"I found her with another girl wearing the skimpiest pink g-string again walking in front of me, couldn’t take my eyes of."
Is it beach or street?
Thongs in different countries and cultures
- Thread starter bigrat
- Start date
"I found her with another girl wearing the skimpiest pink g-string again walking in front of me, couldn’t take my eyes of."
Is it beach or street?
adrianh891
Active member
Interesting. I am pondering if these tourist in Seychelles were South Africans or Brits. That's what I probably imagine.
I am just curious about Japenese thong culture. when should Japenese girls "start" to wear thongs? Nowadays, is it commom for Japenese high school students to wear thongs as their daily panties? (As I seen in JAVs, many "HS students" wear thongs as everyday panties in the settings. i wanna to know is it real.)
thongsthongsthongs
Well-known member
Definitely on the rise. Still can be seen as taboo but as Japan continues to Westernize (similar to how South Korea is too) the perceptions of thongs are definitely changing with the younger generation. Due to Japanese culture, parents tend to pay attention to what their kids are wearing, and many moms may be ashamed of their daughters wearing thongs, or at least want them to wait until they are older. Doesn't mean they don't try to wear them, and as I mentioned thongs are definitely less taboo than they've been in the past decades, so I'm sure there are parents that don't care if their daughters wear thongs now.
I grew up around all Japanese people in the US and many of the 1st gen immigrant girls from Japan I grew up with dressed very conservatively, but some of them definitely changed that in and since college, and I'm sure many of them have switched to thongs. Some of the Japanese girls in the grades behind me got into the low-rise trend a lot earlier too, and have flaunted whaletails in HS and now college. Obviously this is in the US but there is definitely a more accepting air around thongs in Japan and Asia in general.
I figured I wanted to write an update in this topic after almost 5 years since I started it.
Thanks again to everyone else posting here, it's fascinating to read about how it is in other places of the world, especially how it evolves in east Asia.
So for my update. These 5 years since I started this topic I have only lived in Sweden, so the situation here is what I will be focusing on. So what has changed?
1. As another poster wrote a few pages back, the big change in the past five or so years is the thong bikinis. In the late 2010s they were still quite new to Scandinavian beaches, but now they have become very popular. And among all types of girls and women. To teens wanting to follow the latest trends, to nerdier girls, mothers etc. etc. Not reserved to a certain body type, age type or personality type. So women of all sizes and backgrounds will wear them. I think you will see them at any beach in Sweden today.
2. Another trend I think is that VPLs are, in my opinion, becoming something I see less and less. I think this means that the thong as underwear is more popular than ever. I think for everyone wearing gym leggings thongs are almost an "unwritten rule" nowadays. A decade or so ago, there would be so many girls with horrendous VPL and especially among the women in 35-50 age group. But now I feel that even among these women the thong has become the "go to" option for workouts. One more thing that I think strengthens this thesis is that the most popular underwear stores, i.e. Lindex and KappAhl (Lindex primarily has an audience aged between 30-50 I think, and KappAhl probably 40-70) have for the last couple years focused a lot on high waisted comfortable thongs to get a new segment of the population to try thongs.
Before, I think women who disliked thongs have thought of them too small to even try them out a lot of the time, but now with these more high waisted ones that really seem to be focused on comfort, these older / mature women are more open to trying them out. So, someone might wonder, how do I know this? Or why do I claim this to be the case? Well, if you read the reviews for these products on for example Lindex website, you can see the first names of the women reviewing. And judging by their names (meaning that they are not very popular among younger generations) the majority are at least 40+ and many of them are saying that they are the most comfortable ever, that they are loving the high waist, that they used to dislike thongs but now anymore etc.
So the thong is becoming even more "normalized" in Sweden. Of course it has been considered "normal" and not very controversial at all for at least a couple of decades by now. But now it is conquering new areas. The beaches as swimwear. And as underwear for women who previously haven't liked them, and especially women aged 40-60-ish.
I don't know how much anyone cares, but I hope someone got something out of reading this
Thanks again to everyone else posting here, it's fascinating to read about how it is in other places of the world, especially how it evolves in east Asia.
