Skin tone briefs under white and thin trousers
Short answer: Women's briefs under white and thin trousers should be almost the colour of your skin, with a flat edge that does not show. White briefs actually show through, because they are lighter than your skin. Choose a smooth, matte shade in your skin tone and a cut without thick seams or patterns.
Why white briefs show through
Many think white briefs are the safe choice under white trousers, but most briefs for women in white end up visible. Skin is darker than white, so white against skin reads as a contrast. A colour close to your own skin disappears, because the light passes by without casting a shadow.
Find your skin tone
Skin tone does not always mean beige, because skin tones vary a lot. Hold the brief against the inside of your arm in daylight and choose the colour that looks most alike. If you are unsure, go one shade darker rather than lighter, and look at bamboo panties in several colours.
Matte fabric rather than shiny
A shiny fabric reflects light and can look like a patch through thin trousers. A matte fabric absorbs light and stands out less. Also check whether the brief has a pattern or a lace edge, because such details can show as relief on the outside of the trousers.
A flat edge and a smooth waistband
The edge is what most often gives a brief away. Choose a cut where the waistband lies flat against the skin and the leg opening does not cut in. A thong and a Brazilian leave fewer edges at the back, but a hipster with a flat edge can work too if it sits right. Try them under the trousers in front of a mirror.
The right size so nothing presses
A brief that is too small cuts in and makes lines. One that is too big creases and can form folds. Measure your hips and compare with the measurements for the item before you order. If the brief sits so that you forget it, the size is right and the clothes lie smooth.
Layers under thin trousers
White and thin trousers show more than just the brief, so think in layers. A bamboo bra without underwire in a skin tone disappears under a blouse in the same way, and a long top can cover the edge at the back. The key is that the colours underneath sit close together.
Test with light and a mirror
Stand in daylight in front of a mirror with the trousers on and look at yourself from the front, the back and the side. Check when you sit too, because the fabric pulls in other places. If you see an edge or a colour difference, change the brief before you go out.
Washing so the colour lasts
Wash skin tone briefs on their own or with similar colours so they do not pick up colour from dark clothes. Follow the care label, use a laundry bag if you like, and avoid high heat in the dryer, since viscose can shrink. That way the colour and shape hold, even under a women's long-sleeved bamboo T-shirt.
Frequently asked questions
Are white briefs a bad choice under white trousers
Most people think so, because white is lighter than skin and so shows as a shadow through thin fabric. A colour close to your skin is usually less visible.
Which colour should I choose
Choose the colour that looks most like your own skin, preferably a matte shade. If you are unsure, go a tone darker rather than lighter, and try it in daylight in front of a mirror.
Which cut is least visible
A cut with a flat edge and no pattern is least visible. A thong and a Brazilian give fewer edges at the back, but a hipster or bikini with a flat waistband can work too if it sits right.
