The Encyclopedia

Types of Panties — The Complete Guide

A visual glossary of every panty silhouette — from the classic brief to the barely-there thong. Understand the construction, coverage, and occasions for each style.

15 entries

Thong

Narrow strip of fabric at the back, minimal rear coverage.

G-String

Even narrower than a thong — the back is literally a string.

V-String

A thong variant with a V-shaped front panel that dips to a point, with thin straps sitting high on the hips.

Tanga

Between a thong and a bikini brief — partial rear coverage.

Brazilian

Narrow sides with moderate rear coverage, no full waistband.

Cheeky

Scooped back showing the lower half of the cheeks.

Bikini Brief

Classic mid-rise brief with full rear coverage and scooped sides.

Hipster

Low-rise brief sitting on the hips with full rear coverage.

Boyshort

Short-like cut extending down onto the upper thigh.

High-Waist Brief

Brief that rises above the navel.

Full Brief

Classic full coverage from waist to upper thigh.

Control / Shaping Brief

Compression brief designed to smooth and shape the torso.

Seamless Brief

Laser-cut or bonded edges, no visible stitching or lines.

Side-Tie Brief

Brief with bow ties at each hip instead of a fabric waistband.

Bikini Bottom

Swimwear counterpart of the bikini brief.