I often find myself wondering why it takes so long to choose a pair of panties from my drawer, but it does!  The fact is, you should choose your undergarments as carefully as your outfit. Grabbing whatever pair of undies doesn’t always cut it.

Let’s talk about VPL. If you’re not sure what that means, it’s an acronym for “visible panty lines,” which is definitely a huge no no! Your butt just doesn’t look right when you have major panty lines showing. The woman in this photo has a cute body, but her underwear are ruining her rear view!

It amazes me that no matter what pair of traditional underpants I choose, they still give me a wedgie. I just don’t get it. The worst is the pair that splits my rear into a couple of extra parts– that is definitely not the look I’m going for. . .or any woman, for that matter. It’s crazy how often I see it though.

I know, I know. The good old hipsters or bikinis are your fallback, but there are other options to avoid the dreaded VPL! Read on…

Many years back, I began my love of the thong. My mom just doesn’t get why I’d want to have my underwear always “stuck in there.” I reply that even if I wear bikinis or other traditional undies, they ALWAYS end up there anyway!  So, why not wear a thong? Plus, I find them very comfortable and they never give you VPL! As long as you promise me you won’t let your thong show when you’re bending over to tie your kids’ shoe! The thongs that so obviously rise above your pants should be illegal.

There is another option for those who just can’t do the thong.  The boyshort has become a wildly popular and comfortable alternative to plain old undies or thongs. Boyshorts are full coverage and sit right under your tush, but amazingly enough, don’t show VPL under pants, skirts, or whatever! I found a brand I really like, Make + Model at nordstrom.com. They are virtually seamless and make your tush look great.

Whatever style you choose, try to avoid showing your underwear to the general public. We don’t want to see them, honestly. Maybe it’s cool for the teenage boys to show theirs under their humongous baggy jeans, but most definitely not cool for moms to show their panties.

The underwear industry has come a long way since the bloomers of yesteryear. It’s fun to explore different panties, and they come in a wealth of materials, styles, and comfort levels! Try some new styles out, you may find that your good ol’ whities aren’t your favorites anymore!

Cool Mama Style is an affiliate of Nordstrom.com.