Models in Thong

Thongs are descended from the earliest form of clothing, the loincloth, which were generally a male’s clothing item, the reverse of modern Western culture where the thong has more acceptance among women. It is thought that they were originally developed to hide the male anatomy by primitive peoples. In modern clothing, thongs first became popular as a swimsuit style in Brazil. The origin of the word "thong" is from the Old English thwong, a flexible leather cord.

More than 60 models from Peru, Brazil and Argentina have bared almost all at a lingerie and bikini event at Peru's annual fashion show.

The wearing of thong swimwear on the beach is fairly common in the Southern European countries and on the tropical beaches of South America and Florida. They are generally accepted or tolerated in most western countries, including most of Europe, North and South America, Australia, and parts of Asia. They are banned or highly discouraged in some places, including some Muslim countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, but also in a few western locations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.