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

A 1978 Australian TV ad for women’s underwear has surfaced online and has caused a stir among social media users for its “creepy” and voyeuristic tone.

The commercial features women in everyday circumstances tearing their skirts or flying up to reveal their underpants in front of groups of men who call them out.

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

The women who have ripped off their skirts in the images can be seen getting off the bus, shopping or waiting at traffic lights.

Men gather to peer and objectify them, yelling, “Hello, sexy legs!” as their skirts fly up to reveal their Sexy Nix underwear.

The account Australian kitsch, who shared the disturbing footage, captioned it: “No parody. It’s a real 1978 women’s underwear ad.”

Followers flocked to the comments section to criticize the sexist commercial, saying brands would never get away with something like this in this day and age.

“Horrible to think this was acceptable only 45 years ago,” said one, while another wrote, “So gross!”

The commercial features women in everyday circumstances tearing their skirts or flying up to reveal their underpants in front of groups of men who call them out. Pictured at the back left is actor Stefan Dennis, playing a lurking man, in his pre-Neighbours days

“It’s insane how women were portrayed and treated,” one shocked viewer said earlier another wrote simply, “I feel sick.”

Someone else recalled their horror experience growing up with the ad and said it encouraged bad behavior from men at the time.

“Oh, God, I actually remember this ad and for years after that, men would scream, ‘Hello, sexy legs!’ like it was welcome at all,” they said.

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