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Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky Retro High Waisted Lace V-kini Plus Size Panties
$39.00$69.00Unit price /Unavailable-
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Parfait Lingerie
Pearl High Waisted French Cut Panty - Rio Red
$16.80$24.00Unit price /Unavailable-
Parfait Lingerie
Bonded French Cut Body Smoothing Panty - Porcelain
$11.20$16.00Unit price /Unavailable-
Parfait Lingerie
Shea Full Coverage French Cut Panty - Racing Red
$16.80$24.00Unit price /Unavailable-
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Parfait Lingerie
Micro Dressy High Waisted French Cut Panty - Rio Red
$11.20$16.00Unit price /Unavailable-
Parfait Lingerie
Bonded French Cut Body Smoothing Panty - Racing Red
$11.20$16.00Unit price /Unavailable-
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High Cut Panties & Underwear: The Leg Line That Lengthens Everything
High cut, hi-cut, high leg: three names for one idea. The leg opening is cut higher on the hip, so the leg reads longer and the hip line reads cleaner. It is a leg line, not a rise, which is why you will find it on briefs, bikinis, V-kinis and thongs alike.
Below: what high cut actually means, how it differs from high waisted and french cut, the cuts worth knowing, and how it should fit.
What does high cut mean in panties?
High cut panties, also called hi-cut underwear or high leg panties, have leg openings cut higher on the hip than a standard brief or bikini, which visually lengthens the leg and streamlines the hip. High cut describes the leg line only. It says nothing about the waistband, so a high cut can sit at the hip (a V-kini or hi-cut bikini) or at the waist (a classic french cut brief). It comes in brief, bikini, cheeky and thong backs, in lace, cotton and seamless fabrics. Choose your usual size; the leg line is cut, not stretched. Shop high cut panties at HauteFlair.
High cut vs french cut vs high waisted
Three terms shoppers mix up. They describe different parts of the panty.
| Term | What it describes | Where it sits | Typical back |
|---|---|---|---|
| High cut / hi-cut | The leg opening, cut higher on the hip | Any rise, hip to waist | Brief, bikini or thong |
| French cut | A high cut leg on a full coverage brief | Usually at the natural waist | Full brief. See french cut panties |
| High waisted | The waistband, at or above the natural waist | At the waist | Any back. See high waisted underwear |
The takeaway: high cut is about the leg. High waisted is about the waist. French cut is the classic brief that is both. A panty can be any one of these, or all three.
High cut underwear styles
Same high leg line, different backs and fabrics. Match the style to the outfit.
| Style | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hi-cut brief | High leg opening, full coverage back | Everyday comfort with a longer leg line. See briefs |
| High cut bikini / V-kini | High leg with a V-shaped front and bikini back | The everyday high cut that sits at the hip. See bikinis |
| High cut thong | High leg openings, minimal thong back | A leggier line with no visible panty line. See thongs |
| High cut cheeky | High leg, partial rear coverage | A little cheeky with a lengthening front |
| Seamless hi-cut | High leg with bonded, no-show edges | The cleanest line under leggings and fitted dresses. See seamless |
| High cut lace | High leg with an all-lace or lace trim finish | Everyday that doubles as lingerie. See lace panties |
| High cut cotton | High leg in breathable cotton | All-day wear. See cotton panties |
Quick logic: want full coverage, take the hi-cut brief. Want it at the hip, take the V-kini. Want no back line, take the high cut thong. Want it to disappear under leggings, take seamless.
Find your high cut panties
Pick the card that matches your priority, then tap through.
The classic brief
French cut: the original high leg brief that sits at the waist and lengthens the leg.
Shop french cut →At the hip
Hanky Panky V-kinis and high cut bikinis with the high leg line and a low, hip-sitting waist.
Shop bikinis →Under leggings
Seamless hi-cut underwear with bonded edges for the flattest possible line.
Shop seamless →Lace and going out
High cut lace panties with a lengthening leg and a decorative finish.
Shop lace →Plus size, fit first
High cut panties cut for a curve-focused fit; the high leg is especially flattering on fuller hips.
Shop plus size →The high cut leg is the oldest trick in lingerie for a reason. Move the leg opening up an inch and the whole silhouette reads longer. It works on a brief, a bikini or a thong, and it works on every body.
The HauteFlair StandardThe complete guide
What it is, how it compares, who it flatters, fit, what to wear it under, and care.