So for my update. These 5 years since I started this topic I have only lived in Sweden, so the situation here is what I will be focusing on. So what has changed?
1. As another poster wrote a few pages back, the big change in the past five or so years is the thong bikinis. In the late 2010s they were still quite new to Scandinavian beaches, but now they have become very popular. And among all types of girls and women. To teens wanting to follow the latest trends, to nerdier girls, mothers etc. etc. Not reserved to a certain body type, age type or personality type. So women of all sizes and backgrounds will wear them. I think you will see them at any beach in Sweden today.
2. Another trend I think is that VPLs are, in my opinion, becoming something I see less and less. I think this means that the thong as underwear is more popular than ever. I think for everyone wearing gym leggings thongs are almost an "unwritten rule" nowadays. A decade or so ago, there would be so many girls with horrendous VPL and especially among the women in 35-50 age group. But now I feel that even among these women the thong has become the "go to" option for workouts. One more thing that I think strengthens this thesis is that the most popular underwear stores, i.e. Lindex and KappAhl (Lindex primarily has an audience aged between 30-50 I think, and KappAhl probably 40-70) have for the last couple years focused a lot on high waisted comfortable thongs to get a new segment of the population to try thongs.
Before, I think women who disliked thongs have thought of them too small to even try them out a lot of the time, but now with these more high waisted ones that really seem to be focused on comfort, these older / mature women are more open to trying them out. So, someone might wonder, how do I know this? Or why do I claim this to be the case? Well, if you read the reviews for these products on for example Lindex website, you can see the first names of the women reviewing. And judging by their names (meaning that they are not very popular among younger generations) the majority are at least 40+ and many of them are saying that they are the most comfortable ever, that they are loving the high waist, that they used to dislike thongs but now anymore etc.
So the thong is becoming even more "normalized" in Sweden. Of course it has been considered "normal" and not very controversial at all for at least a couple of decades by now. But now it is conquering new areas. The beaches as swimwear. And as underwear for women who previously haven't liked them, and especially women aged 40-60-ish.
I don't know how much anyone cares, but I hope someone got something out of reading this
adrianh891
Active member
Thanks for sharing! I am thinking though this might not just be Sweden only. But I think most of Europe has caught up to this now.I figured I wanted to write an update in this topic after almost 5 years since I started it.
Thanks again to everyone else posting here, it's fascinating to read about how it is in other places of the world, especially how it evolves in east Asia.
So for my update. These 5 years since I started this topic I have only lived in Sweden, so the situation here is what I will be focusing on. So what has changed?
1. As another poster wrote a few pages back, the big change in the past five or so years is the thong bikinis. In the late 2010s they were still quite new to Scandinavian beaches, but now they have become very popular. And among all types of girls and women. To teens wanting to follow the latest trends, to nerdier girls, mothers etc. etc. Not reserved to a certain body type, age type or personality type. So women of all sizes and backgrounds will wear them. I think you will see them at any beach in Sweden today.
2. Another trend I think is that VPLs are, in my opinion, becoming something I see less and less. I think this means that the thong as underwear is more popular than ever. I think for everyone wearing gym leggings thongs are almost an "unwritten rule" nowadays. A decade or so ago, there would be so many girls with horrendous VPL and especially among the women in 35-50 age group. But now I feel that even among these women the thong has become the "go to" option for workouts. One more thing that I think strengthens this thesis is that the most popular underwear stores, i.e. Lindex and KappAhl (Lindex primarily has an audience aged between 30-50 I think, and KappAhl probably 40-70) have for the last couple years focused a lot on high waisted comfortable thongs to get a new segment of the population to try thongs.
Before, I think women who disliked thongs have thought of them too small to even try them out a lot of the time, but now with these more high waisted ones that really seem to be focused on comfort, these older / mature women are more open to trying them out. So, someone might wonder, how do I know this? Or why do I claim this to be the case? Well, if you read the reviews for these products on for example Lindex website, you can see the first names of the women reviewing. And judging by their names (meaning that they are not very popular among younger generations) the majority are at least 40+ and many of them are saying that they are the most comfortable ever, that they are loving the high waist, that they used to dislike thongs but now anymore etc.
