Bowtie on women's briefs: this is the true function

Curious? We reveal what the cute little bow on your ladies' briefs is all about.

By Vivienne Wagner
September 28, 2022

In verführerischem Rot, mit Spitze oder in Basic-Nude Tönen: Damenunterwäsche kommen in allen Größen, Formen und Materialien. Viele haben jedoch eine Gemeinsamkeit: die kleine Schleife an der Vorderseite der Unterwäsche. Wir nehmen Dich mit auf eine Reise in die Vergangenheit und klären Dich auf, weshalb das kleine Accessoire schon vor hundert Jahren an genau der gleichen Stelle saß, denn sie ist nicht einfach nur ein Aufhübscher von Unterwäsche, sondern auch ein historisches Überbleibsel von wichtiger Bedeutung.

Die Wurzeln der Tradition stammen aus unelastischen Tagen, als Frauenunterwäsche nicht in bequemen, dehnbaren Stoffen produziert wurden. Damenslips wurden vorne mit einem Band, das durch Ösen gefädelt wurde, zusammengehalten und statt eines Knotens banden die Frauen eine Schleife, die Unterhose konnte also so fest angezogen werden, bis sie perfekt passte. Durch das binden des Bändchens entstand ganz einfach das niedliche Detail, welches noch eine weitere Funktion erfüllt: Früher mussten die Frauen früh und bei Dunkelheit aufstehen, die Schleife diente dabei als Orientierung, um den Damenslip richtig herum anzuziehen. Heutzutage hat das süße Detail nur noch einen dekorativen Zweck, jedoch sollte die Geschichte dahinter nicht vergessen werden.

In seductive red, with lace or in basic nude tones: women's underwear comes in all sizes, shapes and materials. However, many have one thing in common: the little bow on the front of the underwear. We'll take you on a journey into the past and explain why this little accessory was in exactly the same place a hundred years ago, because it's not just a pretty underwear accessory, but also a historical relic of great importance.

The roots of the tradition date back to inelastic days when women's underwear was not produced in comfortable, stretchy fabrics. Women's briefs were held together at the front with a ribbon threaded through eyelets and instead of a knot, women tied a bow, so the pants could be pulled tight until they fitted perfectly. Tying the ribbon simply created the cute detail, which also fulfils another function: In the past, women had to get up early and in the dark, and the ribbon served as a guide for putting the women's panties on the right way round. Nowadays, the cute detail only has a decorative purpose, but the story behind it should not be forgotten.

The loop in history

Throughout history, bows have often been used as a decorative element on various items of clothing, including underwear. The origin of bows on women's briefs can be traced back to various cultural and fashion influences.

In the Victorian era, for example, bows were often seen as a symbol of femininity, grace and elegance. They were worn on various garments, including undergarments, to create a romantic or playful look. At this time, elaborate embellishments and details were popular on women's clothing, and bows were often used to add a touch of sophistication.

In the 1920s, during the flapper era, bows were also worn on underwear to create a feminine and glamorous look. The fashion of the time was characterised by a certain touch of playfulness and extravagance, and bows were a popular accessory to complement this style.

Over the years, the designs and styles of underwear have evolved, but the use of bows as a decorative element has remained widespread. Today, bows on women's briefs often serve to create a romantic, feminine or playful look and cater to different fashion preferences.