Why leakproof pants are going big this year (that’s big in popularity, not size)

Little leaks come to us all. In fact, one in three women will experience bladder leaks during their lifetime, with pregnancy and menopause being two main culprits. And then there’s the monthly anxiety around little leaks during our periods, often leading us to skip exercise or avoid wearing a favourite outfit.

But there’s currently a big boom in something that manages little leaks – period pants. If you’re someone who considers period (or incontinence) pants as something bulky and ineffective, think again. This new generation of absorbent underwear combines the latest fabric technology with smart design to create a covetable product that is growing in demand. According to market research by Mintel, almost a fifth of women in the UK have purchased period pants, and a third are interested in buying them in the future.

Here at Royce Lingerie, we think period pants are the future, giving women the everyday confidence to carry on doing what they love while also helping the planet. For instance, did you know that using period pants helps reduce the 200,000 metric tons of annual waste created by disposable tampons and pads? The average tampon can take 800 years to decompose!

So, we’re excited to announce…

we’re now selling products by our favourite absorbent pants brand, NIXI Body, on our website. You’ll find a range of NIXI Body leakproof underwear in our new ‘Accessories’ section: a collection of products we think you’ll love by women-centric brands that share our beliefs.

Meet NIXI Body

Kelly Newton founded NIXI Body (then known as BP3) in 2019 after childbirth and early menopause left her suffering from bladder leaks, which often got in the way of playing her beloved hockey. After struggling to find decent incontinence knickers and pads, she decided to design her own.

She quickly realised that these pants could not only deal with bladder leaks but also periods. Coni Longden-Jefferson, a woman with a passion for plastic-free periods, joined the business the following year and the brand has since gone from strength to strength.

In 2022, the business was rebranded as NIXI Body. Kelly explains, “The name NIXI comes from a group of Greek goddesses who were known to support women across various reproductive health stages – but particularly through childbirth. They were often depicted as squatting (something we’ve occasionally had to do out in the wild when our weak bladder has got the better of us!) so we felt it was the perfect name for our knickers!”

On a mission to keep women moving

The physical effects of menstruation, motherhood and menopause can all throw unwelcome obstacles in our paths. But Kelly and Coni (and all of us at Royce) are passionate about smoothing the road by creating products that give women comfort to feel great, and the confidence to keep on moving.

Thanks to Kelly’s own love of sport and fitness, NIXI’s clever design means no VPL so their pants can be worn under your activewear, allowing you to stay active at the gym, on the playing field or out on a run (even ultra-marathon runners give NIXI products glowing reviews).

Even more importantly, Kelly and Coni believe their leakproof underwear can give young girls the confidence to continue playing sport. Just like Royce’s Flex Fit and crop top bra styles, NIXI period pants are a PE kit essential.

Good for your body and the planet

Absorbent underwear is a much more sustainable way to deal with periods than disposable pads and tampons. Another reason why we love NIXI’s eco creds is that they don’t use silver in their products.

A recent study by consumer group Which? found that a number of leading period pant brands contained high levels of silver, which some experts claim has serious implications for the health of people and the planet. Studies have found that nanosilver (microscopic particles of silver) may kill-off beneficial vaginal bacteria, and it has been declared toxic to aquatic wildlife.

Silver has antimicrobial properties and is often used in period pants to combat concerns over hygiene. However, previous textile testing has shown that this doesn’t always work, with some products even losing their silver content after just two washes. This had led some experts to believe its presence in period pants is unnecessary.

We’re pleased to say that NIXI does not use silver in its period pants, making them a safe choice for you and the environment.

Buy NIXI Body at Royce Lingerie

NIXI Body leakproof underwear is available in a range of styles – from high-waisted to sporty – and is designed to handle even the heaviest days of your period without being bulky or uncomfortable.