Underwear—something you wear almost every day without giving much thought to its peculiarities. Yet, there are aspects of it that some might find intriguing or confusing. For example, in 2021, it became clear that some people were unaware of the purpose of the hole in the front of boxer shorts. Similarly, the small bow on women’s underwear has sparked curiosity, with some wondering about its origins.

While the bow is clearly decorative, an internet rumor has circulated over the years suggesting that it wasn’t always just for looks.

One Reddit user explained, “Today, the bow serves a cute, feminine purpose, evoking innocence, and it’s a quick way to tell which side is the front when you're dressing in the dark.” They went on to explain that the bow's origins might go back to when elastic bands weren't used, and pants were fastened with ribbons through eyelet lace at the top. The ribbon would be knotted into the bow in the front, where it was most convenient to tie. Although this theory makes sense—given that underwear before the invention of elastic in 1820 and its widespread use in the early 1900s was likely fastened with ribbons—there’s little historical evidence to support this claim.

In the medieval period, men wore loose drawers, known as "braies," that were fastened with a drawstring or belt. However, we no longer tie belts around our underwear to honor that tradition, nor do men’s underwear feature bows today.

The history of women’s undergarments before the 15th century is unclear, and we rely mostly on surviving writing, art, and textiles for clues. After this period, women occasionally wore corsets, petticoats, and chemises beneath their clothing. According to historian Tim Lambert, drawers also appeared in the 1800s. Initially simple, these garments gradually became more ornate, adorned with lace and bands.

By the 19th century in France, women, girls, and young boys began wearing long, baggy pants, which were essentially one item but split in half and tied together with a drawstring. These were called "a pair of underpants." With the introduction of elastic, these drawstring bows might have been retained as a decorative feature, but this ornamentation was eventually phased out of men's underwear.

Alternatively, it's possible that the bow was simply added as a charming and ornamental touch by underwear manufacturers, with no connection to historical customs. After all, who doesn’t appreciate a little bow?