High Waist Briefs vs 8 cm Brazilian Briefs: Coverage Guide
By Marlies Dekkers Lingerie & Swimwear | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Kaufberatung
Compare high waist briefs and 8 cm Brazilian briefs on back coverage, side width, and fabric so you can choose the right cut for your outfit and comfort.
Quick answer
Choose high waist briefs if you want full back coverage and a waistline that sits at or above your natural waist, especially under high-rise trousers or skirts. Choose 8 cm Brazilian briefs if you want the upper half of your back covered while the lower half stays open, with a lower, narrower side profile. Neither is universally better; the right pick depends on how much coverage you want and what you are wearing over it.
Where each cut sits on your body
High waist briefs rise to or above your natural waist. The 5 cm briefs from Marlies Dekkers, for example, have 5 cm sides and provide nearly full coverage at the back, so the waistband sits high and the leg opening stays relatively low. An 8 cm Brazilian brief has a lower rise and a narrower side width than a full brief, and its back is split: the upper half of your buttocks is covered while the lower half is left exposed. That difference in rise and back construction is the main reason the two cuts feel so different under clothing.
Back coverage, side width, and fabric in practice
Back coverage is the clearest dividing line. High waist briefs cover the full seat, which makes them a practical choice under fitted skirts, high-rise jeans, and anything that might show a panty line across the lower back. Brazilian briefs deliberately leave the lower half of the buttocks open, so they suit outfits where you want a smoother, less visible line or simply prefer that look. Side width also changes how the brief feels: a 5 cm side sits higher on the hip, while an 8 cm Brazilian side sits lower and narrower. Fabric matters too. Recycled microfiber, used in the 5 cm briefs and the 8 cm Brazilian briefs, gives a smooth surface that sits flat under clothes, while recycled lace, used in the high waist briefs, adds texture that may show through very thin fabrics.
How to match the cut to your outfit and day
Start with the garment you are wearing, not the brief. For high-rise trousers, a pencil skirt, or a dress with a defined waist, high waist briefs keep the waistband hidden and the back fully covered. For low-rise jeans, a short skirt, or a day when you want less fabric against your skin, 8 cm Brazilian briefs give you upper-back coverage with an open lower half. If you are between sizes or unsure, check the available color and size options on each product page and size to your hip measurement rather than your waist, because the side width and rise change how the brief sits.
Decision rules: pick your brief in three checks
- Rule 1: Match the rise to your waistband: If your trousers, skirt, or dress sits at or above your natural waist, choose high waist briefs so the brief stays hidden. If your waistband sits below your navel, an 8 cm Brazilian brief or a 5 cm brief will sit closer to that line. Check the rise of your outfit before the rise of the brief.
- Rule 2: Decide how much back coverage you want: High waist briefs cover the full seat. 8 cm Brazilian briefs cover the upper half of the buttocks and leave the lower half open. 5 cm briefs provide nearly full coverage with a lower side than high waist briefs. Full coverage points to high waist; an open lower back points to Brazilian.
- Rule 3: Check the fabric against your outer layer: Smooth recycled microfiber, as used in the 8 cm Brazilian briefs and 5 cm briefs, sits flat under thin fabrics. Recycled lace, as used in the high waist briefs, adds texture that can show through very thin or light-colored clothing. For the smoothest line under thin fabric, choose microfiber; for texture, choose lace.
Product facts that affect your choice
- high waist briefs: High waist briefs combine sheer fabric with black recycled lace and a nude-colored lining, and the high waist design offers ideal coverage while highlighting your curves. The high rise and full back make these a strong pick under high-waisted clothing, while the lace and sheer panel add texture that may be visible under very thin fabrics.
- 8 cm brazilian briefs: 8 cm Brazilian briefs leave the lower half of the buttocks exposed while covering the upper half and the groin, and they are crafted from smooth recycled microfiber in lake blue with gold lurex accents along the waist and sensual straps on the back. The open lower back and 8 cm side width give a lower, narrower profile than high waist briefs, and the smooth microfiber helps the brief sit flat under clothes.
- 5 cm briefs: 5 cm briefs are made from recycled microfiber with back cut-outs and metal coin-shaped charms, and with 5 cm sides they provide nearly full coverage. If you want a middle ground between full high waist coverage and an open Brazilian back, the 5 cm side and nearly full back coverage make this a practical everyday option.
Which brief suits you?
Best for
- Full back coverage under high-rise trousers, skirts, and dresses
- Anyone who prefers a waistband that sits at or above the natural waist
- Wearing lace and sheer texture as part of a matching lingerie set
Not for
- Low-rise jeans or skirts where a high waistband would show
- Anyone who prefers an open lower back and a lower, narrower side profile
- Very thin, light-colored fabrics where lace texture may be visible
