As someone who has evaluated intimates and loungewear for over a decade, I know that undergarments can make or break an outfit. The right bra and panty set should not only match your personal style, but also provide the comfort and support you need to take on the day with confidence.
In this in-depth ThirdLove underwear review, I‘ll be sharing my hands-on impressions after personally testing out several top-selling styles over the past few months. You‘ll get the insider scoop on factors like quality of materials, range of sizes, fit consistency across products, and overall wearing experience.
My goal is to equip you with comprehensive details so you can determine if ThirdLove‘s offerings might be a match for your needs and preferences. I harvested feedback from over a thousand customer reviews, had transparent conversations with ThirdLove‘s customer service team, and leveraged my industry connections to provide unique perspectives.
So whether you‘re curious about trying this popular brand for the first time or looking to switch up your underwear rotation, stick with me through this detailed review. Let‘s start with a quick snapshot of ThirdLove‘s background before diving into the nitty gritty!
Overview of ThirdLove
Founded in 2013 by Heidi Zak and Ra‘el Cohen, ThirdLove aims to deliver luxury, comfortable underwear focused on quality materials and inclusive sizing. They‘ve become one of the leading intimates brands celebrating body positivity and diversity.
Key Highlights
- Offerings cater to a wide range of body types with sizes running from XS-3XL and bands 30-48
- Proprietary online Fitting Room quiz helps determine ideal size
- Emphasis on soft, breathable fabrics like organic cotton, microfiber, and spandex
- Signature half-cup sizes accommodate more tailored fits
- Generous 60-day returns policy with free shipping
I‘ll expand more on materials, sizing specificity, and stand-out features throughout this review. First, let‘s get into my hands-on evaluation process.
My Testing Methodology
To form an accurate, well-rounded opinion on ThirdLove‘s underwear collection, I committed to assessing multiple styles across three key metrics:
Fabric quality: How do the materials feel against skin? Are they soft, breathable, and durable enough for regular wear and wash?
Fit and sizing: Did the size chart accurately reflect the dimensions of the actual product? How is coverage and stretch capacity?
Comfort: Most important factor – are they actually comfortable for long periods of time? Do they ride up, slip down, or chafe?
Armed with these focus areas and over a decade of industry expertise fitting all body types, I was eager to see if ThirdLove‘s beloved reputation held up.
Over two months, I tested three styles: the 24/7 Classic Thong, Lace Back Cheeky, and Comfort Stretch Brief. Details on my trial experience with each are coming up next!
Hands-On Review: 24/7® Classic Thong
The 24/7® Classic Thong is crafted from a lightweight microfiber designed to feel ultra-soft against skin without moisture retention. As one of ThirdLove‘s signature everyday styles, I had high hopes it would deliver on comfort.
Sizing and Fit
I opted for my usual size medium based on the size chart and found the dimensions to be accurate. The leg openings and rise hit at flattering points to avoid too much coverage while still eliminating visibility under clothes. There was enough stretch in the waistband to accommodate bloating as well.
However, I‘d suggest sizing up if you prefer less snug garments, as the microfiber does mold closely to body contours.
Fabric and Quality
The microfiber fabric lived up to its reputation! The thong felt silky smooth rather than scratchy against my skin, even after a full workday. I wore and washed the thong five times over the trial period and saw no deterioration in softness or signs of pilling.
The cotton gusset also maintained its breathability wash after wash while preventing moisture build up. Especially during workouts, I appreciated this quick-drying performance.
Comfort
This thong exceeded my expectations for all-day wear! The tagless design eliminated skin irritation, while the bonded edges prevented pinching and smoothing visibility under clothes.
Whether lounging at home, tackling my HIITS classes, or dressed up for date night, the 24/7 Thong stayed firmly in place without twisting, riding up, or creating pressure points.
The ultra-soft microfiber truly felt like a second skin. I‘d confidently stock my entire top drawer with this everyday essential style.
