So, there’s this thing called a gusset in women’s undies. It’s that extra flap or gusset of fabric, usually falling right below the vagina. Often there is a seam at that point, which is uncomfortable for me.
Recently some underwear companies realized that the gusset is too narrow, and many women want wider gussets and wider coverage.
What I can’t find is longer, higher coverage. I want the gusset to go all the way up, higher than my labia and urethra opening, above my clit, just nice coverage all the way up. Even a little padding would be nice, to prevent discomfort and camel toe.
The only ones I can find are made for incontinence and periods, so they have waterproof qualities. I don’t want waterproof, just everyday panties, hopefully cotton, that cover my business properly!!
Any suggestions? I have arthritis and can’t sew at all, incidentally.
Comments
All my shorts have a gusset that comes up pretty high in the front, and the seam is curved as well.
It’s such a reasonable ask. I wish I had a rec but nothing quite fits me right.
This has bothered me since I was a little girl 💀
Right? Like why is that tiny gusset even there?
I want them, too. Solidarity. I hope someone posts a brand recommendation. On most of my underwear, the seam at the top of the gusset falls across the middle of my labia, I guess about an inch below my clit. It’s such a stupid design. And if a pair has a seam that falls direcrly on my clit, I can’t wear them. And yet, the seam on the back of the gusset goes way high on the butt. The whole thing is centered over my asshole, which makes zero sense.
Huha! They have extra long gussets and are amazing. Women owned brand too!
Have you looked at men’s underwear? Not being obnoxious. In summer I wear men’s cotton boxer briefs because they have lots of extra fabric and no unpleasant seams.
This isn’t for everyone but I’ve been wearing men’s boxer briefs. They breathe better, wash better, cover everything and more without panty lines, and they come in fun designs. I have a little poof of extra material at first but as I wash and wear, that gets smaller and disappears in a lot of them. My only problem is finding short ones for shorts, when I see those I stock up.
Women’s boy shorts are the same concept but they usually come with the same weird flap and the lines are never flattering.
Try men’s bikini underwear.
(Only did this once myself. I was at my boyfriend’s house and there was lack of laundry so I borrowed a pair of his. Was surprised how comfortable they were.)
I stick with Jockey undies. They’re the only undies I own where the gusset hits the top of my slit.
I like the Knix essential underwear. The gusset covers all the way around.
Not me sticking my hands in my panties right now to feel how high up the gusset comes. I never noticed this at all.
I switched to boyshorts. I found they have better coverage and are way more comfortable.
I have a pair of Huha and the gusset goes all the way up to the waist band and side seams in the front. The style is have is cheeky, they have others.
The Ridge Merino boy shorts gusset rises to right above my clit.
https://shopcherri.com/
Never bought these, but they have good reviews!
Yeah even Period. underwear gussets are shrinking, wth. Why would a women-owned brand for women start changing their product in a way that supports fewer women 😭
Following here and will be checking out huha based on another comment.
these hanes briefs have a pretty wide and tall gusset. At least that’s how they fit on me. Very comfortable underwear overall.
These underwear on Amazon have a gusset that comes up to the waist in front. One of my daughters has trouble finding underwear with a wide enough gusset, but this style works well for her.
I think EVRY underwear has what you’re describing. I bought 4 pairs recently and liked them so much promptly purchased another two in a lighter weight Summer fabric. I was kinda surprised that the seam of the gusset was so high but they are very snug and comfortable.
I switched to men’s briefs and boxer briefs because it was the cheapest solution to the problem.
I really hate how they have that back seam that covers nearly your whole ass and looks like a crescent shape when you’re wearing pants. What the fuck I don’t need a diaper on my ass! I really think it’s men designing underwear because all they know is butthole.
Bonds cottontails
I’m honestly ready to cut up an old tee shirt and sew in my own. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, just need the motivation
This has bothered me for forever and I thought there was something wrong with me because that piece doesn’t fit right
I love TomboyX
I don’t have any reqs, but just wanted to say I’m so glad a space like this exists where we can discuss these things. I’m finding out fantastic info and so glad I’m not alone in these frustrations.
Pantydrop.me.
Honestly I just wear seamless underwear with no gusset from Aerie and love it so much more. No seams anywhere. The downside is that it’s not a double layer of fabric protecting your labia, though.
I haven’t purchased any myself, but I’ve heard the brand Cherri is good!
The skims boy shorts hit the mark for me in this area!!
