Ever noticed that tiny bow on the front of women’s underwear and wondered, “Why is that even there?” You’re not alone!
While it might seem like a cute design choice, the little bow on the waistband of your knickers has a long and exciting history that’s surprising many people!
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll likely have a pair of women’s underwear sitting in your drawers that has a cute bow sewn to the middle of the waistband on the front.
The common feature is found on several brands and it’s something many people won’t notice or spend too much time analyzing.
But some online users did notice and are trying to unravel the mystery of the decorative little loop found on women’s underwear.
One puzzled netizen took to online and asked the question: “Why do so many panties have that little bow on the centre front?”
The answers, as expected, brought a mix of practical history and amusing insights.
“Because they don’t have a fly? Have read the bow is to make it easier by touch to tell the front from the back,” shares one user.
A second writes, “because it’s cute, it’s feminine, it evokes innocence, and it makes it really easy to tell which side is the front when dressing hastily in the dark.”
Next, the same user offers some wisdom on the history behind the design. “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.”
Further explaining “drawers,” another cyber fan explains underwear used to be “two separate legs held together with string around the waist.” “You pulled the string and legs together, (hence drawers) and they were tied in a bow, so it’s a nod back to those times, a symbolic gesture,” pens the person.
Some people expressed their shock over the explanation, one saying, “it makes it easier to dress in the dark,” and another adding the insight “just blew my mind.”
A third says the bow is a “stupid” design element but admits it’s “interesting to know why they were there,” while another reveals “I always take them off.”
Let’s look at some of the purposes of the humble bow that just doesn’t get the credit it deserves.
A nod to tradition: The bow on women’s underwear dates back centuries, to a time when elastic waistbands weren’t a thing. Back in the days of corsets and long skirts, underwear didn’t have the convenient stretchiness we’re used to today. Instead, it was tied with a ribbon or string at the front to keep it securely in place. The bow? That was a way to hide the knot and make it a little more decorative.
Dressing in dim light: Before electricity, women often got dressed by candlelight or even in the dark. The bow served a practical purpose by helping them quickly figure out which side was the front. It was a small but helpful marker when they were lacing up in low light.
Tradition stuck: Even though we’ve come a long way since then, the bow has stuck around, evolving into more of a decorative detail. It adds a feminine, playful touch, and many people love that classic, dainty look it gives to underwear.
So, while that little bow might seem purely ornamental now, it actually has roots in both practicality and tradition. Even today, it’s a nod to the past while keeping your undies looking cute!
Did you know this? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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