Just like lingerie shoppers, the range and diversity of panty styles is wide and varied: silk, lace, mesh, cotton, briefs, boyshorts, cheeky, thongs, low-rise, high-rise - something for every need, taste, and style. And when it comes to comfort, you don’t want to compromise, which is where high waisted panties come in. High rise, high coverage, high fashion and high comfort, this type of underwear doesn’t compromise on style in order to provide all-day comfort.
Why High-Waisted?
Forget everything you’ve heard about high-waisted panties. Far from being old-fashioned or overly modest, high-waisted underwear has a wide range of advantages, both aesthetic and practical.
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High-coverage
This style is comfortable because it’s higher coverage than a lot of other panties. The high waist covers the stomach and lower back, and depending on the shape, it can also provide coverage for the buttocks. This has a nice supportive effect all around.
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Flattering
Sitting at the natural waist, this style of panties highlights the smallest part of your body and creates a gorgeous, feminine silhouette that flatters all body types. A small waist contrasts the bust and hips, putting your body in the most advantageous, softest, sexiest light. Not to mention that high-waisted, high cut panties make your legs look longer, and who doesn’t want that?
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Smoothing
The high waistline also has the advantage of providing a nice smoothing effect for your stomach and hips. So many women feel self-conscious about this area and rely on shapewear to boost their confidence. But why wear something constricting, when you can enjoy all the benefits with comfortable high-waisted underwear?
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Bloat-friendly
The unfortunate reality of PMS and the symptoms that come with it is that there’s a lot of body fluctuations you need to account for, mainly in the belly area. High-waisted underwear comfortably holds everything in and has a pleasant soothing effect for your suffering belly.
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Non-slip
High-waisted garments have a very secure fit, as they sit at the smallest part of your body. That means they can’t budget during the day and slip off your hips, like mid rise or low rise panties can sometimes do.
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No bunching
Because of their exceptionally secure fit, there is no bunching up under your outfit during the way. They will not slip down, move around, or slide out of place and get caught under your clothes, creating unseemly bulges.
Make Sure You Have the Right Size
Getting the sizing right on lingerie can be tricky at the best of times, but there are a few tricks to keep in mind for a perfect fit.
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Measure & compare
It’s best practice to measure yourself before every online purchase, just to make sure you’ve got your latest and most accurate measurements. That will ensure comfort and longevity. Now, you can closely compare with the available size chart. Depending on the website, you’ll either have body measurements or product measurements available, indicating what’s the appropriate size for your measurements. Our online fit calculator can help you out with the measurements and the size chart.
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Size up
If in doubt or in between sizes, size up, rather than down - we’re looking for a pair of panties that’s as comfortable as possible, and there is nothing worse than tight fitting undies. Remember that for high-waisted panties, you have to take into consideration both the waist measurement and the hip measurement, and they might be very different. Buy for your largest measurement - that will ensure comfort.
Opt for the Right Fabric
Size is one half of the equation, but the other is fabric choice: the fabric can make these the comfiest panties you’ve ever owned, or they can be completely unsuitable for your day.
Cotton is the most obvious choice for all day, everyday regular wear. But it’s not the only comfortable fabric out there. In fact, if you’ve got the right size and style, any material should feel great. Mesh and lace are also flexible and have a lot of give, and they’re by far the sexiest option out there. What’s hotter than a sheer mesh thong like the Dolce Thong HW Black? Silk feels like heaven and it’s a premium option for when you need an extra treat.
Cotton Panties
Cotton is essential in underwear construction, at the very least, for the gusset. A cotton gusset is natural, breathable, and necessary for your intimate health. But even beyond that, cotton is an ideal fabric for panties, because of a few different factors. It’s very soft, which makes it comfortable for all-day wear, as well as flexible, and that means it easily conforms to your body and natural shape. The natural material is breathable, so it won’t actively make you sweat.
However, you should keep in mind that it’s not sweat wicking either; when cotton gets wet, it stays wet, so it may not be ideal for exercise purposes.
Lace Panties
Romantic, enticing, sensual - lace panties are all that and more. While lace is often thought to be strictly for short-term special occasions, quick to be divested of, at Gooseberry we believe that quality is what matters, and it has a huge impact on comfort and appearance, equally. Cheap plastic lace is known to be scratchy, especially if the sizing is off. But a nice, high-quality lace is supple and flexible, and it moves with your body, not against it. Sexiness and sensuality are synonymous with comfort, and relaxation.
The one thing to keep in mind is that lace is particularly delicate, especially the very fine one. That’s why it’s recommended that these pieces be worn carefully, and not with rough clothing, like jeans, snaps, or pins that might snag and rip it.
