I tested an £8 pair of briefs that are the ‘comfiest ever’, ‘sexy’ AND ‘wedgie-proof’
Thongs are out and big briefs are in. This pair not only looks good, but also promises to be wedgie-proof.
Here Georgette Culley tries them. . .
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Growing up in the 1990s it was all about thongs and thongs.
Showing up to gym in anything thicker than string was practically social suicide.
Tammy Girl was our favorite 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 panties’ was not only unthinkable, but downright horrifying.
Even when Bridget Jones made check pants mainstream in 2001, it was still something most of us avoided like the plague.
Big slips were reserved for laundry day or that time of the month – and even then it felt like a betrayal of fashion.
But here we are, in 2024, and things have changed dramatically.
Even underwear queen Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has declared big pants fashionable.
The model and mother-of-two said the full-length knickers in her M&S Rosie ContourWear collection are “beautiful” and far from “ugly” Bridget Jones-style knickers.
It’s official, the big briefs are back.
I’ve heard on good authority from my friends that women all over the world are also ditching their thongs in favor of comfort.
You only have to sort by the best-selling styles on websites like M&S and Next to see that ‘full briefs’ are the most popular brief style.
Adorably cute
But instead of running to M&S, it’s a pair of £8 panties from lingerie brand Stripe & Stare that are causing the biggest buzz online.
These panties have earned the reputation of being ‘the softest in the world’, have received over 40,000 rave reviews and are the subject of several Mumsnet threads.
I saw an advertisement on Facebook calling these pants ‘the wedgie-proof underwear’.
However, some of the comments below were somewhat skeptical as to whether pants that look this nice could actually stay put.
“She only has to take two steps and those kecks go into the crack!” said one comment.
“Impossible, I could wear a parachute and my hungry *** would still eat it,” said another.
As a thong loyalist and someone who generally values style over comfort, I was willing to put these pants to the test.
Are there really panties that are comfortable and also look sexy?
The briefs are available in different colors and prints and are available in sizes XS (size 6) to 4X (20-22).
The price is £6 to £18 per pair, which isn’t cheap, but I know a lot of women will splurge on panties that really do the job.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I wore “real” pants.
As my mother used to say while washing, most of my underwear looks like dental floss!
But here I am, staring at a pair of Stripe & Stare tie-dye underwear, ready to try them out.
The first thing I notice is the packaging: cute and eco-friendly, which is always a bonus.
When I put them on, I immediately notice how soft they are.
It’s like sliding into a big, cozy cushion for my bottom.
They fit like a dream – no need to dig into awkward places or use tight seams that feel like you’re wearing a rubber band around your hips.
They are simple yet elegant, with a touch of comfort that makes you feel effortlessly chic
Georgette Culley
While they may not have the flash or ‘wow factor’ of my usual thongs, they have a subtle, understated sexy look.
They are simple yet elegant, with a touch of comfort that makes you feel effortlessly chic.
And to top it all off, there’s no sign of the dreaded VPL under my jeans – something I hate.
When I spoke to co-founder Katie Lopes, I later discovered that she spent ten years perfecting these pants. She opted to ditch the elastic seams and replace them with flatlock stitching to eliminate visible slip lines and wedges.
Feeling optimistic in my new briefs, I take my daughter for a walk and I am pleasantly surprised.
Normally I would discreetly pull out a wedgie or adjust my underwear in the middle of Tesco, but not today.
These panties stay put, and for the first time in a while I’m not fidgeting.
Could these really be the game-changer they claim to be?
No difficult adjustments
The real test comes in the gym. If there’s one place where underwear is guaranteed to misbehave, it’s during exercise.
Fully prepared to put these pants to the test, I start with three sets of 12 squats, lifting 40 grams, and to my surprise they don’t budge. Not once.
No wedging, no rolling down, no awkward adjustments.
They are so light and breathable that I almost forget I’m wearing them.
The briefs are made of antibacterial, breathable and moisture-wicking material: Tencel fibers, which are softer than cotton and help keep it cool down below.
This is a major bonus in the gym, and much 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 during a night out with the girls.
It’s Friday evening and I’m child-free.
After a few glasses of prosecco we hit the dance floor, and I’m ready to see if these panties can handle some serious moves.
After dancing my heart out to some guilty pleasures, I check it out – no wedgie and no slip.
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 evening I am a total convert.
These oversized briefs may not be flashy, but they give me everything I never knew I needed: comfort, style and an impeccable fit, all in one.
I never thought I’d say it, but when it comes to underwear, it turns out that less isn’t always more.
Best buy big pants
By Antonia Kraskowski
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