Yeah, I admit it. I LOVE ME SOME GRANNY PANTIES.
I had a long conversation about ’em with my friend Jen a couple months ago on our girls’ trip to Napa, with the gist of it being that we both have an undying love for them.
I dunno. Maybe it’s a Filipino thing? — but waaay back in the day when I was a wee lass, I would always get a pack of what were essentially granny panties whenever a relative would visit us from the Philippines, and they were always from a brand called So-En.
Ya know how it is when you’re a kid. You get weird stuff sometimes from relatives, but at the time you don’t really think they’re weird at all. All you know is that “Hey! These come in pastel colors!” and “Ooh! There are flowers embroidered on the front!” so you just start wearing them because they’re super comfortable. Before you know it, though, you’re wearing them all the time in regular rotation until the left leg band is hanging on by a thread, and there’s a small hole in the butt…
Over time I got to thinking that this was just one of those things with my family, but then Jen and I had a talk once about getting souvenirs from the Philippines, and So-En panties came up.
Turns out I wasn’t the only one who got granny panties from relatives!
MIND BLOWN.
Jen said that once when her brother had gone to the Philippines for a visit, while he was having lunch at a restaurant with some aunties, they called Jen and asked if she wanted her brother to bring back any souvenirs, and the first thing she said was, “I want So-En panties. That’s it.”
Immediately, a couple of the aunties got up from the table, went to the mall and returned with boxes of So-En panties.
I actually have several pairs myself. My parents brought them back after their last trip to the motherland, and I wear them all the time (I may or may not have a pair on now, HA!).
They don’t turn me into a Victoria’s Secret Angel or anything, but I don’t care. They’re hella comfortable, and I love them. So for me, granny panties are a do! — which leads me to today’s question…
Are you down with granny panties? 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
JenJ says
My recent purchases have been more so of the granny panty variety lol! I’ve seen a few articles saying that they are making a comeback.
Nicole - Beyond the Pale and Freckled says
Definitely! My body shape (and love of cake, haha) is such that I tend to have tummy pooch that can cause underwear that hits lower to roll down, which is pretty annoying! Only downside with the granny style is if you’re wearing lower waisted pants, that can be awkward. 😉 I’ve learned that high waisted pants stay up way better for me anyway, so it’s mostly not an issue.
Metta says
Bahahaha! This has me laughing so hard! Maybe it’s an over all Asian thing, my mom always brings me back not only panties when she goes to Thailand but socks too! I love them but not as much as my boy shorts, if I could fit my hubby’s boxer briefs I’d probably steal those too.
Natalia says
Haha! So many giggles while reading this. YES. So down with granny panties.
tati breda says
KAREN laughed A LOT WITH THIS POST
MY MAE EVER BOUGHT PANTIES WITH LARGE AND DRAWINGS, AND UNTIL TODAY SHE THINKS AM CHILD, KK MORE I THINK MUCH LOVE AS PRINTS WITH TONS Unicorns and pastels, are admirable
A big kiss HUGE
fondly
Makai says
Oh my! I can so relate! First, I looooove granny underwear (my husband does not…) as they’re so comfy! But what really gets me laughing is that I too received So-En panties from the PI! (Yes, I’m Filipino) I recall mine were always this satin-like material which was not good for breathing down there, but I didn’t know better either. While I imagined my classmates got their UnderRoos, I wore big, satiny, granny underwear from the Philippines that I got from a random relative! LOL!!!!
Denise says
I love those satin ones when I’m on my period. TMI but it does not stain, everything washes off!!
Makai says
Hi Denise, I’m laughing myself silly, but I just have to agree 100% with you! TMI, but now it all makes sense why it was so easy to wash those after Aunt Flo visited!
Kim says
That is too funny! I’m all about the comfort, too. Lately that’s been jockey boyshorts (the no pantyline variety). They disco’d the style I used to love and the new ones have fancy side panels that look like flowery lace. I may or may not have just had a peek to describe them properly. HAHA!
PS I think boyshorts qualify as granny, right?
brooklynshoebabe says
Yes, yes I am. I got some fancy granny panties and call them “pin up panties.”
Jennifer says
I’m laughing so hard right now I’m about to fall out of my chair.
I guess if I’m being honest, I have to say yes. For appearance sake, I like a boy short style. I just think they work with my curvy shape.
However, if I know I’m going to have a stressful day, I used to put on a pair of Hanes “grannies.” They don’t ride up and they’re really, really comfortable.
I’m currently out of them because I just kon-maried my wardrobe and had to throw out my last couple of pairs because they were so riddled with holes they weren’t sparking joy,
Kristina B says
Sooooo down with the granny panties!
LindaLibraLoca says
Absolutely not. The only time I have worn them was after giving birth, because they were the only thing that could fit the gigantic pads you have to wear (TMI anyone?). But as soon as I could I was back to normal (read silk and lace). It has been what I wear since I turned 15 and started to care…
Lorraine says
If you ever want a good read, check out a wonderful book by Thanhha Lai called Listen, Slowly. Don’t want to give it away, but trust me, the cultural panty humor will have you ROFL. and thanks for the tip- I wonder if I will have the guts to ask my MIL to bring me panties back from the Phillipines.
Amanda says
This is hilarious. Thank you 🙂
Betsy C. says
I’m not Asian (my loss, I bet…) but I’m def down with the granny drawers! Isn’t everybody, lol?
