Lace Panties

The main difference is coverage and what they're suited for. A lace thong has minimal back coverage, making it the go-to choice under fitted clothing where you want to avoid visible panty lines. A lace brief has full back coverage and is a better choice for everyday comfort or for building a matched set with a lace bra. Bikinis sit between the two — moderate back coverage without the full brief cut. Boyshorts offer the most coverage and a relaxed fit. The choice comes down to what you're wearing over them and how much coverage you prefer.

Stretch lace panties are comfortable enough for everyday wear. The stretch lace construction is soft and moves with the body, and it tends to soften further with washing. Rigid guipure lace can be less comfortable over long periods, particularly at the leg openings and waistband, where the heavier fabric may dig in. If you're shopping for daily wear, stretch lace and embroidered mesh are the most comfortable options. Unlined lace also breathes better than padded or lined styles, which makes it a good choice for all-day wear.

Hand washing is the best method for lace underwear. Use cool water and a gentle lingerie detergent, swirl gently, and rinse thoroughly. If you machine wash, use a mesh laundry bag on a delicate cycle with cool water — this protects the lace from snagging on other garments. Never tumble dry lace underwear: heat degrades the elastic and breaks down lace fibres, shortening the life of the garment significantly. Lay flat or hang to dry. All underwear at Journelle is final sale, so proper care matters from the first wash.

It depends on the silhouette. Lace thongs don't create visible panty lines under fitted clothing, which is why they're the most popular style for wear under dresses and trousers. Lace briefs and bikinis can show lines under very fitted fabrics, though the lace edge is softer and less defined than a cut-and-sewn waistband. If you're wearing something particularly tight and want no lines, a lace thong in a skin-tone colour is the best option. Stretch lace with a scalloped edge — rather than a thick waistband — also minimises the line.

Lace trim underwear — typically a cotton or microfibre brief or bikini with a lace waistband — is practical for everyday wear, with the lace as a decorative detail. Underwear cut entirely from fine lace — like the Aubade or Lise Charmel styles we carry — is a different experience: lighter, softer against skin, and with the lace as the primary material rather than an accent. Both have their place. The all-lace styles are more delicate and need hand washing; the lace-trim styles are easier to care for.

Size to your hip measurement, not your bra size. Most European brands size in XS–XL or in numeric European sizing (36–44). A size guide is available on each product page. If you're buying a matching bra-and-brief set, size each piece independently — your bra size and your underwear size come from different measurements and don't correspond to each other.

Yes, when bought from the same collection. The bra and brief in a matched set from Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Aubade, or Lise Charmel share the same Calais lace, the same dye lot, and the same elastic. This is the main reason to buy sets from a single designer rather than mixing: the colour and texture hold together in a way that mismatched pieces don't, even when the colours look close on screen.