Do You Wear Underwear with Leggings? (2024)

Deciding what to wear under your workout clothes brings up concerns of appearance, comfort, support, and even panty lines. What you usually wear probably won't serve you as well at the gym. Just as you choose your workout or running clothing to move with your body, you need underwear that will also perform and not hinder you.

Sports Bras

Sports bras are a logical choice for people with breasts to wear during aerobics, running, and any activity that involves jumping. You will also find them a good choice for Pilates, yoga, and almost any exercise activity. They give support to reduce bounce and uncomfortable motion and are designed to move well as you twist and bend.

Sports bras have come a long way over the years, and you can find them in just about any style you need to accommodate your shape and the cut of your tops. While the original styleswerecompressing, you can find styles that give support without flattening you completely.

Select sports bras made of breathable, sweat-wicking fabric rather than cotton. This will help prevent chafing and will be more comfortable during exercise.

If you have small breasts and no problem with bouncing, you may want to exercise without a bra, be aware that nipple chafing is a common problem that a sports bra can prevent. The area under your breasts is also prone to chafing, so select a bra that has smooth elastic in that area and use anti-chafing preparations if you still have problems.

Underwear

Deciding what type of underwear to wear on the bottom may take some experimentation. Every woman has a different shape and style. You may find that your thong, briefs, boy shorts, or bikini ride up or irritate you when you exercise and it's good to experiment with what style of underwear works best for your activity and body shape.

The first rule is that moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics are preferred for workouts. While cotton rules for all-day wear, for workouts you may want fabrics that are better at transporting the moisture away from your skin—particularly during intense sessions in high-performance compression leggings. Cotton does breathe, but it may not be able to keep up when you get sweaty.

Exercise can increase irritation from your underwear, so choose smooth fabrics rather than lace and avoid designs that have trim. Elastic around the hips and leg openings should not be so tight that you end up chafing as you move.

Wearing a thong is a popular choice for the freedom of movement and avoiding panty lines. But you will need to ensure it isn't rubbing you thewrong way and causing irritation in your crotch. In the worst cases, that might increase your risk of a vagin*l infection. You may want to look for designs that have a wider waistband for comfort.

Many designs of running tights, running shorts, and exercise shorts have a built-in liner and don't require wearing underwear. That may be a comfortable choice.

To prevent irritation and risk of infection, change into clean, dry underwear after your workout. Keeping your skin and genitals dry is the best way to avoid these problems.

Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  • Helm MF, N. Helm T, F. Bergfeld W. Skin problems in the long-distance runner 2500 years after the battle of marathon.International Journal of Dermatology. 2012;51(3):263–270. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05183.x.

Do You Wear Underwear with Leggings? (1)

By Marguerite Ogle MS, RYT
Marguerite Ogle is a freelance writer and experienced natural wellness and life coach, who has been teaching Pilates for more than 35 years.

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Do You Wear Underwear with Leggings? (2024)

FAQs

Do You Wear Underwear with Leggings? ›

As long as you are not sweating profusely, you can easily wear any pair of leggings with no undies at all. My momma says, “Always try something once. You won't know if you don't like it unless you try.” As long as you make sure to wash, not re-wear, any pair of leggings that you wear panty-less, you'll be good to go.

Am I supposed to wear underwear with leggings? ›

Choosing to wear leggings with no underwear is totally fine and peachy. Whether you're simply more comfortable going commando at the gym, or you're low on laundry at home, there's no judgment here, soldier. Without the protective layer of undies, though, you may have to wash your leggings more often.

Are you supposed to wear underwear with Lulu leggings? ›

In the end, whether or not you choose to wear underwear with your Lululemon leggings is entirely up to you. Just make sure that you feel comfortable and confident in your choice, and don't be afraid to experiment with different options to find what works best for you.

Do you wear underwear with commando leggings? ›

The Case for Commando

Wearing undies under leggings or yoga pants is up to personal preference,” confirms Dr. Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, a practicing gynecologist in New York. Women who work out commando may even experience improved flexibility and comfort during sweat sessions, according to Dr.

