Please or to access all these features

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
StormGazing · 20/08/2026 08:38

I’ve had the same recently! I had some great shorts style from Asda and Peacock for years but they’re starting to get old now (they must be 15 years old!), M&S … crap! Asda and Peacocks also bad, better than the M&S that fell apart after a few wears, also shiny horrible material. British Boxers are ok but my DH mixes them up with my DS pants lol so bought some Sloggi ones recently which have been loads better
good luck!

Cheesehoundrosie · 20/08/2026 08:38

Another vote for Boody, Stripe and State and also the Big Bloomers company. I have gradually replaced all my Marks ones, the quality isn't good.

WhatNextImScared · 20/08/2026 07:31

Oh my god I have some like this. They’re from Laura Ashley. So bloody annoying

omghereistrouble · 20/08/2026 07:29

could you get the wings ones and attach the wings to the outside of the gusset? that may stick better than the inside. btw i know what you mean bits of me always stick out my knickers or worse still roll down so you are in agony plus it shows through flimsy summer dresses.

Mintyt · 20/08/2026 07:19

I have the perfect pants from amazon, they are fabulous, my mum and a few friends now have them too -coskefy the pack I brought 3 years ago are still perfect and o have purchased 2 more packs. ( seem to buy a pack each summer for the holiday)

Wallywobbles · 20/08/2026 03:39

M&S flexifit modal briefs are absolutely perfect. Not very sexy as quite plain and not lacy but comfortable, hard wearing, no cutting bits and knicker sticker stick.

SquirrelGG · 20/08/2026 02:32

BBCLW · 20/08/2026 00:24

Most of my pants are period pants, these days. My favourite pants are period pants from Primark: come up to my waist and are wide enough across the back and really comfortable, but they were expensive so I only bought two pairs, and then they stopped making that kind. I hate low waists as they end up under my belly and rubbing on the c-section scar which isn't comfortable.

I recently bought some of the seamless ones from Primark and discovered while walking across the Sainsbury's car park that they fall down when I'm walking. I can only wear them with tights or chub-rub shorts over the top, which makes them pretty useless most of the year. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

OMG, I feel your pain! I've had knickers in the past which fall down when I walk, so bloody annoying. Also agree that gussets seem to be shrinking. I'm in NZ and have found Bonds boyfit briefs are perfect, but that's not much use to those of you in the UK.

reenon · 20/08/2026 01:17

Haven't read TFLT (sorry) but Uniqlo seamless briefs are my absolute go to knickers. Not cheap but they last for years and are properly seamless and have a cotton guesset

BBCLW · 20/08/2026 00:24

panomara · 19/08/2026 11:58

I think I'd try the light period pants. I have a similar ahem, fear of leakage and honestly, the light period pants from (yep) Primark are absolutely brilliant for me. I don't even know I'm wearing them. Just a thought.

Most of my pants are period pants, these days. My favourite pants are period pants from Primark: come up to my waist and are wide enough across the back and really comfortable, but they were expensive so I only bought two pairs, and then they stopped making that kind. I hate low waists as they end up under my belly and rubbing on the c-section scar which isn't comfortable.

I recently bought some of the seamless ones from Primark and discovered while walking across the Sainsbury's car park that they fall down when I'm walking. I can only wear them with tights or chub-rub shorts over the top, which makes them pretty useless most of the year. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

mullers1977 · 19/08/2026 23:21

Knickerbockermisery · 19/08/2026 10:29

It's actually the shiny kind of ones I like. I find cotton underwear horribly irritating and kind of itchy.

Weirdly I did not thin these new ones were the shiny type, certainly not as much as others. I don't think I've encountered this issue before.

Have you tried H&M shapewear?

BarbarianBabs · 19/08/2026 21:52

I discovered Danish Endurance underwear earlier this year and delighted. Nothin fancy, just briefs that do the job!

