Today we’re going to go over different thong terminology and styles. I’m sure everyone knows this, but let’s define a thong. Webster dictionary defines thong as “an article of swimwear or underwear consisting of a narrow strip of material that passes between the thighs and connects with a waistband.” The part of the thong that passes between the thighs and cheeks is called the tail or you can call it a backstrap. Also some call it the string. You may also hear the term whale tail, which refers to a thong back sticking out above your pants. There are several different styles of thongs and the back styling is what normally differentiates them. To make things more confusing some names are used to represent the same thong style. Add on to that people use the same name to represent two different styles.
Let’s see if we can make some sense of it all. Below we have a graphical representation of the break down of thongs that we’ll be going over.
As you can see we have thongs broken down into 7 possible subgroups. We see these as the main ones, but there are different variations out there. Brands are always trying to come up with something new or mixing styles together. The t-back subgroup is broken down further into 4 more groupings. You probably could argue that Cheekies and Tangas aren’t thongs, but we decided to include them. They could involve some fabric between the cheeks. Let’s get into the different thong styles.
T-Back Thongs
T-Back thongs are thongs that when you look at the back they look like a T. We have T-back thongs broken down into 4 subcategories: Traditional, V-string, G-String, and Rio.Traditional Thong
This is the thong that most likely would come to mind when someone says thong. The tail width is usually around an inch wide. Typically the sides are of similar width giving a uniform T appearance when looking at the back.V-String Thong
Normally a V-string has a triangular piece of fabric at top back that sits at the top of the butt. Then the sides are strings. The pouch and triangle fabric in back are connected with a string the same width as the sides.G-String Thong
A thong with a string waistband. Then the pouch is connected to the waistband with the same sized string. Considered the skimpiest thong type.Rio Thong
When you hear Rio with any underwear cut, think less fabric. A Rio thong has a thinner tail and sides than a traditional thong. Also the pouch is more of a u-shape and provides enough coverage to just contain the package.Y-Back Thong
This one is also called a Y-String. The tail of this thong branches out to connect to the waistband creating a Y. It creates a triangle at the top of the butt with no fabric in the triangle. Some times g-strings are called this too, since you can get the Y look when pulling the sides high on the hips.V-Back Thong
With a V-back thong, the waistband doesn’t connect to itself. Each side is connected to the base of the pouch. Then the sides are usually sewn together where they attach to the pouch a little to create at least part of the tail. Then you get a v effect. These have also been referred to as Y-backs and V-strings too.Jock Thong
me implies it’s a jockstrap and a thong joined together. You have the traditional thong strap between the cheeks and then the two straps of the jock.Cheekie
This is a thong wannabe, The backs are typically look like a wide v-shape. You get fuller coverage at the top and at the bottom the back slips between the cheeks showing them off. Sometimes described as a third back.C-String
This is a thong that has no sides. It has a flexible frame that allows you to slide it on between the legs. Kind of holds on to you like a paper clip does paper. If you lay the c-string on it’s side it looks like the letter C.Tanga
This term seems to be not well defined or at least used loosely in the underwear realm, especially in women’s. Typically people define it as somewhere between the coverage of a thong and a bikini. Now the Oxford Dictionary defines tanga as “A pair of briefs consisting of small panels connected by strings at the sides”. A lot of British underwear brands/retailers call their string bikinis tangas. Their coverages range from a little less than a bikini back to around a half back. But by that definition, anything with string sides with front and back fabric could be considered a tanga, so we’re included it as a possible thong style.Do you consider a Cheekie a thong? Is a Tanga a thong style in your book? Did we miss a thong style? Comment below and let us know. Feel free to also comment and expand upon the post.
Bodyaware has been one of the leading companies in design for fun and fashion in men’s underwear since 1998. If you’re ready to shake up your underwear collection, Bodyaware has a new brief called the Poseidon. They are very similar to their Greek God Brief, except the back vertical seam is gathered. These new briefs are available now. I have not tried this pair of 
If you like blocks of colors then you’ll want to take a look at the new Hybrid-X line from aussieBum. These briefs and hipsters combine deluxe sports styling with classic fabric composition. The color panels are of a sports cotton-elastane blend (59% polyester, 31% cotton, and 10% elastane). The contrasting back is a ribbed cotton-blend. Both fabrics are chosen for ultimate support and comfort. Ribbed cotton is said to tend to move with the body along with it allowing you to perspire during your activities.
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Pretty much everyone knows that thongs are available for women. They’re known for their sex appeal and elimination of those visible panty lines (VPL). You could argue that the thong is probably even more beneficial to men. You get the sex appeal factor and no underwear lines if that is a concern along with good support for the package.
Today is Jockstrap Wednesday. They day we celebrate jocks of all kinds and varieties. You can wear them to work, the gym or just around the house. For some time, I have been hearing fewer guys wearing jocks. In 2009 was the Year of the Jock on UNB. It was the first really big year of fashion jocks. That year EVERYONE had jocks. We were leaving behind the classic and entering a new phase.
I am in the process of sorting through the responses and getting the results finalized. Some interesting things in this year’s survey. One that I think is fun to ask is “How many pairs of underwear are in your collection?” We are all curious if we have the right amount of underwear or not enough. I think I fall on the “NOT ENOUGH” end, even though I have more pairs than just about anyone I know.
The 
