Mystified by tiny gussets. Is there - is there something wrong with my undercarriage?

[candycane222]

Never been able to understand how anyone could bear to wear thong-type pants. I've always just thought -surely they must ride up and get into - the bit you don't want interfered with by your clothing??? Never understood it.

Anyhow, I sent for some M&S pants. Look like normal pants. Nice soft fabric. Comfy. Put them on, head out for the day. And -- oh dear, turns out they have a mystifyingly narrow gusset with the consequences I would think were entirely predictable. Not comfy after all! Much hitching down required And there wasn't even a warning!!!

Just - why?

Have I got a weird-shaped fanny? Is it unusually lacking in firmness? Is it in the wrong place?? How does anyone wear these things??

This is why I buy period pants. They actually seem made for fanny's, shockingly enough. Very comfy and don't have to worry about a surprise period.

And nary a whiff on a hot summers day, or with post partum bladder leakage.

Beni yea, I wouldn't usually, but wanted to try out some different styles to see if it helped my groin strain tendon issues. and tbfair, they were OK in that respect!

Slight derail of the thread but why are women's pants so teeny but men get boxer shorts/trunks and even their briefs cover more? I have borrowed my OH trunks on a few occasions and they are so much more comfortable than many of my own pairs of pants!

A while ago all my knickers were in the wash so I borrowed one of my husbands boxer shorts. That was a big difference, they're much comfier. I'm contemplating sewing my own boxer shorts once I can go to a fabric shop again (tried lady boxers, still not right).

Sloggi full briefs are the way to go. In fact, the gusset is so wide it’s almost too big for sanitary pads!

See what you mean Emma - I should have read the reviews first! So it's definitely M&S and not me then!

I wear cycling shorts or men's boxers.

I gave up on knickers years ago. Who the hell wants to floss their undercarriage?

Men's pants are functional.
Most women's pants seem to be designed to look sexy with bugger all thought given to practicality and comfort.

If it's the elastic tight against the tendon that's the issue, you might be better with their no vpl ones. They're cut more like midis, but just rely on lycra around the leg hole, rather than elastic so shouldn't rub or be as tight.

I hate it when it happens and you're wearing jeans. Not only do you have bunched up knickers, there's a over-friendly seam as well. And hoiking your pants back into position whilst wearing jeans is not discreet.

I'm mainly working from home, and live in a draughty house, so have embraced big knickers as an extra layer!

I notice the product details say this:
Opaline formerly know an Almond.

Maybe this is a secret code for 'uncomfortable, don't bother'

@MilkTwoSugarsThanks

Tbh I have the opposite problem.

I mean, why the fuck are sanitary towels the width of the English Channel?

^^ This... I'm leaning towards reusable pads but having unsuccessfully tried a few different styles of period pants, the fear of spending a mortgage payment on pads that are as huge as disposables puts me off.

In terms of actual pants, all my new purchases are men's jockeys, from the men's department, not the cute little boy short bollocks that don't even half cover my arse - and my arse is quite small and toned so fuck knows what would happen on anything bigger than a size 10 but I don't imagine it's comfortable. Men's pants have many, many benefits, including no lace (at least not where I shop), no itchy bits, usually cotton rather than mostly manmade fabrics, actually cover my whole arse, nice comfortable waistband, and depending on length, also prevent any thigh rub. And they are certainly no more expensive than the tiny scraps of polyester in the lingerie section. AND they do actually take a maxi pad, although not with wings, obviously, but I am prepared to compromise.

Also no VPL, and at a size 10ish in most shops I fit a teen boys' size (age 14+) so they're even cheaper and often have Star Wars or other cool patterns.

I could go on

@Marcipex

I always think that the double-thickness bit is in the wrong place 🤔

It is. It's all about the VPL, you see, not about the practicalities, and the fact that the gusset works better if it's forwards of where it is now.

Now you see, I have no bum whatsoever. Just basically a back that at some point turns into legs. Therefore every pair of knickers I wear disappear into my crack.

The only solution to this is a thong. At least it's meant to be there, and it's substantially less material than normal knickers so much more comfortable. I'll be in my 90s and be the old lady in the care home that wears thongs...

I went with the 'one size bigger' theory the other day when experimenting with a pair that seemed less stretchy than usual. Everything fine until halfway round Morrisons where I felt them slip below my arse and start shimmying towards my knees. Moral of the story: you need grip as well as gusset.

Who the hell wants to floss their undercarriage

English Channel

Is it unusually lacking in firmness

I know it's a very serious business, but I'm dying laughing, here!

Inspired by these replies - gotta try DH's trunks on now! (he's a bit slimmer than me, but hopefully I'll get an idea of viability).

Just basically a back that at some point turns into legs

It's just getting funnier...

OMG I've found my people. I thought I was alone all these years. This annoys THE CRAP out of me.

I suspect they’re just too small for you. When I was larger I had terrible issues with my Danny eating gussets now I’m slimmer I no longer have this problem.

With thongs you size up and again, you need to be slim 😬

Danny 🤣

I had the misfortune of being a teen when gstrings went mainstream. I insisted my mum buy me some as girls with normal pants were mercilessly teased in the changing rooms but for the first few months I was totally mystified by them, theyre SO uncomfortable and don't allow any breathing room at all. The tiny triangle gusset feels unpleasantly welded to you 24/7 and absolutely forget about it if you have any spotting! DP has bought me loads over the years but I never actually wear them in the day. I've found these seamless black stretchy sports pants in target and I ADORE them!

I have a well upholstered backside and have always worn M&S pants, but I’ve had to switch from the high legs to the midis recently, to get enough crotch and arse coverage. I can’t see the point of a piece of clothing only covering part of what you want covered. It’s not a size thing because I tried a size bigger in the high legs and they just came up to my waist, leaving even more of what was below free to the wind.

Underwear should not be modelled on cheesewire, and should definitely be designed to leave something to the imagination.

The gusset needs to come up several inches higher at the front on most knickers. They simply aren't fit for purpose and don't allow for how women's undercarriages work.

If they fitted correctly, the front seam shouldn't wear out. The back seam never does.

Cheesewire!!!

How do you know what size to buy, waist size or something else? and can you get them without the handy acsess hole?

I have a thong.

It was bought when I was about 14 to wear under leotards for dancing to avoid VPL. I tried it for a few weeks and just didn't like it (every time I pliéd it felt like it was going to twang audibly as I stood up) so just didn't bother in the end — my tights and leotard were washed after every lesson anyway.

That thong has been with me through four house moves. Why don't I get rid of it?!