The underwear we have to wear every day seems to be a small item, but it is directly related to our comfort and health. But in the face of a dazzling array of briefs, boxers, modal underwear, and antibacterial underwear on the shelves, many people will have a difficult time: which one is right for them? Is it enough to follow the trend of buying Internet celebrity “traceless models”, or is it enough to look for “pure cotton”? This article helps you choose a truly suitable “personal partner” from 8 core dimensions such as style, fabric, and technology, combined with real cases and professional data.
1. Understand the style first: different scenes should be “seated”
There is no absolute good or bad style of underwear, the key depends on the scene and needs. When I was purchasing, I met a yoga instructor customer who had been wearing regular briefs before, and was always worried about curling the hems when doing the downward doggy pose, so she completely solved the problem after changing to seamless one-piece underwear. This is the importance of choosing the right style.
Style type | Core strengths | Adapt to the scenario |
|---|---|---|
Briefs | Fits the body and doesn’t take up space | Daily commuting, leggings matching |
boxers/boxers | Reduces thigh friction and freedom of movement | Sports and fitness, home leisure |
Seamless underwear | No sewing marks, invisible and not embarrassing | Business formal wear, silk skirts |
Menstrual period underwear | Prevent side leakage, absorb moisture and lock in water | Female menstrual period |
Maternity underwear | High waist support abdomen, elastic and not tight | Pregnancy and postpartum recovery |
2. Fabric is the core: the “foundation” of comfort and health
The fabric directly determines the comfort and safety of underwear, and in the factories I have come into contact with, long-staple cotton, Lenzing modal, and bamboo fiber are the mainstream of the current market. However, the characteristics of different fabrics vary greatly, and it is better to blindly choose the “expensive” than to choose the “right”.
- Pure cotton: especially Supima cotton and Pima cotton, which have strong moisture absorption (moisture regain rate can reach 8.5%), are skin-friendly and non-irritating, and are suitable for sensitive skin and infants and young children. However, ordinary cotton is easy to wrinkle, and after adding 5%-10% spandex (lycra), the elasticity will be better, and it is not easy to deform after washing.
- Modal: Lenzing modal fiber is thinner than ordinary modal fiber, soft and smooth to the touch, and breathable 1.5 times that of pure cotton, suitable for summer wear. However, it should be noted that modal is slightly less resistant to wear and tear, and it is recommended to wash it by hand separately.
- Functional fabrics: Coolmax fabrics are suitable for sports people and can quickly wick away sweat and dry quickly; Mulberry silk fabric is skin-friendly and luxurious, suitable for users who pursue quality, but the price is higher and requires hand washing.
- Eco-friendly fabrics: GRS-certified recycled cellulose fibers and recycled polyester are the current trend of sustainable fashion, suitable for environmentally conscious consumers.
3. Black technology blessing: These functions are really useful
Nowadays, underwear has more and more functions, but many people think it is an “IQ tax”. In fact, as long as you choose according to your needs, many technologies can effectively improve the experience. I once recommended sports underwear with graphene crotch to an outdoor mountaineering enthusiast, and he reported that after a long hike, the crotch was much drier than before, and there was no stuffiness.
List of Useful Features (Pitting Avoidance Guide):
- Antibacterial function: Look for AAA level and above antibacterial certification, silver ion antibacterial and graphene antibacterial effects have been verified, can reduce the growth of harmful bacteria, suitable for sedentary people.
- Shaping function: The high-waisted abdominal tucking model is suitable for postpartum mothers, and the buttock lift design is achieved through a three-dimensional hip line cut to avoid the embarrassment of “fake buttocks”.
- Temperature adjustment: Outlast fabric can adjust the temperature according to body temperature, keeping warm in winter and not stuffy in summer; Cooling fabrics are suitable for high-temperature areas and can drop 1-2°C instantly when they come into contact with the skin.
- Detail design: The elastic memory belt will not pass through the looseness, and the non-sensitive label can avoid skin itching, and these small details often affect the wearing experience the most.
4. Size and fit: Say goodbye to the troubles of “hip clipping” and “curly edges”
Many people buy underwear only by looking at the waistline, in fact, the fit is more important than the size. There is a big difference in body shape between Asians and Europeans and Americans, and Asian sizes are more suitable for Asian hips, while European and American sizes tend to have looser waists and larger hips.
