We’ve all been there. You’re putting on a cute outfit, ready to have yourself a day, and then you do a final twirl in the mirror and see…the outline of your underwear is making an unwelcomed appearance.

Visible panty lines, sometimes called VPLs, occur when wearing snugger clothes like tight pants, skirts, and dresses that mold to your body highlight the underlying fabric of your panties. It’s no secret women wear underwear, so in the grand scheme of things, VPLs are really no big deal. But nevertheless, those pesky panty lines can still be a damper and make you feel self-conscious. If panty lines don’t bother you, then more power to you. However, if you’re looking to get rid of panty lines, try these seven ways to avoid them.

The Safe Bet: Wear Thongs and G-strings.

When it comes to preventing panty lines, there’s no safer bet than thongs and G-strings. Thongs and G-strings provide nearly zero coverage in the back making for the perfect solution to confidently avoid any protruding lines. Thongs offer a thicker band in the back, so if you want to have a bit more fabric, this may be the right choice for you. G-strings, known affectionately at Victoria’s Secret as V-Strings, feature a string-like finish and can be especially helpful when wearing bodycon dresses.
 

The Obvious Choice: Wear No-Show Panties.

The name says it all. No-show panties, or seamless panties, are underwear designed specifically to be discreet under clothes. No-show panties are typically made of smoothing fabrics with raw-cut edges that hide easily under jeans, trousers, joggers, and more. The beauty of no-show panties is that they come in a variety of styles, cuts, and fabrics. You can find no-show panties in options like cheekies, hipsters, thongs, and more. This means you can pick the option comfiest to you while still avoiding panty lines.

 

The Bold Move: Go commando.

The easiest way to get rid of panty lines? Skip the panties all together. While it’s a daring move, going commando is a common way to prevent any VPLs. When going this route, we recommend sticking with commando-friendly clothes for optimal comfort like stretchy pants, seamless leggings, and midi-to-maxi length skirts and dresses. This freeing option also happens to be the “free" option—meaning if you’re in a bit of a pinch, the commando look is a quick, convenient solution that saves you a trip to the store. (Although, if commando is a no-go, you can always run to your nearest Victorias’ Secret store for last-minute undie essentials.)
 

The Comfy Option: Try Boyshorts.

Comfort is most definitely key, and this is where boyshorts can shine through for avoiding VPLs. Boyshorts are designed with a seamless fit that hugs the body comfortably and minimizes panty lines. This type of underwear is typically longer in length and falls on your upper thigh helping to prevent any VPLs on your rear. With their cozy feel and breathable fit, boyshorts are an ideal choice for all-day wear. This option is especially useful underneath dresses or skirts when you want to feel a bit more secure and helps to prevent chafing.

 

The Cinching Secret: Use shapewear for a seamless effect.

Shapewear is made for accentuating your curves with smoothing effects and seamless finishes. This makes it a top choice for preventing panty lines in form-fitting clothes while also contouring your silhouette. From mid-thigh and thong styles to different levels of shaping support, shapewear panties come in versatile designs. This means you can find a pair that works most comfortably with your body and most functionally with your wardrobe. Learn more on all things shapewear types and styles.
 

The Optical Illusion: Wear patterned or heavier fabric clothes.

The other way to “hide” visible panty lines is hiding them in plain sight. Patterned bottoms and heavier fabric clothes are an easy way to make panty lines go undetected. The detail of fun prints can help camouflage panty lines into the design for a concealed finish. Thicker material clothes like a ruched skirt or bunchy dress can make panty lines indiscernible to the natural crinkle of the outfit.
 

The Bottom Line: Wear the right size panties and choose based off your outfit.

Getting rid of visible panty lines is all about pairing the right underwear with your outfit. Different types of underwear may hide more discreetly under different clothes. While boyshorts may go perfectly under a dress, they may have too much fabric to work with yoga pants. While shapewear may be best for a tight dress, they may not be the comfiest choice for a casual look. By knowing your body and knowing these options ahead of time, you can find the right combo and say bye-bye to panty lines.