The fascination of the Thong Bikini or Underwear is a great example of how ladies in North America have become more expressive. The thong bikini is a normal extension of the evolution of female swimwear, which has been consistently developing from the day of origin. The approval of the Thong is a view into the changing mindset of North Americans, and reveals a good deal about the way we as a society see ourselves. But the thong bikini is more than just an articulation of freethinking ideologies but an illustration of the individual’s desire for individual autonomy.

It is said that the starting point of the word Thong comes from the Old English thwong which means, a stretchy rawhide string. The thong is perhaps the most basic form of garments known to mankind. At first, the thong or loin cloth, was used by men exclusively, but today it is known as a virtually exclusively female article of clothing. But even nowadays, the Thong as male attire, can be seen in the well-liked Japanese sport of Sumo Wrestling as well as other forms of martial arts.

Fashion designer 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 exceedingly accepted in South America, principally in Brazil starting in the 1970’s where a more open minded population enthusiastically accepted and embraced it.

As mentioned above, thongs descended from the most primitive kind of clothing, the loincloth, that were in general a male’s clothing item. It is thought that thongs were firstly constructed to shelter, aid or conceal the male anatomy for hunting and warfare. But once embraced as a form of female item of clothes, the Thong was revolutionized and re-invented, becoming a female item of fashion that accentuated the female form. With that said, the Thong was thought to risque by North Americans, and was hence usually worn by exotic dancers. The Thong was soon exceptionally fashionable among exotic dancers as well as the Dance Club customers.

We can thank TV as the mechanism for introducing the Thong to the ordinary North American female with the airing of popular travel shows as well as dramas such as Baywatch. Through television, the Thong was soon a frequent image in the North American home. It wasn’t long before North American female began bearing Thongs.

Nowadays, the Thong is common in nearly all women’s clothing boutiques, and worn by ladies 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 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 limitations of beach wear.