November 30th 2009 Thong Bikini Fashion
The allure 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 natural extension of the progress of woman swimwear, which has been constantly evolving from the day of inception. The acceptance 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 picture ourselves. But the thong bikini is more than just an articulation of freethinking ideologies but an demonstration of the individual’s desire for individual liberty.
It is said that the foundation of the word Thong derives from the Old English thwong which means, a bendable rawhide thread. The thong is possibly the most basic form of attire recognized to mankind. Initially, the thong or loin cloth, was worn by men exclusively, but today it is recognized as a almost exclusively female article of clothing. But even today, 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 artist Rudi Gernreich is recognized with introducing the contemporary thong in the early 1970’s for women. 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 extremely fashionable in South America, principally in Brazil starting in the 1970’s where a more open minded people willingly received and accepted it.
As mentioned above, thongs descended from the most basic variety of attire, the loincloth, which were normally a male’s clothing item. It is believed that thongs were initially constructed to shelter, support or conceal the male anatomy for hunting and warfare. But once accepted as a form of female item of attire, the Thong was revolutionized and re-invented, becoming a female article of clothing which accentuated the female figure. With that said, the Thong was considered to risque by North Americans, and was therefore normally worn by exotic dancers. The Thong was almost immediately especially popular amongst exotic dancers as well as the Dance Club customers.
We can thank TV as the vehicle for introducing the Thong to the average North American woman with the airing of in style travel shows as well as dramas such as Baywatch. Through television, the Thong was rapidly a familiar picture in the North American household. It wasn’t long before North American women started sporting Thongs.
Today, the Thong is commonplace in virtually all 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 different. Even 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 boundaries of beach wear.