There were various period versions - the long strip of cloth thong kind, but also ones with tapes or ties.
The thong kind is no more uncomfortable than any other kind of thong underwear, IME. Actually, more comfortable than most because not as narrow a g-string.
And you take the whole thing off for #2, but just untuck for #1, same as tighty-whities.
Unreasonably long? I can’t say I have ever seen Japanese underwear; I have worn stuff like a sarong or dhoti where you have to wrap it or otherwise secure it around the waist if you want it to stay on, but of course that is not underwear (or fashionable AFAIK)
Knee length skirts are short though that you need to arrange your legs carefully when you sit. Mostly, you need to hold your legs right next to each other. I tend to prefer to sit with my legs apart, even cross a leg over a knee. Those are dicey poses with a knee skirt. I haven’t worn a skirt that short since i was 15 or so.
Apparently the oldest kind were about 180 cm long, or almost 6 feet. I don’t know about later (but not modern) versions.
There are a lot of variations on ways they can be worn, including having the last foot (or more) hanging down in front for a little more modesty, if you are appearing in public (as at a festival) with nothing else on.
Not at all a fan of ties, so I’m happy those days are gone. A couple of times I wore dresses for Halloween. Awfully comfortable. So I’ll offer up kilts. At least 3 seasons out of the year. Yeah, I know some few guys wear them…
Oddly I grew to hate them, due to too many “yutes” wearing black hoodies, with the hoods up, face in a cellphone crossing the streets willy-nilly at- causing some serious brake and tire wear, not to mention my poor heart. I want to ban black (or dark grey) hoodies. I know, that’s a rant, sorry- but….
At least you live on SoCal (IIIRC) so rather little death by HVAC.
If I was King of Florida all residents would be required to sign a pledge confirming their love of humidity and eternal renunciation of air conditioning or be forcibly deported to more northern climes. HV would be legal. AC would not.