Need some advice on underwear for pretty pear

Sveta

I am talking about panties: they are the ban of my existence! Does not matter which style I buy they always ride up and are not comfortable. I tried Shimera boyshorts recommended by Angie but they ride up on me as well in XL - the biggest size so I cannot size up
Recently I had a light-bulb moment that maybe I buy them too small and this is the reason they are riding up? he problem is I wear size 12 on the bottom and buy panties in XL- and usually this is the biggest size available. My thighs are fleshy in pear-like fashion and this is the main reason for XL in panties to be too small!
I am going to try plus size department for panties this time. My question is for ladies who carry their weight in the hips and thighs like I do: which styles do you find comfortable for you which do not give VPL?
Currently these styles are on NAS:
Shimera high cut panties;
Shimera seamless full briefs
Elomi briefs

These are not on sale and very expensive but I will consider them anyway if they are comfortable:
Hanky Panky lace boyshorts

Other than Nordstrom are there any other sources for plus size panties? Anybody knows? Please provide me your recommendation, ladies because I am pretty desperate!!!

12 years ago

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Thistle

Veteran

Lady issues run in my family. While I have never suffered them, my mom and sister do terribly, so I only wear 100% cotton. I have scoured for 100% cotton that fit my wide hips. The very best I have found are from GAP. I like high cut as they are the most comfortable over my hips but they are not full panties so they still look pretty to DH. They are generously sized, and go up to XXL.

These are the ones I get: http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=345284322

They come in nude, white and black. Sometimes pink and grey. Not a huge color selection, but great fit, last pretty well, and reasonably priced. I like them better than MUCH more expensive ones I have tried.

Because of my needs, I can't match them to my bras for a pretty look, so I try to "coordinate" with bras - nude bra, nude panties sort of thing.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

These are my favorite in terms of fit. They have good coverage in back but not too much in front (this was my problem with the shimera boy shorts, they rode up and gave me wedgies in back, and were baggy in front.). They have a nice low rise so don't show under my low rise jeans. I am annoyed by the quality lately though - the cotton falls apart quickly recently. I am still buying them though because it's the only fit I like. They are true to size.

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=617212892

12 years ago

deb

Veteran

I wear the SOMA 90% cotton hipsters. Like Thistle, I need the cotton.

12 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Sveta, I have the same thigh shape as you, I think. The Hanky Panky boyshorts are expensive, but they are the only non-thong underwear I have ever found that doesn't cause VPL. They are really comfortable too.

If you try them, don't size up. I am borderline according to their sizing, and the smaller size works better.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I buy victoria secret cotton panties.
either these:
http://www.victoriassecret.com.....ueType=OLS
or these:
http://www.victoriassecret.com.....ueType=OLS

Sarah tried them and loved them too:

12 years ago

marianna

Veteran

I only wear Soma with the invisible edge now. They do NOT ride up... when everything else does on me! They fit me in XL so you would need smaller.

http://www.soma.com/store/brow.....d=cat20004

12 years ago

FlorenceFearne

Active Member

I'm not a pear, but some part of my lower half is definitely built so that every pair of undies I've ever owned creeps upward. I've tried every size, every style, every material, and still they ride up. Conversely, my best friend has never owned a pair that didn't slide down. Both of us found that thongs fixed our respective problems. You didn't mention in your post that thongs were specifically out, so I'm just throwing it out there as a possibility. Most ladies don't find them uncomfortable, and the majority of mine are cotton if that's a concern for you.

12 years ago

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

On the cheaper side of things, I've done pretty well with boy shorts from target. Most of them come in a XXL in an array of colors. Quality varies though, I have some that seem to wear like iron and a few that started disintegrating quickly.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I carry a lot of my weight in my thighs and rear, and all boyshorts I have tried ride up on me. I also get ride up in high cuts, I would not try those. Mine are shaped the most like your #2 and #3 link. I also by them snug so that they stay in place and don't slide around (which they do if I get my pants size). If they slide around, they slide up, no doubt about it.

I also have had good luck with these for myself. I wear an XS panty and a size 4 jeans.
http://www.victoriassecret.com.....223&C

12 years ago

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Sveta, like you, I carry most of my weight in my thighs. For bottoms, my size is between 12 and 14, depending on brand. Just to give you an idea, my hips are 45", waist is 32", and the biggest part of the thigh is 28" around. No boyshorts have ever worked for me, because they all cut into the fleshiest part of the thigh.

I recently re-discovered these briefs from Natori (coincidentally, part of NAS), and in a size large, they fit perfectly with no riding up issues. They come in both cotton and lace versions, which are equally comfortable and soft to me. Another recent discovery at Marshalls were these DKNY panties that are also invisible and comfortable. There must have been some sort of sizing issues with those, because the Medium in these fits me perfectly.

Hope this helps!

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Hooray for Zap! Hooray for Victoria secret! I'm in love with their boy shorts (they call them shorties). Size up. I'm not a pear but I'm crossing my fingers for you. And the price is soooo right.

12 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sveta: I wonder if they're actually riding up because you buy them too large. That said, curvy thighs often don't look their best with a real "grip." I haven't tried boy shorts for this reason. I am, however, trying to upgrade my lingerie this year and feel like I sometimes have trouble avoiding ppl. If you find a good solution, I'd love to know about it, and will be checking out some of these links, particularly the Soma panties Marianna recommends.

12 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Sveta, would you consider something like this?:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....52/3544710

Yes, it's a thong, but I swear it doesn't feel thong-like, stays in place, and is invisible under clothes. They're my new favorites, and on sale!

