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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why can't I just find some pants?!?!

164 replies

Knickerbockermisery · 19/08/2026 10:21

After a long, painstaking and expensive search I have finally found some knickers I was happy with. The right type of fabric for my preference, the right style and they fit! don't squish me in on the waist band, don't have my little belly fat sticking out at the bottom. Don't give me a wedgy. And only £22 for a pack of four (Victoria's Secret from Next).

Alas, my joy was short lived. After one day, I am back to the never ending drawing board of finding pants I can wear. All the above reasons stand, they're perfect on paper - BUT - feminine items will not stick to them! Not even a bit. It's so weird. I like to wear a daily pad, just to feel hygienic through the day in case of small leaks (thanks kids), but they will not stick to my new pants at all. OK, I thought, I'll just hold the pad in place in while I pull them up and then they'll just stay there. WRONG. Not only did they not stay there, the otherwise super comfy pants somehow turned the back half of my pad into some sort of bum floss which I was then constantly trying to unwedge. And when I went to the toilet and lowered them, the pad was nowhere to be seen. Oh wait, there it is dropped out onto the floor (thankfully not in the toilet bowl!).

There's absolutely no way I'm chancing that with with a sanitary towel when I get my period.

(btw, I did think maybe after a wash they'd stick better. Made no difference)

So that's another £22 down the toilet (pun intended) and I have to consider the perfect pants just don't exist.

Is it just me that finds buying basic every day pants so bloody hard!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
SquirrelGG · 22/08/2026 22:08

Copperoliverbear · 22/08/2026 21:01

I find this with a lot of knickers, Boody knickers are good, comfy and feminine items stick to them.

I had some Boody boyshorts and found liners did not stick to them, also the knickers fell down as I walked. I've had other styles in the past which were fine but I've gone right off them now.

Cookiebaker67 · 22/08/2026 22:03

I‘ve had that problem with pants in the past but I only wear M&S ones now and I have no problem. I wear a daily panty liner just to keep fresh as I don’t have periods anymore (thank god! that ships sailed😂)
I find these Brazilian ones from M&S comfy as I have a tummy pouch after having 3 c sections and loose skin & they hide that too and are comfy.

Why can't I just find some pants?!?!
AlmostAutumn26 · 22/08/2026 21:43

Dunnes Stores underwear for me.

Foodylicious · 22/08/2026 21:28

SunnyRedSnail · 19/08/2026 10:38

M&S high rise shorts with the lace bit at the top. Comfy and look good.

£12 for 5.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-cotton-lycra-lace-midi-knickers/p/clp60437473?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r14c2

Yes, I second these.
Good and comfy and pretty much stay where they should.

Idonthavea · 22/08/2026 21:24

Have you tried step one?
for women they do:
bikini briefs
thongs
boyshorts
and boxers.

I’ve just ordered some of their boy shorts (they’re basically hot pant style) - you can also buy a single pair if you want. (Buying more than one makes them cheaper per pair & also slightly cheaper on their tik tok shop)
they’re nice and cosy! Haven’t used a pad with them though so hard to comment on that side of things

Copperoliverbear · 22/08/2026 21:01

I find this with a lot of knickers, Boody knickers are good, comfy and feminine items stick to them.

gillefc82 · 22/08/2026 20:35

Knickerbockermisery · 19/08/2026 10:21

After a long, painstaking and expensive search I have finally found some knickers I was happy with. The right type of fabric for my preference, the right style and they fit! don't squish me in on the waist band, don't have my little belly fat sticking out at the bottom. Don't give me a wedgy. And only £22 for a pack of four (Victoria's Secret from Next).

Alas, my joy was short lived. After one day, I am back to the never ending drawing board of finding pants I can wear. All the above reasons stand, they're perfect on paper - BUT - feminine items will not stick to them! Not even a bit. It's so weird. I like to wear a daily pad, just to feel hygienic through the day in case of small leaks (thanks kids), but they will not stick to my new pants at all. OK, I thought, I'll just hold the pad in place in while I pull them up and then they'll just stay there. WRONG. Not only did they not stay there, the otherwise super comfy pants somehow turned the back half of my pad into some sort of bum floss which I was then constantly trying to unwedge. And when I went to the toilet and lowered them, the pad was nowhere to be seen. Oh wait, there it is dropped out onto the floor (thankfully not in the toilet bowl!).

There's absolutely no way I'm chancing that with with a sanitary towel when I get my period.

(btw, I did think maybe after a wash they'd stick better. Made no difference)

So that's another £22 down the toilet (pun intended) and I have to consider the perfect pants just don't exist.

Is it just me that finds buying basic every day pants so bloody hard!

I wrote a post a little while back despairing at the poor quality of M&S thongs and asking for recommendations for alternatives - plenty of suggestions on here.

I ended up trying two options:

4 pack cotton thongs from Next, which have so far washed and worn well, are comfortable with enough gusset provision (no flaps akimbo here!) so overall good value.

A selection of thongs from Boody (the thin Lyocell G-string, the mesh thong and the bamboo seam free thong). All are also comfortable and well fitting although one of the thin G-string’s has already had some thread unraveling after being washed twice. And at around £10 per individual item, it would be expensive to build up a decent knicker wardrobe, even just for basic colour options of black/white/nude.

