My wife wore the Formfit version of these for years. She says they are the only underwear she's found that don't bunch up on the sides but still provide good rear coverage. More importantly, they don't ride up and give her wedgies.

These babies seem to last YEARS - especially if they're not placed in the dryer for long periods, over and over. The waistband (covered for longevity and comfort) is like a big flat super-stretchy rubberband, not a bunch of stretchy cords woven together like on most underwear. I know this because on the pairs she bought in the 1990s, the waistband (I say "waistband" even though it doesn't hit at the waist) has finally started to fray so we can now see exactly what is inside it.

She thinks these may be sized a little smaller than the old Formfits, but says they are comparable to current sizing on Hanes (the string bikinis in the new Hanes Premium line - which she found at Target but cannot locate online - being the only emergency alternative she's found). But she allows she may have added a few pounds since then. She was delighted to find so many color combos available on Amazon (via Jockey.com), and in the right size (many merchants don't offer anything above a 7).

Of course, choices in all cotton women's underwear are diminishing these days. Now that we're in yet another body-hugging fashion era, a lot of women want slinky panties so they can slide right into their skin-grabbing pants. It's always been either cotton or silk for my wife though, and she says it always will. Non-natural fabrics give her the willies, especially next to her skin. And since both cotton and silk have natural give, adding spandex is unnecessary (at best, because synthetics tend to retain stains and odors).

Even though Jockey Elance String Bikinis cost quite a bit more than comparable brands from big box stores, they don't have to be replaced nearly as often. Also, they fit better and retain their shape through many wearings/washings (without any worthless "no ride up" guarantees).

She says until she's rich enough to buy Hanro, she's sticking with these.