Have you ever wondered why women’s underwear typically features a charming tiny bow on the front? It’s not only for aesthetics; there’s a clever rationale behind it. Imagine that it’s early in the morning, and the room is dark. Wearing your underpants is difficult because you can’t tell the front from the back. Enter the trusty bow! As one Reddit user pointed out,

“That cute little addition serves as a tactile indicator,” making it simple to tell the front from the back. A single touch eliminates the need for fumbling in the dark. Ribbons woven through eyelet lace at the top held underwear in place before elastic bands. Naturally, people knotted the ribbon at the front for convenience. Before electricity, many people had to dress by candlelight. Tying a ribbon behind your back in poor light was impractical; therefore, tying it in front made more sense. Even if elastic bands have replaced ribbons, the little bow remains a delightful memory of our dressing heritage. It’s a throwback to the days when getting dressed was more difficult.

So the next time you see that bow, remember the smart brains of the past. They transformed a simple piece of ribbon into a useful fashion statement—a small bow with a huge presence.