As I wrote in my introduction, I have been wearing thongs for a number of years as underwear. This year this summer will be my fourth one of wearing thongs as swimwear as well. I do regret one thing: not finding the courage of wearing thong swimwear earlier than 26. My advice to all who are considering wearing thong swimwear is this: most of the fears that you have can disappear. Your only concern should be staying on the right side of the law (it's not a problem here in Europe, but from what I read it might be something worth checking out in the USA.
Last summer I only wore thong swimsuits, except one occasion in which my gf and me took to the beach another friend of ours. I wore a brazilian back, as I wasn't sure on our friends' reaction and didn't want to put her at unease. Now in hindsight, I can say I should have worn a thong
I also found myself wanting to try slightly skimpier models. I remember the first time I bought a thong swimsuit, I was really convinced that it should be moderate and look like regular briefs from the front. Now I find it normal to consider wearing g-strings on quiet beaches. I also have thong tanlines; I think they're great, the "mark" of a thong wearer.
Here's a list of the swimwear that I currently own.
-1 swim short. Classic model of "short dork shorts". An old swimsuit which nowadays I only use as coverup from the car to the beach.
-2 swimming briefs. One is skimpier than standard, more low rise. I keep these for the occasions in which I can't wear thong swimwear. Haven't used them for two years.
-1 brazilian back swimsuit. Custom made, skimpy low rise front, brazilian back. I had it done in order to have something that qualifies as "almost thong, but not quite" that would act as my most covering swimsuit.
-1 "speedo thong" swimsuit, with drawstring. Looks like a sort of a skimpy speedo from the front. Probably my most moderate proper thong.
-2 thong swimsuits. Skimpier than the one above, thinner sides.
-1 string-side thong swimsuit (the one you can see in my profile picture)
-1 g string swimsuit (as above, but only string back)