Underwear. Even though you wear them almost every day of your life, you probably don’t think much about them or their quirks.
For example, in 2021 we saw that some of you didn’t understand why the boxers had holes in the front. We’ve since learned that some people find women’s underwear fascinating, especially the little bow that sometimes adorns it.
Despite the bow’s obvious ornamental purpose, there’s a story that’s been circulating online for years that suggests that wasn’t always the case.
“Now? One Redditor, when asked about the origin of the habit, responded by saying, “Because it’s adorable, feminine, evokes innocence, and it’s really easy to tell which side is in front when you’re hastily getting dressed in the dark.”
What about the origins of the tradition? This dates back to the days of elastic bands and ribbons used to tie trousers with eyelet lace at the top.
You have tied the ribbon on a small bow, which is ideally placed at the front, where this task is easiest.’
Although this theory seems plausible—people liked to wear underwear before the invention of elastic material in the 1820s and its widespread use in clothing in the 1900s—there wasn’t much evidence to support this claim.
Men certainly wore loose drawers or ‘braies’ which were secured with a belt or string during the Middle Ages. However, we no longer wear bows on men’s underwear, nor do we wrap a belt around our underwear to respect the custom.
There is considerable disagreement about what European ladies wore before the 14th century. The bulk of our evidence comes from writing, art, and textiles that have survived well enough to survive into the present day, which is a lot to expect from the Underworld. Afterward, ladies wore camisoles or nightgown-like garments under their clothing, sometimes with corsets and petticoats. According to local historian Tim Lambert, they also wore sockets throughout the nineteenth century. At first, they were plain, but as the century progressed they became more elaborate, decorated with lace and ribbons.
Pants originated in France in the 19th century and were worn by women, girls, and young boys. Because these long, loose pants have been split in half and secured with a drawstring, we call them “underpants,” even though they’re actually a single garment. These drawstring bows may have been retained as a decorative element when elastic became popular, but the embellishment was removed from men’s underwear.
On the other hand, it’s possible that underwear manufacturers simply thought it was a nice decorative touch that had nothing to do with old traditions. After all, who doesn’t love a bow?
In conclusion, the small bow on women’s underwear, which many of us may consider a simple decorative element, carries various potential historical meanings and explanations. While some theories suggest that it arose for practical purposes, such as helping to identify the front from the back when dressing in the dark, there is no definitive historical evidence to support these claims.
The idea that bows were once functional—dating back to the pre-elastic era when ribbons were tied in place—sounds plausible, especially considering the evolution of underwear over time.
However, it is equally likely that the bow is simply the result of design evolution. As underwear became more refined and decorative, the bow probably appeared as a small feminine detail that added a touch of glamour. Over time, it may have become less about utility and more about aesthetics, in keeping with a wider trend in fashion where small, subtle details are added for decorative purposes.
The exact origins of the bow on women’s underwear may ultimately remain a mystery, but it’s clear that it has become an enduring and popular feature. Whether born out of practicality or added purely for style, it’s a small detail that continues to spark curiosity and add a bit of special charm to an everyday object. And finally, who doesn’t appreciate a little whimsy in the clothes we wear?