High-Cut, Midi, Full & Tanga Briefs: What's the Difference?

Finding the right underwear shouldn’t feel like decoding a fashion dictionary. The good news is that once you know the differences, selecting the right pair for your preference and your outfit gets a whole lot easier. We’ll discuss the subtle differences between High-Cut, Midi, Full & Tanga Briefs, so you’ll never second-guess which style to grab.

Quick-Pick Quiz: Find Your Perfect Brief

Want to try brief-style panties, but not sure which style suits you best? Answer these five questions to discover your ideal everyday underwear:

1. What's your top priority?

• A) Looking sleek and elongated in fitted clothes
• B) Reliable comfort that works with everything
• C) Maximum coverage and all-day security
• D) No visible lines under tight clothing

2. What's your go-to outfit?

• A) High-waisted jeans and fitted tops
• B) Work attire like blazers and midi skirts
• C) Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
• D) Bodycon dresses and form-fitting pants

3. How much coverage makes you feel confident?

• A) Moderate: enough to feel secure but still modern
• B) Balanced: more than minimal but not full coverage
• C) Complete: the more coverage, the better
• D) Minimal: just enough to avoid lines

4. What's your biggest underwear frustration?

• A) Underwear that rides up or shifts throughout the day
• B) Finding styles that work with both casual and professional outfits
• C) Underwear that doesn't provide enough support or feels flimsy
• D) Visible panty lines ruining the look of fitted clothes

What's your go-to swimsuit bottom style?

• A) High-waisted bikini bottoms or retro-inspired cuts
• B) Classic bikini bottoms that hit at the hip
• C) Boy shorts or skirted bottoms with full coverage
• D) Cheeky or Brazilian-cut bottoms

Your Results:

• Mostly A's: High-Cut Briefs are your match
• Mostly B's: Midi Briefs will be your everyday go-to
• Mostly C's: Full Briefs offer the comfort you crave
• Mostly D's: Tanga Briefs provide the sleek solution you need

Here’s more info about each style’s cut, its comfort level, and when to wear them, so you can hone in on your go-to brief-style underwear.

High-Cut Briefs

The Cut: High-cut briefs do what they say, and feature leg openings that sit higher on your hips to create an elevated, elongated look for your legs. The waistband typically sits at or just below your natural waistline, while the leg openings are cut above the hip bone. This allows for more butt coverage in the back while still giving you a sleek, minimalist look from the front and sides.

Comfort Info: These briefs offer more coverage than a bikini cut but less than a full brief, striking the perfect balance for those who want coverage without bulk. The higher leg line means the brief covers more of your backside while still maintaining a modern, flattering shape.

Best For: High-cut briefs provide full coverage with a leg-lengthening effect, making them a comfortable option under jeans, skirts, and dresses. While they smooth nicely under many outfits, anyone who wants to completely avoid panty lines should go for seamless or thong styles.

Try these:

• The SKIMS Seamless Sculpt High-Waisted Brief brings smoothing and sculpting coverage, with an elongating high-cut silhouette.
• The SKIMS Fits Everybody Brief has a classic high-cut style, made in a signature buttery-soft fabric.

Mid-Coverage Briefs

The Cut: Midi briefs offer a contemporary take on classic coverage, sitting right between high-cut and full brief styles. The waistband rests comfortably at your natural waist or slightly below, while the leg openings provide moderate coverage that doesn't extend as high as a high-cut style. The overall silhouette is clean and modern.

Comfort Info: This style provides reliable comfort with a secure fit that stays in place throughout the day. The moderate leg opening prevents riding up without being bulky under clothing.

Best For: Midi briefs are versatile enough for daily wear and work well under mid-rise and high-rise clothing. They're an excellent choice for those who find that high-cut styles provide insufficient coverage but who don't want the full coverage of a traditional brief. This style works beautifully under A-line skirts, wide-leg trousers, and midi dresses.

Try these:

• The SKIMS Cotton Jersey Brief, made in a comfortable cotton fabric, with a mid-rise cut for everyday wear.
• The SKIMS Soft Smoothing Brief offers ultra-light compression with the perfect moderate coverage.

Maximum Coverage, Maximum Confidence: Full Briefs

The Cut: Full briefs provide maximum coverage and support, featuring a higher waistband that sits at or above your natural waistline, lower leg openings, and complete coverage. The silhouette is classic and practical, prioritizing function and comfort.

Comfort Info: This cut provides full coverage across your backside and hips, creating a secure fit that many find reassuring. The higher waistband can also provide light tummy support, depending on the fabric, which creates a smooth silhouette under fitted clothing. Full briefs are ideal for long days when you need reliable coverage.

Best For: Full briefs work well under loose-fitting clothing like flowing dresses, relaxed-fit pants, and oversized sweaters or hoodies. This style is ideal for everyday wear, especially when you’re planning on spending the day lounging.

Try these:

• The SKIMS Cotton Rib Brief delivers maximum coverage in breathable cotton for all-day comfort.
• The SKIMS Fits Everybody Full Brief offers complete coverage that’s super soft, with a seamless look.

European Sophistication: Tanga Briefs

The Cut: Tanga briefs have a European-inspired cut that provides more coverage than a thong while still maintaining a sleek, minimal appearance. The back coverage is more substantial than a thong but less than a traditional brief. The sides typically have wider panels, while the leg openings are cut to sit comfortably on your hips.

Comfort Info: While they offer less coverage than traditional briefs, tangas provide more security and coverage than thongs. The leg openings follow your natural hip line, creating a flattering silhouette that works with your body's curves.

Best For: Tanga briefs are a great option under fitted clothing when you want to minimize visible lines but prefer more coverage than a thong. Their slimmer sides and minimal back make them ideal with bodycon dresses, tailored trousers, or any curve-hugging look. They’re also well-suited to lower-rise pants.

Try these:

• The SKIMS Fits Everybody Lace Tanga is a chic European-inspired cut, made in our signature buttery fabric with lace details.
• The SKIMS Cotton Jersey Cheeky Tanga shows minimal lines, but with more coverage than a thong, and is made in soft, comfy cotton.

It’s never one size or one cut that fits all. The perfect brief style for you depends on your personal preferences, unique body type, and the clothing you're wearing on a particular occasion. Consider building an underwear collection that includes multiple brief styles, so you have the perfect undergarment option for any outfit or occasion. Quality construction and proper fit matter more than any specific style, so invest in well-made pieces that feel completely comfortable, and most of all, make you feel totally confident.