Reason why women’s underwear has a bow on the front of it

Have you ever wondered why a lot - if not all - women's underwear has a bow on the front of them?

I can't say it's something I ever really thought about but once you realise the reason, it's not easy to forget.

Whether it's the button placement on a suit jacket or that seemingly useless tiny pocket on a pair of jeans, every design detail on a piece of clothing has a purpose.

And it's no different when it comes to our undergarments as well.

Anyone else find the bow really annoying? (ChristopherBernard / Getty Images)

One knowledge hungry social media user took to Reddit - because it really is the only place to go for something like this - to pose the question about the existence of those annoying little bows on the front our knickers.

"Why do so many panties have that little bow on the centre front? Where did the tradition come from?"

Why do they indeed?

Well, according to one person, there's a very practical reason behind it: "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."

Before underwear was elasticated, the bow actually functioned to stop the garments from falling down and to adjust them to make sure they were the right size.

But it's not the only reason, oh no.

Centuries ago, before electricity was invented, women would often have to get up before dawn and dress in the dark, or by candlelight.

Interesting history but it's defo time to retire the bow... don't you agree? (iamnoonmai / Getty Images)

Most historians agree that the bows on the front of underwear would help them put the underwear on the correct way.

Nowadays, the bows seem to have stuck around for decorative reasons - despite the fact that we could probably do without them now.

One Redditor 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)."

Same to be honest.

"Holy s**t you just blew my mind," said another.

Others admitted they always remove the bows themselves, with one person commenting: "I always take them off."

While another said: "They're really annoying. I always tear them off."

Since we no longer have to get dressed in the dark and elastic is actually a thing, it might be time to retire those pesky little bows, don't you think?

Topics: Fashion, Reddit

Saskia Calliste