Special articles are fashioned as undergarments of a very brief nature, preferably a panty substitute. Brevity, with regard to undergarments has advantages including: comfort and ease of use, improved cooperation with outerwear and protection against soiling. The articles of the invention provide underwear function and feel. The articles are configured to be an underwear substitute without bunching, chafing, or forming visible panty lines. The underwear substitute provides comfort to the user similar to underwear without forming visible panty lines while protecting the outer garment against soiling.