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Original poster

What products do you think are poorly designed?

141 replies

EggSheeran · 20/09/2021 11:59

As a woman I get frustrated with poorly designed female products and often wonder why they haven't been changed to suit us better.

One product for example is the extra gusset bit of fabric in knickers and thongs. In my opinion it's in completely the wrong location or should be longer.

I also think that some sanitary pads/pantyliners should be made with the underside or wing part in a black colour so they are less visible when wearing black underwear.

Does anyone else ponder over poorly designed products like me?

OP posts:
Original poster
EggSheeran · 20/09/2021 16:46

@Kendodd

I suggest you read the book Invisible Women OP. Steam will be coming out of your ears when you read about how the world is built for men.
It definitely sounds like it will!

It's mostly stuff that definitely should have been re-designed by now that gets my goat!

OP posts:
Mrsweasleysclock · 20/09/2021 16:57

@AnnieKenney

Mammogram machines. Definately build by men ( hard corners, cold metals, awkward poses etc) Plus - there is no way men would accept their balls being thusly squashed.
Thusly squashed 🤣🤣
BertieBotts · 20/09/2021 17:02

I use reusable pads which are black/grey on the side you bleed on and where the wings wrap around. Much better and more comfy too.

I find gussets to be far too narrow. So uncomfortable and you can't always look before you buy.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing
Teaandcakeordeath83 · 20/09/2021 17:17

Anything packaged in "easy peel" packaging. Calling bs on that rubbish. Drives me mad.

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 20/09/2021 17:21

@TinnedPotatoesRock

The width of gussets in underwear, not just the length, my flaps are often escaping and to the best of my knowledge they are average sized flaps
THIS! I've got relatively tidy flappage, and few things piss me off more than having to retrieve a cheese wire gusset from the old girl every few minutes. SO bloody uncomfortable.
ClumpingBambooIsALie · 20/09/2021 17:33

I wear men's briefs. Lovely wide gussets.

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 20/09/2021 17:36

Also, fully encapsulated (? don't know the actual word… I mean surrounded by fabric, not just sewn on around the edge and razor-sharp) elastic, a robust waistband, and nice thick material to keep your cheeks warm.

ChristmasPlannier · 20/09/2021 17:38

@playmelikeasymphony

Wheelchairs. None of the workings on my electric wheelchair are waterproof. I got stuck in the rain a while ago and the control fused and bad to be replaced. Do the designers think we all stay at home if it’s wet?!
@playmelikeasymphony that's shocking
MaraScottie · 20/09/2021 17:51

Has anyone read the book 'The End of Men'? One of the benefits of a world without men was that car and work accidents killed less women, as safety clothes, car seat belts etc were all designed for a woman's size and weight rather than a man.

Anyway, any websites that are not designed and developed as accessible are badly designed and not fit for purpose. Only about 2% of the world wide web are reliably accessible for people with disabilities. 2 feckin percent.

MaraScottie · 20/09/2021 18:04

Let me also point out that about 15% of the worlds population have some sort of disability so it's not like you're designing for this tiny minority either.

Rosesareyellow · 20/09/2021 18:09

Bras - I know the reason women's clothes fasten at the back but it is the 21st century now and none of us have ladies maids - surely its time the standard bra fastens at the front?

Yes! They used to do these at La Sensa when it was still around. Not just easier to put on but they are sooooo much more comfortable because the bra is able to shift in a better way when you move around because it’s pulled to the front. Much less constricting. No one else has caught on. I miss La Sensa.

Original poster
EggSheeran · 20/09/2021 18:13

@MaraScottie

Let me also point out that about 15% of the worlds population have some sort of disability so it's not like you're designing for this tiny minority either.
I'm not sure why every product doesn't have Braille on it for the product name. How do visually impaired people identify products?
OP posts:
ArcheryAnnie · 20/09/2021 18:25

@SpiderinaWingMirror

Every women's public toilet ever. I'm 5'1 although quite round have modest hips. Toilets where you literally have to wrap yourself around the door to get in. Then the san bin is wedged in so hard against the toilet that your leg touches.
Yes - your clothes are wiping the loo bowl just getting into the stall. And the architect has never used a sanitary bin, being a posh bloke, so your clothes on one side get to wipe that clean, too. Ugh ugh ugh.

If there isn't room to design a loo cubicle with enough space to get in, or enough space for a sanitary bin, at least they should have the doors opening outwards, and the loos slightly offset from centre, so the sanitary bin isn't wedged in there.

NotMyCat · 20/09/2021 18:33

They should work a way where the bin is built into the back wall or the side wall or a bloody corner shaped one so it actually fits
I hate sitting on the seat with half my thigh wedged against the bin

MaraScottie · 20/09/2021 18:42

I am most concerned with digital experiences but that is also a massive problem. There's a new fleet of apps that will read text on items you scan, and medicines generally do have braille.

Have a look at some of Molly Burke's YouTube videos, she's blind and offers a really interesting insight into her life and how she manages tasks day to day.

thatsnotmyzoo · 20/09/2021 18:48

Ok so I’m with the pp who mentions hob trivets that are too large for a small pan.

Family cars that need you to press the fob twice to unlock all doors. Pressing once just unlocks the drivers door. Fine if you don’t have a family but if it’s a family car basically all of their target market need to open doors other than the drivers door first. AND the bastard fob never registers the second press so you end up pulling at a locked door holding your baby in the piss down rain. Skoda I’m looking at YOU.

People who design and build baby change areas with no toilet, you know, for the actual adult with the baby.

0blio · 20/09/2021 18:51

@ClumpingBambooIsALie

Shakespeare spelt it fosset!
Easier just to say tap! Grin
opinionminion · 20/09/2021 18:54

Corned beef tins

Chunkymenrock · 20/09/2021 18:56

Bloody mirrors in ladies' public toilets. I can just about see the top of my head and that's it. Agree with pp who said everything is designed badly if you're short and fat. It's ALL a bloody nightmare.

Mossstitch · 20/09/2021 19:01

Another vote for gussets on underwear, I've bought every variation from bikinis, shorts, midi, full, (although hate those) up a size, down a size....... In fact I've got drawers full of unworn underwear in an effort to get gusset in right place and comfort! And whilst on a rant how come men's come with comfortable leg openings and ours come with scratchy lace or elastic stitched around the legs............. 😧 Phew, that feels better!!!!!!

Mossstitch · 20/09/2021 19:05

@chunkymenrock. Everything is designed badly if your tall and fat too, I can't buy a lot of women's clothes as too short in the leg, body or arms, spend most of my life in men's joggers and shirts🤦

Mrsweasleysclock · 20/09/2021 19:10

Maxi dresses. Please can we have different lengths aswel as different sizes (width) so many dresses are a couple of inches too short on me but the "tall" dresses are very long. We come in more sizes than petite, regular and tall.

AnnieKenney · 20/09/2021 19:11

Let me also point out that about 15% of the worlds population have some sort of disability so it's not like you're designing for this tiny minority either.

I was blown away when I found out about this German city... its just amazing.

t.co/caA61jwSYC?amp=1

NotMyCat · 20/09/2021 19:12

@opinionminion

Corned beef tins
I nearly ended it with a boyfriend over a corned beef tin. He refused to get the pull lid one. The tin opened broke and he wouldn't ask the neighbour if he could borrow one. I went next door, got a tin opener, sunk a bottle of wine with the neighbour and marched back home. He bought the pull lid ones after that