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Best women’s knickers: comfy, stylish pants for all sizes and budgets
From comfy briefs to discreet thongs and stylish everyday pairs, replenish your knicker drawer with our pick of the best pants, as recommended by women.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated May 6, 2022
The foundation of every woman’s wardrobe is her knickers. A good, comfortable pair makes you feel secure and confident all day. When it comes to pants, Mumsnetters prioritise comfort over seductiveness, but the knickers in our roundup don’t compromise on style.
Finding the perfect pair of undercrackers that are a good fit for your body, your wardrobe and your lifestyle is the holy grail of underwear shopping. A pair of pants that wash well, don’t sag or creep up your bum will have you sorted for years to come. To help you find your very own perfect pants, we’ve rounded up the very best briefs, Brazilians and boxers that real Mumsnetters swear by.
Here are the best women's knickers to buy this year.
1. Best overall women’s pants: Sloggi 24/7 Tai Briefs
Price: £12 | Buy now from Amazon
"Good plain ones from Sloggi. Cotton, and they're excellent quality so don't stretch or go baggy" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Itsabeautifuldaytosavelives
"They are the best knickers ever - comfy and last for ages. No side seams. I will admit to preferring the full-on granny ones though that come up to the waist. Black, for preference" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Nextphonewontbeasamsung
"Sloggi do some great ones on Amazon (the brand gives me images of Bridget Jones style knickers but these ones are really good). They’re great for under leggings at the gym!" - rated by Mumsnet user, Laufeythejust
The queen of pants, Sloggi’s Tai briefs offer amazing quality, comfort and value. Often hailed by Mumsnetters as "the best knickers ever", the cotton stays soft and stretchy thanks to the fabric’s Lycra content. They’re trimmed with subtle lace, a discreet Sloggi tag and feature a mid rise and high cut leg for a comfy, flattering fit. This three-pack is available in sensible black, white or beige - a brilliant everyday all-rounder.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton and elastane
- Size range: 10-20
2. Best budget women’s pants: Asda Short Knickers
Price: £6 (pack of six) | Buy now from Asda
"Asda, they're a firm favourite of mine for underwear" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Inpersuitofhappiness
"Asda short knickers. Best hands down" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, DigitalGhost
Available in loads of different colour and pattern mixes, Asda’s short knicker multipacks are a snip at £5.50 for five pairs. They’re comfy, good quality and wash well, making them a favourite across the Mumsnet forums. With a hipster boyshort fit, they go well with jeans. If patterns aren’t your thing, they’re also available in packs of black, neutrals, lace and brights.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton and elastane
- Size range: 6-22
3. Most comfortable women’s pants: Wirarpa Cotton Pants Multipack
Price: £20 (pack of five) | Buy now from Amazon
"These are awesome" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, LadyofMisrule
"I have plain coloured high waist version. They are immensely comfy, breathable, hold in my wobbly tum and bum a bit, and do NOT creep up my bum when walking" - recommended by Mumsnet user, quince2figs
For soft, wedgie-free pants, these briefs from Wirarpa are hard to beat. They’re well cut to cover your cheeks and feature an extra-wide gusset to guard against hungry bums. The fabric is stretchy and the flat waistband sits comfortably against your tummy. The seams are soft and well-positioned so they don’t dig in, and they’re available in black, beige, brights and pastels.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton and elastane
- Size range: XS-XXXL
4. Best cotton women’s pants: Fat Face Mini Knickers
Price: £8 | Buy now from Fat Face
"Fat Face underwear is lovely and soft and the prints are quite fun" - recommended by Mumsnet user, SomewhereInbetween1
"Fat face. Not the first place you’d look for pants I know. I had to buy an emergency pair a few years ago and it was a revelation. I’ve lived in them ever since" - rated by Mumsnet user, Ratonastick
These pretty cotton pants from Fat Face are available in a huge range of ditsy prints and muted colours. Not widely known for their underwear, Fat Face knickers have a cult following, with converts singing their praises. This cute floral style are made from super soft cotton with a lacy trim that’s flattering on the bum.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton and elastane
- Size range: 6-22
5. Best women’s pants multipack: Innersy High Waisted Knickers
Price: £19 | Buy now from Amazon
"Look for the brand Innersy, very very good quality and comfortable, and all have lots of good reviews" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Pineapplemonkey
"Innersy High Waisted Knickers on Amazon are superb. They are cotton, don't roll down or your bum, nicely shaped on the leg and don't have that awful zig zag edging on the elastic" - rated by Mumsnet user, Torvi
These supremely comfortable knickers from Innersy are made from thick, stretchy cotton and are generously cut on the tummy and bum for great coverage. They’ve got a 3-inch wide flat waistband with very light control, making them great for C-section recovery, as they’re gentle and supportive against your skin. Available in colourful or neutral packs of five, these are great everyday knickers to stock up on.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton and spandex
