Thongs. No, I’m not talking about flip flops. I’m talking about the kind of underwear that Sisqo sang about in “Thong Song”. (Woooow throwback, right there.) I’m talking about the kind of underwear with no back except for a small piece of material that nestles itself inside your bum cheeks. I’m talking about the style of underwear that has women divided between “I love them” and “I hate them”. That kind of thong.
When I asked for opinions on the pros and cons of thongs, the reactions I got ranged from pure hatred to high praise. There were surely a few in there that also tolerated thongs for their practicality underneath clothing, but lamented the “need” to wear them for this purpose because of their displeasure with the way they feel. This is not unlike bras. In my many years as a bra fitter, I’ve encountered countless women who find bras uncomfortable and only wear them because they feel they have no other choice. Yikes. What a way to live, right? Not so hurray.
It’s been my pleasure to help women find bras that fit well AND feel great, and serve both their purpose as an undergarment (helping their clothes look good, or supporting a certain style or intended look), and as an element of self care (helping her feel comfortable and confident so she can stand tall and lead with her heart.) And I can do the same with underwear. Trust me, it’s possible!
That being said, a thong is just one type of underwear. So just like one type of bra (or no bra at all) isn’t the answer for every woman, the same goes for undies. My hope is that you’ll find the kind of underwear that makes YOU say hurray. When you put it on, you’ll feel a pep in your step. You’ll feel sexy. You’ll feel comfortable and at peace. You’ll feel confident and ready to conquer the world. You’ll feel exactly as you’d like to feel that day. That’s how I want you to feel in your underwear. I don’t want you putting up with something because you have to, or (God forbid) wearing something uncomfortable or unhealthy.
So, our first stop on this underwear exploration train: Thongs. There are pros and cons and I encourage you to consider them all. If you’ve been vehemently for or against the thong, I highly suggest you take all sides into account. Take a deep breath. Be open. Let’s dive in.
What Hurray Kimmay readers have to say
The comfortable well fitting thongs are my favorite panties. I prefer lace or mesh (soft and breathable). I much prefer thongs to other underwear because my ass cheeks like to be free. That said, I prefer going commando.
– Lauren H.
I personally love them because I wear a lot of leggings – especially working out. I wear Aerie seamless and they are quite comfortable! During pregnancy I always wore thongs for working out and whenever I was wearing leggings, but I did find that I preferred larger boy-briefs for the rest of the day because they were cozy and felt more freeing.
– Gena S.
I have yet to encounter a thong that is more enjoyable to wear or more “protective” than not wearing one at all.
– Anne R.
I have been 100% in thongs since I was in middle school (even during my monthly visitor). I am (and always have been) a plus size , curvy, overweight woman. I have never enjoyed the sheer amount of fabric required to cover my backside and I’ve never found it comfortable. I also like the way thongs make me feel. … normal. I don’t feel like I have to wear oversized granny panties because my size dictates it. I don’t have to roll my underwear down to sit nicely in my jeans (I am beyond thrilled that low rise is no longer the only fashion choice), and I love the way they frame my butt.
– Britney S.
Not a fan. They hurt my tailbone. The waistband rolls. I can feel it the whole time. It makes its way into parts unknown. Hate ’em.
– Moira N.
I’ve been wearing thongs since I was old enough to buy them and hide them from my mom. Seeing Britney {Spears} wear a thong outside her pants in the “Slave” video made me want to own a pair so bad. I wasn’t allowed to wear any thongs growing up – strictly my “days of the week bikini cut” only. The super thin stringy g-string types are NOT for me and I learned that the hard way (so uncomfortable). Besides that, regular thongs are the most comfortable underwear to me, and I love knowing I don’t have a panty line showing.
– Hannah S.
I wear thongs every day and have for my entire adult life. I love them because they stay put and can be worn with anything. No panty lines, no bunching (I’m pretty active so this is key) – it’s great! It’s interesting because I can’t imagine walking around during the day with regular underwear on (just seems uncomfortable and yuck), but then again every night I change into full coverage underwear for sleeping. I honestly couldn’t imagine doing it any other way!
– Kristen G.
Nope. I always get chaffed by my clothes when I’m in them!!!
– Elizabeth C.
Thongs are a great option that I wear for specific outfits and days. When I’m not on my cycle and it’s a warmer day, a thong is the perfect undergarment for a tight jean or yoga pant.
– Angie H.
Love them! Pros: feels like I’m wearing nothing, no lines, small and much easier to pack (important to me because I travel a lot), shows off the booty… I could go on! I see no cons in my world other than the fight my mom and I got into when I discovered them in High School!
– Elizabeth G.
When I was younger I loved thongs. I think I felt older wearing them. More womanly. My mom wore them. All the women I wanted to be on tv wore them. It was just like the time I tried to enjoy wine. Wine isn’t my thing either. Haha. Now it’s rare to catch me in a thong. If you do I’m either doing a photoshoot, wearing them for someone special, or its been laundry day for a week and I’m ignored the growing pile of clothing on the floor.
– Jaxy W, 30 years old
The Pros (Hurrays) & Cons (What-theHays) of Wearing a Thong
Pros & Hurrays
No visible panty line. This is by far the most common reason the women I’ve helped prefer to wear thongs. Because there is no back, it’s a seam (and fabric) free undergarment. If you’re looking for the best seamless underwear options for underneath tight pants, leggings, or clingy dresses, read my What to Wear Underneath Leggings and Tight Pants post. Thongs are just one option!
