The Thong Bikini, Development Of Swimwear

The allure of the thong swimwear is a great example of the way women in North America have become more expressive. The thong bikini is a natural augmentation of the advancement of woman swimear, which has been constantly evolving from the day of origin. The approval of the Thong is a view into the shifting mindset of North Americans, and reveals a great deal about how we as a civilization picture ourselves. But the thong bikini is more than just an articulation of liberal idiologies but an articulation of the individual’s desire for individual liberty.  

It is said that the starting point of the word Thong comes from the Old English thwong which means, a stretchy leather string. The thong is perhaps the most basic form of attire recognized to mankind. Originally, the thong or loin cloth, was worn by men exclusively, but today it is acknowledged as a nearly exclusively female item of fashion. But even nowadays, the Thong as male apparel, can be seen in the popular Japanese sport of Sumo Wrestling as well as other forms of martial arts.

Fashion stylist Rudi Gernreich is recognized with introducing the modern thong in the early 1970’s for ladies. But the style, considered taboo due to being overly revealing for conservative America, did not gain acceptance until the 1990’s. In Contrast, the Thong bikini became exceedingly trendy in South America, chiefly in Brazil starting in the 1970’s where a more open minded population eagerly received and accepted it.

As mentioned above, thongs  come from the most primitive sort of garments, the loincloth, which were commonly a male’s clothing item.  It is thought that thongs were originally developed to protect, aid or conceal the male anatomy for hunting and warfare. But once embraced as a form of female article of clothing, the Thong was revolutionized and re-invented, becoming a female article of fashion which accentuated the female form. With that said, the Thong was considered to risque by North Americans, and was therefore frequently worn by exotic dancers. The Thong was before long exceedingly trendy amongst exotic dancers as well as the Dance Club customers.

We can thank TV as the medium for introducing the Thong to the average North American female with the airing of fashionable travel shows as well as dramas such as  Baywatch. Through television, the Thong was soon a common picture in the North American home. It wasn’t long before North American female began sporting Thongs.

In the present day, the Thong is commonplace in virtually every women’s clothing shops, and worn by ladies of all ages, with many different sizes and styles, including mini micro thongs. As with any form of fashion, the thong will evolve into something different. Although it has been the Brazilians who have been the pioneers of many beach fashion statements, we may see a day when North Americans will be the ones pushing the borders of beach wear.