AtlasCedar · 19/08/2026 20:33

I love the M&S Boston Microfibre ones

nutbrownhare15 · 19/08/2026 20:00

Here to recommend washable pads but also period pants rather than disposable sanitary towels. Cheaper in the long run, breathable material rather than sweaty plastic against your skin and better for environment.

Delphiniumandlupins · 19/08/2026 19:53

Wings on your pads? Or reusable ones which popper underneath?

VivIsBlonde · 19/08/2026 19:46

I struggle to find them wide enough on the gusset for a panty liner, which I wear due to slight incontenance

flatwhiteinabucket · 19/08/2026 19:46

Another one for Boody, I am plus plus size, and they are SO comfy, wide gusset, don't shift or fall down (looking at you Next...) no elastic waistband to separate etc.

I got them in pale blue, and they haven't picked up any greyness in the wash, still as blue as when they came out the packet.

Anonymouse2019 · 19/08/2026 19:15

I searched for about ten years for the perfect knickers. Found them, eventually, and it's these https://www.marksandspencer.com/3pk-amelia-lace-full-briefs/p/clp60708305?color=BLACK

They have various colour options. Some might consider them a bit granny-ish but honestly, have a look at them and see. The nude coloured one are fab under white trousers. Seeing white lingerie under white clothing is a massive no-no for me. I like the black ones, and have some fab bright magenta ones too.

They are shiny/silky which is great with dresses as the fabric glides over them. That said, I don't find them sweaty either. The gusset is cotton and pads DO stick.

Best bit after carrying five babies is they cover my ample bottom and mum tum.

M&S

3pk Amelia Lace Full Briefs by M&S

These briefs offer everyday comfort with a touch of elegance. Added stretch with deep sides and a high-rise waist. Our signature Wild Blooms lace trims each side for a delicate touch. M&S Collection: versatile styles in modern shapes with unique an...

https://www.marksandspencer.com/3pk-amelia-lace-full-briefs/p/clp60708305?color=BLACK

ChakaKan · 19/08/2026 19:13

I was literally saying this to DH the other day.
My perfect knickers were back when Topshop did 3 for £10, briefs but in nice fabrics/patterns. And they fit perfectly.

Now the choice seems to be uncomfortable/impractical thongs or massive plain granny knickers if you don’t want to spend ££, I can’t find an in between.
I just bought one nice pair from Lemonade Dolls in the sale, they’re ok but still a bit more than I would normally spend for one pair.

Boody are comfortable but plain and boring. I like nice patterns, but nowhere seems to do a good selection anymore.

TheBirdintheCave · 19/08/2026 19:03

Phineyj · 19/08/2026 18:47

I do too but I wouldn't wear them out of the house as they go wandering!

They do? The ones with the poppers? 🧐 Mine haven’t moved in years.

BoarBrush · 19/08/2026 19:02

These are my new favourites. Can't even tell you're wearing them and best of all, no stupid excessive wafty gusset that's not even in the right area rubbing away. https://amzn.eu/d/0ih4jMgf

Amazon

Amazon

https://amzn.eu/d/0ih4jMgf?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5568448-why-cant-i-just-find-some-pants

Maia77 · 19/08/2026 19:01

Try Boody. They are comfy.

Cooooold · 19/08/2026 18:59

I am so over wasting money on knickers this year 😒
I just threw out 5 expensive multipack pairs, they were enormous: gorgeously soft, up to my belly button, comfy, covered my whole butt. All that material and they made the gusset as thin as dental floss. Honestly I took them off the bloody gusset looked chewed. Off as soon as i got home and straight in the dustbin. Had to go commando the rest of the evening give my poor parts a breather
Not happy

BitOutOfPractice · 19/08/2026 18:54

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

I second these. Very comfortable.

StrawberryMatchaLatte · 19/08/2026 18:54

I get that issue with pads not sticking.But I usually find they'll stick after a few wears and washes.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/08/2026 18:52

Someone on here sent me in the direction of British Boxers a few years ago, and I havnt looked back. They do women’s knickers too.