Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Down with knickers!

86 replies

Houndown · 01/02/2025 13:12

The last time I bought knickers (Primark) after wearing them once before washing them I found after three washes the elastic had become so loose I've had to throw them away (thank god I wear jeans)! I did complain to the shop that they weren't fit for purpose and was told it wasn't their problem because they are not the makers!

OP posts:

ShushImTalking · 02/02/2025 13:19

mitogoshigg · 02/02/2025 10:26

Sainsburys are fine, they last a good time plus aren't expensive to start with.

I do however (hijacking thread a little) want to know if anyone has suggestions for quick drying knickers ideally as light as possible (but not thongs!) for backpacking ... I need to be able to wash then dry overnight (cost not an issue as only buying 3 pairs)

Tesco have some at the moment, very soft think are microfiber with cotton gusset. Anyway, they dry super quick.

dollybird · 02/02/2025 13:28

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 01/02/2025 16:44

M&S are crap now, they seem to have shrunk the width of the gussets, can't use a sanitary pad properly.

My best knickers at the moment are from Sainsburys.

Sainsbury's knickers are great!

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/02/2025 13:38

these are the ones I buy (although mine are different colours)
https://british-boxers.com/collections/high-leg-knickers/products/lucky-dip-4-pairs-of-high-leg-knickers

They are brilliant and well worth the money if you buy in the sale.

Edited to say that they always seem to have a sale or a discount code.

Lucky Dip! 4 Pairs of High Leg Knickers

Every season we have a few pairs of our high-leg knickers left over from our previous collection, so we're offering you the opportunity to buy 4 pairs (of the same size) for £25, saving you 50%. Our high-leg knickers are designed for a flattering fit a...

https://british-boxers.com/collections/high-leg-knickers/products/lucky-dip-4-pairs-of-high-leg-knickers

Annoyeddd · 02/02/2025 13:46

BuoyOhBuoy · 02/02/2025 07:42

I had a look at British Boxers,
£156 for boxer shorts (4 pack).
Yikes!

Good news, they're currently at half price, so a bargain basement £78!

Show quote history

I looked and couldn't see anything of that price.
Most of the knickers are £20-£30 for a pack of four

FourChimneys · 02/02/2025 13:59

Last year I made a couple of pairs out of an old t-shirt. I made them exactly the shape I wanted, bought special lacy elastic and they are going strong.

I plan to make more this year, need to sort through my t-shirts.

RosesAndHellebores · 02/02/2025 14:06

The M&S knickers I've bought in the last year or so have been fine. I wish the buggers would wear out to be honest - I fancy a change. I reckon some of mine are 8/9 years old and some are 1/2 years old. I have have far too many. Probably 35 to 40 pairs so no wonder they seem to last!

RosesAndHellebores · 02/02/2025 14:07

FourChimneys · 02/02/2025 13:59

Last year I made a couple of pairs out of an old t-shirt. I made them exactly the shape I wanted, bought special lacy elastic and they are going strong.

I plan to make more this year, need to sort through my t-shirts.

You are joking?

MissyB1 · 02/02/2025 14:18

dollybird · 02/02/2025 13:28

Sainsbury's knickers are great!

Show quote history

Do they have decent bum coverage?

Normallynumb · 02/02/2025 14:21

Buy cheap, buy twice applies to pretty much everything these days
I was given primark socks once with some pyjamas
I still have the pyjamas but the socks wouldn't stay up so I used them to dust with!
M&S aren't as good as they were, but at least I haven't ripped them pulling them up.

LuluBlakey1 · 02/02/2025 14:23

Primark sell tat that ends up as landfill within months. None of their clothing is environmentally carefully produced.

BM1989 · 02/02/2025 14:29

Houndown · 02/02/2025 05:57

I've used Primark since they first opened because I have always had a budget to live on, they suit me as I'm not fashion conscious and in all the years of using them I've never had to return anything as it was faulty in anyway. I still shop there and will continue to do so but maybe it was just a one off but to have a whole pack of 5 knickers with the same fault seemed wrong.

Even if you have a budget to live on you should know buying from Primark / Temu / Shein is not economical.

I live on budget and would rather save and pay more for quality on CK when in the sale. They last years

UrsulasHerbBag · 02/02/2025 14:35

FourChimneys · 02/02/2025 13:59

Last year I made a couple of pairs out of an old t-shirt. I made them exactly the shape I wanted, bought special lacy elastic and they are going strong.

