Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I try knickers on in shops.

206 replies

Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 11:01

My other thread got derailed by this issue.

I, and the friends I saw last night, all try knickers on in shops. We do this over our pants.

We sometimes buy the knickers. We sometimes don't.

We agreed we don't have money to burn on buying knickers that don't fit or don't look lovely or cut your bum up. We try them on as most shops don't allow you to return them for a refund. (Although you can return online)

To clarify from my other thread, the JL shop assistant told me to try on the matching knickers to a bra I was purchasing, as she didn't want me to waste my money.

AWBU in trying knickers on in shops and sometimes returning them to the rail?

(And yes, this is one of those threads where my behaviour will not change as a result of your opinions)

OP posts:
Daytimenighttime · 01/02/2026 20:37

I can't believe that any one would try knickers on before they buy them.
And trying them on and returning them to the rail is just gross.

But there again buying knickers because they " look lovely" is just so self indulgent it's untrue. Just how vain are some people?

Knickers are knickers for heaven's sake. They serve a function.

Topseyt123 · 01/02/2026 14:50

StopWindingBobStopWinding · 01/02/2026 11:39

People who think this is okay - I presume you’d extend the thumbs up to all pant styles, including thongs? You must be fine with people checking they go far enough up their arse crack?

No. And I wouldn't be OK with thongs either. Ridiculous things. You might as well wear no knickers at all.

Mrstawnyowl · 01/02/2026 14:07

This thread is so funny. There’s talk of cracks, discharge, thrush etc. No one has yet mentioned about the possibility of breaking wind in the knickers being tried on. Maybe I’m just being unnecessarily gross, 😂

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 14:06

Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 13:40

I've lived in a few cities and enjoy shopping day trips with friends. I'd never seen trying on clothes as a kink, but you do you.

Last night's group was 6 of us.

Show quote history

You know what they say - one woman’s kink is another’s shopping trip 🤣

Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 13:52

StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 13:24

But who isn’t ‘supposed’ to do this? All fancy knicker shops let you try them on over your own pants. Ann Summers, Boux Avenue, Agent Provocateur, department stores all let you try knickers on (not the multipacks but the individuals) because they’re £20-100 a pair and non-returnable.

There aren’t whole shops smelling like vaginal fluids and sporting soggy pants on the racks because women have quickly popped a pair on with fabric between their vagina and the new pants.

The pants remain clean. The vaginas remain clothed.

Show quote history

In fairness to @Windowseleventy I disagree with JL policy of allowing me to have a bra fitting in a mixed sex changing room with only a badly fitting curtain between me and him.

They're allowed to disagree with all those shops' policies of trying on underwear.

But as you point out, the knickers can be £100+. Shops know it's in their best interests to allow customers to try them on as most of us don't have £100 to throw away on ill fitting pants.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 13:40

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 13:10

I've tried knickers on in different M&S stores across the country for the last 30 or so years.

If you’ve been up and down the country for 30 years trying on knickers I’d say this goes from trying to find a size that fits and moves into kink territory 🤣

I've lived in a few cities and enjoy shopping day trips with friends. I'd never seen trying on clothes as a kink, but you do you.

Last night's group was 6 of us.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 13:37

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 13:14

I said wandering around on your period.

which you are.

and then trying on knickers. Which is gross.

but you continue to laugh. You do that.

Show quote history

Should women stay indoors yelling unclean when on their periods then? Should we not wander around?

You need to watch a Bodyform advert lady. Broaden your horizons a bit.

OP posts:
StrawberrySquash · 01/02/2026 13:30

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 01/02/2026 11:21

You wouldn't try socks on. That's just 🤢

True. But people try shoes on with bare feet/an unwashed shop pop sock all the time. And frankly, I own socks I wish I'd tried on!

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 13:28

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 13:10

I've tried knickers on in different M&S stores across the country for the last 30 or so years.

If you’ve been up and down the country for 30 years trying on knickers I’d say this goes from trying to find a size that fits and moves into kink territory 🤣

Find that woman and stop her 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Seriously, people thinking pants over pants for 30 seconds is awful possibly need to get help.

Coffeeishot · 01/02/2026 13:26

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 13:10

I've tried knickers on in different M&S stores across the country for the last 30 or so years.

If you’ve been up and down the country for 30 years trying on knickers I’d say this goes from trying to find a size that fits and moves into kink territory 🤣

I mean 😂

StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 13:24

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 13:20

Female body parts aren’t.

trying on knickers, however, is. There’s a reason you’re not supposed to do this.