Share a practical tip: In addition to looking at the waist circumference, you should also pay attention to the “hip circumference” data when purchasing. For example, 3D three-dimensional cut underwear will be ergonomically designed, with side seams moving forward or without side seams, which can effectively avoid hip pinching; Slim leg models with partial pressure weave are suitable for pairing with leggings, but don’t choose too tight ones to avoid affecting blood circulation.
Attention to special groups: plus-size people give priority to plus-size and elastic styles to avoid strangulation marks; During the adolescent development period, loose children’s underwear should be chosen, and the material is mainly Class A cotton.
5. Regulations and certification: the “safety lock” of quality
Underwear is a product that comes into direct contact with the skin and must meet the relevant standards. When I go to the factory to inspect, the first thing I look at is the certification document, which is the key to judging whether the product is qualified.
Certifications/Standards | Core requirements | Scope of application |
|---|---|---|
GB 31701 | The formaldehyde content ≤ 75mg/kg, pH value 4.0-8.5 | All underwear sold in China, Category A is suitable for infants and young children |
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Free from more than 200 harmful chemicals | High-end underwear exported to European and American markets |
GOTS | The organic cotton content ≥ 95%, and the production process is environmentally friendly | Organic cotton panties |
CPSIA | The lead and phthalate content meet the standards | Children’s underwear exported to the United States |
Tips: When purchasing, be sure to look at the tag, infant underwear must be a class A standard, adult underwear must be at least a class B standard, and class C underwear must not be worn close to the body.
6. New market trends: These trends are worth paying attention to
The underwear industry is also constantly iterating, and there are several trends that have been particularly obvious in recent years. From the perspective of purchasing data, orders for environmentally friendly sustainability and personalized customization grew the fastest, such as underwear with a carbon footprint label, which saw a year-on-year increase of 30% in sales last year.
In terms of popular elements: Maillard color matching and national tide Chinese character printed underwear are very popular among young people; Co-branded IP and holiday limited editions have become new choices for gift-giving; Blind box underwear has captured the curiosity of young consumers, and the repurchase rate is not low.
7. Three steps to purchase: novices can also choose the right one
- Clarify needs: First think clearly whether it is daily wear, sports wear or special scenes (such as menstrual period, pregnancy), and then determine whether the core needs are comfort, shaping or antibacterial.
- Check the label: look at the fabric composition (preferential cotton + spandex, Lenzing Modal), safety category (adult class B and above), certification mark (OEKO-TEX and other certifications are more assured).
- Try-on feeling: The waist is not tight (1-2 fingers can be inserted), the crotch is not stuffy, and the hem is not curled or pinched during activities, which is suitable.
8. Procurement perspective: Yigu’s industry view
As a purchasing agent, I found that the core competitiveness of high-quality underwear lies in the “details”: for example, underwear with four needles and six threads, the seams are smoother and do not grind the skin; Products with active printing and dyeing are safer without fading after washing. For consumers, there is no need to pursue “all-round models”, such as sports underwear focuses on moisture absorption and sweat wicking, and daily underwear pays attention to skin-friendly and breathable. When purchasing, I prefer to cooperate with factories with BSCI or SEDEX certification, which are more secure in terms of quality control and social responsibility.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Which is better, cotton panties or modal panties? A: Pure cotton is suitable for sensitive skin and autumn and winter, with strong moisture absorption; Modal is suitable for summer, has a softer feel, better breathability, and can be selected according to the season and skin type.
- Q: Can antibacterial underwear be worn every day? A: Yes, but it is recommended to replace it every 3-6 months. Choose silver ions or graphene antibacterial to avoid irritating the skin with inferior antibacterial agents.
- Q: How to choose underwear for plus-size people? A: Choose a plus-size style with spandex, give priority to high-waisted design, which can wrap more comprehensively and avoid curling edges; Choose bamboo fiber or modal fabric for better elasticity.
- Q: What are the special requirements for children’s underwear? A: It must comply with the national standard GB 31701 Class A, the fabric is made of organic cotton, no complex printing and decoration, and the rope and strap design is avoided to prevent strangulation.