It seems thongs are a popular choice for under yoga pants and while working out – mostly to avoid VPL. But some women also like the way they stay in place or make moving easier. Again, both sides felt pretty strongly about this one. Check out my article on Exercise Underwear Problems Solved.
Feeling sexy. Thongs have a sexy reputation. Some people feel that because thongs show more skin, they can feel a bit more racy to wear. One of my friends chooses to wear thongs because it makes her partner happy, since he thinks they’re sexy. Another woman I know loves the little bit of protection they give, and that she can feel the breeze, her jeans, or a silky material from her skirt against her bum. It’s just one way to Own Your Sexy.
Note: This can be a tricky topic when it comes to wearing them as a young woman. As Elizabeth G. mentioned above, it’s common to think of this style as “sexy” and inappropriate for girls. This is up to each mom and daughter. And I invite you to explore how you feel about this and share with us here.
They can be a way to love your bum. Wearing thongs is one way to explore Learning to Love Your Bum. They aren’t covering much up – it’s all out there! Which can help you take steps toward getting to know (and liking) your own derrière.
Comfort. While it’s common to associate thongs with discomfort, it’s also true that many under-wearers love to wear thongs for comfort! Some women find underwear with a back tend to ride up, move around, or basically turn into a thong anyhow while they walk or move around during their daily activities. And it’s not just certain women with certain body shapes.
I have found that women of all shapes, ages, and dress sizes vary in their love or hate for the thong. Some women with very large bums and hips hate thongs, while others love them. Some women with narrow hips swear by thongs, while others wish they’ve never been invented. The truth is, it’s up to you! Wear what makes you (and your bum) say hurray.
Cons & What the Heys
Uncomfortable. This is the biggest “what the hay” that I hear about thongs. Granted, many under-wearers actually think the opposite. But discomfort wearing thong underwear is very common. If they’re not your thing, no worries. But if you want to give them another try, I suggest trying one of the brands in my 5 Most Comfortable Thongs article. These are the thongs that I suggest to women who “hate” thong underwear. And some of those ladies are now total converts!
Most often the discomfort is from the back going “up and into” the bum crack. I’m just not sure of a more elegant way to say that. People also say “it feels like an all day wedgie”, or “I hate butt floss”. Keep in mind that thongs have plenty of different backs. The g-string style, for example, is very thin. While the back of a tanga is more like a v-shape and has more material. This usually allows the back material to go in the cheeks, but not way up there.
There are several other styles to consider. Depending on your preference, one may feel better than another. I personally like the soft lace and wider back of a thong like the classic Hanky Panky low rise thong (which is totally on my list of most comfy above).
Health concerns. This comes up a lot. And for good reason! The area covered by your undies is delicate and very important. So, please, take care and wear what feels best for you! I must say, I am NOT a medical professional. So for the real deal, please talk to a doctor. I was, however, invited to chat about thongs (including health concerns) on HuffPost LIVE, along with a very knowledgeable doctor. Watch the video clip for more thong pros and cons, and for her official word on the matter. (In summary, if you already have health issues down there, like a UTI, infection, or fissure, avoid wearing thongs. If you are otherwise healthy and they are comfortable for you, it’s a-ok to wear them.) If you’re concerned about wearing thongs during your menstrual cycle, there are Period Panties made specifically for this – even in thong style!
TMI WARNING! Personally, I wore thongs very often, but I wasn’t taking care of my gut health. That lead to diarrhea. Often. Which lead to a super uncomfortable anal fissure. Ew. I know, but they do happen. I ignored it for awhile and kept wearing thongs, and in an attempt to be super clean I over-washed my bum with drying soaps. Which made things worse. So I had to let it heal, and took a break from drying soaps, thongs, and upsetting foods.
Now I’m back on the thong bandwagon and love to switch between several panty styles! If you want added piece of mind, try a thong made of anti-microbial material like the Miel Luna thong (which also made its way onto my top 5 most comfortable list above).
Digging in. If your purpose for wearing a thong is to eliminate panty lines and bulges under tight clothing, it can be a big bummer if the top of the thong digs in and causes spilling or digging. If your thong is banded with elastic, I suggest going with something seamless and flat like the peach Incognito thong I’m wearing here, or the popular Commando Classic Thong (one of my favorites from the Most Comfortable article). In addition, a wide, soft, stretchable band (like that on the Hanky Panky thongs) won’t roll, dig, or move around. Anything with a testosterone cypionate super thin or string-like top can get twisted or dig into your hips. If that’s an issue for you, avoid those at all costs and stick with something wider, softer, and more seamless.
Your Turn: What do you think the pros and cons are of thongs? Do you like to wear them? What’s your favorite panty style to wear? Would you be willing to try them and see what you think? Let us know – share with us here!
PS: The bra, thongs, and robe in this post are from peach. The Incognito Thong is seamless and totally comfortable. They were on loan for a previous sponsored post as part of the #HurrayVacay series in Puerto Rico. This post, however, is not sponsored. It does contain some Amazon affiliate links (trying them out – hurray!) which could help keep this blog and my business going.
As always, I share my honest opinion, and I never airbrush or photoshop my body or face. (You can see my tan lines, stretch marks, and even marks from other undies here!) That’s my commitment to showing up as me – and showing my body some love. Photos by Becky Yee.
