Do you wear underwear with a bodysuit?
Bodysuits have become an incredibly popular clothing item in recent years. Their sleek, one-piece design creates a seamless look and can be very flattering. But one question many people have is – do you wear underwear with a bodysuit?
In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know, from the pros and cons of going commando in a bodysuit to underwear recommendations for different styles.
What is a Bodysuit?
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First, let’s clarify exactly what a bodysuit is. A bodysuit is a one-piece garment that combines a top and bottom, similar to a leotard. The difference is that a bodysuit has snap closures at the bottom, allowing you to easily use the bathroom unlike a traditional leotard.
Modern bodysuits come in many different styles; some have short sleeves or are sleeveless; others have long sleeves. The bottom can be thong-style, offer more coverage like boyshorts, or be full-bottom like bike shorts. Bodysuits can be made of stretchy fabrics like cotton, nylon, spandex blends, or even lace.
To Wear or Not to Wear Under a Bodysuit?
So should you wear underwear under your bodysuit? There are good arguments on both sides of this debate. Ultimately, it is a personal preference. Here are a few things to consider:
Pros of Going Commando:
- Prevents visible panty lines
- Smoother look and feel
- No bunching of fabric
- Often more comfortable
Cons of Going Commando:
- Increased risk of discharge/sweat stains
- Can feel too revealing for some
- Lack of breathability
- Needs more frequent washing
- Can increase risk of UTIs for some
Pros of Wearing Underwear:
- Added layer prevents intimate markings
- Absorbs sweat/discharge so less washing needed
- Breathable fabric keeps area cooler
- Thongs/seamless options avoid panty lines
- Gives more coverage for those wanting it
Cons of Wearing Underwear:
- Extra layer could create some bulk
- Potential for lines/bunching if wrong underwear
- Harder to get smooth look
- Less airflow = more sweat/moisture buildup
Now that you know the main considerations, which direction you go will depend a lot on the specific bodysuit style and your personal preference for coverage vs. a smooth look.
What Type of Underwear Works Best?
If you decide to wear underwear with your bodysuit, choosing the right style is key to preventing visible lines and bunching. Here are some of the best options:
Seamless Underwear: Seamless panties and thongs, often made of microfiber nylon or stretchy lace fabric, are practically invisible under clothing. They lay smooth with no edges to dig in or show.
Boyshorts: Boyshort-style underwear offers a bit more coverage than a thong but lays nearly as smooth. Opt for seamless boyshorts in a close-to-skin material.
Thongs: A basic thong with string sides ensures no panty lines; just beware of excess bulkiness in the waistband. Wear the thong high over your hips to prevent the bodysuit from riding up.
Adhesive Underwear: Special adhesive panties literally stick to your skin, providing invisibility under the tightest outfits. They offer disposable options as well as reusable styles.
C-String: A C-string panty is shaped like a necklace, wrapping around the waist with a slim back strap running between the buttocks. This leaves the entire front and back smooth with zero panty lines.
No Underwear: As mentioned, you can absolutely skip underwear with a bodysuit if you prefer the sleek look. Just keep in mind you may need to wash the bodysuit more frequently.
The panty styles that work best really depends on personal factors like your coverage needs and the specific bodysuit cut. Trial and error helps determine what feels best for your body.
Bodysuit Styles and Recommended Underwear
Certain bodysuit styles lend themselves better to going commando than others. Here are some popular bodysuit silhouettes along with underwear recommendations:
Thong Bodysuits
Thong bodysuits feature a barely-there backside, similar to a thong swimsuit. Due to the minimal coverage already built-in, underwear is often unnecessary. However, if you desire a bit more barrier between your skin and the bodysuit or plan to wear the piece as outerwear, consider a stick-on thong or C-string underneath.
Shorts Bodysuits
Shorts bodysuits provide ample bottom coverage with bike short-length legs built right in. Thanks to the boyshort liner coverage, underwear is optional. Boyshorts or a thong would lay smooth beneath if you want an extra layer.
Long Sleeve Bodysuits
Underwear choices mainly depend on the bodysuit’s leg style with long sleeve bodysuits. If it features shorts or higher cut legs, go seamless or skip panties altogether. A bodysuit with long legs that extend down near your ankles gives more leeway to wear your normal underwear without it peeking out.
Lace Bodysuits
Flirty sheer lace bodysuits generally have a lining over the bust and front for opacity and nipple concealment. But the back and bottom are often more revealing sheer lace. If your comfort level allows, this style does not require any underwear, though you may choose a nude thong for extra confidence. For more coverage wearing lace as outwear, line the entire bodysuit with matching underwear underneath.
One Shoulder Bodysuits
A one shoulder bodysuit delivers a sultry asymmetric look. The lowercase leg cut and slimmer side profile means seamless thongs or c-strings work well for invisible smoothing without disrupting the barely-there aesthetic.
