In the clothing world—and especially in the underwear world—the silk vs. cotton underwear debate is a big one. Everyone wants to know what is better, cotton underwear or silk underwear? They’re both comfy and lightweight, but we have our preference by a landslide. Keep reading to find out which is better for your body, which is better in hot weather (and cold!), which is more comfortable, and more.

What is cotton underwear?

Before we get into the full details of silk panties vs. cotton, let’s all agree on what we’re actually talking about. 

Cotton is a natural fiber grown mostly in the U.S., Uzbekistan, the People’s Republic of China and India. (P.S. While researching this story, we also learned that “cottoned” also means “to come to understand,” as in, we’ve cottoned on to the fact that it’s not just about fabric. Who knew?)

Mood Fabrics describes cotton as being known for its absorbent qualities, noting that most cotton retains 24-27 times its own weight in water. While this is absorbent for a natural fiber, and a solid choice for underwear, we can expect more from silk.

Still, we agree cotton is a great fabric for underwear! Uwila Warrior’s seamless underwear all have 100% cotton gusset to ensure maximum hygiene. 

What is silk underwear?

Like cotton, silk is a natural fiber. More specifically, it’s a “fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons,” according to Merriam-Webster.

Use of silk dates back to the 27th century BC in China, and it has almost always been considered a luxury item. History of Clothing says it became very popular among high society, and that laws were made to regulate and limit the use of silk to the members of the imperial family.

Fast forward to today, and it’s a core fabrication at Uwila Warrior. Not only is silk soft and luxurious to the touch, but it also has natural stretch that allows it to conform to the body. Our Soft Silk Briefs, Soft Silk Thongs, High-Waisted Silk Briefs, and Soft Silk Camisoles are all made from 100% natural silk. 

We also have two must-have silk-blend styles, the Silk-Blend Base Layer and the Silk-Blend Slip.

Is silk underwear better than cotton?

When it comes to the best moisture-wicking fabric for underwear, we have a clear winner: silk. 

“There is a tendency to go for cotton items for base layer items, but it’s not necessarily the best in terms of performance,” says Samantha Benassai, head of product at Uwila Warrior. 

So, why do we say silk is the healthiest fabric for underwear? Because cotton is hydrophilic, it actually holds on to water, rather than letting it evaporate. “It retains moisture,” says Benassai. 

We’re also big fans of silk underwear for warmth: “If you’re sweaty, [cotton is] just going to hold the moisture to your body, which is not going to have a warming effect on you.” Plus, she adds that the damp feeling is simply “not pleasant.” (It may also lead to more yeast infections—no thank you!)

Unlike cotton, silk can hold 40% of its weight in moisture before even feeling wet. It’s also super soft, and luxuriously comfortable. Our CEO Lisa Mullan adds, “The quick-drying nature of silks make them perfect for traveling—long nights and long car rides—they can be washed that night, and be clean and ready for the next day’s adventures.”

From a fit standpoint, both fabrics have natural stretch, but silk is more form-fitting and seamless. Cotton can end up being rather bulky—which no one wants when it comes to underwear. For no-VPL panties, your best bet is, again, silk.

So now that you’ve brushed up on your textile history and health, try the best silk underwear on for size. Literally. Our Perfect-Fit Promise ensures the right style and size for your body, and our silk fabrics are ultra-soft. 

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