There are some things that are best left in the past. Dial-up modems. Powder blue eyeshadow. And VPL showing up through clothes.
That thin line showing up around the tops of thighs and around your rear means feeling self-conscious that the entire world can see the type of knickers you have on underneath.
We know what you’re thinking: it’s cool to let it all hang out! Underwear is the new outerwear! While there is a case to be made for wearing bralettes and corset-style tops, giving everyone an eyeful of your knickers - especially when it’s unintentional - is not the one.
Lightweight clothes are the worst at giving the game away. The fear of VPL also dictates that if you want to wear anything sheer or light-coloured, you’ll need a pair of nude-toned knickers to wear them.
Up until now, your only choices were pants in various shades of beige, thongs or going commando - which might be fun in some scenarios but out of the question when you’re headed to the office or travelling.
Thanks to the invention of seamless knitting, underwear is once again the low-profile piece of clothing most of us want it to be. Made without seams, this new generation of lightweight undies can be worn undetected beneath clothing, keeping the attention focused on your outfit instead of what’s underneath.
If you’re fed up with worrying about VPL, we’ve put together an edit of the best seam-free underwear to buy now. We’ve taken care to include a range of sizes and nude colours to find something that should appeal to every body.
Shop the best below
WUKA Stretch Seamless Midi Brief Medium - Light Nude
Sizes: XS - 4XL
Period pants are the latest revolution taking the world of women’s underwear by storm. They allow you to forgo disposable sanitary products when you’re menstruating thanks to a highly absorbent layer stitched into the gusset. WUKA is a leader in the space, and offers this pair of stretchy, seamless undies in a midi brief cut. Designed for medium flow, there’s a pleasingly large size range and you can buy multipacks too.
Buy now £17.99, WUKA
M&S 5pk Cotton Modal Rich Full Briefs
Sizes: 6 - 28
Offering full brief coverage with no VPL technology, Marks n Sparks comes through with a five pack of beige knickers. The Tencel modal and cotton fabric feels super soft against the skin, helping you feel fresh all day. Bridget Jones wishes she had it this good.
Also available in black and white.
Buy now £12.00, M&S
Calvin Klein 5 Pack Thongs - Invisibles
Sizes: XS - XL
No need to shy away from body-hugging outfits; CK’s pack of microfibre thongs offer flawless, invisible support under practically anything. The edges of the mid-rise pants are laser cut for a fit that feels like second skin.
There’s also a hipster version available for the same price here.
Buy now £65.00, Calvin Klein
Sloggi Zero Feel Maxi Full Briefs
Sizes: XS - XL
Wear trousers, skirts and dresses with confidence, safe in Sloggi’s seamless briefs which come in a variety of fun colours if you can no longer stand the sight of beige. There’s enough stretch woven into the barely-there fabric to ensure a glove-like fit, no unsightly bulges in sight.
Buy now £15.00, M&S
Modibodi Recycled Seamfree Hi-Leg Cheeky
Sizes: 6 - 20
No one will be able to guess what you’re wearing under your clothes, much less that you’re on your period too. Modibodi’s high leg design feels like you’ve got nothing on, and aside from cutting down on period waste, is made from 73 per cent recycled nylon too. Also available in black.
Buy now £22.50, Modibodi
Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong Underwear
Sizes: XS - 2XL
Whether you’re after a clean finish under your running leggings or want to feel like an A-lister in your date night LBD, Lululemon’s smooth and light five-pack of thongs look invisible under clothes. No need to worry about them slipping or sliding either: these are made to stay put.
Buy now £59.00, Lululemon
Uniqlo Airism Ultra Seamless Hiphugger Briefs
Sizes: XS - 2XL
If there’s one high street retailer that continually knocks it out of the park when it comes to wardrobe basics, it’s Uniqlo. Amongst the store’s collection is the Airism range, made for warm weather to keep you cool and breezy. When the heatwaves hit, you’ll be grateful to have a pair of its briefs in your underwear drawer: smooth, seamless and no VPL in sight. They’re offered in a wide range of colours but black is best for anything except the sheerest and lightest of colours.
Buy now £9.90, Uniqlo
John Lewis ANYDAY No VPL Short Knickers
Sizes: 10 - 18
There are seams on John Lewis’s no-VPL pants, but they’re at the sides on the hip so less likely to cause embarrassment for day-to-day clothing. Offered as a set of three, they come in varying shades of blue, although a pink version is available, as well as all beige, and all black.
Buy now £16.00, John Lewis
Lindex briefs ribbed seamless high waist thong
Sizes: 8 - 16
Make choosing your outfit in the morning less of a headache by starting things off with Lindex’s high waist briefs. The seamless yet gently ribbed design is perfect for wearing under practically anything. They come in a choice of beige or black.
Buy now £9.99, Lindex
Boux Avenue Bonded high-waisted briefs - Nude
Sizes: 6 - 18
Made from microfibre for comfort, Boux Avenue’s high waisted pants are made with bonded seams to safeguard your comfort levels. The silk-like design sits comfortably against the skin and under clothes providing all-day comfort. Choose from nude and black.
Buy now £9.00, Boux Avenue
