Before the pandemic, many tended to overlook lingerie when it came to day-to-day dressing — our fanciest bits gathering dust in storage and awaiting a special occasion. Now, though, given how much time we spend at home — no “occasion” in sight — our undergarments are finally getting the attention they deserve. We wear lace underwear sets to make dinner, silk slip dresses for Zoom parties, and high-cut panties with oversized button-downs to lounge around on the couch. And why not?
In turn, lingerie brands are experimenting more than ever before in the underwear department. Of this year’s best and brightest lingerie trends are boxers meant to be worn inside and outside, corsets and crotchless panties inspired by the unmentionables featured in Netflix’s Regency drama Bridgerton, and all things comfort, including simple cotton bra-and-panty sets, as well as camisoles à la Nicole Kidman in the 1999 Stanley Kubrick thriller Eyes Wide Shut — a look most recently modeled by Zendaya in Malcolm & Marie.
Ahead, click through our guide to 2021’s top lingerie trends.
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Crotchless Panties
With Bridgerton and all its crotchless bloomers still at top of mind, brands are working swiftly to release modern takes on the vintage undergarment. “Now more than ever, women want to feel sexy every day,” Sapna Palep, the co-CEO of lingerie brand Journelle, shared. Apparently, in 2021, this translates to crotchless thongs and bikinis.
Hanky Panky Honeymoon Princess Open Panties, $, available at Shopbop
Fox & Royal Plus-Size Gia Crotchless Panty, $, available at City Chic
Journelle Anya Ouvert Bikini, $, available at Journelle
Corsets
Crotchless panties aren’t the only lingerie items we’re buying because of Bridgerton. Corsets and bustiers, too, have become vastly popular since its release in December. Unlike their crotchless counterparts, though, today’s corsets can be worn outside our clothes — layered over tops and dresses — rather than just underneath them.
Savage x Fenty Puff Daisy Unlined Bustier, $, available at Savage x Fenty
For Love & Lemons Rosy Embroidery Bustier, $, available at For Love & Lemons
Vanessa Mooney The Binxie Corset Top, $, available at Vanessa Mooney
Simple, Cotton Lingerie
With many of us working from home, it’s no surprise that comfortable matching sets are on the rise. Cotton pieces are perfect for when you still want the put-togetherness of a matching bra-and-panty set but aren’t looking for something as adorned as lace lingerie. Choose sets with scalloped details or tiny rosette appliqués for a dash of something special.
Araks Antonia Bralette White, $, available at Araks
Araks Isabella Panty White, $, available at Araks
Hello Beautiful Romance Bra, $, available at Hello Beautiful
Hello Beautiful Romance String Panty, $, available at Hello Beautiful
Zara Cotton Underwire Bra, $, available at Zara
Zara Cotton Panties, $, available at Zara
Boxer Shorts
According to Net-A-Porter’s senior fashion market editor Libby Page, boxer shorts — especially when paired with matching shirts à la HommeGirls — are the ultimate at-home lockdown trend: “Feeling good and looking chic at home is something we’ve all tried to master over the past year, and [boxers]have the ultimate cool-girl factor,” she told Refinery29 in January.
Go a step further once the weather warms up and wear them outside the house, paired with an oversized blazer, socks, and loafers.
Hommegirls Boxer Short, $, available at Hommegirls
Comme Si La Boxer Classica, $, available at Comme Si
Uniqlo Woven Striped Boxers, $, available at Uniqlo
Camisole-Panty Sets
When a sweatsuit feels like a tad too much for lounging around the house, may we suggest another, less fabric-intensive duet? Introducing the camisole-panty duo that’s been popularized by Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut and been making the rounds on Instagram during lockdown. Comfy and easy, panty-camisole sets are the best thing 2021’s given us since Bernie Sanders in Vermontcore gloves.
Skims Knit Tank, $, available at Nordstrom
Skims High Cut Sleep Briefs, $, available at Nordstrom
Only Hearts Second Skins Cami, $, available at Only Hearts
Only Hearts Second Skins Thong, $, available at Only Hearts
Entireworld Organic Cotton Tank, $, available at EntireWorld
Entireworld Organic Cotton Bikini Brief, $, available at EntireWorld
Graphic Panties
From hearts to the days of the week, lingerie has taken a turn for the ‘00s in 2021, with embroidered pictures and phrases adorning the butts of thongs and boyshorts. Hell, some even say “Juicy” — a reference to the noughties brand beloved by Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.
Fruity Booty Textured Booty Thong, $, available at Fruity Booty
Parade Silky Mesh High Rise Cheeky, $, available at Parade
Wednesday’s Girl 7-Pack Briefs In Days-Of-The-Week Print, $, available at ASOS
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