When it comes to a woman's undergarments, there is often a natural conflict between comfort and sensuality. Although many brands have claimed to incorporate both, few seem to have actually made the grade.

When it comes to a woman's undergarments, there is often a natural conflict between comfort and sensuality. Although many brands have claimed to incorporate both, few seem to have actually made the grade.

When picking panties, we tend to go in one of two directions. The first is to go for something sexy. The second is to go for something comfortable and practical. Oddly, the two are rarely put together in most bottoms.

Much like bras, bottoms or panties come in a wide variety of styles. You wouldn't think so at first glance, but they do. Let's take a quick look at the styles and when you might use them in relation to other clothing or events.

The basic brief has to be our starting point. This is the staple for most women when it comes to the daily routine of life. The brief is usually a full support fit around the hips, pelvic bone and rear. It is very practical and comfortable, but not all that sexy.

The bikini brief is our second most common panty style. As the name suggests, it is a bit more revealing than your basic brief with higher cut legs and lower cut backs. A more seductive version is the string bikini that comes with straps around the hips.

A step up on the intimate scale from the full brief is the French cut. This is a comfortable brief that has a high leg cut allowing for shorts and skirts, but lots of upper support. Not quite a bikini look, but definitely headed in that direction.

The boy short is a very comfortable bottom for women. This style is very similar to biking pants, except with a snugger fit, no padding and much shorter leggings. With their low waist cuts, they go well with skirts and low cut pants.

When it comes to conveying a sexy look, the thong simply can't be beat. Men go nuts for them. Comfort, however, is an issue. Some women have no problem wearing them while others find the bunched up feeling a bit too much.

It is important to remember that a look is only as good as its weakest element. Think through your underwear before heading out. Sometimes comfort is the most important factor. Other times, the look or intimate element needs to be emphasized.