‘Mind-blowing’ truth about why women’s underwear have bows on them

It’s a common feature on women’s underwear you’ve probably seen a million times and never registered – but there’s a helpful reason it exists.

It’s so common that you’ve probably seen it a million times and not registered it.

But have you noticed that virtually every pair of women’s underwear has a small ribbon bow attached to the front? You will now we’ve pointed it out.

Did you ever wonder why that was? Us neither … but apparently there are a few reasons.

A curious pants observer took to Reddit to pose the question: “Why do so many panties have that little bow on the centre front? Where did the tradition come from?”

One replied: “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.”

Virtually every pair of women’s underwear has a small ribbon bow attached to the front. Picture: iStock

So far from decorative that little tie served the vital function of keeping your undies where they should be.

But the underwear insight didn’t stop there. According to another forum user, previously women would have got up before daylight and dressed in the dark or by candlelight.

It‘s suggested that the bows helped them work out which way round their knickers were supposed to go.

These days it’s definitely for aesthetic purposes. Picture: iStock

But these days, it‘s definitely for aesthetic purposes.

One person said: “I always wondered what that damn bow was there for.

“I always found them a bit stupid but I learned to ignore them. It‘s interesting to know why they were there to begin with (as a practical way to tie your underwear).”

However some dislike the bow so much that they snip it off.

One said: “I always take them off.”

While another said: “They‘re really annoying. I always tear them off.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Mind-blowing’ truth about why women’s underwear have bows on them