Britain gripped by underpants crisis

While the world stock markets buckle under the pressure of the global credit crunch, the UK has  problems of its own:

Paxman to meet M&S over underwear

Paxman raises smalls problem

Jerry Paxman goes to war with M&S; 'Their pants no longer provide adequate support'

Pressure has been building on the popular retailer for most of the day; the full extent of the problem was highlighted by one reader on the BBC website:

Ian, Wakefield, UK wrote:

I had been a big fan of M&S briefs for years and thought that with the M&S Autograph Collection and subsequently the MW Collection, I had found pant heaven. These underpants ticked all the boxes: the material was a wonderful soft texture, they were a snug fit across the bum so there were no uncomfortable (or unsightly) creases, and most importantly they had ample width across the gusset and sufficient room up-front, so the contents stayed in place without the need for frequent adjustment. This is no longer the case - gusset widths seem to have shrunk (can we blame Europe?), so buying pants from M&S has become a hit and miss affair. I imagine that the one in four men quoted by Stuart Rose are either smaller than average or that their pants are bought for them by unwitting (or possibly sadistic?) partners. My own partner, knowing that blokes would tend to suffer in silence rather than discuss the subject, did put pen to paper on the subject to M&S last year but their response had been the classic rebuff 'no one else has complained'.

Surely the big (oohh.. no pun intended, honest) problem is that we aren't being gripped?

Massif wrote:

Surely the big (oohh.. no pun intended, honest) problem is that we aren't being gripped?

Many moons ago M+S togs bore the St Michael brandname (this is of infinite interest to non-UK niners). This was a seal of quality, and stated the articles were "British made".

Now most  tog comes from places like China, the UK is no longer a bastion of industry. With this comes the inevitable compromise in quality, consequent to soaring oil prices (transportation) and lukewarm sales. Profits have to come from somewhere.

When was the last time you paid £50 for something that really lasted?

vesuvius wrote:



Many moons ago M+S togs bore the St Michael brandname (this is of infinite interest to non-UK niners). This was a seal of quality, and stated the articles were "British made".

Now most  tog comes from places like China, the UK is no longer a bastion of industry. With this comes the inevitable compromise in quality, consequent to soaring oil prices (transportation) and lukewarm sales. Profits have to come from somewhere.

When was the last time you paid £50 for something that really lasted?

vesuvius wrote:


When was the last time you paid £50 for something that really lasted?

Of course, we're all missing the obvious solution -- go commando!  :O

Herbie

Going commando is all well and good, until you hit your own personal resonant frequency.

Then it becomes hell on earth, and a special form of torment.

Not just pants, M&S pants

GoddersUK wrote:

Not just pants, M&S pants

Dr Herbie wrote:

Of course, we're all missing the obvious solution -- go commando! 

Herbie

W3bbo wrote:



Dr Herbie wrote: Of course, we're all missing the obvious solution -- go commando!  Herbie

...or just boxers? I rid myself of the evil undies all of nearly 9 years ago and haven't looked back.

Less sweat, "fresher" feeling.

W3bbo wrote:



Less sweat, "fresher" feeling.

Minh wrote:



W3bbo wrote:  Less sweat, "fresher" feeling.

Have you tried the Unisex Douche?

So it looks like Paxman will be having a short briefing with Sir Stuart Rose, and hopefully they'll get to the bottom of this.

evildictaitor wrote:

So it looks like Paxman will be having a short briefing with Sir Stuart Rose, and hopefully they'll get to the bottom of this.

Dr Herbie wrote:



evildictaitor wrote: So it looks like Paxman will be having a short briefing with Sir Stuart Rose, and hopefully they'll get to the bottom of this.

Well done. That's an 8/10 on the punometer. 

Herbie

evildictaitor wrote:



 evildictaitor wrote: So it looks like Paxman will be having a short       briefing with Sir Stuart Rose, and hopefully they'll get to the bottom of this.

Can you find all three?