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Embarrassing problem re claustrophobia/underwear

153 replies

gratefulbutsad · 28/08/2024 13:39

Ok. Firstly. I am a woman. Please do not report me for being a man....

I have an embarrassing predicament. I accidentally stopped wearing knickers over a period of time and now I fear I can never go back. I'm looking for advice, has anyone had similar? Maybe with bras, socks, an item of clothing? How do I go back.. here is the full lowdown. (Pun unintended).

I used to wear knickers around the clock, bed, everyday, gym - that was normal to me and I'm sure all of you.

I was speaking to my partner one day about 6 years ago, telling him that after the gym my underwear is soaked through in sweat. He genuinely asked why I bother wearing them, gym leggings are designed to absorb sweat and keep me cool.

I'd never thought of that before..... and one day tried going commando.

Separately in bed, he sleeps naked and I used to wear knickers under pyjamas or on their own and he used to joke 'what are all these clothes' and over time I just joined him sleeping totally starkers.

I didn't know it at the time but these very small tweaks led me down a path...

Pandemic hit, I lived in gym leggings. I didn't wear knickers. I also put on quite a lot of weight, so when the time came to put them on again, I realised I was SO much more comfy without them!!!

Went on holiday end of summer 2020 and was able to wear bikini bottoms, then by summer 2021, I was so claustrophobic in them that I wouldn't wear them to breakfast and would last on the subbed as long as possible then cave in and put them on just to lay there and swim but take them off to walk back to the room.

I've tried buying so many different types but have also since had a c-section and they itch my keloid scar, they feel tight on my legs, and I don't like the feeling anymore.

I'm so self conscious as this is not normal!!! It's been nearly 5 years since the decline in wearing them started.

I just cannot stand the thought of wearing them!! Help.

AIBU just to be a commando woman the rest of my life? Should I even care? If I feel free and happier then maybe I am being unreasonable on myself. I'm deeply ashamed and embarrassed and would do anything to go back to my non stop knickers days.

Worth mentioning I also used to wear jeans everyday and I can't stand them now, as I got older I just didn't like the feel of them. Even pre pandemic but especially post pandemic when I put on weight anyway. Is getting older becoming for comfortable and sure of who you are???

OP posts:
angeldelite · 28/08/2024 14:05

Gym leggings are tight and clingy and made with man made fabrics, so it’s weird you can wear something so uncomfortable that you ‘live in them’. Knickers in comparison are light and barely noticeable, especially some of the new seamless, laser cut types.

Do you find you have to wash trousers after every wear? That would annoy me. With knickers on I can get a few wears out of trousers.

5128gap · 28/08/2024 14:02

If you don't want to wear knickers, who in the world cares? As long as you're not exposing the parts of yourself the law requires you to cover in public, this is a non issue.

Mrsttcno1 · 28/08/2024 13:58

Assuming this is genuine, you may just be wearing the wrong style for your new body. Underwear should not be tight on your legs, or uncomfortable, you can also get very light weight breathable underwear.