When Should Girls and Teens Start Choosing Their Own Underwear?

When parents search for girls choosing their own underwear, the real question is usually much simpler: what will help her feel comfortable, confident, and able to focus on everything else she has to do? Underwear is a small part of getting dressed, but it is also the first layer she may wear for ten or twelve hours at a time.

School days are active. Kids sit through class, run at recess, climb stairs, participate in gym, ride in the car, and sometimes head directly to dance, sports, or an after-school activity. A pair that pinches, rides up, traps heat, or rubs against the skin can become a distraction surprisingly quickly.

Fabric is a good place to start. Cotton is a natural fiber with a soft, familiar feel, and many families prefer it for clothing worn directly against the skin. Organic cotton starts with cotton grown according to organic agricultural standards. That distinction matters to parents who want to understand not only how a garment feels, but also how its fiber was produced.

Construction matters just as much as the fiber name on the label. Look at the waistband, leg openings, seams, labels, and overall stretch. Underwear should stay in place without squeezing. If she is constantly pulling at the waistband or adjusting the leg opening, the issue may be the cut or size rather than the child.

American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org offers a useful point to keep in mind: “Periods are a normal part of growing up.”