Mesh Panties
Sheer and flexible, this man-made fabric can also provide effortless, all-day comfort, especially paired with a high waist. Less fragile than lace, but with all its enticing characteristics, this sensual fabric reveals the body sparingly, in a flattering way. Suitable for everyday wear, one of its main enticements is the fact that it’s thin, so there is no bulk under your clothes. Mesh panties are comfortable and luxurious like a second skin that’s supportive and smoothing, while also putting you in the best possible light.
While stronger than lace, it’s still more fragile than sturdier fabrics such as cotton. It can also create chafing with prolonged wear, so not recommended for sleep attire.
Silk Panties
Is there a better feeling than luxurious silk panties right against your skin? This glamorous fabric is soft, smooth, and sensual, suitable for everyday wear and special occasions, alike. This premium natural fabric is breathable and quick drying, which really helps with sweat and moisture, ensuring all-day comfort and temperature regulation. Because it’s so practical, it works for a variety of occasions, from a big board meeting to parties, weddings, or a really sexy night in with a partner.
The only drawback is that it’s higher maintenance than say, cotton, because it requires some care and special attention when it comes to cleaning.
Micro Panties
Part of ensuring comfort is choosing the right option for the day and the activity. When it comes to highly active occasions, like going to the gym, going for a run, even walking all day on a city break - you require a fabric that ensures your comfort by staying dry. That’s where micro comes in. This fabric is geared towards performance and active wearers, so that sweat does not become an all-day problem. Moisture-wicking and quick to dry, micro panties stay dry all day and have the added advantage of minimizing seams.
Because synthetic materials are not very breathable, micro is not recommended for sleeping.
Get the Right Style
There’s a perfect high-waisted panty for every woman out there, you just have to find the right style for you and your needs. Traditional, high-coverage high-rise underwear is certainly comfortable, but it can get in the way of the outfit you want to wear, especially if it’s body-con and the panties bunch up underneath, giving you major VPL and major discomfort. You might want to opt for a thong style - seamless style that’s not visible under any outfit, while still maintaining comfort. A lace thong like the Full on Glam High Waist Ivory is surprisingly elegant and classy, not to mention invisible.
Briefs
PRO: Briefs bring comfort and coverage. These traditional panties are typically made of cotton and are wonderful for everyday wear. They don’t pinch, roll, or slide from your bum cheeks, forcing you to uncomfortably readjust during the day. Also perfect for nighttime or just for long days, when you want to be carefree, secure and unrestricted.
CON: Higher coverage panties can create aesthetic issues such as bunching up under tight clothes. Especially if the fit isn’t right, that’s going to be uncomfortable and aesthetically displeasing. Too big, and they bunch up under your outfit. Too small, and you get the quad butt effect.
Best for: everyday, nighttime
Thongs
PRO: If fitted right, high-waisted thongs are a very set-it-and-forget-it choice. You put them on in the morning and you’re confident that your panties aren’t showing through your work pants, or that slinky wedding guest dress. Nothing worse than VPL in a high-stakes situation like an interview, or a date. Not to mention, they’re a very sexy nighttime choice, should you choose to show off for your own enjoyment, or for a special someone.
CON: The right fit is once again, critical. A tight thong is unpleasant, to say the least, and a loose one will move around or chafe in an uncomfortable way.
Best for: sexy, smoothing effect under clothes, exercise
Style with Complementary Outfits
Do high-waisted panties cramp your style? Absolutely not - in fact, they can enhance an outfit, or even become the outfit.
High waisted jeans & skirts
High-waisted panties are ideal for the vintage inspired high-waisted trend we’ve been enjoying in recent years. A comfortable fit and a flattering silhouette all in one, an outfit with waist emphasis is classic. No matter what current fashion dictates, you can definitely get away with high-waisted bottoms even when the lowest rise is trending, because they don’t go out of style. Especially when they look so good!
Dresses
The best panties for that slinky little dress? Forget uncomfortable shapewear, and trade it in for some nice, high waisted panties. Way more comfortable, but still retaining the smoothing benefits, and they have the added bonus of not bunching up under your dress or digging into your hips, like hipster underwear might be prone to do.
Swimwear
When it comes to swimwear, a high-waisted choice is not just comfortable, but can actually be really sexy and flattering. A high-waisted style with a high cut leg is very 90s and puts your waist and your hips front and center, while allowing for a flattering stomach fit.
High-waisted is High Fashion
With a classic, timeless silhouette, high-waisted panties are not just fashionable and flattering, but also incredibly comfortable. With so many styles out there, it’s impossible to not find an ideal pair for any occasion, from sexy to sensible, and even swimwear. Browse the Gooseberry Intimates collection of high-waisted panties to find your favorites.