While underwear comes in a variety of styles and cuts, most knickers usually feature a small bow at the front, but it turns out that they serves as more than decoration.
While you probably don't spend too much time thinking about it, it turns out there's a reason for the tiny piece of fabric's existence, and many have admitted to not knowing it. A previously viral social media post explained the origin of the bows, is once again making the rounds online, and the reason has stunned a new batch of learners.
The original post shared on the discussion forum Reddit asked: "Why do so many panties have that little bow on the centre front? Where did the tradition come from?" The most common answer given was that when underwear was first invented, the bows originally had to be tied to keep the garment from falling down as elastic bands had not been created.
Even though their function is no longer needed, the bows have remained for aesthetic reasons. As reported by the Mirror, One person said: "Now? 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
"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."
Someone else seconded this explanation, adding: "Originally the idea came from pre-elastic days when you had to tie it. Same for ballet flats. Ballet shoes that dancers wear tie in the front so ballet flats mimic that sometimes."
As you might expect, the bow has also been used to distinguish the front and back of underwear for years.
Centuries ago, before electricity, many women would have to get up before dawn and dress in the dark - or by candlelight. The bow made it easier to put them on with little light to see and still does today.
Many people admitted they didn't know the reason behind the bow, with some claiming it had "blown their mind". One person replied: "Holy s**t you just blew my mind."
Another wrote: "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)."
Someone else claimed they love the bow, posting: "Personally love it. I am completely blind without my glasses and sometimes I need to put on panties in a hurry. This is how I can just feel which part goes in front. Lmao but if I'm not being lazy, I get your point."
However, there were some who shared their 'hatred' for the bows, with a different user admitting they always remove the bows from their underwear as they find them "annoying".
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
