People Shocked As The Mystery Small 'Pocket' In Women's Underwear Is Finally Explained

That tiny pocket in women’s underwear actually has an important purpose

For as long as many of us can remember, women’s underwear has had one odd little feature that left people scratching their heads: the extra piece of fabric stitched inside. Now, the mystery behind it has finally been revealed.

After wearing underwear all our lives, plenty of people never stopped to question why there was this strange extra flap in the crotch area. Some even joked about it being a secret compartment for tampons or makeup, while others thought maybe it was extra padding for comfort when sitting down.

But it turns out, the real answer is much more practical than people ever imagined.

Up until recently, it seemed like only the underwear makers themselves knew the truth. So naturally, people turned to social media to share their curiosity and theories.

One user on X asked: "I've always wondered why underwear has these holes???"

And another chimed in with: "Don't listen to the people saying it's for 'reinforcement' or some rubbish."

The actual reason though caught many by surprise. No matter the style — thongs, briefs, bikinis, or boy shorts — nearly every pair includes it. And that little “pocket” has an official name: it’s called a gusset.

Despite the less-than-glamorous name, the gusset is a hygienic feature. Most are made from cotton, chosen because it’s breathable and helps maintain comfort in an area where airflow is especially important.

One user online nailed it with their explanation, saying: "The extra piece of fabric is called a gusset, and it's there to reinforce the crotch area."

"It makes the piece more durable and stops moisture from seeping through. You could topstitch so there's no hole, but it's not really necessary and can cause irritation."

And according to hygiene brand Cheeky Wipes, the gusset doesn’t just serve one purpose — it actually does several jobs at once.

The gusset helps keep the wearer cooler, reduces sweating, and also prevents discharge from staining or damaging outer clothing like pants or skirts.

It allows the area to breathe better, which in turn supports hygiene and overall comfort throughout the day.

Underwear brand Leonisa also explained that while men’s underwear can sometimes include a gusset, it’s far more common in women’s designs, as women need the extra support in that area.

"Gussets can be found in just about every type of underwear for women, from boy-shorts, to bikini panties, to thongs."

"The panty gusset serves several purposes. For one, the extra layer of fabric reinforces the underwear in the crotch area, which is often the narrowest part of the underwear." their site notes.

"This prolongs the life of the underwear and helps it to last longer. The extra layer of fabric also helps catch discharge, sweat and other things, keeping you cool and dry as you go about your day."

So, there you have it — the not-so-mysterious pocket isn’t a pocket at all, but a clever, built-in feature to make underwear more durable, more comfortable, and more hygienic. Definitely one of those “the more you know” moments.