12 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all so much for your suggestions, they are very helpful!
DJ, special thanks for providing your measurements, they are pretty similar to mine so I starting from your suggestion - especially as they are on NAS now. I have already ordered - we will see...

12 years ago

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Woo-hoo! Glad to be of help. I still don't understand how two of my thighs can add up to be wider than my hips, but the measuring tape don't lie, right?

12 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am an hourglass so have lots of the same issues as pears and I always need to size up on panties. I almost always wear a Medium even though my pants and dress size is a small or size 4 (I prefer a loose fit.) I wear bikinis or thongs. I have found boyshorts are the worst, they ride up on me the most.

I have two panty strategies:
- comfortable bikinis that don't ride up, worn when I don't care if there's some VPL. This one is my favorite. It might come in your size. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1.....2&
- comfortable thongs that don't ride or move, for when I do care about VPL. I have found classic rise Hanky Panky to be unsurpassable. Once you get used to the thong, it is great because it doesn't ride up. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....edictiveSe

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I plan on trying the Hanky Pankys. Their thongs last for years and years if you don't put them in the drier, so if the boyshorts hold up equally well I could get past the price. During pregnancy sizing up on briefs worked wonders but doesn't work anymore somehow. I'd try the Somas if they shipped here.

12 years ago

phoebe70

Member

I like Gap Body ones too, and agreed, the Target ones are quite good. I've heard Hanky Pankies are really comfy, but they're so expensive... and I try to avoid anything that's not 100% cotton (or close).

I'm a size 2 on top and 8 on bottom, and I wear L or XL underwear. Have a major "bubble butt" with thighs that sort of saddlebag - VERY pear-shaped. I've never, ever understood how underwear sizing works... seriously? I have an extra-large bum? Come on!!

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have done so much trial-and-error underwear shopping, I feel your pain! I agree with Beth Ann that the riding up problem can actually come from too-loose fits. I tend to go for a slightly looser fit in underwear so the leg openings don't pinch my big thighs, but then they are often cut too generously in the behind for my flattish butt.

I have found some of the best fits from Natori, On Gossamer, and Vanity Fair. I hate the way boy shorts look on me, so I always go for bikinis.

12 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

Ok... this might be less coverage than you are looking for but I think they are great for no VPL and I swear they are much more comfortable than they look.

Lace keeps the edge smooth (even under knit dresses) and is super stretchy, cotton for the girl parts where breathability counts.

http://www.victoriassecret.com.....lingerie?P

I also have hanky pankys which certainly last longer but mine are lace all over and dont breathe as well in the heat

ETA: I wear a size 8 jean and size M in these.

12 years ago

charb

Active Member

I am a pear with 40" hips and a soft middle-aged body. I have worn only these panties from Soma for the past few years:

http://www.soma.com/store/brow.....#038;size=

They stay put and don't show under anything. They are also very well made and durable.

Edited to add: something is wrong with my link but I meant to show the Soma Super Soft Lace Top Hipster.

12 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Boyshorts do not work on me, they cause rolls on my thighs. Bikini's are often not enough coverage on the bum and I end up with lines. I am a big fan of hipster styles, those seem to work really well for me. My favorite brands are Gap and Chantelle.

12 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Sveta, did you ever find a great panty? My requirements and issues are similar to yours. Available in Canada would be a must! Going to try the VS but suspect they are too narrow and will create more bumps.

11 years ago

Anonymous

My favorites are from target. I got sick of paying good money for undies I ended up hating. These turned out to work great for me. Most boy shorts are to short and/or to small in the leg so that they would either cause VPL or ride up. The lace on these is forgiving and comes far enough down my thigh that they do not ride. For reference I wear a medium in the undies and around a size 8/29 in pants. I have no idea what body type I am but do have hips and thighs - first place my extra pounds go.

http://www.target.com/p/gillig.....=large_1_4

11 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Hmmm, I think those are the same ones my friend was swearing by recently. My concern (for my figure) is that they might not come up far enough. But I see what you mean about the thigh. I think I may just have to get out there and trial-and-error some of these inexpensive, "new"(to me) lace-trimmed styles because it sounds like they are functional for a lot of people.

11 years ago

Jules

Veteran

...not to mention my DH would be thrilled to see me in anything approaching sexy...

11 years ago

eds

Active Member

I share your pain! These are my favorites... nice bum coverage : )
http://www.jockey.com/catalog/.....ace-bikini

I have heard good things about the Soma Invisible LIne... would love to hear from those who have worn them as to the sizing!

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

After a year-long search, I just bought 10 pairs of panties from Soma. I had tried on at least 75 different styles from many different brands and had just about given up. Then I found the perfect style for me at Soma.

We are different shapes. My waist is way too big, but my hips are flat and my thighs are fairly thin. The style I bought may not work for you, but Soma has a very wide variety of styles. Some (maybe all) of their panties come in XXL. There's usually a big discount if you buy 5 pairs (buy 3, get 5 for the same price). The quality of the ones I bought is quite high. I've washed and dried them in the drier on low with absolutely no problem.

Good luck! I know how frustrating this can be.

11 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

Hi Sveta... feel your pain... I recently discovered warners no pinch no problem lace hipsters.... I tossed everything else since... I am way larger than you but probably similar bone structure and I wear an 8. I got my first pair at the Bay when I was visiting Canada and have tracked them down at freshpair and get them sent to Australia. Good luck!

11 years ago

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