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Have you bought anything from Ann Summers? What products would you recommend?

164 replies

TinaMumsnet · 30/03/2021 09:38

Hi everyone,

We're looking to gauge general interest in Ann Summers and would love to hear about the products you've tried, thoroughly tested and would recommend to others.

The brand have also expanded their collection to include a maternity and nursing range, so we'd love to hear your thoughts on this too. Are there any pieces you think would be particularly good for expectant/new mums?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

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ExConstance · 08/04/2021 09:19

I hesitate to post this but the experiences above are not universal. I enjoed sex right up to going into labour with both of my sons. I did wait until the six week check to resume but by then I felt quite normal ( despite lots of stitches with DS1) and wanted to start again. Everyone is different and it is wrong to imply that negative experiences are universal. I really couldn't have cared less about what I looked like then but the availability of something comodious in black lace would have pleased me no end.

timeforanewnameagain · 08/04/2021 09:38

You're a week late for April Fools @mnhq!

Laufeythejust · 08/04/2021 09:48

I always thought Ann Summers underwear was crap but I bought some in the sale last month and was surprised at the quality. I had to search though a lot of weird lace versions before I found something resembling an actual bra but I would buy from them again- it fits really well and is comfortable.

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 08/04/2021 10:03

Some of the replies on here have been a bit snobby to be honest. It’s not my style and I wouldn’t shop in this store. I have in the past but not keen on the imagery. However I have friends who have cried because they want pretty underwear during pregnancy and post partum. For me I’m all about a nice bra but big cotton granny pants but if you want something more detailed and you like lace underwear then somewhere that has a selection of ‘nicer’ products at a more purse friendly price, why not.

Chrysanthemum5 · 08/04/2021 11:02

I'm not keen on the idea that women should rush to get their body 'back' after pregnancy, or feel pressure to look sexy at a time when their body has done the most amazing thing it can do.

However looking at the maternity and nursing bras they don't look awful. And the maternity bras I had were boring and made me feel old

I don't like the pants and realistically I'd not wear synthetic materials because of thrush.

JovialNickname · 08/04/2021 13:15

I'm another one that thinks it's a bit depressing that Ann Summers is now doing maternity items. Surely immediately post birth should be the one time in a woman's life where she's not being pressured to look sexy?

However, maternity stuff aside I do like Ann Summers and buy a lot of my underwear from there. I find their lace padded bras really comfortable and they fit me very well. The matching briefs are also comfy and don't dig in, or create unflattering lumps and bumps on the hips! I also like that they are both sexy, and "everyday".

I also like AS's stockings and hold ups - they normally have some sort of offer on too. I find them to be the best quality out of all the ones I've tried.

CorvusPurpureus · 08/04/2021 13:47

I dunno - I never think AS are quite one thing or the other.

A bit too 'giggly hen party you could happily attend with Auntie Sue, & Jean from next door, & your teenage niece AND your mum' for proper sex toys.

A bit too nylon & scratchy & disappearing up your bum for underwear you'd actually wear (other than for Valentine's Day if your OH was raised on Benny Hill, or possibly April Fool's Day).

Not sure they'd be my go-to for maternity, well, anything, so it does seem like another odd marketing strategy.

Although clearly I know nowt as they've been around forever - someone must be buying!

SnowAllSpring · 08/04/2021 13:49

@ExConstance I hesitate to post this but the experiences above are not universal. I enjoed sex right up to going into labour with both of my sons. I did wait until the six week check to resume but by then I felt quite normal ( despite lots of stitches with DS1) and wanted to start again. Everyone is different and it is wrong to imply that negative experiences are universal.

Plenty of women enjoy sex during or after pregnancy. Most of us don't need to spend money on tacky overpriced 'sexy' [sic] underwear in order to have sex.

ExConstance · 08/04/2021 14:02

Have you looked at the maternity range? it is no more tacky than M&S!

SnowAllSpring · 08/04/2021 14:14

@ExConstance No, I haven't looked at it. I'm not pregnant or breastfeeding and even if I were, I wouldn't buy from a shit MLM company that has sold horrible tacky crap for decades.

SnowAllSpring · 08/04/2021 14:15

@ExConstance Also, you seem to have missed my point. You are not the only woman who enjoys sex while pregnant. You do, however, seem to be the only woman on this thread who thinks it's necessary to buy special underwear in order to have sex.

Strange. I normally take my knickers off.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 08/04/2021 14:28

My theory always was that they make ‘sexy’ underwater so uncomfortable that you can’t wait to get them off.

Still I’d expect maternity wear to be a bit more ‘generous’ (so covering up stretch marks and post pregnancy tummy).

