Quick outline:
- Why I tried them
- My body and fit notes
- The four pairs I wore (with real details)
- Outfit tests that surprised me
- Stuff that bugged me
- Care tips that saved me money
- Final take
Why French knickers, and why now?
I kept seeing that floaty, vintage slip vibe. Soft silk. Loose leg. No cling. Honestly, I got curious. Could these short, fluttery panties fix my summer dress dramas? Or would they bunch up and make me cranky by noon?
You know what? Both happened.
If you want to see how classic French lingerie boutiques style these fluttery shorts, take a scroll through La Petite France for some visual inspiration. And if you’re craving an even nerdier breakdown, I logged the full month-long saga—complete with sweaty commute notes and mirror selfies—in this expanded diary over on the site.
My body and fit notes (so you can compare)
- I’m 5'6".
- Hips: 41 inches.
- Thighs touch.
- I’m a US 10/12 on bottoms.
- I like a high rise that doesn’t dig.
I wore each pair for at least two full days. I wore them to work, to dinner, and under one very tricky satin slip dress at a summer wedding.
The four pairs I actually wore
1) Marks & Spencer Rosie Silk French Knickers
- Size: UK 12 (fits like a US Medium/Large on me)
- Fabric: Silk with a little lace
- Price I paid: £29.50
- Color: Black
(If you're eyeing this exact pair, you can peek at the product page here to see the full specs and current colors.)
What I loved:
- That swish. The leg opening sits loose, so no tight line on the thigh.
- Under my navy satin slip dress, they were smooth. No hard seam across my bum. No weird lines in photos.
- Waistband felt gentle. No angry red marks after dinner.
What bugged me:
- Silk is silk. I had to hand wash the first time. I now use a wash bag and cold water. Air dry only.
- If I power-walk, the legs creep a bit. Not wild, just a nudge.
Best moment:
- I sat through a long wedding dinner and danced after. No wedgie. No drama. I actually forgot I had them on, which is rare for me.
2) What Katie Did Harlow French Knickers
- Size: Large
- Fabric: Shiny satin (poly), retro cut
- Price I paid: £38
- Color: Peach
What I loved:
- The vintage cut is so cute. The leg has that flutter. Think old movie star robe, but in a drawer-friendly way.
- Side fastening held flat under my A-line skirt. No big front seam.
What bugged me:
- Sizing runs a bit trim at the waist. I could have gone XL for a floatier hang.
- Not great under clingy knit dresses. The satin can get a tiny bit static-y on dry days.
Best moment:
- I wore them with a swing skirt to a matinee. I felt put-together and a little cheeky, like a secret costume.
3) Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Tap Shorts
- Size: Large
- Fabric: Washable silk
- Price I paid: $118
- Color: Ivory
What I loved:
- Washable silk that actually washes. Cold, gentle cycle, wash bag. I hang dry. Good as new.
- The cut sits on the bias, so it skims my hips. Great for sleep and under wide-leg trousers.
What bugged me:
- Pricey. I flinched at checkout.
- On very hot days, the waistband can roll a bit if I sit for hours.
Best moment:
- I wore them to bed, then straight under linen pants for a coffee run. No cling. Felt breezy and kind of luxe for a Tuesday.
4) Fleur du Mal Lily Embroidery Tap Short
- Size: Medium
- Fabric: Sheer mesh with floral embroidery
- Price I paid: $145 (yes, I winced)
- Color: Black with tonal flowers
What I loved:
- They’re gorgeous. Date-night gorgeous. The embroidery sits smooth, not scratchy.
- Under a silk midi skirt, they gave shape without bulk.
What bugged me:
- The mesh can snag on rough nails. I learned the hard way.
- Not a daily driver. This is a “going out” piece, not a grocery run piece.
Best moment:
- Dinner in August heat. I didn’t overheat, and the shorts didn’t cling to my thighs. Felt fancy without trying too hard.
Outfit tests that surprised me
- Satin slip dress (wedding guest): M&S Rosie won. No lines in flash photos. No ride-up while dancing.
- Wide-leg trousers (office): Eberjey Inez felt invisible. No seam ridges at the seat.
- Vintage A-line skirt (weekend): What Katie Did Harlow. The silhouette just made sense with the skirt shape.
- Sheer-ish midi (date night): Fleur du Mal Lily Tap Short. Pretty coverage without heavy fabric.
A quick note on chafe:
- These help a bit because they float, but they’re not bike shorts. For long walks, I still use a little anti-chafe balm or a light slip short. French knickers are more about comfort and line-free ease than heavy-duty anti-chafe.
By the way, my “French vs something else” curiosity didn’t stop at underwear. I even tested nail trends—spoiler: American manicure vs French manicure is a whole other drama if you’re in the mood for pretty rabbit holes.
The stuff that bugged me
- Static on dry days. A tiny mist of water or a light slip helps.
- Sizing is not the same across brands. I’m a Medium in one, a Large in another. Check the size chart. Your hips matter more than your waist here.
- Bathroom breaks can be awkward if the leg opening is very full. Not a dealbreaker, just… plan the tuck.
- Price creep. Silk gets pricey fast. The M&S pair is the sweet spot if you want real silk without tears.
Care that saved me money
- Cold wash, gentle cycle, in a mesh bag. If it’s true silk, I still baby it the first wash.
- No dryer. Ever. Hang dry over a towel bar.
- If they come out wrinkled, a quick steam works. Or hang them in the bathroom during a hot shower.
- Keep nails smooth. Embroidery and mesh can catch.
- I even use a sturdy curtain rod to hang-dry them; my upgrade to a French return style rod keeps the shorts wrinkle-free and out of the way.
If you’re the kind of person who loves squeezing extra style mileage out of small wardrobe tweaks, you’ll probably devour this list of weird clothing hacks that make you more attractive—it packs quick, off-beat tricks (think static-busting secrets and silhouette-sharpening folds) that can elevate every outfit far beyond your lingerie drawer.
Who should try them?
- If thongs drive you up the wall.
- If you hate VPL under bias-cut skirts.
- If your thighs touch and you want a soft buffer for short outings.
- If you like vintage style but want it to feel modern and easy.
Final take
French knickers made me chill out about lines and cling. They feel like a tiny luxury that I can actually use. My two keepers for real life are the M&S Rosie Silk for events and the Eberjey Inez for work and sleep. The What Katie Did pair is my fun weekend piece. The Fleur du Mal short is my “I want to feel hot but not try hard” treat.
Would I buy more? Yep—but I’d watch the fabric and the leg cut. A soft waistband, a bias hang, and a floaty leg make all the difference.
If you try one pair first, start with the M&S Rosie Silk. It’s the easiest win.
Want to cast a wider net? You can browse a whole collection of silk French knickers from various labels on ShopStyle here.
If slipping into silk has you feeling bold enough to plan an actual night out instead of another endless scroll on dating apps, you’ll love the local intel packed into Skip The Games Quincy—it zeroes in on where to cut the small talk and lock in real-life plans fast, so you can spend more time flaunting those fluttery knickers and less time stuck behind a screen.
— Kayla Sox