How to Avoid Panty Lines in Workout Clothes

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 1, 2021 References

Skin-tight workout gear is great for a long gym session, but it can be tough to figure out what to wear underneath. If you’re worried about your panty lines showing, you aren’t alone! We’ve compiled some of the best solutions to combat VPL (visible panty lines) so you can work out comfortably and confidently.

1

Go commando to avoid wearing underwear at all.

Cut down on laundry and panty lines at the same time! If your workout gear is thicker, forgo the underwear all together to workout care-free. Try using a pantie liner in your work out pants or leggings - there are some designed for use during sports or work outs.^{[1]
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- Going commando can leave you susceptible to camel toe, especially if you’re wearing tight leggings. Try walking around in your home before you head out to make sure everything stays in place.
- Try to wear workout gear that gives you a lot of coverage if you’re going to work out without underwear. Sheer bottoms can lead to a fashion disaster at the gym if you aren’t careful.

2

Try a thong for a simple solution.

The right thong can be as comfortable as normal panties. Choose a thong that doesn’t have any sewing seams so it won’t show through your workout gear.^{[2]
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- Try to find a thong made of nylon or Spandex to avoid harsh lines.
- Thongs without seams are sometimes called “no-show” or “seamless,” so you can look for those keywords as you shop around.

3

Go for a G-string to avoid unnecessary fabric.

A g-string uses way less fabric than a traditional thong. Buy a G-string (it’s a triangle of fabric connected by two strings) and wear it under your workout gear to avoid any panty lines at all.^{[3]
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- The strings of a G-string can take a little getting used to, so try to wear yours around the house before working out in it.

4

Try a stick-on thong to forego traditional underwear.

Stick-on thongs only cover the front of your crotch, so there’s no panty lines at all. Peel the back off a stick-on thong and press it against the inside of your workout gear. The thong will cover your crotch area in the front while leaving you free of panty lines.^{[4]
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- Stick-on thongs are a great way to protect against camel toe, too.
- You can buy packs of stick-on thongs online to keep them around whenever you need one.

5

Wear seamless panties to stay comfortable.

Seamless panties give you all the comfort of panties without any obvious lines. Pick out a pair that cover your bum, then enjoy the full coverage without any seams.^{[5]
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- Synthetic materials, like nylon and Spandex, will be more seamless than cotton.
- Go for a nude-colored pair if you’re worried about them showing through your workout gear, or match them to your workout gear if you're wearing black or white unattended workout leggings or pants.
- This is a great choice for leggings that are a little too see-through for your liking, since they provide a bit of extra coverage.

6

Try boy short underwear for more coverage.

Boy shorts are extra comfortable, and they won’t ride up. Put on a pair of boy shorts and smooth them down under your workout gear to avoid harsh lines.^{[6]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- If your workout gear is super skin-tight, you might get some lines from boy shorts. Try wearing these with looser shorts or pants instead.

7

Use bike shorts as an extra layer.

Skin-tight shorts give you more protection from panty lines. Put on your underwear of choice, then add your Spandex shorts on top. Pull on your workout gear and smooth out any panty lines before you head out.^{[8]
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- Biker shorts can also give you more coverage if your workout gear is a little sheer or see-through.
- If you’re worried about getting too warm, biker shorts might not be the best option for you.

8

Wear thick workout gear to disguise your underwear.

Thin fabrics tend to show more panty lines. Opt for workout gear made of thick Spandex or a cotton blend to avoid seeing obvious lines.^{[9]
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- Thick fabrics also tend to be less see-through, so they’re great for staying covered while you work out.

9

Distract the eye with patterned workout pants.

Blend your panty lines in with a fun pattern. Go for stripes, flowers, polka dots, or triangles to hide any lines that might show up from your underwear.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- Darker colors also help hide panty lines better than lighter colors. Try plum, black, or dark green.
- If you can find workout gear with pockets on the back, those can also help hide any panty lines that you might have.

10

Wear workout bottoms in your size for a seamless fit.

Gear that’s too big or too small can draw extra attention to your underwear. Make sure you’re buying workout gear that fits you in your waist and hip area to avoid unnecessary fabric bunching.^{[12]
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- Workout gear in the wrong size can also lead to camel toe, so it’s best to get clothing in your size.
- The same goes for your underwear! If your undies are too big or too small, they could bunch up and create visible panty lines.

Expert Q&A

Question

Are there any other options I can try?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Shapewear is the secret to disguising panty lines. There is a range of designs to choose from that are tailored to a range of different outfits. Try a shapewear slip if you’re wearing a skirt or dress, or try high-waisted shorts if you’re wearing tight-fitting pants.