It has been so infernally hot&steamy lately that I’ve no doubt every human who is required to move around outside might enjoy wearing as little as possible. (I feel all furry creatures probably feel the same, but I have no blog post solutions for them except copious hydration. We should all be doing that too.) And although it’s not quite acceptable (yet?) to wear only your skivvies, when you do get a chance to strip down, why not feel good about what lives next to your skin?

And since thrift stores are not handy at all when it comes to what we wear under our clothes, I’ve done some research to uncover a few basics that are nice-to-the-planet, look good, and seem to wear well.

There is of course some subtle difference between lingerie, which according to my pals at Merriam-Webster means “women’s intimate apparel,” and underwear. I truly wish there was a term that could evoke the in-between. Where lingerie suggests more sexy-time silk, lace, and special wrapping in tissue next to the sachet at the back of the drawer, underwear says no frills, wash-and-wear utility. I’ve been that girl who rode the subway with a sly smile thinking of what flirtiness I wore underneath, but too many thong incidents and underwire ill fittings scared me away from all-the-time lingerie action. I still think it’s fun to slip on a few pieces here and there, but for everyday wear, not so much.

But I’m also not down with any granny-panty (such an ewww-inspiring term that I want to somehow make cool) revolution. What I’d like is some truly wearable and sexy underthings that don’t poke, lift, push, or pull. And that come in basic colors and breathable fabrics. Some that are also eco-friendly and well priced. Too much to ask? Here’s what I found:

Lafille D’o is an adorable collection that while slightly dear price-wise, looks like it would be wearable to the extreme, super fun, sexy, and totally worth the money for the design and well-made-ness. I’m close to choosing a couple of things.

Like this, which I’d wear these like crazy.

I totally love this brand Boody and have bought these in bulk. They don’t ride up and are really strangely seamless under pants, skirts, and such.

So one thing I’m still/always on the search for is an everyday bra with no underwire, no padding, just a cute, basic, wearable situation that doesn’t cost an outrageous amount. Cos, which has an “It’s a start” rating on Good on You, has some cute triangle bras in great colors.

I’ve owned a few of these, and they lasted really well, so probably worth the money.

And finally, although I’m not a girl who goes through this awesome experience anymore, I do remember the sensation of ruining (or being afraid I was ruining) pair after pair of undies once a month. To that end, this brilliant group of humans started Thinx.

These are a best-selling basic pair, but they’ve got a whole lot of other styles and colors worth checking out! It makes me so happy to live in a time when girls, women, men, all genders and identifiers can talk about what goes on with a woman’s body and not cringe. (Yay.) Next we’ll have to work on the granny-panty nomenclature. Any ideas?

And what are your thoughts regarding what’s beneath your favorite and daily outfits?

Thanks for being here!