The Thong Bikini, Progression Of Swimwear
The attractiveness of the Thong Bikini or Underwear is a great example of the way women in North America have become more expressive. The thong bikini is a natural augmentation of the development of woman swimwear, that has been constantly evolving from the day of inception. The approval of the Thong is a perspective into the changing way of thinking of North Americans, and reveals a great deal about how we as a society see ourselves. But the thong bikini is more than just an representation of freethinking ideologies but an articulation of the individual’s desire for personal freedom.
It is said that the source of the word Thong comes from the Old English thwong which means, a bendable leather thread. The thong is arguably the most basic form of clothing recognized to mankind. Initially, the thong or loin cloth, was used by men exclusively, but today it is recognized as a virtually exclusively female article of clothing. But even today, the Thong as male attire, can be seen in the popular Japanese sport of Sumo Wrestling as well as other types of martial arts.
Fashion artist Rudi Gernreich is accredited with introducing the contemporary 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 enormously trendy in South America, chiefly in Brazil starting in the 1970’s where a more open minded population keenly received and accepted it.
As mentioned above, thongs descended from the most primitive manner of attire, the loincloth, that were commonly a male’s garments article. It is thought that thongs were initially developed to guard, support or hide the male anatomy for hunting and fighting. But once embraced as a form of female item of clothes, the Thong was revolutionized and re-invented, becoming a feminine article of clothing which accentuated the female form. With that said, the Thong was thought to risque by North Americans, and was hence normally worn by exotic dancers. The Thong was soon exceedingly trendy amongst exotic dancers as well as the Dance Club regulars.
We can thank TV as the channel for introducing the Thong to the ordinary North American woman with the airing of popular vacation shows as well as dramas such as Baywatch. Through television, the Thong was soon a general picture in the North American household. It wasn’t long before North American women began bearing Thongs.
These days, the Thong is prevalent in near every women’s fashion boutiques, and worn by women of all ages, with many different sizes and styles, including the micro thong. As with any form of fashion, the thong will evolve into something distinctive. Though 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.