The new big knickers Bridget Jones would approve of
The most famous knickers in cinematic history? Surely Bridget Jones’s M&S big knickers from Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001). In the iconic scene where Bridget contemplates the eternal dilemma of sex appeal (a slinky thong) versus practicality (tummy-hugging control briefs to manage her “wobbly bits”), she chooses the latter, and an underwear icon was born.
Fast forward to 2025, and Renée Zellweger is back as Bridget in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. Now in her 50s, a widow, and a mother of two young children, Bridget is still navigating the ups and downs of love and life—and likely still relying on a trusty pair of control pants in her wardrobe.
But oh, how times have changed. Back in 2001, debates swirled around Renée’s weight gain for the role. Today, we’re in a different era – one shaped by the Body Positivity movement and the explosion of the shapewear industry, now worth £3.8 billion globally, and led by powerhouses like Spanx and Kim Kardashian’s Skims.
So, what would Bridget be choosing now? Her original ‘firm control full briefs’ from M&S are still a bestseller – some classics never go out of style! Brands like Honeylove set the empowerment standards with their sculpting SuperPower Brief, that owe their style more to bodycon dresses dresses than granny pants. Shapermint’s Everyday Empower Pant offers smoothing and shaping without sacrificing comfort. And of course, British staples John Lewis, Next – which sells Spanx and Skims alongside their own brands – and Marks & Spencer offer a wider selection stylish shapewear than ever before. Proof, if more were needed, that these pants are firmly out of the shadows
GH’s pick of the best shapewear:
2pk Firm Control Full Briefs
SuperPower Short
Caramel Nude Print Tummy Control Shaping Lace Back Brazilian Knickers 2 Pack
SKIMS Sculpt fitted stretch-woven shorts
SPANX® EcoCare Seamless Shaping Boyshorts
Shapermint Essentials Everyday Empower High-Waisted Shaper Shorts
Body Define™ Firm Control Waist Cincher Knickers
Shapewear Q&As
How tight should shapewear fit?
To achieve a smooth, sculpted silhouette, shapewear should fit snugly (don’t worry if the pieces look small – they’re designed to stretch). However, it’s important that it doesn’t feel uncomfortably tight or leave red marks on your skin. Most brands offer various levels of control, typically categorised as light, medium and firm, with the firm option giving you the most dramatic results.
Should you size up or down when buying shapewear?
I recommend choosing your regular size to prevent your shapewear from rolling down or digging in. However, if you’re between sizes, I would size up based on your largest measurement.
Do you wear normal knickers under shapewear?
Wearing underwear under shapewear can cause the fabric of both garments to crease or bunch, leaving you with a visible panty line and unsightly bumps beneath your clothing, so it’s generally recommended to skip the extra layer of underwear.
Who should not wear shapewear?
Shapewear that’s tight around the stomach area can potentially cause digestive problems. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, for example, exerting pressure on your gut may aggravate your symptoms, especially after eating.
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