Did you know that underwear has been around since the 1700’s? They started out as loincloths- the little flap over your ding dong… ya know, like Tarzan. Well thank goodness we don’t have those anymore but can you imagine if we still did? Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind a little peep show but society would wreck men’s ego’s if everyone knew what they were packing down there! Luckily, underwear evolved and turned into what we have today- especially women’s panties, being cute little thongs and bright geometric patterns or hipsters with busy little bumble bees scattered across them.
You don’t have to pick from loincloths but honestly, it might’ve been easier. Today, there are thousands of varieties that you can mix and match patterns, styles, and fabrics with. So how do you figure out which is the right one?
Is it a certain style that you like on her body? Or maybe on yours.
Do you have a specific color or pattern that you love?
Maybe that doesn’t matter but the way that it feels against your skin is must.
Creating your account was the easy part. Now looking for your perfect pair of panties is going to take some time. Start with one of the following: style, pattern, or material.
STYLES – the design
Not sure what the style even are? Keep reading to understand the differences or the chart above is also a good reference. Mind you, there could be more styles out there but these are the most popular ones.
Briefs
The modest of all panties. High waisted and low across the cheeks. Made popular back in 1935 and selling more than 30,000 pair within the first 3 months.
Boy Shorts
Considered a newer fashion that overtook the 2010’s with their extended sides similar to the men’s boxer-briefs.
Hipster
Low rise with thick sides and comfort across the butt. Giving you that brief feel but with less fabric around the midsection.
Bikini
Just as you’d imagine bikini bottoms. Thin sides and low cut all around and coming midway across those beautiful butt cheeks. Created in the mid 60’s and still taking popularity today.
Cheeky
Similar in the T-style to the thong but with thicker sides and longer in the rear revealing less of the bum. If looking from the front, the two sides meet by coming to a v-shape in the front exposing more lower abdomen. Depending on where you’re from, some call it tanga panties instead.
Thong
Invented in 1974 as a thong swimsuit by Rudi Gernreich. A year later it made its debut into the panty collection. They really became popular in the 90’s as there were no creases in the butt cheeks under tight clothing. Continuing a decade later and they become a fashion statement worn above the pants. Also known as the “whale’s tail” with the thin sides and T-like design resembling a tail.
G-String
The “barely there” kind. Found fame in Brazil in the 80’s after the thong swimsuit came out a few years prior. Skinnier than the thong, the g-string offers very little support. Many would say it’s an elastic string between your butt cheeks.
AND MORE…
Most panty-selling platforms sell panties, of course, but they also sell a variety of other items. On Sophia Gray, you can expect to find bras, garter sets, pantyhose, and sexy lingerie for your enhanced sniffing, touching, or using pleasures.
Bras
Coming in all various sizes and styles including push up, lightly or unlined, bralettes, and athletic/sports bras. They can be crafted with popularity of cotton, lace, polyamide, satin, rayon, and/or spandex. From strappy to strapless, there are also many endless styles when it comes to bras.
Garter Belts
Long ago in the 1920’s, garter belts were designed to hold stockings up, especially when the dresses reduced in length. Now you’ll see that they correspond with matching bra and panties to make up a lingerie set.
Pantyhose
The sheer, see-through, legging. Covering up any blemishes on the legs and looking more sleek and professional. Some have tummy control on the top, while others come only to the mid thing (needing the garter belts). You can find pantyhose in all different colors- black and skin-colored being the majority. Sometimes they’ll be solid or you can see them in lace as well. A well-known popular style in the collection are the fishnet stockings.
Lingerie
Personally, my favorite of all things sexy. From the female point of view, you get to get dressed up for multiple occasions: putting a teddy/baby doll on and feeling cute and sexy, dressing up as Harley Quinn and bringing out my bad girl side, or being Santa’s little helper at Christmas time. The possibilities are endless and it’s so fun to be sexy or naughty. When you get the item as a buyer, you get to fantasize about whatever happened in the little red strappy bodysuit. Or on the flip side, ask your selling to give you exact details so you don’t have to create your own story.
COLORS – solids & prints
There are so many various colors and patterns around and can be difficult to choose from. Here are just a few of the featured prints you might see on any given panty.
Abstract – typically bright colors with patterns or objects
Animal print – cheetah, zebra, giraffe, cow, and so many more.
Camouflage – typically disguising one from the surroundings but with panties, it’s a fashion statement. Can come in various colors including the classic greens/neutrals but also bright and various shades of colors, like pinks or purples.
Dots – including various styles like polka, coin dot, pin dot, and dotted Swiss – who knew there were so many!
Checkered – think of a checkerboard
Damask – a floral classic print
Designer/brand logos – Victoria’s Secret & their sister company, Pink, is classic for putting their brand over their clothing
Floral – always a classy look,; you can never go wrong with flowers.
Graphics – some websites allow you to put your face on your underwear!
Geometric – abstract art following patterns and dimensions.
Herringbone & Chevron – zig zagged type of patterns.
Natural – those of plants, waves, mountains, trees, sun. The things you’d find in nature.
Paisley – always makes me think of handkerchiefs. A beautiful teardrop, swirly design reminding me of the damask print and scroll print mixed together.
Scales – like mermaid scales.
Scroll/swirls – wavy line patterns with ends that come up in swirls.
Stripes – classic, every other colored lines.
MATERIALS – the fabric
The way panties feel against your skin is vital… for both seller and buyer! Your seller wants to be comfortable every day and as a buyer, you want to make sure it has the qualities you want against your fingertips.
Cotton, hemp, and silk are all natural fabrics that absorb moisture to keep vaginas clean and healthy- that means for you, those panties are encased with their scent to the fullest while feeling the softest in your hands.
Other fabrics commonly used are rayon, nylon, elastane (Spandex as most US and Canadian residents know it as), polyester, and/or polyamide. Many panties have combination fibers between natural and synthetic – like cotton and elastane to keep the soft feel but give the stretch they need.
Lingerie can be made out of lace or satin which is a combined group of fibers like elastane and polyamide or polyester.
No matter what, today’s technology has made panties soft and durable no matter what kind of fabrics are used.
Start with one of the 3 categories and that will help you narrow down you search and remember, there’s no right or wrong way to buy panties. It’s all based upon personal preference. Happy shopping!
Xoxo,
The Panty Guide