Avoid the dreaded visible panty line with these 5 simple tricks

A VPL – visible panty line – happens when the outline of your underwear is clearly visible through your clothes, providing your fashion audience with an insight into the shape of your undergarment. Thongs, and especially G-strings, seem like the remedy here, but they can be uncomfortable, and it’s understandable why you might want to avoid them. Stick-on thongs are not for everyone either.

If sharing what's under your clothes is not your intention, here are five easy ways to avoid this styling mistake.

Camouflage with a print

Print hides even the worst of fashion sins. When in doubt, opt for an item with a bold pattern—the busier the print, the better it will be at hiding VPL. With the right pattern you can wear your best Bridget Jones pants and not worry about anything, Cosmopolitan advises.

Avoid lightweight fabrics

When it comes to choosing what clothing to wear in the morning, steer clear of lightweight, silky fabrics that cling to the skin.

Lila Flint Roberts, fashion assistant at ITV’s This Morning explained to The Independent:

VPLs are extremely prominent in form-fitting, thin fabrics. For example, the infamous Topshop slip skirt has been adorned by every fashion lover over the last year. It’s a satin tube skirt, the most unfriendly garment with regards to a VPL.

Instead, the stylist suggests opting to wear ‘good quality denim’ and textured fabrics that disguise underwear lines.

Layer tights or pantyhose over your underwear.

This solution is best for colder months. A pair of tights or pantyhose can smooth out any unwanted lines so they don't show on your outermost layer and eliminate the VPL effect.

Don’t like thongs? Try boyshorts

There is something so satisfying about wearing underwear that is made for men, and for the most part, it’s more comfortable too. When on a mission to avoid the dreaded VPL, boyshorts are a great option because they go right under the curve of the butt cheek instead of cutting across it. A little lace hem is also good for making the line less noticeable.

Shapewear can be a solution

Shapewear is becoming more and more popular amongst women. It creates a smooth line under your clothes and makes you forget VPL even exists as a styling problem. But make sure you choose the right size of this wonder-garment, as not to end up in something way too tight.

Sources used:

- Cosmopolitan: '8 Ways to Disguise Panty Lines Without Going Commando'

- Independent: '5 ways to avoid a visible panty line, according to a stylist'

Read more:

⋙ Shapewear for a curvy body: is it worth it, and what are the best brands?

⋙ This is why you should never sleep in your underwear

⋙ Why do women's underwear have a bow on them?