Wide hips and briefs that cut in at the side
Short answer: Choose your size by the hip measurement and find a style with a wide, soft leg edge. It is the edge, not the size, that cuts when panties leave marks.
Where it tightens
On a wide hip, the side of the panty carries most of the pressure. If the leg edge is narrow, the pressure concentrates on a single centimeter and leaves a groove in the skin. If the edge is wide and soft instead, the same pressure spreads over a larger area, and the problem often disappears on its own.
Size should follow the hip
Underwear should be chosen by the widest point of the body, meaning the hip, not the waist. If your hip is two sizes larger than your waist, choose by the hip and look for styles with a high waist that will not slide down at the top. See bamboo panties for a wide range of sizes.
Styles that work
Hipster and maxi styles with a wide edge spread pressure best across the whole hip. Avoid narrow string styles with thin elastic if you want to avoid visible marks after a full day. See bamboo underwear for women for styles with an extra wide leg edge.
Fabric matters
A couple of percent elastane lets the fabric give instead of cutting into the skin. Plain fabric with no stretch tightens where the body is widest, no matter how soft the leg edge otherwise feels. See period underwear for styles that combine stretch with a wide edge.
How to test a style
Put the panty on and sit down for a few minutes, the way you would on an ordinary day. If the edge leaves a deep groove right away, it will only get worse after several hours, and the style is not the right one for your body.
Seamless versus sewn edges
Seamless panties often have a bonded, flat edge that sits closer to the skin than a sewn elastic. Under tight pants or a dress the difference is clear, because there is no edge that can print through the outer layer of fabric.
Everyday versus workouts
For everyday use, a soft, wide, cotton like edge is usually most comfortable over a full day. On active days a seamless style with a bit more stretch can follow movement better without rolling or cutting, even with repeated bending and stretching.
What a high waist does for you
A high waist sits above the widest point of the hip and so avoids the exact area where most marks appear. It is a simple shortcut if you already know a regular waist tends to cut in for you.
When nothing seems to help
If you have tried several styles without luck, check whether you are actually wearing the right size rather than a guessed one. A panty that is too small will always cut in, no matter how wide and soft the edge is designed to be.
Frequently asked questions
Should I size up two sizes
Not necessarily. Try a style with a wider edge in your normal hip size first, before changing size. Often the edge, not the amount of room, is the real problem.
Why do they leave marks
Because the pressure gathers on a narrow area around the hip. That is not by itself a sign of too small a size, but of too narrow a leg edge.
Are seamless panties better
Often yes under tight pants, because the edge is bonded and flat instead of sewn. Under looser clothing the difference is rarely felt quite as clearly.