Cherie says
Nope, I never was…even as a kid. I’ve got a small torso and long legs and I’m only 5’2 so the bikini cuts fit me like normal underwear. Granny panties would go over my stomach (horrible to have to wear those as a kid!)….Funny thing, I have an aunt from the Philippines who’d give me smaller So-En underwear when I was a kid and I love ’em!
Stephanie says
Yes! I learned that if you buy bikini’s in a size larger than you really wear, they fit more like granny panties. They sit slightly lower so you don’t have to worry about the waist band poking out when you bend over. LOL. I have a muffin top and I need my waist band over that.
Mary says
Too funny & cute, thanks for sharing this dear story!
Leticia | Thee Limited Edition says
HECK YES!!!!!! I mean don’t get me wrong I will wear a thong on a normal basis but when I’m home chillin the granny panties are in full effect!
Tatiana says
For the longest time I wore GAP high cut cotton panties. Then they added lycra and changed the cut a bit. I can deal with the lycra. It’s the skimpy backside that bugs the heck out of me, always creeping up. So yeah, I’m down with granny panties.
Tulipthecat says
That’s super funny! My aunt use to be a distributor of So-en panties and bras. Her family business was making and selling bras. Everyone would buy So-en underwear from her. On one of my trips to the Philippines I asked my best friend Marie what she wanted from the Philippines and she said So-en underwear.
Kat says
OMG this is a great post, I totally grew up with So-En panties! Every girl who was raised in the Philippines or who is 1st-2nd generation Filipino immigrant would have worn or own at least 1 pair of So-En granny panties. I’m down with granny panties!
Deanna says
Thunderpants do the best granny panties ever! http://www.thunderpants.co.nz/ They’re made in NZ and they are organic. I wear mine most days now, just so comfy and their prints are awesome, eg. Kraken print and pirate print :D. Growing up in Australia I had Bonds Cottontails, super comfy too although I’m not sure if they make them these days.
Iris says
Those undergarments are so cute! I’m bookmarking the site. Thanks!
Stacey says
Not so much mainly because most of my pants, shorts, skirts, etc sit below my waist so they’d probably end up peeking out. Anymore I tend to favor the cotton string bikini style which seems to be a bit hard to find these days.
Icequeen81 says
I have I bought them but they were sealed in a package I didn’t know they were that big
But I use them when Those days in the month arrive.
Lori says
Oh Karen you’re hilarious! You’d be thrilled to know that the So-En brand has also come up with other panty styles and various designs! There’s bikini, hi-cut, low waist, boyshorts. It’s probably every Filipina’s fave brand ?
Vanessa says
What a great story!
I don’t wear them because I don’t find the high waistedness comfortable.
MonicaP says
I’ve been wearing bikini style for so long that I would find the high waist line of granny panties uncomfortable. However, that all changes if it’s shape wear .. lol.
Monica.
CL says
I prefer the Jockey for Her French Cut style. Somewhat more stylish than a standard brief.
kiwikiwidragon says
So not down with granny panties. I am a thong girl all the way. Gave up bikini cuts and such, my butt cheeks turn all undies into thongs. Might as well just have it up there intentionally, lol TMI!!
Roda says
The So-En brand is definitely a Filipio thing! I love how this blog topic — Granny panties (or for me So-En brand) — is sparking great and funny reactions! So-En panties were verrry comfy and I do believe came in bikini style! Oh to reminisce about my childhood from mention of So-En brand underwear!
Miss P says
So-En FTW! growing up, one aunt gave me and all my female cousins half a dozen panties at Christmas time. Every year, without fail! 🙂
Sarah says
Soooo down with them…. They are the best, so damn comfy. Reminds me of my boyfriend… We practically lived together almost as soon as we started dating. When I got my first ‘monthly time’ around him, I remember being so nervous and rummaging through my drawer for my cutest pair of granny panties! LOL. He was down with even the ugliest pair though. That’s how you know it’s real ladies! Haha
Isabella says
This post is hilarious! I dont think I ever have owned a pair of granny panties but I’m down with comfy. I use mens boxers and boxer shorts instead 🙂 Airy and comfy!
Carolyn says
I don’t know if they would fully qualify as Granny Panties but I love the Boy Cut Panties from Aerie. I think it’s the biggest style they carry and they are so comfortable and still cute. I like to call them my “big bum undies”. It’s funny that you mention that you had a conversation about panties with your friend cause my sister and I had that same conversation a couple weeks ago. We both wear the big bum undies but have kept a couple thongs and other styles of panties for specific occasions. But on a daily basis, you couldn’t pay me to wear anything other than my big bum undies!
Lauren says
So needed this laugh!! I think they are so comfy, but I don’t like the panty lines! My Grandma ALWAYS gave me packs of these at Christmas and my siblings and cousins got toys!
Maggie says
LOL! Those look a little too high-waisted for me but I like boyshort panties. That counts right? I prefer low waist, but more rear coverage. I prefer hipsters.
Iris says
I’ve never worn a pair, oddly enough. It’s always been bikini briefs for me and those are the ones my mother picked out for me as a child. I stuck with those and tangas for the longest time but nowadays I sometimes wear thongs, hipsters, or boyshorts. I’m open to trying granny panties in cute patterns.
Lena says
must be an asian thing. mom still sometime gift my dad and nrothers undies.
i go to manila all the time, but never knew about so-en. will need to check this brand out. and i love me some graanny panties. my fave is the cotton one from marks and spencer.
Sissi says
OMG this was so funny and intimate!!!