By: Daisy Hemmen
There are so many different types of underwear for women. Each day, you carefully plan your outfit to maximize fashion and comfort. Your top and pants coordinate perfectly and they’re made out of buttery smooth fabrics that feel amazing on your skin. You often finish your look with soft, warm socks and comfy flats.
But, as you get into your car to drive to work, you realize that something isn’t right. Despite the high-quality, comfortable clothing you picked out, you neglected to pay close attention to your underwear, and now you're stuck in an itchy pair that bunches up uncomfortably.
Ugh. We’ve all been there. Luckily, this guide to hipster vs bikini underwear will help you understand the differences between the cuts of the two styles and when to wear each type. You’ll never have a bad underwear day again.
What is the Difference Between Hipster and Bikini Underwear?
The biggest difference between hipster and bikini underwear is the cut. Hipsters have a wide waistband that covers your hips—hence the name. In contrast, bikini underwear has a narrow waistband and high-cut leg holes.1 Let’s examine the construction and situations in which you’d wear each style in more detail.
Hipster Underwear 101
Hipsters have become increasingly popular and have grabbed a large share of the underwear market. They have many features women look for in quality panties, including:
- A flattering fit – The hipster sits on your hips and covers your stomach. This prevents your undies from squeezing your middle and producing the dreaded muffin top. They also provide good coverage of your backside for a smooth look. And the hipster is one of the few styles that can fit any body type. They also come in various styles, such as hipster bikini underwear. Knowing how to measure your hips and waist will be key in finding the perfect fit.
- Flexibility – Hipsters can be worn under your garments that have a low waistband without peeking over the top. They’re equally comfy under your high-waisted shorts or jeans.
- Hip coverage – The wide waistband of the hipster gives you a sleek silhouette under just about any outfit. If you opt for the seamless variety, you won’t have to worry about visible panty lines, even under a tighter skirt or pair of pants.
When Should You Wear Hipsters?
Hipsters are a wonderful, all-purpose style of underwear. They’re ideal for wear with many of your favorite outfits, including:
- Form-fitting pants
- Low-rise jeans or shorts
- Sporty and comfortable loungewear
- Short-hemmed skirts or dresses
You’ll love the hip coverage and no-bunch fit of your hipsters.
Bikini Underwear 101
Bikini underwear represents a more traditional look that many women still love to wear. Some of the key features of bikinis include:
- Material variety – You can find bikini underwear made from just about any fabric imaginable, including cotton, lace, polyester, bamboo, and more. Whatever your favorite color, pattern, or material is, there is probably a pair of bikini underwear out there to match.
- Full to moderate coverage – Bikini bottoms come in a variety of cuts as well. They can be full with good backside coverage or moderate with thin sides and less coverage for your rear.
- High-cut legs – High-cut leg holes are what differentiates bikinis from hipsters. Both sit low on your hips, but bikinis show your hips instead of covering them. Because of this feature, your panty lines will be more visible with bikinis than they will with hipsters.
When Should You Wear Bikinis?
You’ll want to dig around your underwear drawer and pull out your favorite bikini underwear when you’re wearing:
- Clothing with a low-rise waist
- Loose-fitting bottoms
- Exercise gear
- Dresses with flared skirts
Bikinis aren’t a good choice when you’re rocking your tight-fit sustainable leggings. The more moderate coverage on your hips and backside means that your panty lines will be visible under your tighter garments.
Which is Best: Hipster vs Bikini?
Both hipsters and bikinis are solid underwear options in the right situation. The best choice for you depends on:
- Which you’re most comfortable wearing
- The style of clothing you’re pairing them with
- Your activities for that day
However, your best bet for all undies is to select high-quality products. When you shop, you should look for undergarments that:
- Fit comfortably around your legs, hips, and waist
- Don’t ride up, sag, or bunch when you move
- Are made from soft, moisture-wicking materials like bamboo viscose
- Use sustainable fabrics to protect the environment
- Have a seamless construction for a smooth silhouette
- Flatters your shape
Shopping for these features will ensure a comfy fit. But if you still can’t make up your mind between the two, you can always get hipster bikini underwear.
Find Your Perfect Fit with Boody Eco Wear
Your perfect outfit won’t be complete without the right underwear. Hipsters are best worn with low-rise pants and skirts. They’re also an excellent choice when wearing low-rise pants since the waistband won’t show. Bikinis come in several varieties and are a solid multi-purpose style. Women’s briefs are also comfortable, but let’s tackle the hipsters vs briefs debate in a separate article.
If new bamboo underwear is on your to-do list, you’ll find everything you need at Boody Eco Wear. Our hipsters and bikinis are made from sustainable bamboo viscose. They come in several colors and styles, so you’ll always have the right pair to wear with your favorite outfit. Shop our collection today.
About the Author:
Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community.
Sources:
- Adhav, Lauren. "A Breakdown of All the Types of Underwear You Might Need in Your Lingerie Drawer." Cosmopolitan. 28 June 2019, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a28194554/underwear-types-styles-women/
You may also like
Guide
The Best Father's Day 2023 Gifts...according to Boody
Father’s Day takes place on the third Sunday in June; this year it’s June 18th, 2023. For many of us, buying both a thoughtful and useful gift for our father’s and fatherly figures can typically prove to be a dilemma.
Guide
What to Look for When Buying Activewear
When it comes to what you workout in, it's important to consider how they make you feel and look—but also their impact on the environment. That's where sustainable activewear by Boody comes in.
Guide
What is Organic Cotton?
By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
