Just 21 Pairs of Comfy, Breathable, Simple (but Cute!) Cotton Underwear

Coquettish lingerie styles tend to dominate the Valentine's Day shopping conversation, and that's fine, but as the quiet luxury trend (and several recent NYFW collections) has proven, there is beauty in simplicity. There's a certain cool, nostalgic (and, yes sexy) appeal to a great pair of classic, cotton high-cut undies.

In recent years, I've developed a strong preference for 100% cotton underwear with decent coverage — and not just for aesthetic reasons. The fabric boasts a range of other benefits, especially when it comes to intimates. To me, no other material compares in terms of all-day physical comfort and sensorial contentment, especially when the fit is right. In terms of quality, natural fibers like cotton tend to hold up better than the inexpensive, stretchy synthetics dominating much of the underwear market (and apparel in general) these days.

Also unlike synthetics, cotton is a renewable resource and organic cotton production tends to be softer on the environment given the lack of pesticides. (That said, you'd have to examine a brand's individual supply chain to confirm how sustainable its production process really is, regardless of fabric makeup.)

Finally, for those of us with female sex organs, there are purported health benefits as well. Most gynecologists recommend wearing cotton underwear for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties; it's also hypoallergenic and thus less likely to irritate skin — all of this is said to help prevent various vaginal infections.

Despite all these benefits, 100% cotton underwear is surprisingly hard to find outside your local Target's granny-panty aisle. Don't get me wrong: I love a good high-waisted Hanes granny panty, especially for sleeping in, and own several pairs. But if you're looking for something a bit more fitted and aesthetically pleasing with lesser VPL risks, you have to do some digging — it's primarily small, indie brands who are getting it right, but there are a few affordable mass options as well.

My search got a bit easier after I came across Oddobody, a brand built around 100% organic cotton underwear sourced from Peru, via a well-targeted Instagram ad. Co-founders Abigail Gerow and Shira Wheeler say the brand started with "mom's advice to 'always wear 100% cotton underwear.'"

"Both of us came into adulthood during the 'Sex in the City'/HBO era; there was a recession, a lot of hope, and a very specific version of feminism that didn't quite resonate with us. We were in our mid-20s, and couldn't find 100% cotton underwear anywhere," they explained over email.

The duo started by doing their research, or as much as they could given the overall lack of scientific data around women's health: "We found one rather limited scientific study (an epidemiological survey of vulvovaginal candidiasis in Italy in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology from 2002) citing synthetic fabric underwear as an associated factor for vulvovaginal candidiasis, but also collected a great deal of anecdotal evidence as well as a lifetime of recommendations to wear 100% cotton underwear from OBGYNs." Part of the brand's mission is to collect more research around women's health, which it publishes on its website.

Aesthetically, Oddobody has recently found success with its high-leg, '90s-inspired string-bikini and French-cut (my personal favorite) styles in particular, especially in white and black. "The classics just never go out of style, and there is something iconic about a white tank and brief together," the founders observe. "I think customers that are trying cotton underwear for the first time are surprised by how sexy they feel."

Below, find our top picks for simple (but cute!) underwear made using a minimum of 95% cotton. Each pair's fabric makeup is noted in the caption (including whether the cotton is organic) and while several of the featured brands offer a range of colors and styles, we primarily highlighted simple silhouettes with decent coverage in white and other neutrals (just click the link to find what you're looking for). Happy V-Day!

Oddobody French Cut, $24, available here (sizes XS-XXXL)
100% organic pima cotton

Hanes 6pk Pure Comfort Organic Cotton Briefs, $17, available here (sizes 6-10)
100% organic cotton

Araks Isabella Panty, $60, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)
100% organic cotton

Blue Canoe Organic Cotton High Cut Panty, $39, available here (sizes S-XL)
100% organic cotton

Gil Rodriguez The French 100 Brief, $38, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)
100% cotton

Kent 2-Pack Organic Cotton Hipster Briefs, $48, available here (sizes S-3X)
100% organic cotton

Hanro Cotton Seamless High-Cut Brief, $45, available here (sizes XS-L)
100% mercerized cotton

Pretties Prêt Organic Cotton Thong, $16, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)
100% organic cotton

Maman Atelier Classic Brief, $45, available here (sizes XS-XL)
100% organic cotton

Only Hearts Organic Cotton French Bikini, $28, available here (sizes S-XL)
100% organic cotton

Jockey Elance French Cut 6 Pack, $30, available here (sizes 5-11)
100% cotton

Pansy French Cut, $32, available here (sizes XS-5XL)
100% organic cotton, compostable

Smith Bowen Moon Dust Panties, $44, available here (sizes XS-XXL)
100% organic cotton, compostable

Cou Cou Intimates The High Rise Pointelle, $32, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)
100% organic cotton

Etam Jack 3-Pack Cotton Bikini, $24, available here (sizes S-XXL)
95% cotton, 5% elastane

La Coochie Mid Rise Brief, $13, available here (sizes XS-XXL)
95% organic cotton, 5% elastane

Los Angeles Apparel Bikini Panty, $14, available here (sizes XS-L)
95% cotton, 5% elastane

Organic Basics Core High-Leg Briefs, $10, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)
95% organic cotton, 5% elastane

H&M 5-Pack Briefs, $12.99, available here (XXS-4XL)
95% cotton, 5% spandex shell; 100% cotton lining

Pact Everyday French Cut Bikini, $14 $8, available here (sizes XS-XXL)

95% organic cotton, 5% elastane

Quince Organic Cotton Bikini 6-Pack, $30, available here (sizes XS-XL)
95% organic cotton, 5% spandex

Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

Never miss the latest fashion industry news. Sign up for the Fashionista daily newsletter.