The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩
Hands-On Review: Lace Back Cheeky
If you like spice things up with a flirty yet functional style, ThirdLove‘s Lace Back Cheeky could be your match. This low-rise panty combines soft microfiber in the front with a decorative lace back panel.
I was curious to see if the mixed materials and cheeky coverage could deliver sensual aesthetics without sacrificing comfort.
Sizing and Fit
I tested these in my go-to medium and found the sizing to hit the sweet spot of a flattering cheeky silhouette without full exposure. The rise sits right at the hips to avoid muffin-topping.
However, the lace does run smaller than the microfiber, so I‘d size up if you want a less snug fit. There‘s also optional adjustable ribbons to customize the rear view to your preferences!
Fabric and Quality
The microfiber front maintained the same buttery softness as the 24/7 thong through multiple wears without fraying or scratches.
The lace back panel felt delicate yet sturdy, retaining its stretch and ornamental appeal after machine washing on cold and line drying. All seam allowances lay flat and unobtrusive.
Comfort
Although cheeky styles often creep up on me, these stayed firmly in place thanks to the stretchy waist and leg bands that gripped without digging in. The exposed back took a bit more adjustment when sitting versus a full coverage style.
However, I felt secure going about my daily activities without worrying about slipping or revealing more than intended. Plus, the ribbons allow you to control coverage to your comfort level which I appreciated.
The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐✩✩
While the Lace Back Cheeky isn‘t as universally comfortable as the 24/7 Thong for me, I can see its appeal for date nights or adding spice to your rotation.
Hands-On Review: Comfort Stretch Brief
If you prefer more coverage down below, ThirdLove‘s Comfort Stretch collection offers an everyday brief worth your attention. As the name denotes, it focuses on an extra stretchy fabric to move with your body.
I put these promises of flexibility and security to the test during various activities over two weeks.
Sizing and Fit
I tested the size medium which felt true-to-size yet with capacity to handle movement and shifting shapes during my cycle. The leg and waist bands had ample give to prevent bulging or pinching.
Fabric and Quality
The proprietary fabric felt like a dream – substantially thick for coverage yet breathable like a second skin. There were no irritating tags, scratchy stitching, or bunching.
Despite constant tugging and contorting during intense workouts, the brief retained its shape and silky texture through the wash. An overall durable, well-constructed panty.
Comfort
The Comfort Stretch Brief became my new go-to! The bonded seams prevented riding up or chafing while active while the stretch capacity accommodated everything from bloating to workouts.
Whether lounging or dashing around town, I felt secure and wedgie-free. The brief almost felt like wearing nothing while still smoothing lines under clothes. Ideal for all-body types.
The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩
Additional Styles Reviewed
In addition to the three spotlighted above, I also tested the following over my two month trial:
- Organic Cotton Briefs: Soft, breathable organic cotton lived up to promises of everyday luxury. Runs small, so size up. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 24/7® Nursing Bra: Truly comfortable and strategic easy access. Velvety smooth material showed no wear over multiple washes. ⭐⭐⭐✩✩
- Wireless Lounge Bra: Ultra-soft on skin, perfect for at-home relaxation. Lacks enough support for larger busts. ⭐✩✩
Comparing Core Product Lines
By this point, you‘ve gotten an intimate view (pun intended) into my hands-on evaluation across six top-selling ThirdLove underwear styles. Let‘s zoom out a bit now to compare their main product lines at a high level:
| Collection | Best For | Standout Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7® | Everyday essentials | Lightweight microfiber, tagless | $12 – $18 |
| Comfort Stretch | Versatile wear | Ultra silky fabric with 4-way stretch | $16 – 20 |
| Organic Cotton | Breathable luxury | OEKO-TEX certified fabric | $12 – $30 |
| Mesh | Delicate detailing | Smooth mesh panels, low rise | $14 – 20 |
| Lace | Sensual accents | Soft lace trims, cheeky & thong options | $14 – 22 |
While ThirdLove doesn‘t offer the widest assortment out there, I found their edited mix covers all the basics from invisible everyday pairs to special weekend sets. They put quality over quantity.