01What does high cut mean in panties?+
02What is the difference between briefs and high cuts?+
03High cut vs french cut: what is the difference?+
04High cut vs high waisted: what is the difference?+
05Who do high cut panties flatter?+
06How should high cut underwear fit?+
- The leg edge should lie smooth, not dig; digging means sizing up.
- The back should stay put when you move; riding up means the cut is too small or the fabric too stiff.
- On a hi-cut brief the waist should sit where it is designed to, hip for a V-kini, waist for a french cut.
07What do you wear high cut panties under?+
08How do I care for high cut underwear?+
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle.
- Air dry, or tumble low. Heat relaxes the leg opening and it loses its line.
- Use a wash bag for lace and seamless styles.
FAQ
The questions shoppers ask most, answered straight.
What does high cut mean in panties?
High cut, hi-cut and high leg describe leg openings cut higher on the hip than a standard brief or bikini. The higher leg line visually lengthens the leg and streamlines the hip. It describes the leg only, not the waistband, so it appears on briefs, bikinis, V-kinis and thongs at any rise.
What is the difference between briefs and high cuts?
A standard brief has a moderate leg opening lower on the thigh. A hi-cut brief keeps the full coverage back but raises the leg opening toward the hip bone, which lengthens the leg. Both are everyday full coverage styles; hi-cut is the more flattering line under fitted clothes.
What is the difference between hi-cut and french cut?
French cut is a specific type of high cut: a full coverage brief with a very high leg that usually sits at the natural waist. High cut is the wider family and also includes hip-sitting bikinis, V-kinis and thongs. Every french cut is high cut; not every high cut is french cut.
Are high cut and high waisted the same thing?
No. High cut describes the leg opening, cut higher on the hip. High waisted describes the waistband, sitting at the natural waist. A panty can be one, the other or both; when it is both, it is a french cut brief.
What are high leg panties called?
High leg panties are usually sold as high cut or hi-cut panties. When they are a full coverage brief that sits at the waist they are called french cut. Some brands also use high thigh or high hip for the same leg line.
Do high cut panties make your legs look longer?
Yes. Raising the leg opening uncovers more of the hip, so the line of the leg starts higher and reads longer. It also removes the horizontal line a low leg opening draws across the thigh, which streamlines the hip under fitted clothing.
Are high cut panties flattering for plus size?
Very. The high leg line lengthens the leg and streamlines the hip, and it avoids the cut-across-the-thigh line that a low leg opening can create. High cut is one of the most popular cuts in plus size for that reason. See plus size panties.
Do high cut panties come in thongs?
Yes. A high cut thong has the same high leg openings at the front with a minimal thong back, so you get the leggy line with no visible panty line. See thongs.
Do high cut panties come in lace?
Yes. High cut lace panties, all-over lace or lace trimmed, keep the lengthening leg line and add a decorative finish that works as everyday underwear or lingerie. See lace panties.
Are there seamless high cut panties?
Yes. Seamless hi-cut panties have bonded, raw-cut edges at the leg and waist so nothing shows under leggings, fitted dresses or thin fabric. See seamless underwear.
What is a V-kini?
A V-kini is Hanky Panky's name for a high cut bikini: a V-shaped front with high leg openings and a bikini back that sits at the hip. It is a high cut, not a high waisted, style.
How should high cut underwear fit?
Take your usual size. The leg edge should lie flat against the hip without digging, the back should stay put when you move, and the waist should sit where the style is designed to, hip for a V-kini and waist for a french cut.
What do you wear high cut panties under?
Anything fitted through the hip: leggings, pencil skirts, slip dresses and skinny jeans. Choose seamless hi-cut under thin fabric, a high cut thong to remove the back line, and a hip-sitting V-kini under low rise jeans.
Are high cut panties comfortable?
Yes. Because the leg opening follows the natural crease of the hip rather than cutting across the thigh, high cut panties tend to move with you and are less likely to ride up or bunch than a low leg brief.
Fit, sizing and care guidance here is general and varies by style, fabric and brand; always check the size chart for the specific pair you are buying and follow its care label. Size availability reflects current stock. Last reviewed September 2026.
Shop high cut panties
Hi-cut briefs, high cut bikinis and V-kinis, high cut thongs, lace and seamless cuts that lengthen the leg line, in standard and plus sizes.
