# Guys: what's YOUR take on the VPL (visible panty line)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 28, 2001, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096 "2001-07-28T18:30:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![bcritt4321](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@bcritt4321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bcritt4321)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/41 "2013-01-02T23:36:30Z")
Visible panty lines are hot - especially on hot girls. If a girl/lady/woman isn’t exactly hot – it is still hot if they have vpl’s. Lets not discriminate here folks. At least they are trying. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/42 "2013-01-02T23:58:47Z")
I’m neutral on visible panty lines. In general, I’m neither excited nor offended by them. But there are a lot of women out there who are wearing panties (and bras) that are several sizes too small for them and have flesh oozing out all around. Obviously, they are also wearing outer clothes that are too small for me to notice their undergarments. If you’re in average shape - and there are different standards for 20 and 40 year olds - then I don’t care whether I know you’re wearing underwear. In fact, I would prefer that you are, unless you’re my date and are wearing a skirt. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/43 "2013-01-03T00:05:35Z")
zombie or no wearing clothes is bad enough; that’s just making it worse. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/44 "2013-01-03T00:05:51Z")
I guess it’s somewhat interesting to see if views have changed in the past 11+ years. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/45 "2013-01-03T00:12:24Z")
My preference runs from “don’t care” to “Yeah ok, I’ll look at that.” Except on zombies. I don’t tend to check out undead chicks. I’m kinda traditional that way. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/46 "2013-01-03T00:59:34Z")
I don’t find the panty line distracting. But I do understand that for a woman it’s often a matter of esthetics - appearance _for itself_, distinct from what people think of you. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/47 "2013-01-03T01:41:27Z")
I’m quite fond of VPL, but am careful to acknowledge that another person’s underwear is not my business, so I’m not about to criticize on the basis of underwear. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/48 "2013-01-03T03:13:28Z")
Woman here. I used to be fat, am now thin. I’m very surprised that the men seem to think it no big deal. I think of a VPL (on my hips/bum) as a sartorial sin. A VPL is like having your underskirt hanging out from under your skirt, or like wearing something inside out, or wearing stained clothing. It looks unkempt and dorky, and not in a good way. So I do my best to wear tight shapewear over my comfy granny panties to combat the VLP. And those suckers are warm, expensive, and not always comfortable. So I’m tricked into wearing those? Huh. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/49 "2013-01-03T06:18:20Z")
Pretty much ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/50 "2013-01-03T06:55:20Z")
“All Women are naked under their clothes” Tim Allen A VPL can be a pleasant reminder of that fact, so are a ton of other things. Thanks Ladies I endorse this message **Capt** ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/51 "2013-01-03T11:17:37Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Woman here. I used to be fat, am now thin. I’m very surprised that the men seem to think it no big deal. There are many things that ladies fret about that men don’t think are a big deal. Y’all are doing it for the other ladies not for us. We won’t be fooled by some makeup and a dress that cost as much as my first car. We saw what you looked like this morning when you woke up. If we come back tonight, then you got nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/52 "2013-01-03T12:43:10Z")
Panty lines make a hot girl look hotter, and a piggy girl look piggier. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/53 "2013-01-03T14:06:33Z")
The lack of VPL says to me either the woman isn’t wearing any underwear, which is sexy, or she is but she has taken care to make it appear as if she isn’t wearing any, which means she cares about how she looks and isn’t just wearing her clothes because they’re functional. And the fact that she cares enough to make it look good, is sexy. So VPL is the opposite of that. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/54 "2013-01-03T16:17:38Z")
I’d like those who claim to like VPL to clarify something for me: to my mind, there is a world of difference between a visible _panty_ and a visible panty _line_. Perhaps not everyone defines these as I do, but I want to know exactly what we’re talking about. The former, visible _panty_, is when the edge or outline of the panty can be seen through the clothes. Something like [this](http://www.writersblocklive.com/images/99-Feldon-panty-line.jpg), or perhaps [this](http://prettyandpoor.com/media/VPL1.png) (although I’d argue her pants are a little too snug). To me, it’s not a big deal, and I can totally understand how someone would find it attractive, because Hey, psst… Panties! I wear normal (non-thong) panties most of the time, and if I bend the wrong way, or the fabric of my clothing is too thin/clingy, then occasionally, you’ll be able to see the seam of my underwear. I do try to avoid this when I’m dressing up, because it’s basically like having a wrinkle or stain on my clothes. But I can accept that my clothes are not always (or ever) going to look magazine-perfect. Usually, my pants are wrinkled behind the knees. Often, you’ll be able to see the corner of my fly under my shirt, or the edge of my bra strap along my shoulder blade. And occasionally, you can see the edge of my underwear. Oh, well. The latter, visible panty _line_, however, is when you see not the panty itself, but the indentation created in the fat on the butt and hips by underwear that’s way too tight. I try to avoid this at all costs, and I can’t imagine how anyone could find it attractive. You’re taking a nice, round, supple butt, and [squeezing](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hfJ3k4dTok/TbYC7M8vG7I/AAAAAAAACvs/JonLYHV-wBg/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG) [big](http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=869&tbm=isch&tbnid=-WfSPKXkKbWmCM:&imgrefurl=http://ph.makeupandbeauty.com/how-to-avoid-visible-panty-lines/&docid=wgstdvQHf8BluM&imgurl=http://ph.makeupandbeauty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/How%252Bto%252BAvoid%252BVisible%252BPanty%252BLines.jpg&w=380&h=543&ei=xJ3lUIgjkurRAffegNAJ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=989&vpy=382&dur=3750&hovh=268&hovw=188&tx=111&ty=125&sig=106849213310022597355&page=2&tbnh=143&tbnw=101&start=47&ndsp=51&ved=1t:429,r:54,s:0,i:256) [gross](http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=869&tbm=isch&tbnid=HZFJDyrmKs1VtM:&imgrefurl=http://wannabebrazilian.wordpress.com/tag/visible-panty-line/&docid=MsN4n3so81jDLM&imgurl=http://wannabebrazilian.