I think I’ll try Sainsbury’s next as a number of posters suggested them.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5518790-ms-knickers-whats-happened

M&S knickers - what’s happened? | Mumsnet

I’m in my 40s and for most of my life I’ve bought my everyday wear knickers (thongs to be precise) from M&S. They’ve always washed well and lasted...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5518790-ms-knickers-whats-happened

HesterLeggatt · 22/08/2026 20:30

Matalan pants are surprisingly amazing!

bexthetrex93 · 22/08/2026 20:19

Knickerbockermisery · 19/08/2026 10:21

After a long, painstaking and expensive search I have finally found some knickers I was happy with. The right type of fabric for my preference, the right style and they fit! don't squish me in on the waist band, don't have my little belly fat sticking out at the bottom. Don't give me a wedgy. And only £22 for a pack of four (Victoria's Secret from Next).

Alas, my joy was short lived. After one day, I am back to the never ending drawing board of finding pants I can wear. All the above reasons stand, they're perfect on paper - BUT - feminine items will not stick to them! Not even a bit. It's so weird. I like to wear a daily pad, just to feel hygienic through the day in case of small leaks (thanks kids), but they will not stick to my new pants at all. OK, I thought, I'll just hold the pad in place in while I pull them up and then they'll just stay there. WRONG. Not only did they not stay there, the otherwise super comfy pants somehow turned the back half of my pad into some sort of bum floss which I was then constantly trying to unwedge. And when I went to the toilet and lowered them, the pad was nowhere to be seen. Oh wait, there it is dropped out onto the floor (thankfully not in the toilet bowl!).

There's absolutely no way I'm chancing that with with a sanitary towel when I get my period.

(btw, I did think maybe after a wash they'd stick better. Made no difference)

So that's another £22 down the toilet (pun intended) and I have to consider the perfect pants just don't exist.

Is it just me that finds buying basic every day pants so bloody hard!

I can't recommend Primark 'hipster' style enough
No seams, tall without being full brief granny pants, cannot feel them on, usually shinyish material but sometimes cotton too.

Anibanani · 22/08/2026 19:55

The new ones have the narrow gusset, though, in my experience.

MilkBreadToiletroll · 22/08/2026 19:54

Peacocks do a nice full knicker. Not for OP as they have lace on the top, but very roomy and comfy.

ElectricLegs · 22/08/2026 19:47

Seamless shorts although they often seem to be low rise - yuk. Otherwise the dependable Sloggis

MummyWillow1 · 22/08/2026 19:21

I hate Oddballs, the shiny fabric just makes me sweaty and they slide down.

Love Step One, seam free and the bamboo fabric is so soft and even when I’m sweaty I don’t feel sweaty.

Lovemydaxie · 22/08/2026 18:57

Boody are fabulous, knickers and bras. I've tried all the ones in Amazon, Wirarpa etc, but I find after each wash they get harder and harder, probably due to living in a hard water area. The Boody ones though have remained soft and stretchy with plenty of coverage. They are definitely worth the cost. I was replacing the ones from Amazon every 6 months.

hahabahbag · 22/08/2026 18:41

I just buy black Sainsbury’s full pants, multi pack of 7, buy a new pack each year for my holiday and rotate the older ones out as elastic fails/ shrink so I have about 25 pairs total. Have a few matching fancy ones that rarely get worn

Chrissytommo · 22/08/2026 18:37

Just use some super glue. That should do the trick!

thejennyb · 22/08/2026 18:32

Take a look at Amazon
Wysteria Lane Cotton Comforts Women’s High Leg Lace Briefs 3 Pack – Cotton-Rich Stretch Knickers – Soft Breathable - Durable Everyday Underwear
I feel your pain. These are the only ones I’ve found that are pretty but do a good job!

plumbus39 · 22/08/2026 18:32

I feel your pain! Hope you find some good ones. I chanced on some lacy high waist high leg ones from the M&S Body range that cover my weird c section tiered tummy overhang and look reasonably flattering with enough bum coverage. I bought in bulk so I’m hoping they will last me a while!

I don’t use many pads though so not sure about adhesion.

MotherPooperior · 21/08/2026 22:15

I hated all pants I bought for years and then went to a festival a few years ago where I discovered a solar powered sewing stall in the craft area where they taught you how to make your own pants with an overlocker! I did buy several of the ready made ones they had for sale too but then went home, 'borrowed' my mum's overlocker and have never had such comfy pants in all my life. It isn't cheaper than buying them though 🙈

The company is called Mardybum Boutique, it's a tiny business run by two women who make everything themselves, if you'd rather buy pants than learn to make pants!

Wetblanket78 · 21/08/2026 22:02

Knickerbockermisery · 21/08/2026 07:07

I definitely am kicking myself for not buying more in the next size up. The ones I had were boy short style, and even though they were too small they were surprisingly comfortable. My FIL visits Aus and NZ annually but I think it might be a bit much to ask him to buy me underwear 😂

🤣🤣🤣

Fruitpecker · 21/08/2026 15:24

Fantasie Smoothease every time for me. They’re generally always on a 3 for 2 offer in M&S (online)

Allseeingallknowing · 21/08/2026 15:01

gerispringer · 21/08/2026 07:15

Step One bamboo are the best

Watch out for the knotches!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 21/08/2026 07:55

I use sloggi knickers. They are the shiny kind but with a soft gusset lol. They go over my tummy overhang nicely as well

Atleastitsnotsunstroke · 21/08/2026 07:31

SunnyRedSnail · 19/08/2026 10:38

M&S high rise shorts with the lace bit at the top. Comfy and look good.

£12 for 5.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-cotton-lycra-lace-midi-knickers/p/clp60437473?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r14c2

These are my new fave after years of boy shorts. I size up, Im a 14-16 and wearing an 18. Love them
No VPL, no cutting in, no wedgy.