If you’ve ever stood in the underwear aisle thinking,
“Cotton is best… right?”
You’re not alone.
For years, we’ve been told that 100% cotton underwear is the healthiest, most breathable, and best option for everyday wear.
And to be fair… cotton does have its place.
But when it comes to workouts, leggings, and all-day comfort for active lifestyles?
It’s not always the winner people think it is.
Let’s break it down.
The Cotton Myth (And Why We All Believe It)
Cotton gets a good reputation because it’s:
• Natural
• Soft
• Breathable
And when you’re just lounging around or wearing loose clothing, it can feel great.
But here’s the part no one really talks about…
👉 Cotton holds moisture
And that’s where things start to go downhill.
Why Cotton Doesn’t Work for Workouts
If you’re training, walking, running errands, or living life in leggings (hi, same)… your underwear needs to keep up.
Cotton doesn’t.
Here’s what actually happens:
It holds sweat
Instead of pulling moisture away from your skin, cotton absorbs it and hangs onto it.
That means:
• Damp fabric sitting against your skin
• That not-so-fresh feeling mid-workout
• A higher chance of irritation or chafing
It loses shape
Cotton doesn’t have much stretch or recovery.
So after a few wears and washes:
• Waistbands loosen
• Fabric goes baggy
• Fit becomes inconsistent
It shows through leggings
If you’ve ever dealt with VPL or constant adjusting…
Cotton underwear is usually thicker, with seams and hems that don’t sit flat.
Which means:
• Visible panty lines (VPL)
• Bunching under tights
• Constant adjusting
Sound familiar?
So What Should You Be Wearing?
This is where seamless, performance fabrics come in.
The kind used in seamless underwear for active women isn’t random. It’s designed to solve all the problems cotton creates.
Most high-quality seamless underwear (like Squaties 👀) uses a blend of:
Nylon + Elastane
This combo is what gives you that smooth, second-skin feel.
It’s:
• Lightweight
• Stretchy (moves with your body)
• Durable (holds its shape wash after wash)
• Quick drying
Most importantly… it’s moisture-wicking
Which means sweat is pulled away from your skin instead of sitting there.
No damp. No cling. No distractions.
“But What About Breathability?”
Great question. Because this is where people get stuck.
You don’t need your entire pair of underwear to be cotton to stay fresh.
You just need it in the right place.
That’s why high-quality seamless underwear includes a:
👉 100% cotton gusset
That’s the part that sits where it matters most.
So you get:
• Breathability where you need it
• Performance everywhere else
Best of both worlds.
Why We Didn’t Choose 100% Cotton
When designing Squaties, we tested it.
Because like you, we assumed cotton might be the best option.
But once we saw how it performed in real life… it was a no from us.
It didn’t:
• Stay in place
• Handle sweat well
• Sit smoothly under leggings
• Hold its shape over time
And if it doesn’t work when you’re squatting, running, chasing kids, or just getting through your day… what’s the point?
So instead, we focused on creating seamless underwear that stays in place, moves with you, and disappears under anything.
Real Life > Old Advice
The idea that “cotton is always best” comes from a time before performance fabrics were this good.
But your life isn’t static.
You’re:
• Training
• Moving
• Sitting, standing, on the go
• Living in leggings half the week
Your underwear should be able to keep up with that.
The Bottom Line
Cotton isn’t bad.
It’s just not built for the way most of us live now.
If you want underwear that:
• Doesn’t show under leggings
• Doesn’t roll, ride up, or bunch
• Keeps you dry and comfortable
• Actually lasts
Then seamless, moisture-wicking fabrics are the better choice.
Ready to Feel the Difference?
If you’ve been choosing underwear based on old advice… this might be your sign to upgrade.
👉 Try seamless underwear designed for real movement
👉 Find your fit and build your bundle
Because once you wear underwear that actually works…
you don’t go back.
