The lingerie section of Harrods is filled with delicate lace and luxurious silks, creating the finest intimate garments money can buy.
Yet sitting starkly amid them now is a much less flattering addition – a pair of high-waisted black jersey briefs… priced at a far from ordinary £890.
And they are dry-clean only, meaning wearing them will regularly add £2 to your laundry bill.
But crafted from viscose, wool and elastane, the briefs were designed by Givenchy’s creative director Sarah Burton, who made Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress in 2011 when Sarah was with Alexander McQueen.
Such knickers would doubtless be rejected even by Bridget Jones, whose ‘granny pants’ led her love interest Daniel Cleaver, played by Hugh Grant in the film adaptations of Helen Fielding’s novels, to declare: ‘These are absolutely enormous panties.’
Harrods describes them rather differently. On its website, it says: ‘This season at Givenchy, underwear transcends its traditional role, emerging as a bold statement of confidence and refined rebellion.
‘Sleek bra tops, corset-inspired structures and sheer layering pieces blur the lines between sensuality and empowerment, as showcased by this pair of high-rise jersey briefs.’
The pants, also available in white, have a Givenchy Paris signature embroidered on the back. They boast of being 36 per cent wool, 43 per cent viscose, 15 per cent polyamide, 5 per cent polyester and 1 per cent elastane.
The high-waisted black jersey briefs (pictured) available at Harrods luxury department store are priced at £890
Actress Kristen Stewart (pictured) seen sporting the briefs, which are described by Harrods as ‘as a bold statement of confidence and refined rebellion’
It is thought some fashion-forward shoppers might pair such underwear with the trend for see-through dresses and skirts.
A matching bullet bra jersey top, also by Givenchy, is available for £2,250, or – for the truly flush – there is a £9,050 satin bra top with embroidered pearls.
Actress Sienna Miller recently teamed a white net cutaway empire dress with big knickers for the 2025 Fashion Awards in London.
And supermodel Cindy Crawford’s daughter Kaia Gerber wore a black Lily of the Valley sequinned lace dress with giant pants to the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
It is unclear whether these were Givenchy – but Sienna, Cindy and Kaia are known to be Sarah Burton fans.
The rest of us might be better suited to the full briefs offered at a significantly cheaper price by the likes of Marks & Spencer.
Not only can they be thrown in the washing machine on a normal cycle, but for the price of a single pair of Givenchy pants, you could buy 556 similar items at M&S.
A five pack of pure cotton briefs costs £8 – a far more affordable £1.60 each.
Harrods and Givenchy were approached for comment.