Granny Panties
From LoveToKnow Lingerie
Even though they may not want to admit it, most women have at least one pair of granny panties in their lingerie drawer. Thongs, boy shorts, bikini briefs, and hipsters are more popular than ever before, but the granny panty is here to stay.
What are Granny Panties?
The term 'granny panties' is slang for a very specific type of lingerie. Designed with a high waistline, granny panties cover the navel or rests just beneath it. Additional features include elasticized waistbands and a double-gusseted crotch. Further, they largely to fully cover the rear-end, unlike more modern styles.
Since the term has somewhat unflattering connotations, advertisers generally prefer to name this panty style as full briefs, deep briefs, high-leg briefs, French-cut briefs, or full-cut briefs.
The granny panty earned its biggest accolades when Renee Zellweger donned a pair for her role as Bridget Jones in the movies, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Even celebrities such as Britney Spears, Katie Holmes, and Sienna Miller are rumored to wear high-cut briefs on occasion.
History
Although nobody knows for certain how the term 'granny panties' integrated into popular culture, it likely relates to the garment's reputation as a preferred underwear choice among older women. Socially conservative older women have long been the leading consumers of full-cut briefs, with some going so far as to buy pairs for their daughters and granddaughters.
Popular in the United States, the term 'granny panties' is used throughout the world. Australia, however, refers to this style of lingerie as 'granny undies'.
Advantages
Why would someone choose to purchase granny panties when several other options are available? Women who prefer this panty style frequently provide three reasons for their choice:
- Comfort: Many women insist that full-cut briefs are far more comfortable than any other style of lingerie. In fact, mothers-to-be swear by this type of panty for maximum comfort during pregnancy.
- Practicality: When wearing form-fitting slacks, full-cut briefs are a practical choice. Unlike other styles of underwear, granny panties won’t leave unattractive panty lines.
- Retro appeal: While granny panties generally carry a bad reputation among young people, others love its retro appeal. These panties may bring to mind images of Marilyn Monroe and other 1950s starlets.
Shopping for Panties
Traditionally, granny panties were created from plain white or flesh-toned cotton fabrics. However, today’s panties exist in a number of colors and materials. Full-cut briefs are now available in silk, lace, satin, spandex, or micro-fiber. Granny panties are designed with popular colors such as black, red, or pink, as well as a number of pretty prints.
You can find granny panties wherever lingerie is sold. Even Victoria’s Secret, a store universally admired for stylish and sexy lingerie, sells these high-cut briefs.
Shopping for some new granny panties? Check out the selection at these Web sites:
Comments
I have been wearing ladies panties off and on since trying on a pair of my sisters tap panties when I was in my early teens, and another sisters school Panties (Cherub or Montfort). When I was younger there was a sexual element, but now I wear them for comfort. I like waist high, with elasticated short legs, in a thick cotton for winter and fine nylon in summer. My colours are white, black, navy or bottle green - no pastel shades. My wife is fine with me wearing this style, but would start objecting if I started to wear a more feminine style, but I wouldn't want to anyway.
-- Contributed by: John RMany Austrailians still use the British term "nickers" instead of panties, and full-cut briefs are instead called "Nanna Nickers".
-- Contributed by: emanThis page has been accessed 13,777 times. This page was last modified 19:20, 13 February 2007.
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