We make women's boxer shorts, so we have an interest in you understanding the terminology. We have tried to define these accurately rather than in a way that flatters our own product.
At a glance
What are women's boxer shorts called? The short answer
Women's boxer shorts go by several names, and they are not interchangeable:
- Boxer shorts and boxer briefs are the closest to the men's original, fitted, with a leg of roughly 2 to 9 inches
- Boyshorts, boyleg and shorties are the short-leg versions, usually 1 to 3 inches
- French knickers and tap pants are the loose, wide-legged, often silky ones, and they are a different garment entirely
- Hipsters have no leg at all, despite frequently appearing in the same category
The thing that actually separates them is leg length, and almost no brand publishes a measurement. That is why the names feel confusing: they are describing a spectrum with no agreed markers.
We publish our leg length: Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) have a 6 inch leg that covers the thighs, which makes them long-leg boxers, not boyshorts. Every size from UK 8 to 30 costs the same: £20 a pair, or £13 a pair in a 7 pack.
Updated 7 October 2026. Written by Phillippa, co-founder of Flissie.
Try Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts
£20 a pair, or £13 a pair in a 7 pack, in UK 8 to 30 at one price. Free UK delivery on every order, a free size swap on your whole first order, and a 60 day guarantee: full refund, worn or not.
Why you can trust this guide
★★★★★ 4.7 out of 5 from 336 reviews of Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts, and about 2,500 customers since 2021.
- Who wrote it: Phillippa, co-founder of Flissie. We have designed and sold women's boxer shorts from Derbyshire since 2021.
- Our bias, stated: we make long-leg boxer shorts, so we have an interest in this terminology. Each style below is defined by its leg length and fit, and we say when a shorter or looser style is the better buy.
"The material is very lightweight and breathable, and the sizing/fit is perfect. Love the colours!" Amalie, United Kingdom, verified buyer, August 2026
Every style, and what it actually is
| Name | Leg length | Fit | Where the name comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxer shorts (women's) | 2 to 9 inches | Fitted or relaxed | Adapted from men's boxer shorts, which were named for the shorts worn by boxers |
| Boxer briefs (women's) | 5 to 9 inches | Fitted, close to the leg | A hybrid of the boxer short's leg and the brief's fit |
| Boyshorts / boy shorts | 1 to 3 inches | Fitted, full seat coverage | American term. Named for looking like boys' underwear |
| Boyleg / boyleg briefs | 1 to 3 inches | Fitted | The UK and Australian term for the same garment as boyshorts |
| Shorties | 1 to 3 inches | Fitted | A general term, used loosely and rarely precisely |
| Long-leg boxers / anti-chafe shorts | 6 to 9 inches | Fitted, full skin contact | The modern category, built to stop thigh chafing |
| French knickers | 3 to 6 inches | Loose, wide, flared, high-cut at the side | 1920s and 1930s, usually silk or satin. A lingerie garment, not underwear for daily wear |
| Tap pants | 3 to 6 inches | Loose, wide | The American term for French knickers, named after tap dancers' costumes |
| Hipsters | None | Low-rise brief | Sits low on the hip. Frequently listed alongside boxers, but there is no leg |
| Bloomers | Knee length | Loose, gathered | Victorian, named after Amelia Bloomer. Historical rather than current |
| Slip shorts / chub rub shorts | Thigh length | Fitted, no gusset | Worn over underwear as a smoothing and anti-friction layer |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The distinction that matters most: slip shorts have no gusset and are worn over your knickers. Everything else in that table replaces them. If you are comparing prices between a slip short and a pair of boxers, you are comparing an extra layer against a garment.
Why leg length is the thing to check
Names in this category are marketing decisions, not standards. One brand's "boyshort" is another brand's "boxer brief", and both might have a 2 inch leg.
If you are buying to stop thigh chafing, the name tells you nothing useful and the measurement tells you everything. A 6 to 9 inch leg puts a soft layer between your thighs so they glide instead of catching. A 2 inch boyshort does not reach the point where most thighs touch, whatever it is called. Our anti-chafing shorts page shows where a 6 and a 9 inch leg end on the thigh.
So the question to ask a brand is not "is this a boxer or a boyshort", it is "what is the inseam". Very few publish it, which is worth knowing when you compare.
What are boxer shorts for women, and why are people switching?
Women's boxers took off because they solve three specific complaints that briefs do not.
Thigh rub. The main one. Skin against skin on a warm day, or a long walk, and by mid-afternoon the inner thigh is raw. A longer leg puts fabric in between.
Ride-up. A leg band that rolls into a rope at the top of the thigh is worse than no coverage, because the rope becomes the thing rubbing. Getting the band tension right is most of the design work in this category.
Waistbands that dig. A narrow elastic concentrates pressure. A wider band spreads it.
"What a great pair of pants, so comfortable. This is my first time trying a longer leg. Planning on buying more." Anonymous, United Kingdom, verified review (reviewer earned a reward for a future purchase)
Boyshorts vs briefs vs boxers: which should you actually buy?