So the thong is becoming even more "normalized" in Sweden. Of course it has been considered "normal" and not very controversial at all for at least a couple of decades by now. But now it is conquering new areas. The beaches as swimwear. And as underwear for women who previously haven't liked them, and especially women aged 40-60-ish.
I don't know how much anyone cares, but I hope someone got something out of reading this
I agree, if you’re in good shape showing some or lots of belly is coming back. Cant do that with high waist short or jean.
But, mid rise leggings are much less popular. For a womens body I see why its popular, comfy, and flattering. For me I like mid rise, how they were when they were first popular. But some vpl or vtl is still noticeable and I like that too.
Liibu
Active member
I fully agree that things are looking better these days (especially this summer).
The main difference I notice compared to the 2000's is that the low-rise pants that are popular today are usually more on the baggy side. (Do you guys think that the baggy fit reduces the whale tail chance compared to the more regular/tight fit of the 2000's?) What also seems to be popular are these loose, white linen pants which are often quite see-through and good for vtl's.
This summer I've seen more thong straps, whale tails and vtl's than quite a few previous years combined. The amounts of standard whale tails is still not near what it was though.
I'd guess 1 out of 8 ish girls in the age group of teen - 40 also wear brazilian or thong bikini's while sunbathing in the city park which is quite a lot when you've got hundreds for people there. More girls are just more comfortable in a thong it seems. Because I have noticed girls changing from their bikini into a thong while covering themselves with a towel, but then dropping the towel once the thong is on.
The main difference I notice compared to the 2000's is that the low-rise pants that are popular today are usually more on the baggy side. (Do you guys think that the baggy fit reduces the whale tail chance compared to the more regular/tight fit of the 2000's?) What also seems to be popular are these loose, white linen pants which are often quite see-through and good for vtl's.
This summer I've seen more thong straps, whale tails and vtl's than quite a few previous years combined. The amounts of standard whale tails is still not near what it was though.
I'd guess 1 out of 8 ish girls in the age group of teen - 40 also wear brazilian or thong bikini's while sunbathing in the city park which is quite a lot when you've got hundreds for people there. More girls are just more comfortable in a thong it seems. Because I have noticed girls changing from their bikini into a thong while covering themselves with a towel, but then dropping the towel once the thong is on.
Good post man, just for context, what country are you describing?
Liibu
Active member
This is my impression in Germany for this year. Last summer I spent in Canada and it was quite different. I did not spend so much time in the cities in Canada, but I can barely recall seeing any low-rise at all, mostly leggings being the most noticeable trend. I am sure this year is different in Canada as well as trends move quite fast.
thongsthongsthongs
Well-known member
I agree, I see a lot of baggy low rise with belts, so not as much of a chance of whaletails, but there's still girls rocking the classic tight low rise jeans. There's definitely girls who wear low rise and whaletail because they actually like the y2k style, and then there's girls who are mostly keeping up with the trends and don't have the same appreciation for the whaletail era, so they're usually very conscious about panty slips.
Northern Lynx
Member
Cool!I figured I wanted to write an update in this topic after almost 5 years since I started it.
Thanks again to everyone else posting here, it's fascinating to read about how it is in other places of the world, especially how it evolves in east Asia.
So for my update. These 5 years since I started this topic I have only lived in Sweden, so the situation here is what I will be focusing on. So what has changed?
1. As another poster wrote a few pages back, the big change in the past five or so years is the thong bikinis. In the late 2010s they were still quite new to Scandinavian beaches, but now they have become very popular. And among all types of girls and women. To teens wanting to follow the latest trends, to nerdier girls, mothers etc. etc. Not reserved to a certain body type, age type or personality type. So women of all sizes and backgrounds will wear them. I think you will see them at any beach in Sweden today.
2. Another trend I think is that VPLs are, in my opinion, becoming something I see less and less. I think this means that the thong as underwear is more popular than ever. I think for everyone wearing gym leggings thongs are almost an "unwritten rule" nowadays. A decade or so ago, there would be so many girls with horrendous VPL and especially among the women in 35-50 age group. But now I feel that even among these women the thong has become the "go to" option for workouts. One more thing that I think strengthens this thesis is that the most popular underwear stores, i.e. Lindex and KappAhl (Lindex primarily has an audience aged between 30-50 I think, and KappAhl probably 40-70) have for the last couple years focused a lot on high waisted comfortable thongs to get a new segment of the population to try thongs.
