Women are donning large pants like Bridget Jones as ‘sexiness is from confidence’

Four in five of 31 to 45-year-olds said they prefer to go big, while 51% of 18 to 30s said they have switched from little to large underwear, a new survey has shown

Girls are saying knickers to thongs – and instead donning big pants like Bridget Jones. Bridget – played by actress Renée Zellwegger – famously wears monster undercrackers in the hit comedy movie series.

And she has helped turn them into a real life trend. According to Victoria’s Secret larger frillies are in fashion. A survey revealed 77% of women now prefer full-coverage pants over thongs or G-strings.

Four in five of 31 to 45-year-olds said they prefer to go big. While 51% of 18 to 30s said they have switched from little to large underwear.

Searches for `briefs’ on the Victoria’s Secret website have increased 153% in the last year. With the fourth instalment of Bridget Jones now in cinemas sales of John Lewis briefs are up 10% this year on last.

Sara Bradley, director of product at JD Williams, said wearing comfortable undies inspire confidence in women – and that makes them feel sexy.

“There is a huge variety now,” she said. “It is no longer the saggy, shapeless underwear that it used to be.

“Sexiness is now coming from the confidence that comes with wearing the right, comfortable underwear. There has been a huge change in the perception of the product itself and how it makes women feel.”

At Matalan `big knickers’ make up a third of their undie offerings, according to new data. Brit lingerie brand Stripe & Stare’s best seller is its Original Knicker – a mid-rise, full coverage-style made from super-soft Tencel.

It accounts for 42% of sales. In contrast thong sales have dropped from 15 to 5% since its 2017 launch.

Brand co-founder Katie Lopez said: “Women have better things to worry about than wedgies and VPL. I wanted underwear that was designed by women, looked great and was so unbelievably comfortable you could put them on and forget you’re wearing them.

“Like your favourite T-shirt and jeans.”

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