I plan to make more this year, need to sort through my t-shirts.

My mum is a seamstress and she makes absolutely beautiful underwear. Also using your old T shirts is a great idea, comfy and great way to recycle. I haven’t the skills unfortunately so my old t shirts are used as cleaning cloths.

ERthree · 02/02/2025 14:37

BM1989 · 02/02/2025 14:29

Even if you have a budget to live on you should know buying from Primark / Temu / Shein is not economical.

I live on budget and would rather save and pay more for quality on CK when in the sale. They last years

Show quote history

TBF, i have a Primark fleece that is at least 15 years old and their cotton nightwear lasts for years.

Needmorelego · 02/02/2025 15:17

LuluBlakey1 · 02/02/2025 14:23

Primark sell tat that ends up as landfill within months. None of their clothing is environmentally carefully produced.

I have Primark stuff that has lasted for years
(I hate clothes shopping so don't buy very often).

Megifer · 02/02/2025 15:18

All of my knickers, bras, socks, tights, basic tops/joggers/hoodies and 'loungewear' stuff is from Primark and I've never had a problem with any of it. One of my staple tops (just a plain loose black t shirt type thing) from there that i wear at least twice a week is about 6 years old and still going strong.

caringcarer · 02/02/2025 15:26

I like Sainsbury's knickers. Don't lose their shape and have a pretty bit of lace on them.

AngryLikeHades · 02/02/2025 15:32

Do John Lewis sell own brand knickers?
Unhelpful to many, but I buy their own brand girl's ones for age 16 and the gusset is good and wide.
I'm wondering if they sell ones for adult women that are similar in quality and shape.
They wash quite well.

BuoyOhBuoy · 02/02/2025 16:35

Annoyeddd · 02/02/2025 13:46

I looked and couldn't see anything of that price.
Most of the knickers are £20-£30 for a pack of four

Show quote history

https://british-boxers.com/collections/boxers/products/bbluckydip4

Did you get your spectacles from Primark?

Lucky Dip! 4 Pairs of Men's British Boxers

Every season we have a few pairs of our classic-cut, made-in-Britain boxer shorts left over from our previous collection, so we're offering you the opportunity to buy 4 pairs (of the same size) for £78, saving you 50%. Our signature boxer shorts are cr...

https://british-boxers.com/collections/boxers/products/bbluckydip4

StormingNorman · 02/02/2025 16:55

Good old M&S multipacks. I buy the bikini shape and have not had any problems with quality or narrow gussets. I’ve been buying them for decades and not noticed any change in quality.

Boomer55 · 02/02/2025 16:57

Buy Primark, you get Primark. 🤷‍♀️. Go to M&S or Next. 👍

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/02/2025 16:59

BuoyOhBuoy · 02/02/2025 16:35

https://british-boxers.com/collections/boxers/products/bbluckydip4

Did you get your spectacles from Primark?

Show quote history

But we aren't talking about men's underwear, we are talking about women's knickers. I buy from British Boxers when the women's knickers are on sale and they are under £30 for 4. I appreciate that is still a lot of money but if they last for ages it is worth it on a "pay per wear" basis.

PickAChew · 02/02/2025 17:03

Bignanna · 01/02/2025 15:24

Knickers from M&S never wear out! I’ve had them for years. However their socks frequently go into holes in the heel area after a short time, but Primarks last longer. I’ve had some clothes from Primark that have lasted for years, eg pyjamas and cardigan. They’re often made of the same fabric, and probably made in the same sweatshop!

I have knickers from M&S that I've had for years but not many that I've only had for a year or so because they're so badly made now that they fall apart. I have to chuck them if the elastic starts to unravel or I end up red and sore. I've started buying my miltipack knickers from John Lewis. A little more expensive but thicker and last longer.

BigButtons · 02/02/2025 17:06

I have never had a problem with Primark knickers- ever 🤷🏻‍♀️

LlynTegid · 02/02/2025 17:09

I agree that any clothing should last much longer than three washes before being not fit to use. I'd smile if you were able to sue Primark for millions and/or put them out of business, but that could not happen.

Please shop elsewhere, see suggestions others have made.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/02/2025 17:10

In the early days of my relationship with DH (32 years ago) he was pegging out some washing and I realised with horror that there was a name label sewn into the back of a pair of briefs. When I asked DH why he said that he'd had them at boarding school where every item of clothing had to be labelled. He was 31 at the time so they were at least 14 years old. I made him chuck them out.

Flip

1 2 3 4