Before, I think women who disliked thongs have thought of them too small to even try them out a lot of the time, but now with these more high waisted ones that really seem to be focused on comfort, these older / mature women are more open to trying them out. So, someone might wonder, how do I know this? Or why do I claim this to be the case? Well, if you read the reviews for these products on for example Lindex website, you can see the first names of the women reviewing. And judging by their names (meaning that they are not very popular among younger generations) the majority are at least 40+ and many of them are saying that they are the most comfortable ever, that they are loving the high waist, that they used to dislike thongs but now anymore etc.
So the thong is becoming even more "normalized" in Sweden. Of course it has been considered "normal" and not very controversial at all for at least a couple of decades by now. But now it is conquering new areas. The beaches as swimwear. And as underwear for women who previously haven't liked them, and especially women aged 40-60-ish.
I don't know how much anyone cares, but I hope someone got something out of reading this
So it seems Scandinavia is truly united in this shift in trends and culture. And yes, as someone pointed out, I'm sure it extends to most of Europe too. I have also checked some clothing sites across Europe, filtering by which panties sell the most. I don't know if it's accurate, or if they use that filter to push certain goods, but at least half of the top 30 panties (often more) are thongs.
Then there's the trend for professional athletes to adopt something close to a thong, or even purposefully pulling up their bottom piece to achieve the string effect. I feel like this used to be a South American thing, mainly in volleyball, as well as across the world in water polo, where it's considered a disadvantage to wear full bottoms. Opponents apparently grip onto that part of the suit for leverage; hence the players pull them up in advance.
But now you can see it in practically any Olympic summer sport. Diving, long-jump, running, gymnastics - you name it! There's a lot of cultural noise around what these athletes are "forced" to wear, but you can find plenty of vids on YT where the athletes clearly pull their briefs up intentionally.
We're living in the thong-meta. Hopefully it's here to stay!
Thong-meta is a great word, I like it. Truly a groundbreaking idea or concept for this "sociology of thong underwear" that I feel parts of this forum is starting to create.
Two things to add:
1. Speaking of the athletes at the olympict, I think we shouldn't forget the handball and football players. Two teams stand-out a lot this year. Germany's football team, and Denmark's handball team, where almost all players are seen to be rocking (black) thongs underneath their white shorts. It's incredible to see a lot of these girls who look like your typical nerdy and sporty classmate from when you were younger, be out there in a thong everytime they're doing sports. It surprises me though that they wear black everytime. It's like you wrote Northern Lynx in the other thread, is it actually a deliberate decision? Or do they simply not know that it shows through?
Hell, even my nerdy girlfriend knows what to wear when she wears white. And it's not black lol.
2. I have a pretty good story from just a few weeks ago that I think confirms this thought of thong-meta. I wasn't sure whether to post it here or in the "When did thongs become everyday underwear?"-thread. But here goes!
So I just got bak from this hiking trip in more Northern parts of Sweden, it's a 4 day hike and afterwards we're staying for three days at an AirBnB more relaxing and doing some smaller adventures. It's my girlfriend and I, another couple with whom we are good friends, and then two friends of the girls who I've met but I don't know them that well. We're all in the ages 25-34; 2 men, 4 women.
After coming back from the hiking and getting to the AirBnB we all do our washing and it has a big drying room where you hang everything up, no dryer or anything like that. When going there to pick up mine and my girlfriends clothes, I just notice that "Oh, everyone's clothes are hanging here". I'm definitely not in any kind of "perv mode", but rather as the sociologist/anthropologist I strive to be, I try to seize this opportunity by doing some field work. So I just quickly browse through what the other girls had hanging there, and to my complete amazement it was 3 pairs of "regular" style underwear, and the rest (15-ish pairs) are thongs (no cheekies, no brazilians - thongs).
