# Thong underwear. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552 "2011-07-10T22:39:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/21 "2011-07-11T05:46:00Z")
I don’t understand how visable panty lines are an issue if you’re not wearing pants so tight that you’re dealing with muffin top too, which is a more egregious fashion sin. I favor lowrise briefs and I only have two pairs of pants (both ones a size smaller than usual that _mostly_ fit) where VPL is a concern even though my butt is much more generously proportioned than my waist and therefore my pants cling to it the closest. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/22 "2011-07-11T05:56:20Z")
We need pictures!! ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/23 "2011-07-11T06:32:43Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I keep my anus very clean (carry flushable wipes in my purse) and chart my cycle so I am rarely surprised by blood. > > I don’t like going commando because my vagina leaks not-insubstantial amounts of cervical mucus most of the month (which underwear contains sufficiently) > > IMO a properly-sized thong will not ‘slide around’, ‘floss’ or move bacteria from the anus to vulva. I don’t even understand what people are thinking of when they mention this. Maybe if you have a flat butt, there’s nothing to hold it in place and it slides? I wouldn’t know. I know I should stop reading the Dope when taking my breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/24 "2011-07-11T08:09:00Z")
Some people find them uncomfortable, and some people don’t (like myself). I wear them – not all the time, just when I’m in the mood – because, for me, they DO remove VPL and my bum is my best feature – small and pert. My girlfriend loves me in a thong. Commando is not practical due to normal, healthy vaginal fluids. And I have a very clean anus. ---
**Author:** ![Chou4555](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Chou4555](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chou4555)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/25 "2011-07-11T08:15:41Z")
A small contribution. My girlfriend doesn’t wear them because she considers that they can never be washed that clean, like “normal” pants! I have worn a novelty leaopard-skin thiong as a joke to a party once. I just couldn’t get used to the feeling of a piece of tight string rubbing my butt-hole. Threw them away! ---
**Author:** ![resmoplus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@resmoplus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/resmoplus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/26 "2011-07-11T08:28:06Z")
Thongs do not make you sexy. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/27 "2011-07-11T14:36:55Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I don’t understand how visable panty lines are an issue if you’re not wearing pants so tight that you’re dealing with muffin top too, which is a more egregious fashion sin. I favor lowrise briefs and I only have two pairs of pants (both ones a size smaller than usual that _mostly_ fit) where VPL is a concern even though my butt is much more generously proportioned than my waist and therefore my pants cling to it the closest. It’s a proportional thing. I’ve never had a muffin top in any article of clothing; I can’t fit my hips into pants where the waistband would be tight on my upper hips (which don’t have a lot of meat on them to squish, anyway). All my pants are tight in the butt (which makes bad pantyline obvious) and loose in the waistband and thighs. Panty line is more of a problem in dresses and skirts for me than in pants though, since most of my pants are thicker material (intentionally). ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/28 "2011-07-11T15:22:44Z")
I have worn nothing but thongs for almost 30 years. No panty lines, and if the panties are the right size, the thong part is like a bra strap- after the first minute, you don’t even feel it. And I really don’t understand the hygiene concerns- underwear touches your naughty bits, no matter what style you wear. If you bathe, then you’re going to be fine. A properly-fitting thong is not stretched so tight across your bits that you’re going to blister! 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/29 "2011-07-11T15:25:51Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I don’t like going commando because my vagina leaks not-insubstantial amounts of cervical mucus most of the month (which underwear contains sufficiently) and I like to wear pants, jeans and skirts at least 2-3 times before washing. Also going commando in skirts is just unacceptable. In addition to this, I don’t go commando also because of the chafing issue. This would be especially bad when wearing jeans or something that has a double seam right up the crotch. Underpants, even thongs, can _help_ prevent camel toe. And yeah, skirt + commando + windy day = really, really, really bad idea. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/30 "2011-07-11T22:20:04Z")
I don’t find them to be uncomfortable, and I would wear them if I didn’t HATE my ass in them. I like my ass normally, but I look bad in a thong. They are just unflattering on me. Too bad, too. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/31 "2011-07-12T00:25:42Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Speak for yourself, I detest butt floss. Me too! To avoid panty lines, I actually go the other way: I have boy’s boxer briefs! The leg seam starts partway down by thigh, where most of my pant leg tends to be a bit looser. However, I do have a pair of pants designed to be snug all the way down to the knee, and my boxer briefs result in a strange ring around my thigh. I find thongs to be the nastiest of nasty clothes to wear, comfort wise. Hate them. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/32 "2011-07-12T00:28:56Z")
I don’t wear them, but my sister does. Her reasoning is that if you’re going to have a wedgie no matter what, it’s going to be less annoying if it involves less fabric. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/33 "2011-07-12T00:43:58Z")
