The Best Fabric for Underwear

The Best Fabric for Underwear: Comfort and Breathability

When it comes to choosing your underwear, picking the right materials is vital. And If you're not sure where to start -- don't worry. We're here to help! Keep reading for more information on your choices and find out what fabric is right for you.

Why choosing the right fabric for underwear matters

Beyond being comfortable and flexible, your underwear should be made from high-quality materials. Premium fabrics tend to be more durable, meaning they'll maintain their shape and stretch and hold up longer than cheaper materials.

What's more, high-quality fabrics are generally more durable. This means they'll maintain their shape and stretch and hold up longer than cheaper materials.

The most popular fabrics for underwear

  • Cotton

  • Modal

  • Microfiber

  • Stretch fibers, like polyamide and elastane

Keep scrolling for details about each material, why they're great for everyday wear and different activities, and what to consider.

Cotton

Cotton is a naturally breathable, moisture-wicking fiber. In other words, air can pass through the material while it draws sweat away from your body. It's also hypoallergenic, meaning it's unlikely to cause irritation and is generally safe for those with sensitive skin.

What's more, the plant-derived fabric has a high-tensile strength. This means cotton underwear can continuously stretch and retract without breaking or losing its shape.

Cotton underwear is a great choice for people who prioritize breathability, comfort, and softness, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or for everyday wear in warmer climates.

Modal

Modal is a semi-synthetic fiber derived from the pulp (aka cellulose) of trees. It's similar to cotton fabric in that it's a soft, breathable, durable material that's gentle on the skin.

Modal is also thought of as a sustainable alternative because the trees don't need as much water as cotton to grow.

People lean towards modal underwear for its ultra-soft, smooth feel, moisture-wicking properties, and durability, offering comfort and breathability 

Microfiber

Microfiber is another common material used to make underwear. The natural or synthetic fabric is knitted from ultra-fine threads to create an exceptionally soft, lightweight feel.

This fabric is known for being moisture-wicking, helping absorb moisture and pull sweat away from your skin. Depending on the knit, it can also be breathable or even cooling.

People love this fabric for its smooth texture and quick-drying properties. And if lightness and softness are your thing, then you’ll want this. 


Stretchy fibers

Underwear is often partially made with stretchy synthetic fibers, like lycra (elastane/spandex) or polyamide (nylon). Whether placed on the waistband or knit into the main fabric, these materials offer flexibility and resistance to wear and tear.

If a snug, flexible fit that moves with your body while giving you shape retention and smooth lines is what you’re looking for in underwear then this is the fabric you want in your drawer. 

Specialty fabrics for women’s underwear

There are also numerous specialty fabrics for underwear, including:

  • Lace or stretchy eyelet

  • Silk or satin

  • Mesh or sieve 

Some brands make specialty fabric blends, like Negative Underwear's Whipped collection. Each soft, airy piece is knitted from micro-modal imported from Austria, with a small amount of lycra for enhanced stretch.

Best fabrics for different activities

The best fabric for underwear can depend on the activity. Breathability is crucial for sleeping, which is why natural fabrics like cotton and modal are top choices for bedtime underwear and women’s sleepwear.

When you're working out, you'll want flexible underwear that moves with your body and absorbs sweat, like laser-cut microfiber. As with our Base collection, the lightweight, barely-there material can also help eliminate visible lines in tighter-fitting clothes, such as running tights or biker shorts. The same goes for travel underwear.

Regardless of the primary material used to make underwear, it should always have a cotton gusset for sweat-wicking breathability. (The gusset is the small piece of fabric sewn into the crotch of panties. This is especially important because sweat buildup can be harmful and uncomfortable as it may lead to irritation, chafing, and an increased risk of infections-- no, thanks!)

How to care for your underwear based on fabric

Different underwear fabrics have different care requirements.

For example, Negative Underwear's cotton panties and thongs can be machine-washed with warm water and tumble-dried on low heat. However, we have other pieces that call for washing with cold water and hang-drying or laying flat to dry.

When in doubt, check the care instructions for each pair you own and follow the brand's cleaning instructions.

A final word: finding the best underwear fabric for your needs

Breathability and overall comfort are essential, but in the end, the best underwear fabric comes down to personal preference. 

If you're ready to upgrade your underwear drawer, check out the women's underwear from Negative Underwear. Prioritizing function and utility, each intimately considered pair is so ridiculously crazy.

While you're at it, explore our women’s loungewear collection to find soft, cozy, luxurious layers with minimalist details to live, relax, and sleep in.


Sources:

Skrzetuska E, et al. (2022). Assessment of the Impact of the Surface Modification Processes of Cotton and Polyester Fabrics with Various Techniques on Their Structural, Biophysical, Sensory, and Mechanical Properties. Polymers (Basel). doi:10.3390/polym14040796

Cotton Incorporated. (2019). Cotton applies hard science to sensitive skin. America's Cotton Producers And Importers.

Karunanidhi, G. (2015). A Study on Modal Fibre Based on the Absorption Characteristics. SOJ Materials Science and Engineering. 3. 1-4. 10.15226/sojmse.2015.00123.

Lee J, et al. (2004). Determining the Absorption Properties of Split-Type Microfiber Fabrics by Measuring the Change in Color Depth. Textile Research Journal. 74. 271-278. 10.1177/004051750407400315.

Jovanović T, et al. (2022). Impact of the Elastane Percentage on the Elastic Properties of Knitted Fabrics under Cyclic Loading. Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 15(19), 6512. doi.org/10.3390/ma15196512

 

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