Special Considerations for Leotards
Leotards and gymnastics wear present some unique scenarios when it comes to underwear. Here is what you need to know:
Gymnastics Leotards: Leotards designed for sports like gymnastics often have a gusset liner or built-in briefs. This eliminates the need for panties in terms of coverage. However, many gymnasts still choose to wear thongs or light compression shorts under their leotard to reduce discomfort from leotard seams during practice.
Dance Leotards: Dance leotards usually have a thicker tighter-fitting fabric that makes underwear less necessary for coverage or support. Thongs still get worn to make long practice hours more comfortable. Some dancers use special strapless/backless bras under their leotards as needed.
Active Bodysuits: Bodysuits marketed as activewear or for working out tend to include shorts for bottom coverage. Light compression shorts are ideal for wearing underneath to control moisture during sweaty exercise.
Children’s Bodysuits/Leotards: For child gymnasts, leotard liners and built-in pants provide plenty of coverage. Avoid undergarments, so leotard seams lay flat for comfort. Stick with thong underwear at most for dance bodysuits, depending on your child’s age and comfort level.
Making some adjustments based on activity type helps tailor your bodysuit underwear choices for functionality.
Expert Tips for Wearing Bodysuits
Want your bodysuit look to be flawless? Use these tips and tricks to ensure comfort, avoid visible lines, prevent wedgies, and handle bathroom breaks with ease:
- Shake out your bodysuit and remove tags/stickers that could irritate skin
- Apply deodorant/body powder to inner thighs & bodysuit liner to prevent chafing
- Line up the bodysuit shoulder straps with your bra straps for invisible support
- Sit down and slowly work the snaps closed starting from top to bottom
- Adjust shoulder straps evenly for optimal fit
- Pull armholes outward to smooth any creasing under your arms
- Attach bodysuit snaps as you pull up pants to prevent waistband rolldown
- Unclip your bodysuit from the bottom for easier bathroom access
- Consider crotchless panties to wear underneath for using restrooms
- Carry a small travel pack of wipes to quickly freshen bodysuits as needed
With these tips, you will avoid discomfort and rock your bodysuits seamlessly all day or night
Frequently Asked Bodysuit Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common bodysuit questions:
How do you put on and take off a bodysuit?
Use the open snaps at the bottom to gently pull up and step into the bodysuit. Sit down, pull the material taut, and fasten the snaps one by one, starting at your midsection and working down. Reverse the steps to unsnap from bottom up while seated when taking it off.
What type of bra do you wear with a bodysuit?
Strapless, backless, and multiway bras work well for low-cut or open-back bodysuits. Or look for bodysuits featuring a built-in shelf bra with removable pads for light-weight support without visible bra lines. For those with larger busts, opt for bodysuits made with compression material for hold versus flimsy fabric requiring heavy bra reinforcement.
What do you wear under a white bodysuit?
Under white bodysuits specifically, beige or skin-tone seamless thongs are least likely to show underneath, especially when wet. C-strings also prevent visible panty lines under white outfits. You can also wear nude compression shorts if you need a bit more coverage. And adhesive pants provide backup assurance of zero show-through.
How do you prevent camel toe in bodysuits?
Camel toe (visible labia outlines) often plagues tight bodysuits, but you can take preventative steps:
- Size up or choose fuller coverage bottom styles
- Apply powder or anti-chafe balm on inner thighs
- Break bodysuit in by gently stretching fabric
- Wear seamless underwear 2 shades darker than bodysuit
- Use a small, folded cloth as extra barrier at the crotch
With some adjustments, you can avoid unfortunate front wedging.
Can you wear a bra with a strapless bodysuit?
Most strapless bodysuits contain built-in light support sufficient for small cup sizes. Opt for low-back multiway bras or strapless longline styles to layer under strapless bodysuits if you need extra lift. Clear adjustable straps are also available to convert certain bodysuits to have halter necks.
How do you hide your pants line in a bodysuit?
To disguise visible panty lines, choose underwear options that won’t show through at all, such as seamless thongs, c-strings, or boyshorts. You can also skip underwear altogether if the bodysuit appears smooth enough when stretched. Some other tricks include wearing two pairs of underwear, with the top pair being nude-toned to hide any whale tale. Shapewear shorts also conceal lines and create a foundation garment effect.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, whether or not you wear underwear with a bodysuit depends on your needs and preferences. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way. By understanding the pros and cons, panty options, and what works best for certain bodysuit styles, you can make the personal choice that makes you feel most confident and comfortable.
Have you worn a bodysuit before? What type of underwear did you wear with yours? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! I am happy to offer more customized recommendations for achieving the perfect, panty line-free bodysuit look.
Founded by Sophia Rodriguez, IGXO Cosmetics is a PETA-certified, cruelty-free, and vegan makeup brand.