ExConstance · 08/04/2021 14:56

My point was that many years ago when I had my children there was nothing pretty to buy. Even if I was a hermit living in a hut on my own i'd like to have pretty underwear! What was on offer years ago was white, surgical and made ou feel terrible. Here's to choice for todays mothers.
No doubt A.S. will stop selling it if no one likes it.

Twinkie01 · 08/04/2021 15:21

Nylon, chaffing and electric shocks spring to mind when anyone mentions Anne Summers.

Catslovepies · 08/04/2021 15:30

When I think about Ann Summers I just think overpriced for poor quality, both in terms of their underwear and their sex toys. The brand is really past its sell-by date without even getting into the whole MLM thing.

MabelPines · 08/04/2021 15:51

For fucks sake MNHQ

“sexy” maternity/post partum underwear is straight of the patriarchy playbook -

women’s value is solely in being attractive /available for sex

I’m really disappointed that you would partner with AS anyway considering how MLMs negatively affect women.

OliverBabish · 08/04/2021 16:18

And here’s me, gagging for primark to open next week so I can buy big cotton undies for my hospital bag

I’m built for comfort, not speed!

Janaih · 08/04/2021 17:21

Primark is top for good quality pants both sexy and comfortable. And jim jams!

timeforanewnameagain · 08/04/2021 19:13

@MabelPines

For fucks sake MNHQ

“sexy” maternity/post partum underwear is straight of the patriarchy playbook -

women’s value is solely in being attractive /available for sex

I’m really disappointed that you would partner with AS anyway considering how MLMs negatively affect women.

Also this. I'm surprised at MN supporting a business that operates as a MLM.

Mugginyouleftrightandcentre · 08/04/2021 20:09

So... This went well

TolkiensFallow · 08/04/2021 20:45

I’m clearly going against the grain here...I got really angry when I was pregnant that I couldn’t buy pretty matching undies, I was horny as hell and wanted to feel sexy. I haven’t looked at their range but glad someone is doing one! I completely agree with everyone about the pressure to be post partum sexy...not appropriate!!

I find their stuff classier than it used to be, some quite nice knickerbox bits, I’ve had a couple of decent bodystockings, leather crops and silicone vibratory recently but I also send back a lot for poor fitting.

The mlm thing is also awful.

forgetthehousework · 08/04/2021 20:58

@KateMuff

This thread reminded me of a lovely poem I think every woman should read:

I Threw Out All My Pants Today

I threw out all my pants today.

I did not like them anyway.

They were too tiny for my arse,

I’ve set my bottom free at last

It’s time to let my derriere

get loose and let it get some air

because, to tackle tasks with ease

your vulva needs a steady breeze.

Acrylic, nylon, polyester,

stuff that lets infections fester;

if it’s designed by blokes and chaps

it is not healthy for your flaps.

I do not know why anyone

would want to have a hungry bum

and spend, oh, twenty quid a go

on things that give you camel toe.

I’ve swapped my high leg, low rise lace,

my itchy guts, my squinty face,

for pants extending up my torso –

like a sturdy vest, but more so.

They come in packs of five, or triples,

they nestle underneath my nipples.

They are not made of see through netting,

they mop up when my boobs are sweating.

The question that we all should ask

is – Are these pants that multi-task?

and

Is it really underwear

if you can’t keep your keys in there?

I cannot run or dance or laugh

with my butt cheeks cut in half.

I cannot argue or clap back

with knickers half way up my crack

I can’t think clearly, I am edgy

when I have a giant wedgie.

These times are tough, resolve must harden

so be kind to your lady garden.

Be kind to yourself, full stop.

And let your body flow and flop

all over rigid patriarchy.

I’ve had it with this ‘should’ malarkey:

‘Should’ and ‘must’ can take a hike –

I’ll wear the fucking pants I like.

Thank you, it's brilliant .

TheRealForReal · 09/04/2021 07:06

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sex/4196490-Sex-and-body-confidence-after-having-a-baby-what-worked-for-you?pg=3

Just found the other thread mumsnet did on this over on the sex topic. I thought it had been removed!

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Magnificentmug12 · 09/04/2021 07:10

Ann summers is tacky now and really really dated!

Lovehoney is SO much better. I wouldn’t shop in AS as it’s MLM too.

LaureBerthaudMaisOui · 09/04/2021 07:55

It’s very old hat, very dated

It’s all just designed to please a certain type of man (over 40/50)

Looks uncomfortable

I had maternity bras from Elle McPherson when breastfeeding, they were pretty (lilac with lace) AND comfy. Did not try to make me look like an 80s hooker

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