Posted by bridget_jones on Fri 5 May 06, 11:01 AM to bridget_jones's blog.
I have to get this off my chest because it's been bugging me for ages.
What has happened to sensible pants for larger women?
I've always been cursed (or blessed, if you like Rubenesque women) with an extremely large figure. As I've been losing weight over the past six years a more shapely figure has been emerging, still large but now looking feminine. And that causes huge problems when it comes to buying clothes because my bust, waist, hips and bum are all different sizes.
Now, I can generally cope when it comes to buying (or making) overgarments. But it is causing major problems in the underwear department.
Unlike my fictitious counterpart, I'm not actually a fan of big, figure-enhancing pants. A woman of simple tastes, I choose comfort over style, and because I have sensitive skin I prefer to wear cotton. Some years ago Evans sold a range of pants that were absolutely perfect for me, and I stockpiled - as women do.
These pants have now seen better days, and for the past couple of years I've been trying to replace them. To my horror and dismay, this particular range of pants are no longer made, forcing me to consider alternatives.
Since I last bought pants, some designer's been having a laugh at the expense of larger women.
Firstly, pants are no longer displayed with that sticky plastic cover over the gusset, meaning that either we have to try the damned things on over our existing knickers - not exactly the best way to see whether they fit - or else buy a pair and try them in the comfort of our own home. Which is fine but I now have a drawerful of scanties that I've worn once and will never wear again and I can't get my money back because they've been worn.
Secondly, where have all the cotton knickers gone? Now all I am offered appears to be nylon, be that fake satin, stretchy jersey fabric or lace. As a concession there is usually a cotton 'patch' attempting to be a gusset but it's too tiny to be of any use, and it gets all wrinkled and twisted because it's not stitched in properly. And there's not enough material to attach a panty-liner to, to protect my skin from the fabric.
Thirdly, what is this obsession with hip-hugging panties? How many of us have the right body shape to be able to wear these things as some (male) designer intended? Not me, that's for sure.
Fourthly, whose bright idea was it to make knickers with a seam up the back? Did they not realise that a seam will always seek a crack to slip into? If I wanted the feeling of having my backside bisected, I'd buy a thong.
Fifthly, would someone PLEASE sort out their sizing policies so that what is a size X in one style is not a size B in another? How am I supposed to have the faintest idea what's going to fit without some consistency! It's difficult enough that my shape keeps shifting, without clothing manufacturers adding to the confusion.
Which brings me onto last night. A few weeks ago I bought a pair of knickers (black lace hipsters, called 'midis' for anyone who understands the terminology) in the size I thought I needed. They were too small. So last week I bought a pair in the next size up. I put them on last night for the first - and last - time. They were too big, several sizes too big by my reckoning. I didn't have time to change and so spent too much of last night hoisting the damned things up for fear they were going to appear around my ankles. Which didn't exactly instil confidence in yours truly.
So in conclusion, please bring back my cotton hi-leg panties with the strong elastic waistband!!!
And don't let me get started on bras 
| 5 May 06, 11:06 AM abby1983 UK(KA), 7 yrs  |
I have the same sizing problems with bras... I can go from a 36DD to a 38E depending on where I go... In one shop once I was 42C... It's so annoying... As for the cotton knickers... I am currently wearing a comfortable black pair I bought in Tesco... £2.50 for 5 pairs and they're great. Don't fall to pieces when you wash them and are actually comfortable. Oh actually I just checked and I'm not wearing them I am wearing a pair of Winnie the Pooh ones I bought in BHS at christmas. But my Tesco Value ones seemed to have stood the test of time and have been the best so far... abby xxx Better to be in the warm body of a friend than in a cold hole in the ground... | |
| 5 May 06, 11:08 AM abby1983 UK(KA), 7 yrs |
Oh and I must add pre-pregnant with son stage and pre abscess type thingy I adored thongs... Never wore anything but thongs... But not sure if I could wear them now... Hmmmm xxx Better to be in the warm body of a friend than in a cold hole in the ground... | |
| 5 May 06, 11:24 AM cuddlybeth UK, 6 yrs  |
have you tried sloggis find they have a seam up back but its a flat one doesnt leave a mark or get entwined anywhere they also come in different styles but are great come in black or white and can be boiled if necessary | |
| 5 May 06, 12:16 PM A11Woman UK(CH), 9 yrs |
So in conclusion, please bring back my cotton hi-leg panties with the strong elastic waistband!!! [/quote] I so understand your problem as I did exactly the same thing - those pants were brilliant shall we start a petition to bring them back ? A11 | |
| 5 May 06, 12:26 PM Bbdspls UK, 7 yrs |
"Jones! What are you doing wearing pants at all, you naughty b*tch!"
You may be only one person in the world, but you may be the world to one person | |
| 5 May 06, 5:06 PM taloollah UK(YO), 7 yrs |
Ok, here's awkward for you, normally, I am a size 24. In marks and sparks knickers I'm a 22. In Evans knickers, the 22-24 is a tad snug but not snug enough to merit getting the 26-28!! HOWEVER!!! I've got a lovely pair of pin striped hot pant type knickers from marks and sparks, I started off with the usual size 22 but they are too big so now I have a pair of size 20's. The 22's in the mean time are still getting worn but will fall down in the first gust of wind!!!! Annoying?? To conclue, Marks and Sparks knickers are the best, especially their pick n mix. They sell all the different styles (hi-leg, mini, midi, thong, string, hot pant, girl boxer blah blah blah) Steer clear of the girl boxer knickers in evans, they cover far too much up and in the summer you'll guarentee to be a boil in the bag chicken by lunch time!!!! t x |
pls x