The word hipster on an underwear label

Short answer: What does hipster mean on an underwear label? It is a cut where the waistband sits on the hips and the legs are cut straight, so the knickers cover more than a bikini but less than a full brief. It is often a calm choice for everyday wear.

What hipster means in plain terms

Hipster describes a cut, not a style. The name comes from the waistband sitting over the hip bones instead of up at the navel. That gives a pair of knickers that sits lower than a full brief but covers more of the bottom than a thong or a high-leg cut. That is the whole idea behind the word.

Where a hipster sits on the body

A hipster sits on the hips, and the legs are cut straight across the thigh without going high. If you are looking for bamboo knickers in this cut, check where the waistband sits and how high the leg opening is, because those two decide where the knickers land on you.

The difference between hipster, bikini and full brief

A bikini sits lower and has narrower legs, while a full brief rises high and covers most of the lower belly. The hipster sits between the two and gives more coverage at the back than a bikini. Many women choose it because it feels secure through the day without the amount of fabric a full brief has.

What hipster means for fit

Because the waistband sits on the hips, a hipster does not pull at the stomach and stays put under trousers and dresses. Try it in your usual size and check that the legs do not cut in. A pair that rolls up or digs in either is the wrong size or the wrong cut for your body.

Hipster under trousers and clothes

Under looser trousers and skirts a hipster rarely shows, but under very tight trousers the leg edge can leave a line. If you wear it under snug clothes, choose a flat, soft edge without wide elastic. A pair close to your skin tone is often easier to hide than a pale one.

Bamboo in a hipster

Bamboo clothing is viscose made from bamboo, which feels soft and light against the skin, especially in a cut you wear all day. You notice it when you walk, sit and move for many hours. You can also match the whole drawer with bamboo underwear for women, so cut and material go together.

Washing and caring for hipster knickers

Wash them as the care label says, and turn them inside out to protect the edge. Use a mild detergent and little fabric softener so the fibres do not get a coating, and dry them flat or on low heat. That keeps the waistband and legs in shape, so the cut keeps sitting the way it should.

What the label does not tell you

The word hipster says something about the cut, but nothing about material, size or quality. Read the material list and the measurements too, and compare with a pair you already like. For the upper body you can look at bamboo tops for women, so every layer of the day is equally soft.

Frequently asked questions

What does hipster mean in underwear?

Hipster is a knicker cut with the waistband on the hips and straight legs. It covers more than a bikini and less than a full brief, and it suits many everyday situations.

Are hipster and bikini the same thing?

No. A bikini sits lower and has narrower legs, while a hipster covers a little more of the bottom and stays calmer when you walk and sit a lot.

Does a hipster show under tight trousers?

It can leave a line under very tight trousers. Choose a flat, soft edge and a colour close to your clothes, or try a high-leg cut instead.