Underwear Thesis: ThirdLove Review
Soft, stretchy, and wedgie-free? Let’s discuss.
I have tons more Underwear Thesis reviews coming your way, but today let’s focus on ThirdLove! This underwear brand was the first package in my shopping spree to arrive and I actually really liked them right off the bat. I laid out the judging criteria in this post, so let’s dive right on in.
Quick note: this is based on my original blog post written in 2020. Updates have been made & I am sharing the review here to create the ultimate Underwear Thesis forum for you!
My Totally Unfiltered Review of ThirdLove Underwear
Styles Tried and Price
Pima Cotton Hipster (unfortunately, no longer available, but this style is similar)— $22 per pair
Everyday Cotton Bikini (unfortunately, no longer available, but this style is similar)— $30 for a 3-pack
Fabric Quality + Details
Grade: A-
When these panties first arrived, I was really impressed with the overall handfeel (the way the fabric feels to the touch). They are SO soft, not too thin and not too thick. The trim details are minimal on the bikini and you can choose from a few options including a picot edge (like on the blue/yellow pair seen here) or peekaboo edge (which is actually called fagoting). The hipster is more straight forward without any trim details. Both styles have a gusset that is open at one edge with a serged edge. It’s constructed with the same fabric as the rest of the underwear.
I also bought a pair of the striped bikinis. A lot of the time the fabric content is different for a stripe because it’s literally two different yarns being knit together. That can affect the stretch and bounce back of the shape. I’ve noticed that the white and black stripe in the top photo don’t fit as well as the others. They’ve stretched out and aren’t as much of a snug fit like the others in the same size
Manufacturing Quality
Grade: A
Right out of the box, I was happy with the quality and now that I’ve worn and washed them for over 2 months, I’m even more impressed! They are very well-made and sturdy. I think it’s also worth mentioning that nothing smelled chemically or weird… yes, that’s a thing sometimes! I still ALWAYS recommend washing any article of clothing (especially underwear) before use. You just never know what kind of finishing a factory does and how it can affect your skin.
Ethical Practices and Sustainability
Grade: C
I couldn’t find any mention of sustainability on the ThirdLove website, which is unfortunate and disappointing. I definitely think they have an opportunity to offer organic, fair-trade cotton at the very least! Especially since they sell organic shirts and pajamas.
But in terms of supporting the community, ThirdLove partners with organizations to benefit women including I Support the Girls, Soles4Souls, Good360, and St. Anthony’s and have donated over $20 million in bras. And lastly, they offer discounts for the military, teachers, first responders, and medical workers.
Inclusivity
Grade: B-
Both underwear styles are available in sizes XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X. It seems like size exclusivity is more of a priority when it comes to bras, which I totallllly applaud and understand! But I would love to see the sizing to go up to 5X to be more accessible.
The product photography includes some diverse body types, but there could definitely be more. It seems to depend on which color option you choose on the product page. I was thrilled to see POC included in the product photography though! However, in terms of inclusivity for sexuality and gender, I find their repeated use of ‘women’ problematic. It’s hard because I applaud the brand supporting so many organizations to help women, but it would be really nice to see more gender-inclusive language in their brand messaging.
Also worth noting: they do not refer to pale pink as “nude” and instead offer a really fun assortment of saturated colors with contrasting trim (for the bikini) and neutrals.
Washability
Grade: A
I’ve been washing and wearing both styles of ThirdLove underwear for about 2 months now and they’ve held up well! As you can see from the photos, some of the elastic trim is wavy. I suspect this is happening because I’ve been using the dryer to dry them. Elastic trim usually dries and shrinks at a different rate than cotton, so that is why the puckering is occurring most likely.
In terms of softness, they still feel as good as they did when they first arrived! There’s been no pilling, loose threads, tears or anything.
Fit and Comfort
Grade: A+
The bikinis are SO COMFORTABLE. They provide the amount of full booty coverage that I’ve been looking for and stay put. The elastic on the leg openings isn’t too tight and doesn’t chafe. I definitely prefer the fit of the bikini to the hipster, but I think that’s just a personal preference across the board. For me, hipsters tend to ride up and become wedgies eventually. What can I say — I’m a bikini cut fan!
In a nutshell, here’s how I know I love the ThirdLove bikini: when I’m finished with laundry day and have a full underwear drawer, they are among the first pairs I reach for when getting dressed! They are just so comfortable.
Overall thoughts
Grade: A-
I really, really like the Everyday Cotton Bikini. They’re just… easy. And totally perfectly named because they’re perfect for everyday wear. I almost gave them a B+ because sustainability is important to me and I really do feel like they could do more (or even something????) in this space.
And lastly… keep in mind that underwear is a purely subjective experience. What might work for my body may not be right for you. But my ultimate goal in this project is to arm you with the information and knowledge to be a better shopper — and a pickier consumer! If we collectively expect more from brands, that can only mean improved quality and say in the entire product manufacturing process.
What do you think of my ThirdLove review??? And if you’re a ThirdLove fan (or not…), leave a comment and let me know your opinion. I’d love to hear!