One of the reasons We write about and love helping you find the best undergarments is because they are the closest to your skin as our logo says "NEXT TO SKIN" and your most intimate body parts. So choosing a style, material, and cut that works for YOU is super super super important. Wearing underwear that feels good will help you say awesome inside, outside, and underneath. It’s also a great way to learn to love your bum. We’ve already explored the pros and cons of wearing thongs, and now we’re exploring: boyshorts.

I’m going to take you down a boyshort journey so that you can explore a few different silhouettes, get my honest feedback about when and why everyone wear them, and hear from all our cutomers of all different ages, body shapes, and panty sizes. Ready? Let’s say lovebird for lingerie!

{By the way, We don’t think we, as a collective society, have settled on using two or one word for boyshort. I’m going to use one, because it’s really a new term that came from two words. You can spell it as you like!}

Why Are They Called “Boyshorts”?

This popular style got its name from a traditionally “male” attributed underwear style: the boxer short. And, as it tends to go in our society, the female version of the boyshort became more and more traditionally feminine as the style evolved. And while you can absolutely still find “traditionally male looking” boyshorts designed for a “traditionally shaped female body” (so many quotes here because wow we really classify gender so hard when it comes to undies and bodies), the truth is, a lot of boyshorts designed with women in mind are extremely feminine. In recent years, boyshort simply means a particular “short” like silhouette. In fact, there are variations on the boyshort now.

Boyshorts That Look Like Shorts

Some boyshort underwear is made like a real “short”, and may extend longer on the leg and have full back coverage. This is different than say, a thong, tanga, Brazilian, or bikini cut because of the extra side and leg coverage. The kind of boyshort that actually looks like a short is a more traditional version of this kind of underwear. Not traditional as in conservative (although it does have more coverage), but traditional as in more in line with the original concept for this style of underwear. Though styles vary, it’s most common to find this silhouette with a more sporty or athletic design style, or with male underwear attributes like a button fly, thick elastic waistband, or reinforced seams and leg openings.

Everyone love to sleep in this type of short if it’s made of a natural or breathable fiber. So cozy! Some also like to wear these underneath my ski pants in the winter, or in-case-of-the-subway-wind moments under skirts in the summer.

Pros of Wearing Boyshorts

• More side coverage on the hip area for comfort and modesty
• The wide side can sometimes lay flat and not roll or dig in like a thin side can
• Bum coverage (full or cheeky coverage, depending on the style) and no “bum floss”
• More fabric means more opportunity to showcase pretty attributes like color, material, or print
• Comfortable for sleeping or lounging around the house
• Great style for sporty or athletic looks

Cons (What-the-heys) of Wearing Boyshorts

• The wider side can sometimes dig into the top of your thigh, causing a bulge or discomfort
• If they don’t move with your body, they can ride up
• The back coverage can sometimes move around – trying to “become a thong”
• Some wearers warned that the wide side can cause an unflattering “wide” look to thighs
• Those with a full bum may feel like the coverage is inadequate, at best
• It can feel like “a lot” of material underneath tight pants
• Unless it’s designed without seams, the coverage can cause panty lines to show through clothes