Ever noticed the tiny bow on the front of women’s underwear and wondered, “Why is that even there?” You’re not alone! What may seem like a cute design choice actually has a long, surprising history that few would expect.
Wherever you are in the world, chances are you’ll have a pair of women’s underwear in your drawer with a small bow sewn to the waistband in the front. Though it’s a common feature across many brands, most people don’t give it much thought. However, some curious internet users have started to wonder about this little detail, trying to uncover the origins of the bow on women’s underwear.
One online user raised the question, “Why do so many panties have that little bow on the center front?” As expected, responses varied, blending history and practical insights. “Because they don’t have a fly? I read the bow makes it easier by touch to tell the front from the back,” shared one user. Another added, “It’s cute, feminine, evokes innocence, and makes it easy to tell which side is the front when dressing in the dark.”
Some responses provided a bit of background, tracing the bow’s history back to pre-elastic days. During those times, undergarments were held up by a ribbon threaded through eyelet lace at the top, which was then tied in the front—where it was easiest to access. The bow, essentially, hid the knot and added a decorative touch. One user explained that early underwear, known as “drawers,” actually consisted of two separate legs tied together at the waist. Pulling the legs together with a string and tying it in a bow gave rise to the name “drawers” and left a bow on the front, which modern underwear design keeps as a symbolic nod to those early days.
Some people were genuinely surprised by these practical origins, with one saying, “It makes it easier to dress in the dark,” while another admitted, “This just blew my mind.” For others, the bow might seem like a silly or unnecessary feature, though they still find it interesting to know why it’s there.
The bow on women’s underwear represents a nod to tradition, hearkening back to centuries ago when underwear didn’t have the stretch or elastic we’re accustomed to today. Instead, it relied on a ribbon or string for security. The bow provided a way to hide the knot and bring a little decoration to an otherwise plain garment.
Before electricity, the bow also helped women dress in low light or candlelight by marking the front. This tiny detail became a simple but practical marker when lighting was scarce.
While we’ve come a long way since then, the bow remains, mostly decorative now, adding a feminine and playful touch that many people love for the classic look it gives. So, while the bow on today’s underwear may seem purely ornamental, it’s deeply rooted in practicality and tradition, bridging the past with the present and keeping our underwear looking stylish.