The hipster in the underwear drawer, where does the name come from
Short answer: Hipster briefs for women sit on the hips instead of at the waist. The name probably comes from the English word hip, and not from the young people in cafes. The cut has become a regular in many drawers, and here is the explanation.
Hipster briefs and where the name comes from
Many people think the hipster has something to do with fashion, but the name describes the cut. It is not a documented story for every brand, but the explanation with hip is the one most people point to. The brief sits on the hip and is therefore called a hipster, which is also what sets it apart from higher cuts.
Hip means hip
The waistband of a hipster sits right on the hip bones, which is where the name points. That is why you can often recognise the cut by the fact that it does not reach the navel. If you are used to bamboo panties with a high waist, you will notice that a hipster sits lower and lighter under trousers.
Mixing it up with the person
The word hipster is also used for a certain type of person, but that has nothing to do with the briefs. Here it is only a cut, and the name is the same by coincidence. When you search for hipster in a shop, you find underwear and not a style.
Hipster compared with other cuts
Compared with a full brief the hipster is lower and more modern, and compared with a thong it covers more. Many use it as a calm middle option that is neither too big nor too small. That is also why it often turns up in the drawer when clothes need to sit smoothly.
Why it stays in the drawer
A hipster sits well under most kinds of clothing, and you do not have to think about the waistband. It covers the whole bottom and the edge is even, so it neither presses nor shows. It is a practical brief, and practical things tend to end up as permanent fixtures.
How it sits in daily life
For the office, travel or exercise the cut works because it varies less than others. Socks and briefs belong together in the drawer, and you can easily add bamboo socks for women beside them for a matching everyday base. It is about habit and finding what sits comfortably.
Choosing the size
Measure your hips at the widest point and compare with the measurements for the item. If you fall between two sizes, take the larger for comfort and the smaller for a close fit. A hipster sits best when the waistband lies flat and does not press at the side.
Keeping it nice in the wash
Follow the care label in the brief and preferably wash gently in a laundry bag. Viscose from bamboo can shrink in high heat, so avoid a hot dryer and let the laundry dry in the air. That way the elastic holds and the brief sits as it should, even under a women's long-sleeved bamboo T-shirt.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a hipster
The name probably comes from the English word hip, because the waistband sits on the hip. Most people point to that explanation, but there is no fixed source for every brand.
Is a hipster the same as a bikini brief
Almost. Both have a low waistband, but a hipster usually has a slightly wider side and covers the whole bottom. A bikini brief often has a narrower side and a little less fabric.
Does a hipster fit under thin trousers
Often yes, because the edge is even and does not cut in. Choose a colour close to your skin tone and make sure the waistband lies flat so it does not make a line.
