They exist.
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Buttless briefs don’t exactly scream “comfort,” but these days, it’s not hard to stack your top drawer with thongs that don’t feel like an Hervé Léger dress for your derrière. It’s been over 20 years since Sisqó had us freeing the cheeks; thongs are back on the runway, and there have been some serious advances in the underpants department that will leave your butt unbothered.
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Go ahead and treat yourself to the 17 best thongs (the vast majority with cotton gussets), as curated by the Cut Shop team and friends.
The Best Overall Thong
Cuup The Thong
Available in sizes: XS to XXXL | Material: Modal and elastane with a bamboo and spandex gusset | Style: Mid-waist |Colors: 19
Pascale Gueracague, chief design officer at Cuup, says the combination of modal fabric (which he says is twice the softness of cotton) and lay-flat stitching is why Cuup’s thongs are so popular. It’s true: Virtually every member of the Cut Shop team owns these — and a matching bra to go with it.
The Most Flattering Thong
Cosabella Women’s Never Say Never Comfie Thong
Available in sizes: S/M to L/XL | Material: Polyamide with a cotton gusset | Style: High-waisted | Colors: 46
The Comfie thong — which comes in 45 colors — feels almost like regular cheeky underwear, but the eyelash lace blurs out any hint of panty line. It’s all thanks to the thick band construction, which is also helpful for preventing underwear from sliding down your butt.
The Best Thong for Workouts
Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible Thong
Available in sizes: XS to L | Material: Alo Airbrush (polyester and spandex) | Style: Mid-waist| Colors: Nine
Shopping editor, Hanna Flanagan highly recommends this Alo Yoga thong to anyone who loves high-intensity cardio. It’s Flanagan’s go-to for long runs because the breathable and lightweight material feels like a second skin and never gets in the way of finishing a good workout. She also loves the fact that the Airbrush Invisible Thong is made from odor-resistant and quick-drying material, so it holds up no matter how much she sweats.
The Best Seamless Thong
Spanx Under Statements Thong
Available in sizes: XS to XXXL | Material: Lycra and nylon with a cotton gusset | Style: Low-waisted | Colors: Five
This seamless thong was recommended by so many Cut Shop friends — especially for wearing under leggings or a sheer dress or anytime you want to avoid a visible panty line.
The Best Affordable Thong
Auden Seamless Thong
Available in sizes: XS to XL | Material: Nylon and spandex | Style: Mid-waist | Colors: Five
No-show thongs abound, but we won’t stop singing Auden’s praises. For $5, this seamless thong from Target’s in-house lingerie label is truly hard to beat, especially considering it holds up well in the wash.
The Best V-Shape Thong
Skims Ultra Fine Mesh Micro Dipped Thong
Available in: XXS-4XL | Material: Nylon and spandex with a cotton gusset | Style: V-shaped | Colors: Four
Available in this fuchsia pink as well as three neutral colorways, the Skims Mesh Micro Dipped Thong is designed to sit high on the hips to create a flattering V-shape. “Not particularly comfortable for all day wear but cute for lingerie,” one reviewer writes. “Very micro, very sexy.”
The Stretchiest Thong
Parade Dream High Rise Thong
Available in sizes: XS to 3XL | Material: Lycra and nylon | Style: High-waisted | Colors: 10
This high-rise option has 360-degree stretch for maximum comfort all day long. You’ll feel held in and secure because it offers a bit of compression — plus it never rolls up or digs into your skin, making it ideal for wearing to the gym! Make sure to let this pair air dry (some reviewers say putting it in the dryer damages the waistband).
The Best Lace Thong
Hanky Panky 3-Pack Original Rise Thong
Available in: one size from 4 to 14 | Material: Nylon and spandex with a cotton gusset | Style: Mid-waist | Colors: 16
A thong so popular we went ahead and put a three-pack up for your consideration. You get the playfulness of the lace and the comfort of a cotton gusset. The Original thong has been around since the ’80s, and the brand has since upgraded its one-size-fits-all approach to include plus and petite.
The Best G-String
Negative Underwear Glacé String Thong
Available in sizes: XS to XXL | Material: Lycra and nylon | Style: High-waisted | Colors: Six
If Negative has been high key following you around Instagram, allow us to enable your purchase. So many Cut Shop friends recommend the brand’s Sieve and Glacé line, but we only have eyes for this très cosmopolitan G-string.
The Best Sheer Thong
Skarlett Blue Entice Thong
Available in sizes: S to XL | Material: Nylon and spandex with a cotton gusset | Style: Mid-waist | Colors: 10
Rachel Lerman, East Coast boutique account executive at Skarlett Blue, recommends the Entice Thong for anyone looking for something sexy who still wants to be comfortable. The scalloped-trim front that contrasts with the thicker waistband isn’t just cute, it also ensures nothing digs in when you sit down.
The Best Cotton Thong
CouCou Intimates The Thong Pointelle
Available in sizes: XXS to XXL | Material: Organic cotton pointelle and French lace | Style: Mid-waist | Colors: Two
Do you have a baby tee from Pretties? A cherry tattoo, or perhaps a flame heart? You’ll need a Pointelle thong made of 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton and French lace. We do indeed make the rules in this case.
The Best High-Waisted Thong
Gush LBT
Available in sizes: XS to XL | Material: Recycled polyamide and nylon with a cotton gusset | Style: High-waisted | Colors: Two
You may think of the exposed-thong trend as a G-string situation, but if you’re going high rise, why not go all the way (up your torso)?
The Best Size-Inclusive Thong
Skims Fits Everybody High Waist Thong
Available in sizes: XXS to 4XL | Material: Polyamide and elastane with a cotton gusset | Style: High-waisted | Colors: Nine
Like the rest of Skims’ Fits Everybody line, this high-waisted thong has an elastane-to-polyamide ratio that is so high that it’s more reminiscent of hosiery than underpants. If that sounds appealing to you, by all means, shimmy your way in.
The Best Satin Thong
Agent Provocateur Caity Satin-Trim Tulle Thong
Available in sizes: 1, 2, and 3 | Material: Stretch cotton, satin, and tulle | Style: V-shape | Colors: One
If you’re looking for luxury lingerie made from the finest quality fabric, look no further than Agent Provocateur. This cobalt blue thong features a flattering V-shape, semi-sheer design, and satin trim that makes it ideal for special occasions.
The Best Barely There Thong
OnGossamer Gossamer Mesh Hip G Thong
Available in sizes: XS/S to L/XL | Material: Nylon | Style: Low-rise | Colors: Seven
No, you’re not catching a breeze down there, it’s just OnGossamer’s light-as-air mesh thong. The next best thing to going commando.
The Best Thong for Date Night
Kiki de Montparnasse Jolie Thong
Available in sizes: XS to XL | Material: Nylon and spandex | Style: Mid-waist | Colors: One
If you want lingerie that looks like it may as well be served on a platter, Kiki de Montparnasse’s is the one. At the moment, we’re loving this “unwrap me” situation for date night.
The Best Embroidered Thong
Fleur du Mal Zodiac Thong
Available in sizes: S to XL | Material: Silk and spandex | Style: Mid-waist | Colors: One
You don’t need to know someone’s moon and rising signs to get naked, but this will put your sun house on full display. Scorpios, it’s best to be up front.
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