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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy new knickers annually?

54 replies

WorkEvent · 11/02/2022 10:08

I used to be able to hang on to knickers for years but since having children my preference for massive pants seems to mean that they go a bit baggy and shapeless in less than a year. Is it unreasonable to buy pants yearly or even more frequently? What’s normal here?!

OP posts:
ILoveAllRainbowsx · 11/02/2022 11:22

I buy M&S multipacks and then replace when they get holes in them which is probably every 2 years.

LakieLady · 11/02/2022 11:30

Some of my pants are probably 20 years old, and still fine. But I have shedloads, so rotation means that they probably don't get worn that often. Every couple of years, I do a knicker audit and chuck out any that are getting shabby or baggy.

I agree about M&S declining in quality. The elastic at the waist on the last few pairs appears to have been glued on, rather than stitched, and it seems to come detached after a few washes.

Since the demise of Debenhams and BHS, I'm struggling to think where to go to buy more. I used to buy them in Sainsburys occasionally but they've changed the style I used to get and I don't like them any more. Our nearest Tesco with a decent range is bloody miles away.

Are Asda knickers any good?

Lightning020 · 11/02/2022 11:33

I have to use cotton for comfort. I only buy cheapest from Asda. Every few months a tenner for new white cotton when they go off white. Washing at 30 degrees to help the environment plus electric bill.

I totally agree about M and S. The quality of their undies is terrible these days.

steppemum · 11/02/2022 11:35

A couple of years ago, I looked at my knicjer drawer and asked myself why I felt I had to wear worn out knickers? Sort of 'using them up' or 'not wasting them' or 'not adding to landfill'

well, I am not going to go mad, but now, as soona s they look worn, I chuck them and get new ones. They last quite a while. Asda own brand!
It was a little moment of 'I'm worth it' Grin

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 11/02/2022 11:42

I keep them until they have holes or the elastic goes which is normally at least several years. Do you tumble dry yours? That can make the elastic go prematurely.

JudgeJ · 11/02/2022 11:59

@jamie83

What! No comments on the Utility Symbol or what to do with blackout material?
Parachutes made lovely silk kecks!
JudgeJ · 11/02/2022 12:00

@steppemum

A couple of years ago, I looked at my knicjer drawer and asked myself why I felt I had to wear worn out knickers? Sort of 'using them up' or 'not wasting them' or 'not adding to landfill'

well, I am not going to go mad, but now, as soona s they look worn, I chuck them and get new ones. They last quite a while. Asda own brand!
It was a little moment of 'I'm worth it' Grin

Before Covid I would keep dying pants for holidays, wear them then leave them.
WaitingInForAParcel · 11/02/2022 12:05

@Plumface

YABU and v wasteful. I make my own knickers from shredded conkers. Your knickers are killing the planet OP. I bet you wash them sometimes too.
GrinGrinGrin
Wingedharpy · 11/02/2022 12:08

I'm a black knicker fan.
They don't age in the same way that white knickers do and they don't get accidentally thrown in washer with "wrong" colours.

Rogue1001MNer · 11/02/2022 12:12

@Plumface 🤣🤣🎤

I genuinely have some pants which are older than my DD, and she's at uni (she's only 6 months, but exceptionally bright)

Would mn like me to post some pictures of me in my pants?

TheChronicalTales · 11/02/2022 12:36

I tend to buy knickers as and when I see them if I like them, so probably ends up being much more frequent than that Blush I have two large drawers of underwear that definitely needs sorting through.

CustardySergeant · 11/02/2022 12:41

Why on earth do you need to ask anyone else's opinion on whether to buy underwear? Confused

Arabellla · 11/02/2022 12:42

Try microfibre pants. Much more comfortable and leas chafing than cotton pants.

Arabellla · 11/02/2022 12:43

@CustardySergeant

Why on earth do you need to ask anyone else's opinion on whether to buy underwear? Confused
Presumably due to concerns about adding to landfill.

It does feel wasteful to me throw knickers away after 1 year of wear.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 11/02/2022 12:44

I don’t, but I don’t care what you do.

If you want new knickers then buy them!

incognitoforthisone · 11/02/2022 14:54

I buy new knickers when my old ones get tatty. I have no idea if that takes a year or two years or whatever. It's not really something I'd put on the calendar. I also don't always buy them from the same place, I just get them wherever's convenient and where they have some that I like.

ThinWomansBrain · 11/02/2022 15:07

Got fed up with M&S/supermarket ones getting baggy.
More expensive brands in TK Maxx can be good

recently started buying "Tmani Womens Underwear" from amazon - they are brilliant.
(Except when I bought the first pack, the colour mix was cheaper than black or grey - most colours are OK, but one pair are a hideously bright green Shock )

I went online to buy a second pack, having decided I'd pay an extra £2 or £3 and get black, and all the prices had been evened out. The remaining supermarket ones in the drawer will last forever because I always wear the amazon ones in preference.

CorneliusVetch · 11/02/2022 15:12

Sorry OP but I think this is an example of the really environmentally damaging throwaway culture we live in. Does it matter that much if your knickers are a bit shapeless?

ThinWomansBrain · 11/02/2022 15:16

@CorneliusVetch - "baggy" isn't great if they don't stay up Shock

Chikapu · 11/02/2022 15:20

I buy new knickers whenever I see some I like. Are we not supposed to be buying them? I wear them every day it's not like they're some mad luxury that we can do without Confused

girlywhirly · 11/02/2022 15:22

I agree that M&S pants aren’t the quality they used to be, but I find that black for under dark clothes and beige/nude for under light or white ones work best for me. Same with bras, nude bra under a white top doesn’t show. They don’t look grey after some time either. I had to buy new three years ago following significant weight loss.

Chely · 11/02/2022 15:22

I only buy new when they break or my weight changes dramatically. I bought lots of new last year because of baby bump.

CorneliusVetch · 11/02/2022 15:22

[quote ThinWomansBrain]@CorneliusVetch - "baggy" isn't great if they don't stay up Shock[/quote]
Has OP said they don’t stay up and she can not actually use them as knickers? Because if something isn’t fit for purpose then that’s one thing but I read it as they weren’t in as good condition but could still be worn

Nomoreusernames1244 · 11/02/2022 15:24

Yearly you must be joking surely !! I buy new nicks every couple of months usually 4/5 pairs at a time and throw out the oldest in my drawer when I do a purchase of new ones.I have comfy ones for daily wear/holiday ones and big ones in case I have to go into hospital at any time

Why do you specifically need big knickers for hospital? If you break you arm what relevance does bigger knickers have?

DiddyHeck · 11/02/2022 16:43

@abigailsnan

Yearly you must be joking surely !! I buy new nicks every couple of months usually 4/5 pairs at a time and throw out the oldest in my drawer when I do a purchase of new ones.I have comfy ones for daily wear/holiday ones and big ones in case I have to go into hospital at any time
and big ones in case I have to go into hospital at any time

Why? Do you steal hospital equipment or something? Confused