I've wondered about it also. Girls and women walk around beaches and public swimming pools wearing the skimpiest bikinis without feeling concerned about anything. Yet if the wind raise their skirts or somebody pantses them (usually revealing regular underwear) they freak out.

Another aspect of this social phenomena is seeing their recently washed panties when those are hanging from the clothesline. They're like "OMG! Don't look at there!", but if we were talking about their bikinis then it's no big deal.

My personal opinion is that it steems from childhood. For some reason I've never been able to understand fully, we learn since we're little brats that underwear is just funny; women's underwear is all flowerly, lacy and overall girly. So, when exposed in given situations it becomes a source of ridicule. At least this is what I personally think.

On the other hand, why men's underwear is supposedly funny... I cannot really think of an explanation.

So, when some woman has her underwear exposed her subcosncious mind reminds her about those childhood-seated, fixed ideas about underwear.

"My underwear is exposed -> Everyone will find it funny -> They'll laugh -> It's My underwear, so they'll laugh at ME!"

Of course, when one becomes the source of a crowd's laughter, one feels humiliated.

I nearly overlooked this thread thinking it boring. Anyone reading our stories knows my wife is an exhibitionist, usualy wears no panties with mini skirts, and wears the tiniest bikinis. She will go topless and nude whenever possible.
Still over the years she panics and covers up if someone sees her in a full bra and regular panties.
All I can say is women are weird!:D

The real question is why do they buy fancy, frilly, lacy, flowery underwear and not want anyone to see it?

I agree with Model T
 

I have written in several sites about how my wife would be perfectly comfortable nude at a pool party, but if a friend walked in on her the next day getting dressed, she gets upset. Years ago at wedding she had been fully nude---one of the few girls that went that far---at a pool party the night before the wedding. The next day, getting ready for the service, a couple of guys who had been at the pool party and probably felt her up. caught her in her garter belt, stockings and heels and she freaked out big time. Go figure.

I think it the reaction depends on the context. If you're clothed and around other clothed people and then pantsed then then you're going to feel embarrassed.

My wife says that all pussies basically look alike but there are big differences in boobs. Obviously she at the time felt that her boobs were smaller than most. And, at that time women didn't shave their pussies.

Looksalot

Sorry, but IMHO your wife is wrong - just plain wrong. It is part of the magic of a woman's body that the face, the tits and the pussy are all different and all unique.

I'm afraid even some women can't explain it. My lady for instance.

Last year we spent a week on holiday in Spain. One afternoon we walked out the door of the hotel and went towards the seaside promenade. Two girls (by which I mean in their 20s) were walking towards us. One of them was wearing a sarong down below but up top was clearly wearing a black bra, as opposed to a bikini top.

After we passed them, my lady says "Did you see that? She was wearing her bra!"

"So what?" I said. "How is that different to a bikini top?"

"It's just weird" she said.

We had a brief discussion about it as we strolled on. As I say, she couldn't really explain it, just acknowledge that she definitely obeyed it. The best she could come up with was that it was to do with context.

Her killer line: "Look, I've spent most of the morning over there wearing nothing but a pair of bikini bottoms..." she said, pointing towards the beach, "but I still wouldn't want anyone to see me like that in the hotel bar, would I?!"

I agree it's the sight of something unusual or 'forbidden'. Another thing is the circumstances. If you've ever been around a house on the morning of a wedding you'll find that inhibitions slip a little. It seems when there are a few girls together and a bit of excitement, the men become invisible. As a teenager I remember seeing my busty cousin in her bra as she came out of the bathroom to let someone else in, something she would never do normally.
I experienced similar things at other houses over the years.

My wife will get naked on a boat or a beach at the drop of a hat. And just show her an ice cold mountain pool and, while I'm running fast in the other direction, she'll be up to her neck nekkid. So its a common occurrence which cause much amusement when I see how many folks think it is risqué.

But just let me hang her bra and panties on the washing line to dry and I will catch a mouthful. Can't let the neighbours see her "intimates". They have to be dried on the washstand in the garage out of sight.

It is beyond my ken to try to understand, so I just try to accept.