Have you bought anything from Ann Summers? What products would you recommend?

[TinaMumsnet]

Hi everyone,

We're looking to gauge general interest in Ann Summers and would love to hear about the products you've tried, thoroughly tested and would recommend to others.

The brand have also expanded their collection to include a maternity and nursing range, so we'd love to hear your thoughts on this too. Are there any pieces you think would be particularly good for expectant/new mums?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I haven't shopped in Ann Summers for years. When I think of their underwear I just think of really uncomfortable nylon. But having breastfed for quite a long time I was desperate for attractive feeding bras - not to feel 'sexy' but just to feel good about myself. This 'feel sexy' message that AS have been known for is out of touch now and isn't reading the mood of women at all. Women want to feel comfortable and good about themselves.

Haha, brilliant

Ann summers is tacky now

Ann Summers was always tacky

I bought a nightie from there recently. Not a "for sex" nightie but something I might wear if I wanted to not feel like a frump. I'm the type of person that if I wear nice clothes, I feel a lot better in myself. I'm happy with it, the fit is nice.
I think Ann Summers has definitely improved.

I ignored this thread for a few days as I assumed it must be an April Fools....

Isn't it all red nylon and emu fluff?
A shop for News of The World Readers?

Is Anne Summers a "sex shop" or is it an knickers shop? That's what I don't get. Its not that pregnant and newly delivered women can't or shouldn't be sexy but that the Anne Summers brand is pretty firmly tied to vibrators, novelty penis pasta and crotchless knickers.

I had my 2nd baby a couple of years ago and it would never have occurred to me to consider AS for maternity or nursing bras. I got mine from Hot Milk, Cake and Panache. Pretty and practical. Once feeding was established I went back to regular bras quite quickly and did the old hoik it out method.
I mean look at your own best maternity and nursing bra ratings and see how the AS ones match up in design.

Ann Summers is a sex shop that sells porn (in the physical shops anyway) and why MN think it's nice to have them advertising on their site is concerning.

@Hotcuppatea

Ann Summers underwear always looks like it would give you a bout of thrush.

No thanks.

👆🏼 this.

The ohnuts thing are great, with my cervix being so low after I gave birth I could have done with them, I have them now and they're great for different parts of my cycle depending how low my cervix is it gives a bit more control over how deep it is. But Ann summers didn't actually make them actually... and they're £50 not £70 on the ohnuts website.

I agree with earlier comments.

Despite myself, I did find myself looking at the bras because I'm 15 months pp and can't find affordable, yet pretty nursing bras in a 30 band size that don't cost the earth. AS bras start at 32. So frustrating!!

They've actually called the first one a sexy nursing bra???! It's all pretty grim, any suggestion that a new mum feeding their kid needs to be doing so in a hot way

Oh god no just no women don’t need this pressure on top of nursing or what ever.

This thread is the most tragic thing to have existed in the history or Mumsnet

The more I think about this the more 🤢 it makes me feel
I'm astounded the thread was created by Mumsnet too
It's a disgrace

It’s like Mumsnet HQ had a lobotomy or summat

I bought a maxi black robe recently. Nice and cool for the summer coming and I feel good in it. Some nice underwear was on the website too. Not the smutty stuff but nice every day things.

I haven't bought anything from Ann Summers since I discovered Love Honey. Similar quality, but half the price.

I assume my post was deleted for casting aspersions on the motives of one poster who really loved AS 🤔

It's a disgrace that MN is pushing this stuff towards post partum women who have enough to worry about without feeling they must look hot as well. FFS

I've not bought from Ann Summers for 15 years, don't support MLM so wont bow either.

The undies I bought were fun and did look good on, but the quality was pretty bad considering the price. This is at total odds with maternity and breastfeeding undies which need to be comfortable and good quality.

@AnyFucker

It’s like Mumsnet HQ had a lobotomy or summat

@AnyFucker

Indeed

The company was named after Annice Summers, the female secretary of the male founder, Michael Caborn-Waterfield.

Annice Summers left the company soon after it opened following a row with Caborn-Waterfield. (Wikipedia)

Well. Doesn't that all sound a bit "me too."
Pervert names business after his secretary who promptly leaves.

Let's call it what it really is. A man capitalising on sexualising women. Familiar eh?

Now it's publicised as being the brainchild of his daughter, that particular brand of "choice feminism" that lauds her as a feminist icon for jumping on the male bandwagon and cashing in on the growing cultural pressure on women to look and behave like porn stars, trussed up in awkward straps and frills, ostensibly for their own pleasure but in the main feeling inadequate, uncomfortable, unseen. Men waiting in the wings who can't believe their luck that a woman has taken on the job of normalising their seedy misogynistic fantasies.

Thanks mumsnet! Can't even escape this sh*t when I'm trying to use my body to feed my newborn child! Must be sexy! Must please my man!

Perhaps Michael Caborn-Waterfield's fine shop can design me some postpartum suspenders to hoist up my flaccid excess stomach skin so I can stop tucking it into my socks? Nice thick comfortable straps please. Machine washable. With pockets. Ta.

@Mooncats

This thread is the most tragic thing to have existed in the history or Mumsnet

Yes

It’s outdated and women shouldn’t feel pressure to feel ‘sexy’ full stop, let alone just after giving birth!!!

Why would anyone need a ‘sexy’ nursing bra??!

Even brands like Victoria’s Secret failed and had to reinvent themselves - tastes have changed.