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Growing up in the Nineties, it was all about thongs and G-strings.
Showing up to PE in anything thicker than a string was practically social suicide.
Tammy Girl was our go-to for 2-for-1 thongs, often with questionable designs — like a cheeky kitten on the front.
My love for skimpy underwear followed me well into my twenties.
The idea of wearing “granny knickers” was not only unthinkable but downright horrifying.
Even when Bridget Jones made control pants mainstream in 2001, they were still something most of us avoided like the plague.
Big knickers were reserved for laundry day or that time of the month — and even then, it felt like a betrayal to fashion.
But here we are, in 2024, and things have drastically changed.
Even knicker-queen Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has declared big pants fashionable.
The model and mum-of-two said that the full cover briefs in her M&S Rosie ContourWear collection are “beautiful” and a far cry from “ugly” Bridget Jones-style knickers.
It’s official then, big knickers are back.
I have it on good authority from my friends that women everywhere are ditching their thongs in favour of comfort, too.
You only need to sort by best-selling on websites such as M&S and Next to see that “full briefs” are the most popular knickers style.
But, instead of running to M&S, it’s a pair of £8 briefs from lingerie brand that has the biggest buzz online.
These knickers have earned the reputation of being “the softest on earth”, have more than 40,000 glowing reviews, and are the subject of several Mumsnet threads.
On Facebook, I saw an advert dubbing these pants “the wedgie-proof knickers”.
However, some of the comments below were somewhat sceptical about whether a pair of pants that look so pretty could really stay put.
“She’s only gotta take two steps and those kecks are going up the crack!” said one comment.
“Impossible, I could wear a parachute and still my hungry a*** would eat it,” said another.
As a thong loyalist and someone who has generally prioritised style over comfort, I was willing to put these pants to the test.
Could there really be a pair of knickers which are comfortable and look sexy, too?
The knickers are available in a range of colours and prints, and come in sizes XS (size 6) to 4X (20-22).
The price point is £6 to £18 per pair, which is not cheap but I know many women will splash out on knickers that really do the business.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I wore “proper” pants.
As my mum used to say when doing the washing, most of my underwear is like dental floss!
But here I am, staring at a pair of Stripe & Stare tie-dye knickers, ready to give them a go.
The first thing I notice is the packaging — adorably cute and eco-friendly, which is always a bonus.
Then, as I put them on, I am immediately struck by how soft they are.
It’s like slipping into a big, cosy pillow for my bottom.
They fit like a dream — no digging into awkward places or tight seams that feel like you’re wearing a rubber band around your hips.
They’re simple but elegant, with a touch of comfort that makes you feel effortlessly chic
Georgette Culley
While they might not have the flashiness or “wow factor” of my usual thongs, they’ve got a subtle, understated sexiness to them.
They’re simple but elegant, with a touch of comfort that makes you feel effortlessly chic.
And to top it all off, there is no sign of the dreaded VPL under my jeans — something I hate dealing with.
I later discovered when speaking to co-founder Katie Lopes that she spent a decade perfecting these pants — choosing to ditch elastic seams and replace them with flat-lock stitching to eliminate visible panty lines and wedgies.
Feeling optimistic in my new briefs, I take my daughter out for a walk and I’m pleasantly surprised.
Normally, I’d be discreetly pulling out a wedgie or adjusting my underwear in the middle of Tesco, but not today.
These knickers stay put, and for the first time in ages, I’m not fidgeting.
Could these really be the game-changer they claim to be?
The real test comes in the gym. If there’s one place where underwear is guaranteed to misbehave, it’s while working out.
Fully prepared to put these pants through their paces, I start with three sets of 12 squats, lifting 40g, and to my amazement they don’t budge. Not once.
No wedgies, no rolling down, no awkward adjustments.
They’re so light and breathable I almost forget I’m wearing them.
The knickers are made from anti-bacterial, breathable and moisture-wicking material — Tencel fibres, which are softer than cotton and help keep things cool downstairs.
This is a big bonus at the gym, and far better than the itchy, synthetic materials that dominated the thong era.
You can’t see them under my tight little black dress. That’s a win in my book
Georgette Culley
The final challenge comes on a night out with the girls.
It’s Friday night and I’m child-free.
After a few glasses of prosecco, we hit the dancefloor, and I’m ready to see if these knickers can handle some serious moves.
After dancing my heart out to some guilty pleasures, I check — no wedgie and no slipping.
And the best part? You can’t see them under my tight black dress.
That’s a win in my book.
By the end of the night, I’m a total convert.
These big knickers might not be flashy, but they give me everything I didn’t know I needed — comfort, style and a flawless fit, all in one.
I never thought I’d say it but when it comes to underwear, it turns out, less isn’t always more.
By Antonia Kraskowski
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