British women say bottoms up to big pants

October 19, 2005

Latest research from MINTEL shows that when it comes to knickers, bigger really is better, as British women turn their backs on thongs in favour of fuller maxi pants. Women’s spending on thongs has fallen 14% since 2003 to some £89 million this year or just 23% of the pants market value, down from around 28% two years ago. By contrast, sales of maxi pants have ballooned by 36% over the same time period to just over £100 million this year, with larger sized ‘boy shorts’ or ‘French knickers’ well and truly back in vogue. Indeed today, maxi pants account for the largest share of the market (26%), up from 20% in 2003. The control bottom pants sector also looks to be good shape, having grown 15% over the past two years, as women increasingly look to get a handle on unwanted sagging without going under the knife.

MintelAdmin
More from Mintel
  • Mintel Store
    Mintel Store
    Get smart fast with our exclusive market research reports, delivering the latest data, innovation, trends and strategic recommendations....
    View reports
  • 2025 Trends
    2025 Global Trends
    Understand what’s new and next in consumer behaviour and the impact on marketing and innovation strategies....
    Discover trends
Subscribe to Press Releases
Contact Press Office
Latest insights
March 25, 2022
Fashion
Article
From preventing embarrassing leaks to saving the plant, period pants are turning into the underwear saviour for Britain’s savvy women, as latest research from Mintel reveals around one fifth (19%)…

Download the Latest Market Intelligence