this post was submitted on 22 May 2026
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me_irl

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[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 102 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (14 children)

For the second comment, if the bow is there to please men and infantilize women, why don't you just buy a pair that doesn't have the bow? I'm all for calling out sexism and over sexualization, but i think this is just a case of capitalism being capitalism. Panties with bows probably just sell better to a significant demographic of women.

[–] PotatoesFall@discuss.tchncs.de 56 points 1 week ago (71 children)

Your only mistake is taking that ragebait comment seriously in the first place. Bows have nothing to do with children. They are used all over the place as a decorative element.

[–] LurkingLuddite@piefed.social 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I dunno', I've heard much wilder takes said in complete earnest.

There are some genuinely jaded and dumb people in the world who will say all sorts of shit and mean it.

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[–] hirihit640@sh.itjust.works 15 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Eloise would probably respond that internalized sexism makes women want the bow as well, because society makes women want what men want...or something like that

[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 21 points 1 week ago (1 children)

"A man will only want me if my panties have a bow"

Girl, that man should want you well before he has seen your panties.

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[–] red_tomato@lemmy.world 42 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Because that little bow leads to better sales

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[–] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 39 points 1 week ago

So it's a vestigial bow?

[–] MyVeryRealName@lemmy.world 38 points 1 week ago (40 children)

How do bows infantilize people?

[–] MBech@feddit.dk 19 points 1 week ago

Because that person thinks bows are childish? Or something?

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[–] Kirp123@lemmy.world 37 points 1 week ago (11 children)

This is something called skeuomorphism. Products that have ornamental design cues from structures that were necessary in it's original design. They employ elements that, while essential to the original object, serve no pragmatic purpose in the new system, except for identification. The bow serves no practical or structural purpose but it's kept there to hark back to the old product before elastic became common.

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[–] The_Almighty_Walrus@lemmy.world 34 points 1 week ago (6 children)


It's the tiny handle on the syrup bottle

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[–] BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 31 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (11 children)

It's called a skeuomorph, a vestigial design element that used to be functional but has evolved to be purely decorative. It's why maple syrup still comes in bottles with those weird little round handles.

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[–] the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 31 points 1 week ago (15 children)
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[–] Squirrelsdrivemenuts@lemmy.world 30 points 1 week ago (6 children)

I like the bow because it helps me identify the front when dressing in the dark.

[–] TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago (9 children)

i like the bow because it makes me feel pretty when i drop my pants to use the toilet

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[–] zeroConnection@programming.dev 27 points 1 week ago (7 children)

"To be infantilized by men, which is one of women's fetishes".

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[–] npcknapsack@lemmy.ca 21 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Penelope, you are buying underwear with bows. There are plenty without. I assume this is your underwear fashion choice.

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[–] Sunsofold@lemmings.world 16 points 1 week ago (5 children)

Looking broadly at clothes from around the world, there does seem to be a tendency for masculine clothes to be minimalistic, using straight lines and minimal decorative flair, and feminine clothes to have more decorative elements ranging from simple pleating to expansive ruffles and lace, more visible patterns, and more curves, whether as part of the garment or as part of the body shown through the garment.

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[–] Omnipitaph@reddthat.com 13 points 1 week ago (2 children)
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[–] HeyJoe@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I always just assumed it was to quickly identify which way is front Yes theres a stamp to represent the back, but a bow is even quicker to identify. I also figured it was decorative as well.

As for me, im sorry but yes i have always found it as a turn on. No idea why, just who I am and what I like.

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