‘Insanely sexist’ 1970s underwear commercial you could never show on TV today

An Australian TV advert for women’s underwear from 1978 has resurfaced online, sending social media users into an uproar over its ‘creepy’ and voyeuristic tone.

The commercial features women in everyday circumstances having their skirts rip or fly up to reveal their knickers in front of groups of men who catcall them.

The ‘insanely sexist’ ad, courtesy of Sexy Nix’s ‘Sexy Legs’ underwear, reemerged on Twitter and TikTok this week to a frosty reception.

The women who have their skirts ripped away in the footage are seen getting off the bus, grocery shopping or waiting at traffic lights. 

Men gather around to leer at and objectify them, calling out, ‘Hello, sexy legs!’ as their skirts fly up to reveal their Sexy Nix underwear.  

The account Australian Kitsch, which shared the disturbing footage, captioned it: ‘Not a parody. It’s an actual ad for women’s underwear from 1978.’

Followers flocked to the comments section to slam the sexist commercial, saying brands would never get away with such a thing in this day and age.

‘Appalling to think this was acceptable only 45 years ago,’ one said, while another wrote: ‘So gross!’

The commercial features women in everyday circumstances having their skirts rip or fly up to reveal their knickers in front of groups of men who catcall them. Pictured in the back left is actor Stefan Dennis, playing a leering man, in his pre-Neighbours days

‘That’s insane how women were portrayed and treated,’ said one shocked viewer, before another simply wrote: ‘I feel ill.’

Someone else recalled their horror experience with the advertisement growing up, saying it encouraged poor behaviour from men at the time.

‘Oh, God, I actually remember this ad and for years afterwards men would scream out, “Hello, sexy legs!” as if it was welcomed at all,’ they said.

The ‘insanely sexist’ ad, courtesy of Sexy Nix’s ‘Sexy Legs’ underwear, reemerged on Twitter and TikTok this week to a frosty reception