Is it Your Goldilocks Panty?
Designed and made in NYC since 2012, Dear Kate period panties have absorbent and fabric-drying properties, and unlike most period panty brands available, these don’t contain any PUL, making them very breathable. Also, all of the fabrics in the panties are stain-releasing, which comes in handy since, as you well know, blood is a highly staining substance.
If you spend more than $100 at checkout on their site, Dear Kate will donate a pair of their period panties to a girl in need.
How Dear Kate Period Underwear Works
Dear Kate period underwear is made of micro-polyester blend fabric and their proprietary knit— the two threads used together makes up their patent-pending Underlux technology. The knit aids the fabric with wicking moisture and drying fast, helping to keep things hygienic and healthy down there. They also use Tactel® and LYCRA® fabrics for the outer linings. Tactel is three times stronger than most other fabrics, and it dries eight times faster than cotton. LYCRA is valued for the stretch it gives to fabrics.
Layers
Layer 1 and 2: These are the absorbent layers that wick any fluid away from your body. Dear Kate’s absorbent layers are infused with silver that has anti-microbial properties. They’re also designed to dry quickly.
Layer 3: This outer layer is water-repellent and provides a leak-resistant (not leak-proof) barrier between the absorbent layers and your clothes.
Absorbency
Dear Kate period underwear come with two different liners:
Mini: The period-protection is in the crotch area of the panty only. It’s made to hold about 1.5 tampons’ worth of fluid.
Full: The Full lining goes up to the waistband in both the front and back. It absorbs up to two tampons of fluid.
A Dear Kate thong with Full lining will absorb about 1 tampon of fluid since there simply isn’t as much material to hold the liquid.
Care
Dear Kate period underwear is machine washable; the company recommends washing them with mild detergent, like Woolite, and using the gentle cycle. You can dry them in a machine on low, but, ideally, hang them to dry.
Dear Kate Styles
- Ada: A sexy line with lace trim
- Nellie: Classic, classy undies
- Hazel: Casual, sporty period underwear
(1) Ada
The Ada line from Dear Kate have lace trim around the waistband for a subtly sexy look.
(1.1) Ada Hipster Full
The Ada Hipster Full has a sexy lace trim and offers the most absorbency.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Colors: Black, Beige
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Lace trim: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
- Price: $38
(1.2) Ada X Hipster Full
The Ada X Hipster Full is a version of the Ada Hipster Full that has a new type of lace that looks slightly more refined than the previous version. The materials breakdown is exactly the same, but the pattern looks more delicate in a feminine way.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Black
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Lace trim: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
- Price: $38
(1.3) Ada Brief Full
This style offers full coverage with a high waist and low leg line, but it keeps things pretty with a soft lace waistband.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Black, Beige, Ultraviolet
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Lace trim: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
- Price: $44
(1.4) Ada Hipster Mini
Show more skin with the Ada Hipster Mini. It has a lower waist and slightly higher legs than the regular hipster.
- Absorbency: Medium
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 3X
- Colors: Black, Beige, Ultraviolet
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Lace trim: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
- Price: $36
(1.5) Ada Thong
The Ada Thong features pretty stretch-lace in four colors. This comfortable thong supplies light protection.
- Absorbency: Light
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 3X
- Colors: Black, Beige, Ultraviolet, Electric blue
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Lace trim: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
- Price: $32
(2) Nellie
The Nellie line is a middle ground between the sexy Ada and the sporty Hazel.
(2.1) Nellie Hipster Full
This is a basic hipster that’s a great period underwear choice to put on under jeans or your business casual workwear.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Colors: Beige, Black, Dusty Teal, Berry
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $38
(2.2) Nellie Brief Full
The Nellie Brief has a classic high-waisted design and low-cut legs.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Colors: Beige, Black, Dusty Teal
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $44
(2.3) Nellie Hipster Mini
This is a classic everyday hipster period panty.
- Absorbency: Medium
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Colors: Beige, Black, Dusty Teal, Dusty Rose
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $36
(2.4) Nellie Thong
If you want a classic thong that also supplies period protection, you’ve got it in the Nellie Thong. The design sits high on the hips for comfort.
- Absorbency: Light
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Beige, Black, Dusty Teal, Dusty Rose
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $32.00
(3) Hazel
Dear Kate’s Hazel line uses the same materials as Ada but has a sporty, casual look.
(3.1) Hazel Hipster Mini
This take on the Hazel is a hipster style with medium period coverage.
- Absorbency: Medium
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 3XL
- Colors: Emerald, Dusty Rose, Fuchsia, Electric Blue
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $32.00
(3.2) Hazel XX Hipster Mini
This style has a sporty look that’s a popular choice for teens or adults who want a casual vibe to their period undies. It has a low bikini-cut waistline and lower-cut legs.
- Absorbency: Light
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Colors: Exhale, Bloom, Enchant, Rebel, Aspire
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $36
(3.3) Hazel Hipster Full
This features a bikini style with low-cut legs for coverage and comfort during your period.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Emerald, Dusty Rose, Flamingo, Electric Blue, Fuchsia
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $38
(3.4) Hazel XX Hipster Full
This style has a bikini cut with a full waist and medium-high legs.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X
- Colors: Exhale, Bloom, Enchant, Rebel
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $38.00
(3.5) Hazel Thong
This thong style comes in black with a choice in contrasting trim colors, continuing the sporty theme of the Hazel line. These are great for the gym.
- Absorbency: Light
- Sizes: XS, L, XL
- Colors: Peacock, Flamingo, Ultraviolet, Electric Blue, Fuchsia, Robin’s Egg
- Materials:
- Body: 76% nylon, 24% Lycra
- Lining: 90% micropolyester, 10% elastane
- Price: $32.00
Dear Kate Period Panties Customer Reviews
Dear Kate gets good reviews for working as advertised and having great customer service. Some reviewers say the fabric feels thick, almost like swimsuit material, but is comfortable. (In their FAQ, Dear Kate describes the fabric as feeling like very thin swimsuit fabric.) One reviewer, however, thought the panties had too much of a “rubbery” feeling to their fabric.
“I love these underwear. They give me peace of mind when its that time of the month and OMG! comfortable. I highly recommend this company and its products. You will not be disappointed.” Lorelei, Amazon Review
“They’re stylish, streamlined, and work well for light days, but they won’t stand alone on medium or heavy days.” – Acacia O., Refinery29 Review
“I couldn’t be happier with these garments…I had a problem with one pair and they sent me a new pair to replace the damaged one without question. Excellent customer service and excellent product!” – Alison H., Amazon Review
Dear Kate Period Panties Final Say
Dear Kate is a brand that uses quality fabrics and has a relatively higher price tag to match. These menstrual undies are meant to be worn as backup or on very light days for spotting, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll like Dear Kates. Also, if you’re prone to yeast or bacterial infections, these could be the best choice in period undies for you since they don’t have any PUL. While PUL is meant to be breathable, some wearers find that the air doesn’t flow through it quite enough. You don’t get that diaper feeling with Dear Kate period underwear.
If you want breathable backup during your period or protection against spotting, Dear Kates are excellent choices in period underwear. If you want free-bleed panties everyday of your period, you might want to check out some of the brands that use PUL.