Underwear Buying Mistakes: Myths and the Truth Behind Them

Date: 09 Jun 2026

We all have beliefs about underwear — formed by habit, inherited from the advice of mothers and friends, or simply shaped by social media. The truth is that many of them are not always correct. Sometimes these beliefs mislead us and we make mistakes — we choose the wrong colour, the wrong size or the wrong fabric. Every one of these mistakes is rooted in a myth — a belief that sounds logical but is not true.

At SIA Underwear we have been making underwear for 25 years. In this article we share the truth behind the seven most common myths.

Myth 1: "Underwear can't be seen, so it doesn't matter"

True — no one else can see it. But you wear it. Eight, ten, twelve hours a day. And if the elastic presses, the seam irritates or the fabric doesn't breathe — your body knows, even when your mind has made peace with it.

Underwear is not invisible in the literal sense either. It shows in the outlines under a fitted dress. In the colour that shows through a white blouse. In the lines that reveal the wrong size under tight trousers.

The right underwear is invisible. The wrong underwear is not. And the difference is felt by you — even when no one else notices.

Myth 2: "Expensive underwear is quality — and quality underwear is always expensive"

Price is a convenient guide. It is easy to assume that expensive means good and cheap means not. But reality is rarely that simple.

A high price does not in itself make underwear luxurious. Expensive underwear can be expensive because of the brand, the advertising or the packaging — not because of what is inside. Polyester in a luxury box is still polyester. And polyester retains moisture, doesn't breathe and irritates the skin — regardless of what it cost.

For underwear to be truly quality it must meet at least three criteria: a delicate fabric that caresses the skin, fine seams and elastic that do not irritate, and a stylish and comfortable design that creates the look and feeling when worn.

Myth 3: "Nude is boring"

Boring. Plain. Without character. Nude underwear is the last choice in the drawer — for the days when nothing else works.

But ask yourself when you last worried about your underwear showing under a light dress. Or under a white blouse. Or under thin summer trousers. Nude is not boring — it is invisible. And invisibility is exactly what we sometimes need most.

Black is elegant. Red is bold. But nude is smart. It blends with skin tone and disappears under clothes — exactly when we want our underwear to not exist for anyone but ourselves.

Nude is boring only if you don't know when to use it. And when you do — it becomes indispensable.

Myth 4: "White underwear is invisible under white clothes"

It sounds logical. White under white — what could possibly show?

Everything. White contrasts with skin tone and that is exactly why it shows through thin white fabric. Not because it is bright, but because our skin is not white — and the difference between the two shades is immediately visible in light. This effect is even stronger in summer, when we have a matte tan from sunbathing.

Nude works on the opposite principle — it blends with skin tone and disappears. That is exactly why it is the right choice under white, pastel and light clothes. Not white. Nude.

This is perhaps the most common myth in the wardrobe — and the easiest to correct.

Myth 5: "Clothing size applies to underwear too"

M is M. Sounds logical.

It isn't.

Clothing and underwear sizes do not follow a universal standard — in both cases M can vary significantly depending on the brand and manufacturer. That is why the only reliable guide when choosing underwear and clothes is to compare the measurements of your own body with the size chart of the specific manufacturer. Nothing else.

A woman who wears a size M dress may wear underwear in size S or L — it depends solely on her measurements, not on the label of the dress in her wardrobe.

When in doubt between two sizes — we choose the larger one. Underwear that is too tight is not just uncomfortable. It leaves marks, irritates the skin and loses its shape more quickly. The right size is the one where the underwear follows the body without reminding you it is there.

For more information on how to measure correctly see our article how to choose the right size of briefs and Brazilian briefs.

Myth 6: "Cotton is always the best choice"

Cotton is natural. Breathable. Hypoallergenic. And it really is excellent — but not always and not for every situation.

Under a fitted dress cotton creates outlines. In hot summer weather it dries slowly and retains moisture. Under light clothes thick cotton fabric can show even in nude.

Cotton is perfect for everyday wear, at home and for sensitive skin. But there are moments when polyamide microfibre is the better choice — lighter, smoother, more invisible. And moments when lace adds that third feeling that neither cotton nor microfibre can give.

There is no universal answer. There is the right choice for the right moment.

Myth 7: "Lace is only for special occasions"

Lace is for romantic evenings. For special occasions. For those rails in the shop that we walk past but rarely stop at.

Or is it?

Quality elastic lace on a polyamide base is soft, flexible and comfortable for all-day wear. It does not irritate, does not unravel after the first few washes and moves with the body — just like any other fabric. The difference is that it adds something cotton and microfibre cannot: the feeling of a special moment even on the most ordinary Tuesday.

Lace lingerie is not only for special occasions. It is for every day when we want to feel special — for no particular reason.

In Short

Underwear myths are persistent — because they sound logical. White under white. Expensive means quality. Lace is for special occasions. But behind each of them lies a more complex truth.

Quality underwear is not determined by price. It is determined by fabric, size and workmanship. The right underwear is chosen according to the colour of the clothes above and the occasion for which it is intended.

Underwear is hidden, but it lays the foundation of our overall look and has a much stronger influence on how we feel throughout the day than we realise.