I hate 'em from a comfort standpoint, but I do wear them to avoid panty lines. I hate panty lines. And no, I don’t think thongs look sexy. My concern is how I look when I’m dressed, not how I look in my underwear. As far as hygiene goes, all my undies, regardless of style, are in contact with my junk, and I haven’t noticed that thongs get any dirtier or stay any cleaner than anything else snuggled up to my boogamooga. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/34 "2011-07-12T00:58:16Z")
Not a thong wearer myself, but I don’t get the OP’s concern over “anal leakage”. If you have that problem, you’re either not wiping properly, or else you probably should see a doctor. I also know when my period is do, so that wouldn’t be a problem, either. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/35 "2011-07-12T01:41:22Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > And yeah, skirt + commando + windy day = really, really, really bad idea. 😉 But its a sexy idea! ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/36 "2011-07-12T03:50:09Z")
I wear a variety of underwear, including thongs. One reason why I tend to choose thongs and thong-like underwear is because it’s more likely to stay in place. With low-rise underwear or bikinis, I often have the problem of it slowly sliding down my hips to the point where half of my butt is not being adequately covered; this means that I am most comfortable in underwear that is either high enough to stay above the hips (mainly [retro style high waist briefs](http://s10.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/52518751.jpg)/“[granny panties](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2g-ncLUV1ck/TebyOkA5OCI/AAAAAAAAB14/5-YyvgrdJhk/s200/Wacoal+Hi-Cut+Lace+Trim+Brief+Panties+Black.jpg)”) or is wedged in place so there’s little risk of slipping (usually thongs, [tangas](http://bbgblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/tanga-panties.jpg) or [boy/booty shorts](http://blog.allpromodels.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/killer-ass-2.jpg)). Stuff like [string bikinis](http://www.lingerie-confidant.com/images/www.lingerie-confidant.com_bikini_panty.jpg) and [biknis](http://images.herroom.com/items/tommy-hilfiger-th01-rh14d077-gs.jpg)/[hipsters](http://www.styleceo.com/images/stores/693/c/calvin-klein-lace-and-cotton-hipster-panties-d1484-12180593) just slide down my ass until half of my buttcrack is exposed. It’s just not my idea of a good time. As others have said, “anal leakage” is not an issue, and panty type will not make a difference if you are having any sort of menstrual leakage emergency. As for cleanliness issues, there’s not really any difference between thongs and not thongs. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/37 "2011-07-12T04:50:39Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > In addition to this, I don’t go commando also because of the chafing issue. This would be especially bad when wearing jeans or something that has a double seam right up the crotch. Underpants, even thongs, can _help_ prevent camel toe. > > And yeah, skirt + commando + windy day = really, really, really bad idea. 😉 I guess you may be [right](http://goodnightsnack.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/newspaper-claims-kate-middleton-was-wearing-thong-but-photo-shows-royal-butt/) ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/38 "2011-07-12T04:54:39Z")
Thong underwear, why? That’s pretty much what I think when I see them. They’re ridiculously uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/39 "2011-07-13T10:28:24Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I don’t often wear them because I think they are ugly, but it is the only style of underwear that fits my body properly. I am a very small woman with rather small hips, legs close together (so no width to the crotch) and a proportionately ample and soft butt. Underpants that don’t give me bad pantyline on the cheeks are too big and baggy in the waistband, crotch, and leg holes (which can create rumpled fabric that also shows through thinner/softer fabrics - there’s no way to win with my ass). Thongs give me no pantyline at all. Where they might dig in a bit up top, all my clothes are loose anyway. > > Thongs are comfy, I feel them less than most styles of underwear (which as I said are always too big or too small for me somewhere in their construction). > > Thongs do not touch my anus. My butt crack is deep (common in bigger butts) and the back strap sits on the top of it. To get it all the way inside I’d have to deliberately wedgie myself and yank the waistband of the thong up to my waist. > > I keep my anus very clean (carry flushable wipes in my purse) and chart my cycle so I am rarely surprised by blood. Neither of these issues are thong-specific BTW. > > I don’t like going commando because my vagina leaks not-insubstantial amounts of cervical mucus most of the month (which underwear contains sufficiently) and I like to wear pants, jeans and skirts at least 2-3 times before washing. Also going commando in skirts is just unacceptable. > > IMO a properly-sized thong will not ‘slide around’, ‘floss’ or move bacteria from the anus to vulva. I don’t even understand what people are thinking of when they mention this. Maybe if you have a flat butt, there’s nothing to hold it in place and it slides? I wouldn’t know. > > My boyfriend hates the way thongs look and that is a part of why I don’t wear them. > > If my underwear ever happen to show, it’s not because I want to titillate anyone. I spend rather a lot of time and effort trying to make them unremarkable in every way. I am just boggled by this post. Proportionally ample soft butt? Thongs don’t touch your, um, you keep it um, really clean. Your what leaks? What is with this, this tmi? Are you trying to tease us guys? Or gross us out? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552/40 "2011-07-13T12:14:58Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > Your what leaks? What is with this, this tmi? Are you trying to tease us guys? Or gross us out? Are you rather inexperienced with girls, by any chance? You have heard of vaginal fluid? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thong-underwear-why/588552.md?page=3)