It's so common you've probably barely registered it. But browse the knicker section at any lingerie outlet and aside from the pretty designs something else may well catch your eye - virtually every pair will have a pretty ribbon bow attached to the centre front.
Did you ever wonder why? Yes, decoration does play a part. There's no doubt a pretty ribbon does add a bit of extra oomph to what is a fairly mundane and utilitarian piece of essential clothing.
But it seems that historically there is a good reason why women's knickers sport a decorative little ribbon tie, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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According to Reddit, there are a number of reasons behind the ornate bow – and shoppers have been surprised to discover them. Posting on the social media site, a person asked: “Why do so many panties have that little bow on the centre front? Where did the tradition come from?"
And, in response, another noted: "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."
So, historically we would have tied the bow to keep our pants from falling down - and it's a tradition that the likes of Marks and Spencer, Primark, Asda, New Look, Sainsbury's and Next have been happy to continue with.
But according to the online women's entertainment and lifestyle site Tyla, there could be another reason for the bow. Before the advent of electricity, women would often have to get up before dawn and dress in the dark or by candlelight.
And having a bow on the front of their underwear helped women work out the difference between the front and back. On Facebook, one person commented: "It helps you to realize what way they go on," while another noted: "I like the bow it tells me I've got them on the right way have put them on inside out before now."
Others were surprised by the idea, however. On Reddit someone said: "This is very interesting." and another noted: "Holy s*it, that's an awesome answer."
A jokester added that they thought the bow was there because "I'm a present". But, not everyone was a fan of the bow, one woman commented: "I've always found them a little pointless and annoying, rather than cute. Kind of like those packs of panties that come in nude, white, and black when you never want to wear the white ones."
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Another said: "Every time I'm trying to find underwear to wear under something fitted that will show shapes, all I can find is underwear with little bows that I wasn't even aware of that will make an awkward little bump just above my lady parts."