- Briefs if you want the least fabric, the lowest price and you do not chafe
- Boyshorts or boyleg if you want more seat coverage and a smoother line under trousers, but be aware the short leg does not solve thigh rub
- Boxer shorts or boxer briefs if thigh chafing is your problem, and check the inseam is at least 6 inches
- French knickers or tap pants if you want something loose and pretty rather than functional
- Slip shorts if you want a smoothing layer over your existing underwear, usually under a dress
We go into the styles in more detail in the 12 types of women's underwear and boyshorts vs briefs.
What we make, and what we call it
We make Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts in 6 inch and 9 inch leg lengths. We call them boxer shorts rather than boyshorts because the leg is long, and calling a 9 inch leg a boyshort would be misleading.
They are 95% Tanboocel bamboo viscose with 5% elastane, so soft, breathable and temperature-regulating. UK 8 to 30, and every size costs the same. Dyed to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. £20 a pair, or £13 a pair in a 7 pack, with free UK delivery, a 60 day comfort guarantee and a free size swap on your whole first order.
"These are very comfortable and cool to wear. Prevents chafing when wearing dresses. They have been a godsend in this hot weather. They wash well too!" Marlene, United Kingdom, verified review (reviewer earned a reward for a future purchase)
Where they lose: they need a cool wash and air drying, covered in the care guide. They are not the cheapest, and sizing takes a go, which is why the size swap on your whole first order is free.
There are 336 reviews in all, including the critical ones. Our boxer shorts are here, and the size guide has the measurements.
Not sure about the size?
Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts run from S (UK 8 to 10) to 3XL (UK 28 to 30), all at the same price. If you are between sizes, size up, and if the size is wrong, we swap your whole first order free. Every order has free UK delivery and a 60 day guarantee: full refund, worn or not.
Your questions answered
What are female boxer shorts called?
Boxer shorts, boxer briefs, boyshorts, boyleg, shorties and long-leg boxers all refer to versions of the same idea. The names are used loosely and mean different leg lengths in practice: boyshorts and boyleg are short at 1 to 3 inches, boxer shorts and boxer briefs run from 2 to 9. French knickers and tap pants are a different, looser garment.
What are girl boxers called?
Usually boyshorts, boyleg briefs or women's boxer shorts, depending on the leg length and who is selling them. There is no single agreed term, which is why the same garment appears under three names on three websites.
What is the difference between boyshorts and boxer briefs?
Leg length, mainly. Boyshorts have a short leg of around 1 to 3 inches. Women's boxer briefs run longer, from about 3 up to 9 inches, and fit closer to the leg. Both are fitted, unlike French knickers.
Are boy shorts and boyleg the same thing?
Effectively yes. Boyshorts is the American term, boyleg is what the same garment is usually called in the UK and Australia.
What are French knickers?
Loose, wide-legged, high-cut shorts, usually in silk or satin, popular in the 1920s and 1930s and still sold as lingerie. They are cut to hang away from the body rather than to fit close, so they behave very differently from a fitted boxer short and will not stop thigh chafing.
What is the purpose of women's boxer shorts?
Coverage and friction. A longer leg stops skin touching skin, which is what stops thigh chafing, and a wider waistband spreads pressure instead of concentrating it. Some people also prefer the fuller seat coverage and the lack of a visible line under trousers.
What are boxer shorts for women used for?
Everyday wear, mostly, though the long-leg versions are bought specifically to stop thigh rub in warm weather, under dresses, on long walks and at the gym.
Can women wear men's boxer shorts?
Plenty do, and there is nothing stopping you. The fit is cut for a different body shape, so the rise usually sits differently and the seat can be loose, but as a matter of preference it is entirely reasonable. We compare the two in is women wearing men's underwear comfortable?
What is the difference between boxer shorts and slip shorts?
Boxer shorts have a gusset and replace your underwear. Slip shorts, sometimes sold as chub rub shorts, have no gusset and are worn over your existing underwear as a smoothing and anti-friction layer.
What are women's boxers called in the UK?
In the UK the short-leg style is usually called boyleg or boyleg briefs, and longer styles are sold as women's boxer shorts, boxers or long-leg boxers. Boyshorts is the American term for boyleg.
What are long boxer shorts for women called?
Usually long-leg boxers or anti-chafe shorts, with a leg of 6 to 9 inches, though some brands just call them women's boxer shorts. Flissie women's bamboo boxer shorts (we make them) are this kind, with a 6 inch leg that covers the thighs, in every size from UK 8 to 30, or a 9 inch leg in black and pine green that sits just above the knee.
How long is the leg on women's boxer shorts?
Anywhere from about 2 to 9 inches, and few brands publish it, so check the inseam rather than the name. If thigh chafing is why you are buying, look for 6 inches or more, because a shorter leg often does not reach where most thighs touch.