If you appreciate premium materials, straightforward sizing, and options to mix & match, ThirdLove checks the boxes.
Why Choose ThirdLove?
Commitment to Quality
Through my first-hand testing across six styles, it‘s clear ThirdLove invests in luxury materials that stand the test of time and activity. The buttery soft microfiber, organic cotton, and proprietary stretch fabrics eclipse run-of-the-mill synthetics. The waistbands retain their grip and the fabrics maintain their vibrancy through repeat wears.
Intuitive Fit Tools
From their online Fitting Room quiz to highly trained Fit Experts available for chat, ThirdLove goes above standard sizing charts to ensure you find your perfect match. As you saw in my reviews, following their recommendations yielded great results.
Standout Features
I appreciate small touches like the adjustable ribbon straps for customizing cheeky coverage and strategic stay-put grippers built into the waistbands. ThirdLove goes beyond basic with functional accents.
Inclusive Messaging
ThirdLove celebrates "Noimits" with sizes up to 3XL. They feature diverse models of all shapes and colors while emphasizing positive body image. The brand stays away from excessive retouching or impossible beauty standards.
Sustainability Values
While room for improvement exists, ThirdLove actively works towards responsible manufacturing through OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, renewable packaging, and supporting ethically sourced cotton initiatives.
Room for Improvement
No brand is perfect so in the spirit of fully balancing this review, here are a couple areas where I believe ThirdLove has room to evolve:
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Offer more bold colors/prints – while the classic hues and delicate detailing suits many tastes, some shoppers may desire more adventurous or sensual looks.
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Expanded sizing – Size 48 bands may work for many, but there‘s demand for larger options as well as petite frames.
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Lower price points – ThirdLove doesn‘t pretend to be inexpensive everyday basics. However, pricing puts them out of some budgets. Sales help!
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Greater eco consideration – Please continue pushing towards renewable materials, reduced packaging waste, and supply chain transparency!
ThirdLove Promotions
While ThirdLove invests in premium materials and quality manufacturing, their price points exceed value brands. However, they offer frequent sales you can take advantage of:
- Join mailing list – 20% off first order plus contest entries
- Loyalty Program – Earn points with purchases for free items
- Refer Friends – Share your code for $15 off a purchase of $75+
- Student Discounts – Students save 15% off orders
- Military Discounts – 20% off entire purchase for active/veteran military
- Seasonal Sales – Sitewide and holiday sales up to 50% off select styles
- Buy More, Save More – Buy 3+ bras, save up to $60
Tip: Stack coupons from an email sign-up with existing sales for maximum savings on those investment pieces!
And don‘t forget their 60-day free returns policy if something truly doesn‘t work out.
Final Verdict: Do I Recommend ThirdLove Underwear?
Over the past two months, I‘ve rigorously tested six top-selling ThirdLove underwear styles across metrics like fabric quality, fit consistency, and real-world comfort during workouts, long days, and more.
I also analyzed over a thousand customer ratings, poured through expert reviews, and transparently compared strengths as well as areas for improvement.
My professional opinion: Yes, I confidently recommend ThirdLove underwear, especially their 24/7 and Comfort Stretch lines.
Their dedication to premium fabrics, inclusive size ranges, body positive branding, and generous return policies justify ThirdLove‘s price points. While no single brand universally suits every body and budget, ThirdLove offers enough variety for diverse preferences.
Through first-hand wear testing, I found the quality lives up to the marketing promises and experienced true comfort that stood the test of activity, washing, and time. The memorable shopping experience and thoughtful accents like custom-fit guides and functional features give ThirdLove an advantage over traditional one-size-fits-all underwear brands.
So while you have plenty of options for intimates nowadays, ThirdLove earns their spot as an industry leader. If you appreciate fine materials, custom fits, and positive branding, I suggest giving them a try. Love what you purchase or return what you don‘t!
