I was a top model & lingerie designer but here’s why I’m loving the death of the thong, says Caprice Bourret
AT the peak of the G-string’s popularity in 1999, rapper Sisqo sang the lyrics: “Girl, I know you wanna show that thong th-thong thong thong.”
But bad news for those that love the teeny undies, the thong is out of fashion, again.
It enjoyed a resurgence of popularity, with fashion bible Vogue declaring “The thong is back!” in 2016.
But now style experts say we are ditching the skimpy beachwear for larger, more modest “big-knickered” bikinis, known as BKBs.
Fashion writer Charlie Gowans-Eglinton said: “The BKB is sexy, a bit femme fatale, whatever your body size.
“Teenie bikinis are just vehicles for performative thinness, a reminder that for some reason it’s still a badge of honour to have a flat stomach on the beach, which is incredibly boring.”
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Yet the first thong to be patented was more of a political statement.
Austrian-born fashion designer Rudolf “Rudi” Gernreich is credited with designing it in 1974.
The keen nudist was outraged at legislation outlawing naked sunbathing on Californian beaches so came up with a way of getting round them.
Bottom fell out
Although he copyrighted the unisex design, he soon gave up trying to chase copycats as the garment exploded in popularity.
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However, the thong was actually invented in 1939 in New York for nude dancers to cover up during the World’s Fair, as ordered by the mayor of NYC, Fiorello LaGuardia.
In 1995, iconic lingerie brand Victoria Secret held its first runway show and thong-wearing models Stephanie Seymour and Rebecca Romijn helped with a boom in sales.
The thong reached peak popularity in the Nineties and Noughties as tight-fitting jeans made women want to hide their visible panty line.
As outfits became even skimpier in the Noughties, scantily clad celebs such as Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan sent demand for the underwear skyrocketing.
In 2000, Victoria Beckham complained that even hubby David wore hers.
In 2002, 120million pairs of the skimpy knickers were sold in the USA and, in the UK, thongs outsold knickers from 2002 — until 2006 when the bottom fell out the thong market.
Shoppers were favouring more comfortable boy short-style panties.
But by 2018, John Lewis and Partners were reporting mega sales again.
Beyonce, Hailey Bieber and Kim Kardashian had all embraced the resurgence.
So does the thong belong in the back of the underwear drawer or do we keep wearing the cheeky garment?
Former model Caprice says the G-string has had its day while Rhian Sugden says she’ll keep her itsy bitsy bikini . . .
‘To look sexy, more can be more’
Says Caprice Bourret, businesswoman, actress, model
IT’S not only time to ditch the thong but let’s chuck it in a bin, set it on fire and banish it for ever.
Given my background as a model and lingerie designer, this may come as a shock.
I know I’m not alone in thinking this piece of clothing is a real pain in the ass, quite literally.
It’s so uncomfortable and women have had enough.
It’s no surprise a man designed the thong, someone who didn’t have comfort in mind at all.
I’ve never been a fan of a G-string, I only ever wore one out of necessity on the red carpet or on photoshoots.
Although what I wore was so revealing I’m not sure you could call it a thong, perhaps just a piece of string.
I don’t like a string up my tushie.
I always felt uncomfortable but I wore such risque outfits I needed something to hold everything in place but not be visible.
Back in those days I should point out that my bum was perky, cellulite-free and hard as a rock.
Now I’m 51, time has played a very cruel trick on me called ageing, so I hanged up my thong for good about eight or ten years ago.
Not to mention the idea of my sons seeing me in a dental-floss bikini leaves me in a cold sweat.
Even if I wanted to wear one nowadays it would not suit my butt.
I want something that is flattering and makes me feel comfortable.
And big-knickered bikinis are fashionable now, too.
Gisele Bundchen, Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez have all worn them and looked gorgeous while doing so.
Of course, some people really love the thong and like to make a statement by wearing them.
When I saw they were making a comeback a few years ago I thought people like Dua Lipa and Hailey Bieber looked amazing.
Of course, these ladies have perfect bodies and if they want to flaunt that, good for them.
But the thong leaves no room at all for error.
Like any woman, I have body insecurities.
But actually the most important criteria when choosing a bikini or underwear is comfort.
I’m obviously not alone here. More and more women are turning to high-waisted, fuller knickers.
If you feel comfortable and sexy and like the way you look in a bikini, then you’ll be more confident.
And confidence is sexy so bigger bottoms are a no brainer.
There’s so much choice in the lingerie market now that designers need to listen to what women are saying and help empower them.
Fashion often is circular but I really hope the thong doesn’t make a reappearance in 2043.
Let’s leave the garment in the past, it’s already had two good runs.
When I had my own lingerie line in the Noughties, By Caprice, thongs were never a big seller.
The Brazilian knickers which showed just a little bit of butt cheek were far more popular with my customers.
I think that sums it up.
More can be more when it comes to looking sexy.
Thongs leave nothing to the imagination and that’s just not tantalising for a guy, girl or whoever you are dating.
The sexiest thing you can do is give a hint of what’s to expect.
A fuller bikini suits every kind of body and you really can’t go wrong with one, either.
My husband isn’t a thong fan at all.
Let’s be realistic, he prefers no underwear on me at all.
…ACTUALLY, I QUITE LIKE ’EM
Says Rhian Sugden, actress & model
WHEN the temperature soars, anyone who’s anyone wants to show off a little more skin than usual.
Bikini tops seem to be getting smaller, so why would we want to make the bottoms bigger? It makes no sense.
And can you imagine the tan lines from wearing granny pants on the beach?
For me, there is only one style of bikini bottom and that’s the thong.
It’s ridiculously sexy and cheeky, excuse the pun, and it’s universally the most flattering fit.
It can make even the flattest of peaches look pert – the smaller the cut, the more curvaceous it makes your behind look.
I imagine some people have the perception that it just looks like an epic wedgie.
But believe me, they are much comfier than a big bunched-up pair of bottoms.
There is no excessive material to get sweaty in and you don’t have to keep adjusting yourself.
If Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and Hailey Bieber can rock a G-string bikini with unparalleled confidence, then why the hell can’t the rest of us?
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Our bums are as worthy of soaking up the sun as any other part of the body.
Get those peaches out!