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/bulging.jpg&w=495&h=660&ei=xJ3lUIgjkurRAffegNAJ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=760&vpy=400&dur=5646&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=121&ty=194&sig=106849213310022597355&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=107&start=0&ndsp=47&ved=1t:429,r:25,s:0,i:169) [folds](http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=869&tbm=isch&tbnid=KeT1TaOgDZxzlM:&imgrefurl=http://megaramarie.blogspot.com/2010/06/brief-rant.html&docid=Q77UZRtVJCepqM&imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lXU8MAlpOXI/TBkJ_V_dbKI/AAAAAAAAALA/RZhiWlLvrtg/s1600/vpl_too%252Btight.jpg&w=1600&h=1200&ei=xJ3lUIgjkurRAffegNAJ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=176&vpy=562&dur=711&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=184&ty=184&sig=106849213310022597355&page=2&tbnh=135&tbnw=188&start=47&ndsp=51&ved=1t:429,r:82,s:0,i:340) [into](https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF4pYMn495Lt0ZJjcQxyThXl4NIh0GA33iVEBsbEpRaZHqq-su) [it](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8oarhIU78kM/TqWjZ4F6qAI/AAAAAAAABSI/QKSAzSssEXM/s1600/vpl.jpg)\*. It’s the posterior equivalent of “Hey, watch - [I can make my belly button talk!](http://www.superchargemyhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/how-to-loose-belly-fat1.jpg)” Not hot. Or is it? So let’s hear it: if you like “VPL”, do you mean the former, or the latter, or both? Or are you one of the confused souls who thinks it means something else entirely? \*Underwear can also be visible if you’re wearing a dark color under light clothes (or white under sheer clothes). The lower right pic in the last link (blue pants) is an example of this. I don’t do this, either (at least, not on purpose), but I can certainly see how someone would find it sexy. That’s _why_ I don’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/55 "2013-01-03T18:00:04Z")
Since there appear to be no pictures in this thread, I guess it’s up to me to provide one. Probably SFW unless real prudes are involved. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcurmudgeon/3016350308/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcurmudgeon/3016350308/) ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/56 "2013-01-03T18:24:42Z")
> [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Or is it? So let’s hear it: if you like “VPL”, do you mean the former, or the latter, or both? Or are you one of the confused souls who thinks it means something else entirely? I assure you that we’re not dumb and we know what we’re talking about 🙂 Although you picked some rather unflattering examples, [this is more what I think of.](http://www.worleygig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/VPL.jpg) Curiously, I found that sexy ass on a blog of fashion don’ts. Here’s another potentially [NSFW example](http://www.fanagrams.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/drawers-VPL.jpg). I’m trying to find some good examples that don’t involve white pants. But that reminds, me. Ladies. White pants. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/57 "2013-01-03T18:34:56Z")
Why “visible” panty line? Why not just panty line? If you can’t see it, is it a line at all? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/58 "2013-01-03T18:39:30Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > There are many things that ladies fret about that men don’t think are a big deal. Y’all are doing it for the other ladies not for us. We won’t be fooled by some makeup and a dress that cost as much as my first car. We saw what you looked like this morning when you woke up. If we come back tonight, then you got nothing to worry about. These are my thoughts. Put me in the pro-VPL club. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/59 "2013-01-03T19:32:38Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I assure you that we’re not dumb and we know what we’re talking about 🙂 > > Although you picked some rather unflattering examples, [this is more what I think of.](http://www.worleygig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/VPL.jpg) Curiously, I found that sexy ass on a blog of fashion don’ts. > > Here’s another potentially [NSFW example](http://www.fanagrams.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/drawers-VPL.jpg). I’m trying to find some good examples that don’t involve white pants. But that reminds, me. Ladies. White pants. Thanks! This is exactly why I asked the question. I saw both of these when searching for examples of visible panty line, and specifically didn’t use them, because to me, these are visible _panties_, _not_ visible panty _lines_. The first one is borderline, I guess - there’s a _little_ bit of indentation happening, but it doesn’t look particularly bad. And I’m relieved that you describe the pics I chose as “rather unflattering,” because that’s what _I’m_ thinking of when I’m talking about VPL, and I just couldn’t believe that anyone actually thinks that’s a good look. Just seeing the outline of the panty, though? Sure, I totally get why it’s sexy. And now I suddenly feel really weird about having asked this. Ah, well. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096/60 "2013-01-03T19:49:59Z")
> [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Thanks! This is exactly why I asked the question. I saw both of these when searching for examples of visible panty line, and specifically didn’t use them, because to me, these are visible _panties_, _not_ visible panty _lines_. The first one is borderline, I guess - there’s a _little_ bit of indentation happening, but it doesn’t look particularly bad. And I’m relieved that you describe the pics I chose as “rather unflattering,” because that’s what _I’m_ thinking of when I’m talking about VPL, and I just couldn’t believe that anyone actually thinks that’s a good look. Just seeing the outline of the panty, though? Sure, I totally get why it’s sexy. Ah, I re-read your post and I think we’re on the same page. A little bit of an indentation is good, but if the ass is distorted to the point where it no longer looks like an ass, that’s beyond the realm of VPL as far as I’m concerned. Likewise, a little bit of a bra-strap indentation is fine; broadcasting that you have an excessive amount of back fat, not so much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-whats-your-take-on-the-vpl-visible-panty-line/74096.md?page=4)