Quite the polarizing piece of lingerie, the thong tends to evoke one of two feelings: either complete and utter dislike or a shout it from the rooftops kind of loving devotion. While the latter group may decide it’s the only underwear style they ever want to wear, the former group often says staunchly against even considering it, except for when absolutely required to make an outfit work. So why such strong feelings? Many times it comes down to finding the right style of thong (yes, there are multiple) as well as ensuring the right fit and fabric.
What is a Thong?
In general, the thong style is made of a piece of material meant to cover the front only, with bare backside. There are variations on the style, from the traditional “full coverage” thong which features a wider waistband and up to a 1 inch wide strip of fabric while a g-string style typically has a much narrower waistband (often simply a strap or string) and ¼ inch or narrower strip of fabric. For other variants, check out our full rundown in What is a Thong?
How to Wear a Thong Correctly
When it comes to wearing a thong, as always, we at True&Co believe comfort is key. Rather than dismissing the style as uncomfortable (as the not so friendly nickname “butt floss” would imply), spend a bit of time on the size, style and material of the thong and you’re likely to find a better fit.
Find the Right Size
First and foremost, thongs obviously leave little wiggle room when it comes to sizing. Too large of a thong may ride up or show over pants (defeating the purpose entirely, right?) and too small a size will almost certainly be uncomfortable, no matter how well the thong is designed. Take a minute to take your measurements and double check them against our Underwear Size Chart. Some women do find they prefer to size up in the thong style, so feel free to try and see if that achieves a more comfortable fit for you too.
Find the Right Style
Say your first exposure to the thong style was a g-string and you HATED it. Again, there’s more to this type of underwear than one skimpy style so explore the subcategories of the thong including a more traditional, or even a tanga/samba style which tends to have more material at the upper half of your backside, a thicker waistband and overall more coverage. A bit of a cross between a regular panty and a thong, this style might make a good entry point allowing you to get used to the fit and feel.
Find the Right Fabric
Just as they come in many styles, thongs are also made in a variety of materials. While lace, silk and satin can certainly make a special occasion thong feel extra sexy, we love the practicality, comfort and breathability of a classic cotton. Materials with a bit of stretch can also help offset the risk of dreaded “muffin top,” often caused by too tight elastic especially in g-string styles.
Make Sure Thong Doesn’t Rise Above Belt Line
Typically when you’re choosing a thong it’s to avoid VPL (visible panty lines), so seeing a string peek above your belt line likely defeats the purpose, right? Look for thongs cut to match the style of bottoms you’re pairing them with, with higher cut thongs suited for high rise jeans and lower cut styles meant for their low rise counterparts.
Why Wear a Thong?
As we just mentioned, most women seeking out a comfortable thong are doing so to manage panty lines, though some actually become such big fans of the style they end up pairing them even with thicker denim and textured skirts.
To Hide Lines
First and foremost, a thong is a key wardrobe essential if panty lines bother you in anything form fitting dresses to casual yoga pants. In fact, many women love them for leggings (it’s one of our top recommended options in our guide to Underwear for Leggings), which may seem counterintuitive as leggings are often considered the ultimate in comfort.
Comfort
Once you’ve found a thong that fits your shape and size well, many swear by this style of underwear as ultimately more comfortable because there is simply less material covering your backside to cause bunching up. A well made thong should stay in place, moving with you effortlessly and without reminding you it’s there.
Healthy Thong Wearing
You may have heard that there can be some increased health risks (specifically down there) for those that choose thongs as their primary underwear style. While its true that bacteria can travel a bit more easily along the strip of material between the cheeks, a few simple rules can help avoid any increased risk for irritations and infections.
How often should you change your thong?
Our recommendation with any type of underwear is to change it daily, but this is especially true with a thong, for the reason mentioned above. If you have an increased tendency towards yeast or bacterial infections, you may even want to consider changing your thong more frequently. A thong made of thin cotton can help alleviate the issue as well as potentially going up a size.
Can I wear a thong every day?
Likewise, wearing only thongs as your underwear of choice all day and all night does pose a higher risk. Instead, opt for fuller coverage styles either at night, while working out, or with clothing that doesn’t show panty lines.
Thong Favorite
We like to have options in our arsenal, and the underwear drawer is no exception. True&Co’s thong underwear pairs perfectly with many of our bra styles, allowing you to make your own sets or mix and match to find your favorites.
True Body Thong
Our go-to for good reason, this everyday essential is a low rise, bare cheek thong made from barely there True Body microfiber. Our softest fabric smooths for an invisible appearance under clothes with no elastic or bulky seams. With over a dozen color choices from skin tone neutrals to fun and colorful patterns, this style is an easy stock up selection.
Whether you choose a thong as often as possible or only when absolutely necessary, True&Co wants you to find the fit and style that makes you the most comfortable. Keep these tips in mind while shopping and you just might become a thong convert, or at least find one you feel great in when the occasion does arise.