Women’s apparel can be weird sometimes. It’s weird enough that you ask, what is the pocket in underwear for? Yup, there is a pocket on those lady undergarments, and one thing for sure is it’s not what you think it’s for.
The Origin of Panties
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Roman ladies wore subligaculum panties at times. However, after the fall of Rome, women only commonly wore panties at the end of the 18th century.
Their only undergarment was a long linen garment known as a shift, which they wore under their attire. Women’s panties were reintroduced in contemporary times near the end of the 18th century.
Panties were sometimes referred to as bloomers in the nineteenth century. Women’s loose trousers were invented by a woman named Elizabeth Miller. Amelia Bloomer popularized the concept after 1849, and they became known as bloomers after her.
Bloomers were the name given to underwear over time. Lingerie derives from the French word for linen, lin. Lingerie, on the other hand, came to mean pretty underwear in the early twentieth century.
Now, in modern times, women wear what we call panties, and it is where the ‘pocket’ comes in.
What is a Gusset?
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What are the pockets in panties for? Well, that pocket, commonly known as the Gusset, is a compartment in the crotch of women’s underwear.
Gussets are vital and were created to protect your intimate parts, which we can all agree is good. In addition, Merriam-Webster defines Gusset as “a usually diamond-shaped or triangular insert in a seam (as of a sleeve, pocketbook, or shoe upper) to provide expansion or reinforcement.” You may have even worn pants with a triangle or diamond piece of cloth in the crotch.
Why do Panties Have a Pocket?
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The panty gusset serves multiple functions. The extra layer of fabric strengthens the underwear in the crotch area, which is frequently the narrowest part of the underwear.
It increases the life of the underwear and makes it last longer. The extra layer of fabric also helps catch discharge, sweat, and other substances, keeping you cool and dry throughout the day. A panty gusset in your underwear is essential because it helps prevent release from leaking through and staining your clothes.
Gussets are usually made of cotton, a breathable, non-synthetic fabric that helps keep things dry and ventilated down there. The Gusset makes things more sanitary and reduces your risk of unpleasant conditions like yeast infections and urinary tract infections by making your pants more breathable.
Gussets were also installed on undergarments for some historical reasons. Back in the days when things were less modernized and civilized, women suffered from discomfort and probably diseases as well from unkempt intimate areas. Because of this, people thought of one way to lessen these unpleasant experiences and incorporated the Gusset into modern-day panties.
So, if you still ask yourself what is the pocket in underwear for, remember your ancestors and how they dealt with the society where their undergarments were still undeveloped.
One thing that confused other people about the Gusset is that they thought it was for decoration. We can’t blame them, though. Who would have thought to put a pocket-like feature on a panty? If it’s not for decoration, then what is it for?
Some people also believe that it is a compartment for menstrual pads. Though the idea is not bad, storing menstrual pads in a small pocket is impossible. It will only cause discomfort and failure in utilizing the places for their actual purpose.
Still, if you find yourself questioning why women’s underwear has a pocket, remember that these pieces of clothing evolved to cater to the needs of different kinds of people. For this instance, it’s to cater to the needs of women. It also shows that there is no limit to evolution; all we need to do is study what we need and try incorporating it into our daily lives.
There you have it. Hopefully, the information here was able to help those wondering what is the pocket in underwear for. Yes, a compartment in underwear sounds bizarre, but this is a necessary addition to these pieces of garments. For all we know, there might be more additions to improve the usability and comfort of underwear in the years to come.