You bought seamless underwear for the no-show promise. Instead, you're adjusting them every time you stand up.
After sourcing fabric samples from three different mills across two countries and testing prototypes on ourselves and friends for two months, we learned something: most seamless underwear rides up because brands are not intentional with design. The result? Underwear that looks invisible under clothes but doesn't actually stay where you put it.
The Real Reason Your Seamless Underwear Won't Stay Put
Seamless construction removes visible stitching, which solves the panty line problem. But it also removes the structural anchoring that traditional seams provide. Many seamless styles use elastic material meant to hug the body, but without proper coverage and edge finishing, that "hug" becomes a slow creep upward with every step.
We kept hearing the same complaint from customers who'd tried other brands: "They ride up all the time." The issue wasn't their bodies—it was the design.
What Actually Keeps Seamless Underwear in Place
When we started properbasics, we tested three key variables:
Back coverage. Less coverage = less stability. We designed our briefs with intentional coverage in the back that anchors the underwear without adding bulk.
Rise height. From our testing, high-rise styles with raw-cut edges ride up more because there's more fabric surface area to shift against your body. Our mid-rise sits at the natural waist without excess material bunching.
Edge construction. Most seamless underwear uses raw-cut edges that roll and shift. We use bonded edges—a heat-sealed finish that lies completely flat and prevents rolling. The bonded edge also creates a subtle grip that keeps the underwear positioned where you put it.
Our customers tell us the difference is noticeable within the first hour of wear. One tester said, "I forgot I was wearing them"—which is exactly the point.
The Movement Test
Here's what we do before any style goes into production: wear it through an entire day. Walk 10,000 steps. Sit at a desk. Drive. Do laundry. Bend over to pick things up.
If we're adjusting the underwear even once, it doesn't make the cut.
The fabrics we tested that failed? Anything too thin and flimsy (rides up under movement), anything too slippery (won't grip skin) or scratchy (we prefer silky fabric), and anything with weak elastic recovery (stretches out after a few wears and loses its hold).
We chose premium recycled nylon because it has natural memory—it bounces back to its original shape even after being stretched. Combined with the right amount of spandex (not too much, which makes it slide; not too little, which makes it dig in), the fabric itself helps prevent ride-up.
Who Our Seamless Still Might Not Work For
If you're between sizes and tend to size up for comfort, you might still experience some shifting. Seamless needs to fit snugly to work properly.
We also can't promise a 100% invisible look under tight leggings. By adding bonded edge finishing that prevents ride-up, we had to sacrifice the complete invisibility that raw-cut styles with minimal coverage can deliver. It's a tradeoff we're comfortable with—function over complete disappearance.
What to Look For When Shopping
If you're buying seamless underwear that actually stays in place:
- Check the edge finish. Bonded edges prevent rolling and anchor underwear in place better than raw-cut.
- Look for back coverage. Cheeky cuts are cute but often trade stability for aesthetics.
- Consider the rise. Mid-rise typically stays put better than high-rise.
- Size matters. Review the size guide or order multiple sizes to test. Too loose can bunch up or slide down.
The Bottom Line
Seamless underwear that rides up defeats its own purpose. You wanted invisible comfort, not constant adjustment. We built properbasics because we were tired of that tradeoff—and after wearing these ourselves for over a year now, we still reach for them first every morning.
If you're looking for seamless underwear designed to stay put, you can shop our collection here.