G-Strings – The Pros and Cons

G-Strings. Otherwise known as “thongs”, you either love them or hate them.

I have to admit, I am a fan – and have been for the better part of twenty years, when I discovered them at the age of nineteen. My mother was confused by this. My grandmother was scandalised. They could never see how it could possibly be comfortable – or what the point was if my butt wasn’t covered.

But therein lies the whole point. Don’t get me wrong; I do like big “Bridget Jones” undies under certain circumstances. Like in winter.  Or when the tummy absolutely MUST be given a little extra help at being sucked in. But come summer, when it’s hot, or when thinner clothing might display the dreaded visible panty line, there’s nothing better than a G-string.

Some ladies might say going commando in these circumstances is the better option. Um, no. I’m afraid I just can’t do that. It seems, somehow, totally unhygienic...

For the uninitiated, a g-string (or thong) is an undergarment which covers the pubis and the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a thin band which runs around the hips. It was first invented in its modern form during the age of jazz, when it was worn for modesty by burlesque dancers.

So what are the pros and cons of wearing g-strings?

Pros:

·        Feels like wearing nothing if the correct size is worn

·        No visible panty line

·        Can look and feel very sexy

·        Can be cooler in hot weather

·        Can be incredibly comfortable

·        Guys tend to love them

Cons:

·        Can be uncomfortable or even painful if the incorrect size is chosen

·        Should not be worn every single day

·        Under some garments, your butt might get rubbed or irritated – for example, rough or heavy jeans

·        They are not going to absorb sweat on a hot day like briefs will

·        Worn with pants that sit on the hips, you may be able to see the thong above the waistline – not a good look

Tips to Successfully Wearing a G-String

·        Always choose a cotton garment, or at the very least, one with a cotton gusset

·        Change regularly – at least every day.

·        Choose a size larger than your normal underwear – this is both more comfortable as well as more sanitary

·        Accept that it can take some getting used to

·        Accept that wearing a lace thong might defeat the purpose of wearing them  insofar as the visible panty line – like lace bras, lace on a thong will often show its texture through clothing

·        Don’t wear a g-string every day

·        Never wear a thong for sleeping at night

·        Avoid wearing a thong when menstruating

·        Avoid wearing a thong for long trips, like flying

What was going on under all those Skirts?

Historical women’s underwear was truly mind boggling. They might not have worn bras or underpants, but they certainly didn’t skimp on hidden fripperies under their skirts. In fact, there was some seriously hardcore hardware worn underneath clothing.

Here is a rundown on what well-dressed ladies wore underneath those long skirts...

·        Open Crotch Pantalets – these were basically two individual leg covers which came over the hips at the sides and tied at the waist. They provided no cover to the genitalia whatsoever, being fully open from the thigh to the waist. It was believed that women required proper ventilation in the area. In the mid-1800s, some of these pantalets or drawers had optional buttons applied to the crotch.

·        Dimity Pockets – before the days of handbags, this was how women carried their bits and bobs, including keys. There were worn under the skirt, tied at the waist, and were accessed via a slit in the folds of the skirt. In time, pockets were sewn directly into skirts instead.

·        Panniers – these were wide hooped petticoats. The woman tied the support garment at the waist, which gave the shape to dresses during the 1700’s. The style of the time dictated a very wide skirt from the hips – panniers created the effect.

·        Bustles – these were worn in the later 1800’s and early 1900’s. Women wanted an hourglass silhouette and the bustle nicely contrasted with the cinched and corseted waist. The bustle enhanced and showed off the buttocks – so that even the flattest-bottomed woman had a pleasing rear.

·        Cage Crinolines – these were the undergarment big guns. The shape of the early Victorian era dictated tiny waists and voluminous skirts – the bigger the better. Enter the Cage Crinoline. Rings of steel were attached with string and worn tied at the waist. They not only distributed the enormous amount of fabric in women’s skirts, they allowed a woman to walk without getting tangled in said skirting. They had to be removed to catch public transport, and women required assistance to dress.