What Are Women's Boxer Shorts Called? Every Style Explained
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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
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 boxer briefs vs boxer shorts for women and the 12 types of women's underwear.
What we make, and what we call it
We make women's 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 around £13 in a 7 pack, with free UK delivery, a 60 day comfort guarantee and a free first-pair size swap.
"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
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 first swap is free.
There are around 350 more reviews, including the critical ones. Our boxer shorts are here, and the size guide has the measurements.
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.
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.
