French Cut Panties & Underwear

French cut panties are full coverage briefs with leg openings cut high toward the hip bone and a waistband that sits at or near the natural waist. The high leg lengthens the leg and the full back keeps everyday coverage. They are also sold as french cut underwear or french cut briefs.

French cut underwear is the same thing as french cut panties: a fitted, full coverage brief with a high leg line and a waist-level rise. It is a type of high cut underwear, the classic version that keeps the full brief back.

French cut is a specific kind of hi-cut. French cut is always a full coverage brief with a high leg, usually sitting at the waist. Hi-cut is the wider family and includes bikinis, V-kinis and thongs that sit at the hip. Every french cut is high cut; not every high cut is french cut.

Usually, yes. The classic french cut sits at or near the natural waist. But high waisted describes only the waistband, so a high waisted brief with a standard leg opening is not a french cut. French cut needs the high leg as well.

No. French knickers are loose, shorts-like tap pants in silk or satin with a wide open leg. French cut panties are fitted briefs with a high leg opening. They share the word french and nothing else.

The name comes from 1980s American lingerie marketing, when the high leg line seen on French swimwear and dance leotards was applied to everyday briefs. It is not a term used in France; it simply described a leg cut higher than the standard brief of the time.

Yes. The leg opening starts higher on the hip, so the line of the leg begins higher and reads longer. It also removes the horizontal line a standard brief draws across the thigh, which streamlines the hip under fitted clothing.

Very. The high leg avoids the cut-across-the-thigh line that a standard brief can create on fuller hips, and the waist-level band smooths the lower tummy. French cut is one of the most flattering full coverage briefs in plus sizes. See plus size panties.

Yes. Cotton french cut briefs are the everyday version: breathable, soft and comfortable for all-day wear with the same lengthening high leg. See cotton panties.

Yes. Lace french cut panties keep the full coverage brief and add all-over lace or lace trim on the high leg, so the retro brief doubles as lingerie. See lace panties.

Yes. The leg opening follows the natural crease of the hip rather than cutting across the thigh, and the waist-level band is wider and more stable than a low rise band, so french cut briefs tend to stay put and move with you.

Take your usual size. The leg edge should lie flat against the hip without digging, the waistband should sit at your natural waist without rolling, and the back should stay in place when you move. Riding up or rolling means sizing up.

Anything with a waist-level or high rise: trousers, pencil skirts, high rise jeans and fitted dresses. Under low rise jeans the waistband will show, so choose a hip-sitting high cut bikini instead.

Yes. The high leg, full back silhouette has been continuously in production since the 1980s and returns to fashion every few years alongside high rise denim. It is a classic rather than a trend.