And these are not even close to your supermodel girls, just "normal" women, more towards the nerdier side, two of them with university degrees, the third one working in a book shop. One of them a bit more chubby, but the other two are active and in good shape. However, they are not the type where I would have guessed thongs being their go-to style-of-underwear. As a comparison, they all wore full-back bikinis when we went to the swimming pool on one of the other days.
Maybe to some people's disappointment it was all "comfy thongs", a few with some lace at the waistband but nothing more than that. But I think that is part of this "thong meta". In the early 2000s, I think most people agreed that in the end, the thongs on sale back then were in general uncomfortable. Today it has almost shifted completely. So many women think that thongs are comfortable, even more comfy than other styles.
Anyways, that's all for now. Can't wait for more observations from the rest of you all.
Last edited:
Well written and well observed bigrat.
I think there is definitely a difference between thong underwear (hidden, under clothes) and thong swimsuits. I totally see how some dont want to wear as little as possible so they wear thongs with clothes, but for summer and swim they go cheeky or more full coverage (bikini style bikini).
I think its safe to say if she’s wearing a thong swimsuit she probably wears thong underwear quite regularly. The number of girls on social media rocking thongs is quite high.
For us thong fans I think we’re in a time where they will keep being popular. This could be like around 2000 where it was really getting more popular and mainstream.
One other observation, I think women of all ages have gotten a little complacent with high waisted jeans and leggings. VTL and VPL is much more visible these days. Even with those high waisted styles women are very aware they may have a WT. For the longest time I didnt know why they liked high waisted, but its the same reason women hardly wear belts. Their wide hips hold up their tighter pants just fine. And belts dont really help.
I think there is definitely a difference between thong underwear (hidden, under clothes) and thong swimsuits. I totally see how some dont want to wear as little as possible so they wear thongs with clothes, but for summer and swim they go cheeky or more full coverage (bikini style bikini).
I think its safe to say if she’s wearing a thong swimsuit she probably wears thong underwear quite regularly. The number of girls on social media rocking thongs is quite high.
For us thong fans I think we’re in a time where they will keep being popular. This could be like around 2000 where it was really getting more popular and mainstream.
One other observation, I think women of all ages have gotten a little complacent with high waisted jeans and leggings. VTL and VPL is much more visible these days. Even with those high waisted styles women are very aware they may have a WT. For the longest time I didnt know why they liked high waisted, but its the same reason women hardly wear belts. Their wide hips hold up their tighter pants just fine. And belts dont really help.
adrianh891
Active member
Thank you bigrat and pantyman for your insights. Yes, I think during the height of the whale tail trend in the early 2000s, thongs were viewed as uncomfortable. And I think this could possibly be the shift where designers refocused on practicality and comfort of thongs. With this age of thong-meta, the designers got it right, especially now the the variety of seamless and cotton thongs out there these days which I am sure are very popular. While not the sexiest, they indeed are practical and comfortable.
I just got back from my 6 week Europe trip, and here is what I noticed during the trip.
1. Not a lot of leggings in Europe.
2. Girls choosing comfort over style. I saw a lot of panty lines, and it seemed that European girls didn't care if their panty lines were showing. Some even wore colored panties under white trousers. Wearing colored panties and white trousers together used to be a fashion faux-pas, but not anymore.
3. Lots of white linen trousers and white sundresses. Saw many Visible Thong Lines but at the same time there were many regular panty lines. I would say it was 50% thongs, 50% regular panties.
4. A lot of thongs in Italy and Spain. It was very hot in Italy and Spain, so I saw a lot of thongs.
1. Not a lot of leggings in Europe.
2. Girls choosing comfort over style. I saw a lot of panty lines, and it seemed that European girls didn't care if their panty lines were showing. Some even wore colored panties under white trousers. Wearing colored panties and white trousers together used to be a fashion faux-pas, but not anymore.
3. Lots of white linen trousers and white sundresses. Saw many Visible Thong Lines but at the same time there were many regular panty lines. I would say it was 50% thongs, 50% regular panties.
4. A lot of thongs in Italy and Spain. It was very hot in Italy and Spain, so I saw a lot of thongs.
Last edited:
On the beach or somewhere else?