie. It's definitely for a confident woman, though, so see if she already wears this style on her own.

String Bikini

The string bikini is a type of underwear modeled after women's string bikinis on the beach. They sit about three inches below the waist and the front and back of the bikini have a triangle of fabric for just a bit of coverage on the rear.

Basic Bikini

The basic bikini is one of the most popular styles of underwear for women and it offers moderate coverage.

High-Waist Brief

These underwear are available now in a neat retro style and sit high at the natural weight to conceal the tummy without a heavy-duty shaper feel. If she loves the Bettie Page pin-up style, she might appreciate this style.

Hipster Brief

This style sits below the belly button and keeps the bottom fully covered, making it a more modern and sexy version of the high-waist brief. This style is preferred by women who like wearing low-cut pants.

Boy shorts

This style is actually modeled after men's briefs with a rectangular shape, but the waistband sits low on the waist in most cases and some styles have short legs that extend a bit down the thigh.

A Word About Fabric Choice

Finally, don't forget to consider fabric choice as well. There are many choices, but the most common is cotton, because it's soft, has give and is comfortable to wear. Satin and silk are also common choices for their cool, smooth texture and shiny appearance, which makes them a great choice for pairing with lingerie. Specialty underwear are also available in latex, PVC, lace and mesh, but they aren't comfortable for long-term use. These choices are best for lingerie that will only be worn for a short time for their aesthetic appeal.