I like men’s boxer briefs are my new favorite around the house shorts ( and under dresses) Longer than “sleep shorts” marketed as pajamas, and close enough fit that i don’t have to worry about anyone getting a good view of my bits. Plus cheap and breathable!
I prefer commando, but wear briefs if my roommate is home so nothing gets we.
Thank you so much for saying this. The only ones I’ve found are these women’s boxer briefs. There isn’t a gusset seam at all in the front. It just goes right up to the waistband. Only problem is that I can’t wear this style of underwear for some outfits. But it’s amazing under dresses.
Revol cares period underwear
I wear exclusively Knix period underwear. The gusset is thick, always black regardless what cute color the underwear might be, and it’s sewn in in all sides. I could never go back to regular underwear!
This also drives me crazy! The gusset “top” seem is always digging into my labia and it’s super uncomfortable.
I wear boody brand boy shorts. They’re made of bamboo viscose and are incredibly comfortable.
I stopped wearing underwear for many years before finding these, because all of them sucked in some form or fashion.
I make my own, or at least modify the gusset. Underwear are pretty easy if you know your way around a pattern and a sewing machine. If you have a ratty pair you can sacrifice for a pattern (the whole pair, not the gusset) carefully unpick the side seams and use it to trace on paper (with seam allowances) and get some nice fabric (knit cotton, not woven – no stretch) and some good elastic (I like the wide kind and I just case it in fabric so I don’t get pinch marks but the thin stuff works too).
There are tons of tutorials on YouTube too. 🙂
I also modify all my pants pockets because pockets that can’t fit a debit card vertically or more than half a cell phone without it sticking out are asinine.
I found that even. Underwear doesn’t work for me for bladder lake stuff. Only particular brands the pad comes up high enough that catches where I leak from.
Jojotastic has a whole underwear thesis after testing them! https://jojotastic.substack.com/
Mens/boys boxer briefs. I started buying them for my daughter – she’s very active and wanted something more sturdy and comfortable for under her school uniform…. But then I realised she’s on to something. Cheap, breathable, comfortable, coverage where you want it. I still occasionally put in an old pair of my (big!) woman’s pants and they’re so irritating in comparison. Even woman’s ‘boy shorts’ are terrible, flimsy things when compared to mens!
I’m in the UK and buy teenage boys pants from M&S . I’m never going back.
Step one boxers have no midline seam and a full length gusset.
Middies are advertised with this too but I haven’t tried them
A solution (albeit temporary) might be to get extra-thin, extra-long pads until you can find the right thing.
For the Australians here —
Midies are better than StepOne for boxer style underwear.
This is going to sound stupid, but can’t you just pull them up a bit in the front? Totally depends on what kind of underwear you wear. I suppose you could also take a look at sports underwear with flat seams.
I stock up on cheek boss underwear when it’s on sale, the gusset is higher than other brands I’ve bought
Paradis Sport’s natural fiber bikini has a double layer front panel, so the gusset goes all the way to the waistband. Can’t speak for the other models but I bet they’d reply to an email, it’s a small woman-owned company.
This is a perfect case for customs garments. The reason why it’s normally do low is so it doesn’t show through on the front.
But if you have custom stuff you van put it where every you want. Frankly, you might just be able to seam rip out the old gussets and add your own with a panel cut from old tshirts. Just do it swimsuit style where it’s only attached on the seams… with no close at the front or back. Put as many layers as you like.
I don’t know about any of their other offerings, but Victoria’s Secret No-Show Cheeky have a gusset that is longer in the front. The front seam is heat-sealed and flat.
I wear a medium and on my body the front seam lands about mid pubic mound.
Evry underwear! Cannot recommend enough. Wide coverage AND the gusset is fully sewn in so no annoying seam. I have sensory issues and these underwear are so sensory friendly for me that they are literally all I buy now. They’re not cheap, but they’re so well made and feel so good I honestly get excited every time I put on a fresh pair.
I have long given up on women’s underwear. I live in boxers and have done for at least ten years. Knotty and Step One both make really nice women’s ones that are breathable and soft with a decent waistband.
I used to wear Oddballs but the gusset is that tiny weird little diamond shape which makes no sense other than to get all caught up in your business and they have a middle seam. At the time I started buying them, proper women’s boxers were hard to come by but now I’m finding more brands.
I live free from wedgies both front and back and my longer legged Step One boxers double up as chub rub shorts.
I have found Woxers to be very comfortable. They’ve just released a line specifically for use with pads. I haven’t tried those yet, though, as I’m spayed and have not needed pads in a long while.