But you’ve probably noticed that many panties have a small bow on the front—and it’s not just there to look pretty.
There’s actually a bit of history behind this feature, and now you’re about to learn why it’s there.
People are just learning why women’s underwear typically has a bow on the front.Adobe Stock
“Holy s***, you just blew my mind,” commented one person in response to the revelation.
Another added: “I always wondered what that damn bow was there for.”
Someone else wrote: “I just thought it was a girly design!”
While a fifth person simply said: “Never knew that.”
They posted: “Why do so many panties have that little bow on the center front?”
The post quickly went viral, sparking a wave of responses and theories from curious people.
Many people presume the bow is simply for decorative purposes.Adobe Stock
“As for the roots of the tradition? It comes from pre-elastic days when your underthings were held in place by a bit of ribbon threaded through the eyelet lace at the tops.”
“The little bow is where you tied that ribbon, and of course, it’s in the front because that’s the easiest place to do something like that.”
“Same for ballet flats. Ballet shoes that dancers wear tie in the front, so ballet flats sometimes mimic that.”
Many commenters agreed that the bow is also practical for knowing which side is the front, especially when dressing in the dark—something that was much more common in the days before electricity when women would often get dressed by candlelight.
It’s widely believed the bow on women’s underwear is from pre-elastic days, with the bow being where you tied the ribbon.Adobe Stock
According to Eva’s Intimates, the bow’s origins can be traced all the way back to 16th-century France, where it was used as a decorative detail on clothing and accessories.
Its popularity truly took off during the Victorian era when it was commonly used to adorn corsets and chemises.
Even today, the bow remains a classic feature on women’s underwear, although some modern designs replace it with alternatives like a small diamante for a bit more sparkle.
It’s true—you really do learn something new every day!
