Why Granny Panties aka Full-Cut Briefs Are The Best Over 50

Thongs fill an increasingly smaller section in my lingerie drawer these days. I used to think they were mandatory for certain pants and close-fitting skirts but my attitude is changing and I’m much more comfortable now. I’m talking about granny panties, aka full-cut briefs. We’re going there because I’ve found them the best option for my over 50 body.

Eres Bucolique mesh-paneled lace briefs on A Well Styled Life

Granny panties are defined as classic briefs with a high rise and have full coverage in the rear. They’ve been the butt (pun intended) of jokes for years. DescribedĀ as uncool, unsexy and frumpy, they’ve been the panties that every woman was supposed to hate, even women over 50.

Soma briefs on A Well Styled Life
Vanishing Tummy Lace Retro Brief

The fact is granny panties are comfortable and healthier to wear for many reasons. They minimize muffin top bulge, help conceal lower belly sag and prevent visible panty line. They’re also healthier than thongs if you have hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections or leak a bit when you laugh.

Vanishing tummy retro brief on A Well Styled Life
Vanishing Tummy Retro Lace Brief

A quick peek around the internet turns up more sites selling full panties than ever before. They come adorned with lace, satin, sheer inserts and silk bows.

These are what I wear most days. They have a vanishing edge at the leg opening with stay-put silicone strips that keep the panties in place without panty line. The light nude is a perfect shade for me that is invisible under white linen pants which are notoriously see through. They have several nudes to choose from so I recommend you choose the one that matches your skin tone the closest

Full-cut briefs are available with high cut leg openings and also in a thong version which defeats the purpose in my mind but each to her own.

Have you discovered full briefs AKA granny panties?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

 

 

 

 

104 Comments

  1. Agree with many others here. I haven’t ever worn a thong, simply because they just look so uncomfortable. My every day wear (with jeans, etc.) are Jockey French Cut briefs. Other favorites are Hanky Panky Retro V-kini briefs (beautiful and comfy), and Soma vanishing edge high cuts for when I need to get rid of VPL.

    I once read a blogging new mom who commented that “once you’ve worn those amazing German cotton briefs while pregnant, you don’t want to go back.” Shared that with my hubby who nows calls them Panzer Pants. I line dry all my panties, so he has some crazy comments when he sees them lined up in the laundry room. ha!

    So appreciate your honesty and real topics. šŸ™‚

    1. Lol. I appreciate your honesty Laurel! Thanks for being here.

  2. Itsy-bitsies high cuts from…….Costco!!! I have 18 pairs because…..Costco. Tons of pretty patterns and plans ( actually had an awesome nude selection this summer) wash well are cool and comfortable.

    1. Never heard of those! I love Costco. I’ll definitely check them out!

  3. I’m still laughing. Granny panties. Hilarious. I’ve been wearing that style mainly since childhood. I’m 68. Feels like one doesn’t even have a pair on. Always been able to get beautiful patterns/colours etc.

  4. I could not agree more with your assessment of the thongs and the comfort of the “Granny Panties.” I tried wearing a thong ONCE and that was enough to know they were not for this granny. I wear mostly Bali panties but also love the lower tummy support of Soft Surroundings panties. I can’t stand the thong lines that are so obvious under knit dresses and pants. Again, thank you for standing up and saying what needs to be said about this somewhat neglected subject.

    1. I didn’t know Soft Surroundings carried panties. I need that lower tummy support too! The more the better, now. It’s my pleasure to open up topics we need to talk about.

  5. Tammy Jones says:

    I love the ones from Soma! I’ve been wearing them for a couple years now. They are so comfortable also stay in place and no visible panty lines!

  6. My husband jokingly calls them “bloomer butts” but hey, they’re comfortable!

    1. You’ve got that right and the right ones are invisible under clothes. Works for me:)

  7. Linda Dodds says:

    The Ambrielle brand at Penneys are pretty and comfortable and come in different styles.

  8. Ha! The men I know call thongs “Butt floss!” A good description! Certainly not for me, though. Granny-Panties-R-Us!!!

  9. I’m a fan of the Hanky Panky lace boyshorts. They’re an investment, but last for years and are comfortable with no VPL. I also have worn and liked the Soma’s.

    1. I’m a Hanky Panky fan but haven’t tried that style. I’ll check them out!

  10. I bought one pair of the soma panties you featured while on vacation…..the price frankly put me off. I never spend 24 dollars on 1pair of panties! However I really love them!I will have to watch for sales.

    1. I’m glad you tried them. I always wait for their sales too! They have them frequently.

  11. So glad to see a blog on this topic! I used to wear thongs–the Hanky Panky ones that are reasonably comfy and sexy. BUT, those days are over! At this stage of my life, I want comfort, no panty lines and coverage. My go-to’s are Natori’s full brief with lace and Nordstrom’s thin microfiber full panty. I’ve never tried Soma, but I will now! And, no way would I pay $255 for a pair of panties, even if I was a “professional” woman šŸ˜‰

    1. I’m going to try those Natori too! Those $255 panties are pretty but not in my budget. Ever.

  12. I have never worn a thong either! I can’t believe these people I see lean over and there is the top of the thong sticking up. So unflattering! Thanks for addressing this topic. šŸ™‚