Show quote history

But who isn’t ‘supposed’ to do this? All fancy knicker shops let you try them on over your own pants. Ann Summers, Boux Avenue, Agent Provocateur, department stores all let you try knickers on (not the multipacks but the individuals) because they’re £20-100 a pair and non-returnable.

There aren’t whole shops smelling like vaginal fluids and sporting soggy pants on the racks because women have quickly popped a pair on with fabric between their vagina and the new pants.

The pants remain clean. The vaginas remain clothed.

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 13:20

StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 13:18

She’s the one saying female body parts are vile, unhygienic and disgusting…. Not me

Show quote history

Female body parts aren’t.

trying on knickers, however, is. There’s a reason you’re not supposed to do this.

StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 13:18

nomas · 01/02/2026 12:06

Shaming women for their bodily functions, how lovely.

Edited
Show quote history

She’s the one saying female body parts are vile, unhygienic and disgusting…. Not me

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 13:14

Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 13:03

To extend the most excellent joke of @menopausalmare , I don't wander around trying on knickers.

I stay in the changing room.

Show quote history

I said wandering around on your period.

which you are.

and then trying on knickers. Which is gross.

but you continue to laugh. You do that.

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 13:12

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 13:10

I've tried knickers on in different M&S stores across the country for the last 30 or so years.

If you’ve been up and down the country for 30 years trying on knickers I’d say this goes from trying to find a size that fits and moves into kink territory 🤣

I, and the friends I saw last night, all try knickers on in shops.

Just how many are in your ‘group’?

PlumDeNomNomNom · 01/02/2026 13:10

I've tried knickers on in different M&S stores across the country for the last 30 or so years.

If you’ve been up and down the country for 30 years trying on knickers I’d say this goes from trying to find a size that fits and moves into kink territory 🤣

Peacefullbliss · 01/02/2026 13:08

500mileslong · 01/02/2026 11:58

I cannot be arsed to try on knickers- I know my size and I know the style I prefer (I also don’t buy fancy knickers which helps).

Same big pants over fancy lace ones.

JacknDiane · 01/02/2026 13:08

The thing is, matching pants for say a fantasie bra can be £15-25. For one pair. So as they are non returnable once outside the shop, its only sensible to try them on instore, over your own pants.

Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 13:03

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 12:31

They don’t. I had to wear loose trousers and cotton only. It’s why I used to wear skirts most of the time but I can’t anymore. I’m currently wearing trousers 4 sizes too big.

but I’m not the op who is wandering around on her period trying on knickers.

Show quote history

To extend the most excellent joke of @menopausalmare , I don't wander around trying on knickers.

I stay in the changing room.

OP posts:
B1anche · 01/02/2026 12:37

HashtagShitShop · 01/02/2026 12:14

I don't tend to go commando in trousers.

I do, however, buy from charity shops and again wash everything thoroughly so it's not through being snobby.

Show quote history

But OP tries knickers on over her knickers, so is not commando.

SwingTheMonkey · 01/02/2026 12:37

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 12:31

They don’t. I had to wear loose trousers and cotton only. It’s why I used to wear skirts most of the time but I can’t anymore. I’m currently wearing trousers 4 sizes too big.

but I’m not the op who is wandering around on her period trying on knickers.

Show quote history

Unless someone is free bleeding, I’m not sure what difference having one’s period is?

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 12:36

Hoardasurass · 01/02/2026 12:35

Knickers dont hence you aren't supposed to try them on

Show quote history

Unless a member of staff/partner (JL) tells you to ?

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 12:35

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 12:31

They don’t. I had to wear loose trousers and cotton only. It’s why I used to wear skirts most of the time but I can’t anymore. I’m currently wearing trousers 4 sizes too big.

but I’m not the op who is wandering around on her period trying on knickers.

Show quote history

I missed where OP said she had her period, where was that ? Not that it makes any difference, periods aren’t contagious.

Hoardasurass · 01/02/2026 12:35

Toddlerteaplease · 01/02/2026 11:57

As long as it’s got the plastic strip I don’t see the issue

Knickers dont hence you aren't supposed to try them on

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 12:31

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 12:26

The baggy trousers you try on don’t touch the crotch of your knickers ?

OK, I’ll believe you 😉

They don't have to be tight, just fit.

Show quote history

They don’t. I had to wear loose trousers and cotton only. It’s why I used to wear skirts most of the time but I can’t anymore. I’m currently wearing trousers 4 sizes too big.

but I’m not the op who is wandering around on her period trying on knickers.

Swipe left for the next trending thread