White, beige or maybe red: what underwear to wear under white clothes?
An airy white summer dress, a light linen blouse or white skinny jeans – as simple as a white look may seem, choosing the right underwear is often anything but easy. But don’t worry, we reveal which underwear really stays invisible under white, and which briefs and bras are best left in the wardrobe.
21 May 2025 • 2 min reading time
Whether bra or briefs - which underwear is least noticeable under white depends on the skin tone; red and pink tones can camouflage surprisingly well.
Which underwear works best under white clothing depends heavily on your skin tone – after all, the aim is to create a camouflage effect that is as natural as possible.
Surprisingly, red and pink bras and underwear are often less visible under white clothing than underwear in classic white or nude tones.
You should avoid strongly contrasting colours or visible seams when wearing light-coloured fabrics – especially if your clothes are tight-fitting.
Many believe that white underwear is the best choice under white clothing. However, this colour is often particularly visible, as the underwear’s white colour contrasts strongly with the natural skin tone. This is why beige and brown tones that are similar to your skin tone are better suited. As a general rule, the more the colour matches your skin tone, the more invisible the underwear appears.
It’s interesting to note that red underwear is often even less visible under white fabric than beige. This is because red pigments do not reflect much light and thus blend in with the skin. Soft pink, coral or a bold pink also work surprisingly well for medium to darker skin tones.
In general, when choosing the colour of your underwear and bras, it is always important that they contrast with your skin tone as little as possible. This is the best way to ensure they’ll be invisible under white clothes!
Black underwear under a white dress or shirt looks harsh and is clearly visible. This seems logical, but even classic white underwear is rarely invisible! If you don’t have a matching nude shade, it’s best to opt for a colourful alternative that comes closest to your own skin tone.
Do you love wearing light-coloured, sleeveless bodycon dresses in summer? This garment comes with several difficulties when it comes to choosing the right underwear: you can see the bra straps, seams show up quickly and the colour of the underwear also plays a role here. We explain to you how you can still manage to hide your briefs and bras.
For strapless clothing or white spaghetti-strap tops, strapless bandeau bras in your own skin tone, red or rose pink can help – ideally, with a smooth surface and without any embroidery that could show through the fabric. In tight-fitting tops, lightly padded cups shape the bust in a natural way.
The perfect briefs under a pair of white pants or a tight-fitting white bodycon dress? Seamless, smooth and with as little contrast to your own skin tone as possible. Seamless briefs or strings made from microfibre or fine cotton are the first choice for creating a flawless look.
The golden question is: which underwear can’t you see under white? The answer is anything that matches your skin tone discreetly and forms as little contrast as possible – this could be beige, rose pink or even red! Black or white underwear and briefs, on the other hand, show up under light-coloured clothing.
You should always wear soft, seamless underwear to avoid any visible seams or embroidery showing. This keeps your white look bright and stylish, even if you opt for tight-fitting clothes.
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