Do I have to wear underwear with pants? ›

Underwear can help protect delicate genital skin, but you may not always need to wear it. Going commando may help prevent common concerns like yeast infections, UTIs, or jock itch. When you do wear underwear, stick with cotton, avoid a tight fit, and change it daily, experts say.

What kind of underwear do you wear with leggings? ›

Exercise can increase irritation from your underwear, so choose smooth fabrics rather than lace and avoid designs that have trim. Elastic around the hips and leg openings should not be so tight that you end up chafing as you move. Wearing a thong is a popular choice for the freedom of movement and avoiding panty lines.

Should you wear underwear to bed? ›

Wearing underwear keeps that moisture close to your genitals. This allows bacteria and yeast to grow, which can cause infection and other problems. If you are prone to yeast infections, vagin*l infections or vagin*l irritation, going commando at bedtime could be a great—and healthy—choice.

Do you wear underwear under scrunch leggings? ›

Wearing underwear will not minimize the effectiveness of the scrunch, but some may prefer wearing a thong with butt scrunch leggings to get the most seamless enhancement.

Do you wear underwear under base layer leggings? ›

So, once again, your best bet is to make sure you are comfy and supported by wearing underwear under your thermals. Choose proper performance underwear with features like a seamless, snug fit, that effortlessly moves with you while simultaneously wicking away the moisture.

Do you wear underwear under running leggings? ›

The simple answer is: whatever you feel comfortable wearing. For some, this may involve going without underwear.

Should I wear a thong or go commando? ›

Whatever you wear, make sure your pair fits well and is not overly tight, Dr. Yamaguchi advises—again, to avoid chafing and spreading potentially harmful bacteria. But if you don't want to deal with undie lines or you're just not a full-bottom person, then going commando is a healthier habit to ward off infection.

Is it okay to wear a thong while working out? ›

The bottom line? To be safe, you might want to pick a bikini or hipster style for your next sweat sesh to ensure more air flow and less risk of UTIs. But if you truly like working out in thongs, there's nothing inherently wrong with that.

Do girls wear underwear under ballet tights? ›

In class, for young dancers generally regular undies is fine. As dancers get older they may want to minimise the visibility of lines under their leotards and tights. The following are our suggestions for class: plain coloured seam-free briefs (so patterns don't show through)

Is it normal to not wear underwear with leggings? ›

"The answer is: it doesn't matter one bit!" Turns out that your body is pretty good at taking care of itself and regulating down south, so you get to choose what you wear down under.

What is commando underwear? ›

If you're reading this and thinking, “What is going commando?” Let us give you a quick briefing: It means no briefs. No underwear. No dividing layer between you and your favorite pair of chinos. It's the ultimate freedom. But is it bad to not wear underwear?

Is there a correct way to wear underwear? ›

Underwear should sit against your skin on the legs and hold your package comfortably in the front. The waistband should sit at, or just below, your waistline where you normally wear your clothing – it's different for everyone, so find the most comfortable spot.

Are you supposed to wear underwear under compression leggings? ›

Compression garments need to be on skin. That means "going commando" and not wearing underwear.

Is it necessary to wear underwear during a workout? ›

Bacteria and yeast thrive in warm environments. Wearing underwear offers another layer to catch all of the sweat or wetness associated with exercise. Without them, the possibility of a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection is higher. Skipping underwear during a workout can lend itself to vagin*l irritations.

Is it appropriate to wear leggings as pants? ›

There is ultimately no proper or improper way to wear leggings. Find an aesthetic that works for you and rock them with confidence! If you know what you're doing, your leggings can also serve as a substitute for your usual pair of pants.

Is it inappropriate to wear leggings in public? ›

While some individuals may find it uncomfortable or inappropriate, others view it as a fashion statement and a personal expression of style. Ultimately, the decision to wear leggings in public should be based on personal preference and comfort level.

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