- Size range: 8-20
6. Best organic women’s pants: Thunderpants Originals
Price: £19 | Buy now from Thunderpants
"They are expensive, but I have pairs that are 10 years old and no end in sight. The colours and prints can be weird, but they will never, ever budge" - recommended by Mumsnet user, dudsville
"Yes - Thunderpants! I LOVE them. My sisters and I buy them for each other as birthday presents!" - rated by Mumsnet user, 00feckingbollocks
With their bold patterns and retro fit, Thunderpants are in a league of their own. Made for coverage, they contain your whole bum, meaning you’ll never need to adjust your underwear and they won’t disappear between your cheeks. The high-rise waist sits just below your navel, and the cotton is soft and thick, so they’re really comfy to wear. Beloved for their bright and patterned knickers, Thunderpants also do plain black and white pairs.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton and spandex
- Size range: S-XXXL
7. Best high-waist women’s pants: M&S High Rise Microfibre Full Briefs (Pack of 5)
Price: £12 (pack of 5) | Buy now from M&S
"I have these pants! Actually I have three packs of them because I asked my mum for 'big pants' for Christmas (she asked and I'm almost 50 btw!) and she lost track of what was in her online basket. They are so, SO comfortable! Best pants ever, #livingmybestpants - recommended by Mumsnet user, OldTinHat
What’s soft, stretchy and comes right up to your belly button? Big pants from M&S! These are the ultimate for comfort and coverage, plus the smooth microfibre fabric means not a whisper of VPL. For those horrified at the thought of polyester knickers, rest assured the gusset is 100% cotton.
Key specs
- Material: Polyester, elastane and cotton
- Size range: 6-28
8. Best lace briefs: M&S Lace & Modal Brazilian Knickers
Price: £12 (pack of five) | Buy now from M&S
"Another vote for M&S Brazilians. Perfect fit on the bum" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Starlightlady
"I'd recommend Marks & Spencer. I'm sure I own most of the Brazilian styles they've done in the last few years" - rated by Mumsnet user, DieShottin93
The second appearance in our round-up for M&S, their Brazilian knickers are almost as legendary as their high-rise full briefs. The lace trim makes them flattering and comfortable to wear, and the low-rise waist is great for those who like a skimpier fit. This style features cheeky lace on the bum, a 100% cotton gusset and the signature Brazilian cutaway back.
Key specs
- Material: 6-28
- Size range: Polyamide, cotton, modal, elastane
9. Best seam-free women’s pants: Victoria’s Secret Seamless Thong
Price: £55 (pack of three) | Buy now from Amazon
"Victoria’s Secret! Their no show/no VPL ones are amazing and last really well and don’t lose their elasticity. Evangelical about them and never get pants anywhere else" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Elletine
"Exactly what I was going to suggest. In fact at VS underwear I've ever had has been brilliant. They often have offers on" - rated by Mumsnet user, Cam2020
Possibly the world’s most invisible pants, these seam-free thongs from Victoria’s Secret are stretchy, tiny and lie completely flat against your skin. They’re made from manmade fabrics, so they’re not as breathable as cotton styles, but the raw edge and super stretchiness ensure a snug fit and zero VPL.
Key specs
- Material: Nylon and elastane
- Size range: S-XL
10. Best women’s boxer shorts: Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Boy Shorts
Price: £16 | Buy now from Amazon
"I have some Calvin Klein shorts which I got in the sale and they are great" - recommended by Mumsnet user, ZaraW
If labels are your thing, the iconic waistband on these Calvin Klein women’s boxers is a big selling point. But Calvins aren’t just for show - they’re made from a cotton modal mix that offers a really smooth, comfortable fit. While many Mumsnetters have discovered how comfortable men’s boxer briefs are, these are cut for a woman’s body and offer a closer, more secure fit.
Key specs
- Material: Cotton, modal and elastane
- Size range: XS-XL
How to buy the best women’s pants
Everyone is different, so consider what’s comfortable and practical for you. A full, high-rise brief gives maximum coverage, while a Brazilian or a mid-rise brief has a more flattering look and less fabric. Sizing up is a good move, as there’s nothing worse than too-tight pants.
What style of knickers is the most flattering to wear?
A no-VPL style will keep you comfortable without interfering with the silhouette of your outfit, and for looking good in your scanties, Brazilian style knickers are cut to make your bum look its best.
What’s the best material for women’s pants
Cotton with a hint of stretch is the best fabric for women’s knickers. Cotton is breathable while the stretch from elastane or spandex gives a snug, comfortable fit and offers ease of movement.
What are the best women’s pants to buy?
The best women’s knickers are made by pants experts Sloggi. Their Tai briefs are our pick of the pants, because they tick all the boxes in terms of comfort, fit and quality.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real woman, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which women’s pants were rated by Mumsnet users. We compiled a list of the best knickers they loved for fit, comfort and value-for-money.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which pants were recommended by expert review sites - and what customer reviews said about them too.
Having collated all that information, we picked the best knickers for women that we thought would make the best buys.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.