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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:
TittyGajillions · 01/02/2026 12:30

Residue? What the actual fuck do you have residue of on the outside of your knickers?!

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 12:26

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 12:18

Trousers don’t cradle my lady parts in the way that pants do.

i don’t wear tight trousers or leggings.

Edited
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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.

Fodencat · 01/02/2026 12:19

BeanQuisine · 01/02/2026 12:11

I don't try anything on in shops these days as I buy all my clothes online, paying close attention to sizing charts. Usually works.

This. So much less hassle.

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 12:18

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 12:12

Do you declare that if you try trousers on ?

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Trousers don’t cradle my lady parts in the way that pants do.

i don’t wear tight trousers or leggings.

Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 12:15

BitOutOfPractice · 01/02/2026 12:11

Having worked on the lingerie section at M&S many moons ago, I can tell you lots of people try pants on.

They're probably not MN users though 🤣

OP posts:
UncannyFanny · 01/02/2026 12:15

StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 11:38

She’s talking about pants that are on hangers and are fancier than 3 briefs in a packet that need to be opened. Obviously.

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Doesn’t change the first point though which you conveniently side stepped.

HashtagShitShop · 01/02/2026 12:14

B1anche · 01/02/2026 12:12

How is it any less hygienic than trying on a pair of trousers over pants?

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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.

Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 12:13

BeanQuisine · 01/02/2026 12:03

I thought this was going be: "I try knickers on in shops, ask me anything."

It may as well be an AMA, due to the amount of people here on MN who bizarrely don't do this.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 01/02/2026 12:12

I’m not sure how much you’d be able to tell about the comfort and up the bummage over your own pants anyway.

in my experience pants only go up your bum or prove uncomfortable in another way at the precise moment it’s too late to go home and change them.

grumpygrape · 01/02/2026 12:12

Windowseleventy · 01/02/2026 11:31

I have recurrent thrush. I have had 3 doses of the 6 month course of fluconazole.

wanna take the risk of getting mine?

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Do you declare that if you try trousers on ?

B1anche · 01/02/2026 12:12

HashtagShitShop · 01/02/2026 11:08

I get it's not great and not hygienic, even tried on over pants, but also surely people wash them before wearing them anyway?

How is it any less hygienic than trying on a pair of trousers over pants?

BeanQuisine · 01/02/2026 12:11

I don't try anything on in shops these days as I buy all my clothes online, paying close attention to sizing charts. Usually works.

Noluckcatchingthemswansthen · 01/02/2026 12:11

ChequerToRed · 01/02/2026 11:04

Why?!
I buy them in bumper packs, just grab my size and go. I’ve had fit issues maybe twice in twenty years of knicker shopping. As for how they look, I don’t care, it’s just knickers. As long as they do the job I’m good.

This with bells on
Cannot imagine trying on knickers and don’t know anyone else who does
Doesn’t particularly disgust me though, as long as it’s over underwear

Original poster
Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 12:11

nomas · 01/02/2026 12:00

YABU. Once you open a pack or remove tags, they are unsellable, so you are effectively stealing money from the company.

Shame on you, OP.

These are the knickers that are on hangers in shops.

No tags removed when trying on.

OP posts:
FaceEatingLeopard · 01/02/2026 12:11

OP knocking one out over talk of laydee pants. What a time to be alive

BitOutOfPractice · 01/02/2026 12:11

Having worked on the lingerie section at M&S many moons ago, I can tell you lots of people try pants on.

SwingTheMonkey · 01/02/2026 12:09

Ive never tried on knickers in a shop but I have tried on leggings and I’m not sure there’s much difference?

Shoecamp · 01/02/2026 12:09

This is exactly the same as trying on a swimsuit over knickers. I don’t get the problem

BatchCookBabe · 01/02/2026 12:09

Why are you desperate for everyone on Mumsnet to know you try knickers on in shops @Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis ?

I'm pretty sure most people don't care. I always buy sealed packs of knickers anyway. Most people do.

Oldartist · 01/02/2026 12:09

Surely you can eyeball a pair in your usual size and tell if they’re a reasonable fit? Check the legs are cut the way you want, they feel soft, the gusset is wide enough for you. I stick to the same style, no need to ‘try on’.
However, I’m very glad that I do wash any before wearing, particularly after this thread!

EleanorReally · 01/02/2026 12:08

you can wash after purchase before wear

MuddyPawsIndoors · 01/02/2026 12:08

Nevershoppingagaininjohnlewis · 01/02/2026 12:05

The first thread was my disgust at a man in a changing room whilst I'm having a bra fitting.

It got derailed by trying on knicker talk.

I wish I hadn't mentioned trying on the matching knickers in the previous thread, as it meant people didn't hear how vulnerable I felt knowing that my breasts were repeatedly exposed a metre away from an unknown man with only a badly fitting curtain for protection.

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Yeah you wish it so much that you thought you'd start another thread with women dutifully posting about arse cracks etc 🙄

MayaPinion · 01/02/2026 12:08

I’m guessing you’re a man and you’ve posted this because you have a women’s knickers fetish.

GenuineWorkOfFart · 01/02/2026 12:06

Last year at a festival I found a lovely stall selling handmade knickers (also running a workshop to learn to make your own which I sadly didn't have time to do). They had a set of each size made in plain fabric with the sizes written on in marker pen that customers were permitted to try on over their clothing. I overheard one woman saying "but I don't want to try on ones that loads of people have worn" 🤣🤣🤣

nomas · 01/02/2026 12:06

StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 12:01

Maybe you just make a lot more residue than other people? I’ve certainly never had any transfer to the other side of the gusset

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Shaming women for their bodily functions, how lovely.