Cannot believe I never knew this! Check the first comment ⤵️⤵️

Underpants are a daily essential, yet few people think about their quirks.

In 2021, many were surprised to learn the purpose of the hole in boxer shorts (spoiler: it’s in front for a reason). Now, another mystery has emerged—why do some women’s underwear have a little bow?

While now purely decorative, the tradition likely dates back to pre-elastic days when undergarments were secured with a ribbon threaded through lace. The bow marked where the ribbon was tied—conveniently in the front.

Though plausible, solid evidence is scarce. Historically, men’s underwear was secured with drawstrings or belts, while European women’s early undergarments remain unclear. By the 1800s, women wore drawers, evolving from plain to more decorative with lace and ribbons, possibly explaining the bow’s continued presence today.