    1. I see that often and wonder why they don’t care. Wedgie comes to mind.

      1. Yes, and I always wonder why they weren’t called wedgies instead of thongs in the first place! ĀÆ\_(惄)_/ĀÆ

  13. Just got off the Soma web site…pretty undies… Sad to say, I’m boring in that I wear Hanes white cotton grannies. The idea of wearing a thong conjured up all kinds of things going wrong… Speaking of thongs, I was staying with my daughter in Florida several years ago, sunning by the pool and happened to look up to see a fella across the way wearing a thong bathing suit. Oy vey…

  14. I too have never worn a thong, I’m proud to say…my go-to pantie is Jockey-for-Her French Cut Briefs. Love ’em.

    1. That’s been my favorite for the last 30 years or so.

  15. Thanks Jennifer, I’ve been looking and buying so many panties that are uncomfortable. I’m 74 and to me these look as sexy as I could want. LOL!! I’ll go to my Soma outlet store and give these a try. You’re blog has helped me purchase many products that other wise I wouldn’t have know about.

    1. My pleasure Carole! I didn’t know they had outlets. Lucky you!

  16. YES!
    I have NEVER WORN A THONG!!!!!!!!
    I ADORE THEIR LACEY BRA’s as well……………..
    I think YOU told me about this STORE!!!
    SO< THANK YOU!

  17. I never understood the appeal of thongs — they look like they’d be so uncomfortable, and certainly don’t provide much buffer between skin and clothing. Since I’ve always had a bit of a round tummy, I also never found bikini style panties to be comfortable, either. I’m a long-time fan of the Victoria’s Secret hi-leg cotton briefs — good coverage, great feeling fabric, and reasonable price point (several times a year VS has a sale and you can get 7 pair for $28).

    1. Bikinis aren’t comfy on me either! That’s an amazing price! Wow

  18. I wear hipster style Gillian & Omally seamless panties with smooth leg openings from Target. The beige is invisible under white pants.

    1. I have a few of those too but the the silicone strips are such an improvement, I hardly ever wear the Target ones anymore.

  19. Oh, I just love granny panties these days, and my favorites are by Icon – “Pee Proof Panties.” I do have a bit of incontinence (and I know I’m not alone….) and my Icon undies have absorbent panels that are just the best thing since sliced bread. They’re not cheap – but Icon offers discounts for purchases of multiple pairs. In addition to granny panties – a/k/a “hi-waist” – Icon offers hip huggers, bikinis and (and I don’t understand this one….) thongs. Right now, they come only in black, beige, blue or gray, but I believe prints are in the future. I have several pairs and the security they give me is amazing. Check out http://www.iconundies.com to order and to read the (rave) reviews. I am not an employee of Icon, nor do I receive any compensation from them – I’m just a very happy consumer of their product, and I highly recommend them, ladies!!!

    1. These sound amazing!! I’d never heard of them. Thanks for sharing with us Candy.

  20. So who brainwashed people into thinking differently made underwear were “granny pants”. So sexist and unkind….. Actually, when I was young and visiting my grandma, she told me many women always wore housedresses and went commando – so there is nothing new under the sun —— including bad attitudes created by advertising. I would have thought the bloomer – pantaloon loose leg style would have been determined to be the “granny pants” but perhaps somebody liked them too much.

    1. That’s so interesting. Commando? I’m very surprised but I shouldn’t be. Advertising is no friend to anyone.

  21. jodie filogomo says:

    What a great topic to address!! My mom (the 70+ model on my blog) feels naked in anything but these. But I keep telling her she should try the vanished edge detail so you don’t see the elastic indent! She can’t get used to it though because she feels like they are falling off, if she doesn’t “feel” the elastic!!
    It’s funny how we get so used to a certain detail…
    OXOX
    Jodie

    1. i agree with your mom, Jodie. I grew up wearing what is called “granny pants.” I’ve never worn anything else – not even a french cut leg. All the other styles feel very uncomfortable to me.

  22. Stormy Smith says:

    The Eres $255 panties are exquisite, but not in my price range.
    I wear Hanky Panky Signature Lace French Briefs and am quite pleased.
    There are no longer ANY thongs in my lingerie drawer!

    1. I’m heading toward that too Stormy. The only thongs I have left are by Hanky Panky so I’ll check out your suggestion. Thanks!

  23. I wear I similar style in Bali brand for just the reasons you mentioned. Especially the untidness of thongs.

  24. I have never shopped at Soma but I think those panties are cute!

    1. Love Soma but always buy on sale – because there always is one now or will be soon. I like their vanishing tummy modern brief. Their customer service is usually top notch.

      1. I agree! If it’s not on sale today, it will be soon.

  25. The lace panties at top are $255 on net-a-porter web site.

  26. Hmm, I wonder where Karen got the idea the panties cost $255? They look nice and comfy to me!

  27. I don’t know any Grannie that would pay $255 for a pair of underpants! Those are for a professional woman and I don’t mean a doctor!!!

    1. Roxanne B says:

      Karen, you made me choke on my coffee because I started laughing so hard! I had to look at the price because I thought you read it wrong. The day I have to pay $255 for underpants is the day I start going commando!!

      PS I wear Maidenform Invisible Line hipsters, which were an Oprah favorite years ago…$10 on Amazon. I used to work in ObGyn where we saw a lot of thong induced infections, so those were never an option for me

      1. Many women do go commando, Roxanne. I’d rather find an alternative šŸ™‚

  28. My favorite panties are Hanes X-temp hipsters. These pretty much do everything granny panties will do without making me feel too frumpy. I do have a few pair, though, and don’t mind wearing them. I never have and never will wear thong panties!

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