History

• While American women began wearing hip hugger panties in the 1960s and bikinis in the 1970s, the thong and G-string came into fashion in Brazil. G-strings and thongs were worn as underwear and swimwear. These skimpy options were first seen on exotic dancers and as a part of adult lingerie long before they became everyday wear garments for the average woman.
  
  

Types

• A thong and G-string are primarily distinguished by the amount of fabric. A thong typically has a 1/2- to 1-inch back panel, while a G-string has a much, much narrower one. Variations on the thong include the thong boyshort, which has a narrow panel at the lower back, then spreads to cover the upper hip area, often in stretch lace. The most common variation on a G-string is the V-string. While a G-string meets in perpendicular lines, a V-string splits to form a V shape at the top of the buttocks.
  
  

Materials

• G-strings are most commonly made to be seen, not worn for long. They are often made from satin, chiffon or other pretty but less practical fabrics. Many women opt for thongs for daily wear, so very thin and light cotton knits, stretch lace and microfiber are widely available. When shopping for a thong or a G-string, be sure to choose fabrics that are quite soft and will not bind or cut into your skin.
  
  

Benefits

• Both thongs and G-strings can prevent visible panty line. Do be sure that the ones you choose fit well and do not cut into your skin at the waist, as this can be visible through your clothing. Fabrics with a significant amount of stretch and no elastic may be the most comfortable and produce the smoothest look under clothes.
  
  

Alternatives

• If you simply hate every thong or G-string you've ever tried, there are other options to prevent visible panty lines and keep your backside covered. Boyshorts are comfortable, easy to wear, have back coverage and produce minimal panty lines. You may also find that several manufacturers offer full coverage styles designed to avoid visible panty lines with limited elastic, soft leg openings or a cut that reaches just under the buttocks.