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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
Flamingmentalcats · 19/08/2026 14:51

Happyjoe · 19/08/2026 11:06

Yep, this style from M&S are my go-to. Anything else just rides up, falls down or whatever!

I wear these too but found the quality shocking. After only a few washes the elastic started to come out and they developed holes too. They are comfy though soon am loathed to throw them away

Hotel785634 · 19/08/2026 14:45

When I want to wear something like that my go to is Uniqlo airism. I like the full briefs but they also do a lower cut more bikini style. Thin modal material, v comfortable,
last years, cotton gusset that pads stick to:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/innerwear/underwear?lineup=84087-1

Caterguin · 19/08/2026 14:38

Asda used to be good. I like the seamfree ones. But they've gone the stingy gusset way.
The main problem is that nothing covers my bum properly. Even the big belly warmers. And it's not even a massive bum! But I'd like not to be pulling it to one side all the time.

dreamingofgoodhair · 19/08/2026 12:54

Floatlikeafeather2 · 19/08/2026 11:47

Any M&S knickers I've tried recently have a really narrow gusset which isn't comfortable with any type of pad because the sticky bit is wider and sticks to parts of you it shouldn't be in contact with which can be painful.

Yes I took some back yesterday for this reason. I bought three packs but could only take two back as I’d worn a pair as I thought they were fine.

Itsasmallsmallchance · 19/08/2026 12:52

I haven’t read the whole thread but these are amazing!

https://amzn.eu/d/043yAEMw

Why can't I just find some pants?!?!
Meteorite87 · 19/08/2026 12:48

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!

You are not alone in being disappointed by how useless seemingly normal pants can become once any form of pad/liner is added.

Wanting a smooth line under leggings, I chose some very sensible Laura Ashley pants.
All seemed fine until I added a liner. The double-layered cotton gusset folded upwards (?!)
Cue some unpeeling of the liner and trying to reposition it smoothly.

The remaining unworn LA pants (multipack) are now my "last resort" back-ups.

billandtedsexcellentadventure · 19/08/2026 12:47

I love pour moi

BringBackCatsEyes · 19/08/2026 12:44

For minor stress incontinence you can wear a menstrual cup. Perfectly safe, it works by pushing the vaginal wall, supporting urethra.
I’ve done this for years when I’m doing jumping around sport or running.

mangopine · 19/08/2026 12:41

It’s really bad to wear a pad everyday, if you’re doing t to feel clean it can actually encourage more discharge etc, you need to breathe. I use period pants during my period, and have similar underwear that doesn’t like pads the rest of the month (it’s very breathable).

BringBackCatsEyes · 19/08/2026 12:41

Surely the gusset is cotton and should allow pads to stick.

Phineyj · 19/08/2026 12:36

You can also experiment with different types of liner and reusable ones.

I tried an eco brand once with some kind of corn starch that actually melted when exposed to warm temperatures such as those found around a fanjo 😂

Snazzysausage · 19/08/2026 12:27

SabbatWheel · 19/08/2026 10:43

Seriously, the most comfortable knickers I have ever worn are these Mei Yating knickers from Temu of all places. They have a cotton gusset. Different colours and pack sizes available.

https://share.temu.com/o38QP3uDZMB

Exactly what I bought,3 packs so far and like you I find them very comfy.
But ...
I also wear a daily liner (in case of a too vigorous sneezing fit) and they don't stick well because all knicker manufacturers appear to suffer from the same inability to get the cotton gusset in the right place,I find they're always too far back.
I may of course just have a peculiar layout down there but I'm pretty sure it can't just be me!🤔

Theresmagicwheretheflowersgrow · 19/08/2026 12:23

Like previous posters, I always recommend Wirarpa from Amazon. They make different styles, are so comfortable and last forever. Size up though.

itsgettingweird · 19/08/2026 12:16

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.

Agree. I wear the nvpl ones for the gym as I have the fear when I’m running and lifting weights!

£10 for a pack of 2.

AlantheDog · 19/08/2026 12:14

These Wirapa are the knickers I always reach for. Wash well, very comfy, and don't look completely horrific.

amzn.eu/d/0eIVQJqt

WicketWoo · 19/08/2026 12:09

have you tried Boody? Best pants ever (and PJs and bras to be honest). Lovely soft material. Wide gusset. Lots of style options.

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.

Kimmers4334 · 19/08/2026 11:57

I had such a hard time finding new pants last year, I must’ve spent about £200 overall! I settled on boxers which I never would’ve imagined but it made me realise that basically all other knickers give me constant wedgies. The boxers are great, thin fabric and no VPL, only downside is I can’t use pads with wings. I tried Step One but the sizing is weird, the fabric is thick and there is a seam right across my delicate foof

Happyjoe · 19/08/2026 11:55

Floatlikeafeather2 · 19/08/2026 11:47

Any M&S knickers I've tried recently have a really narrow gusset which isn't comfortable with any type of pad because the sticky bit is wider and sticks to parts of you it shouldn't be in contact with which can be painful.

Free wax removal! 😂

Fair enough tho. I am still using a couple year old M&S pants, so I will check out new gusset as was just thinking I need some new ones.. Ta for heads up.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 19/08/2026 11:47

Happyjoe · 19/08/2026 11:06

Yep, this style from M&S are my go-to. Anything else just rides up, falls down or whatever!

Any M&S knickers I've tried recently have a really narrow gusset which isn't comfortable with any type of pad because the sticky bit is wider and sticks to parts of you it shouldn't be in contact with which can be painful.

LivinLaFeeder · 19/08/2026 11:38

I had the same issue with Step One pants, which I also think might be the kind of thing you are looking for. Two washes and everything that should stick, does!

BogRollBOGOF · 19/08/2026 11:32

Sickoffamilydrama · 19/08/2026 10:46

Try oddballs they are very comfortable.

I actually follow a woman online who looks at how poorly clothes are made one of the things she points out is gusset width apparently most companies make them far to small now.

A lady shouldn't have to choose whether to dress to the left or the right Blush
Clutches pearls

I've used cloth pads for years, and it is getting hard to have enough gusset so they stay in position and don't do a log roll by mid-morning despite favouring a fuller cut at the waist and bum.

friedaklein · 19/08/2026 11:28

Wirapa. Ugly but great for wide gussets and pads

Idontjetwashthefucker · 19/08/2026 11:27

Ordered these from Amazon recently after trying lots of others, they are perfect

amzn.eu/d/0diASsIo

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