My first steps in a thong

[beachlion]

Around 2000, with help from the Internet, my interest in thongs started in earnest. Through forums, I found out that Dore Gabriel (Beachndance) made good thongs and strings. So I ordered 10 different models but all in royal blue. My idea was that when people got used to me in a rather large model, a smaller model would not be noticed as small. But the first step was quite nerve wracking. I went to a small French beach resort close to Belgium near the end of season. I went to an empty part of the beach and sat on my towel. After some time I stood up and walked to the shoreline and back. Nobody noticed. Then I walked along the shoreline, farther away from people. When I walked back, I walked closer to people and still nobody looked at me. A little later I walked along the shoreline past the more crowded part of the beach and still no reaction at all.
The next day I wore a slightly smaller thong and walked the beach for quite some time and the feeling of the wind on your behind was very exciting. A year later I went to the South of France. Here it was very crowded and I had to get used to wearing thongs in public again. But nobody paid any attention to it so my thongs became a little more skimpy.
Now I don't have any problems with being in public in skimpy suits as long as I know it is legal. That is the big difference between liberal Europe and puritan America. Nobody in his right mind would tell people how big a swimsuit should be in Europe. The burkini-thing in France will blow over with the legal action now. A lot of beaches allow nudity like in Spain and the Netherlands. So I'm happy I can visit Sandy Hook, NJ, where there is even a nude beach.

[ManThong]

Thanks for sharing.  Did you begin wearing thongs to the beach in 2000?   Man thongs have definitely become more acceptable as a choice or preference.   There are scads of guys who enjoy that type of underwear and their partners know it.   

[beachlion]

For me, thong underwear in general is not much off an issue, nobody will see it unless you undress. Walking around in public is something else, you need some confidence to do it. But when you get older, I just turned 72, it is easier.
Around 2000, I started in earnest but I had my first home made G-string on at the beach around 1960. And later in 1980 I walked the beaches of St Tropez in a G-string.
The B/W picture shows my first home made one, the second picture is from a slide I took at St Tropez around 1980 when strings were quite popular for men.

[ManThong]

That is amazing - it really is. 

[thongornothin]

Fashion history needs to repeat itself with regard to men's swimwear, STAT! This is so awesome. Why can't society be as open today as they were then?? I mean, we're very open on so many other topics...


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[thongenthusiast]

@beachlion thank you for your boldness in your own comfort regarding thongs. It has laid the groundwork for the rest of us to also be comfortable and open. Because of you I don't need to wait till I'm 50 to be comfortable in my own underwear. Thank you!

[beachlion]

Now I live in the USA, my only concern is the legal aspect. In the Netherlands, where I came from, there are no laws about the way you should be clothed. Only laws about obscenity are in place. So it is up to a judge and in Europe they are quite liberal.
In the beginning it is the fear what other people might think. But with time you will overcome this.

[kiyoothong]

I think swimwear and underwear have gotten baggier over the years, but do you think there has been a rise in men's thongs? I actually think that men's thongs are becoming less popular. Before, I used to be able to get men's thongs at department stores. Now, it's so hard to find men's thongs. All those popular brands like Calvin Klein and Armani have stopped producing men's thongs. Maybe there is more selection online, but I have a feeling that men's thongs aren't that popular.

[beachlion]

I think there is a shift in the way products are sold. With the Internet, the whole world is your potential customer. With a physical shop only your neighborhood. A shop needs to have a certain amount of cashflow. If something is not making enough money then it just goes. Just a few specialized shops will have thong underware on the shelves, especially male thongs. So your best bet is a webshop and with Google, you will find plenty.
If I understand other forums and websites about male thongers correctly, there is a trend into smaller suits. The days of the board shorts may not be over but it is declining. More at the female front than at the males but smaller suits are coming.
Also the tolerance for thong wearers is improving. No more tar and feathers. I think the shock treatment of the religious minorities in the USA are less effective. It looks like younger people are getting more adventurous.

For webshops: Joe Snyder, Deadgoodundies, Mensuas to name a few.

[kiyoothong]

Okay, I should go online then. But I think you're right. Younger people these days are more respectful and more adventurous. I was at a nude beach last year, and I was surprised to see a lot of young folks. I  have also noticed that thongers are moving towards smaller suits and that board shorts are declining. Well, we're still a minority, but I just think it is easier to wear thongs in public now. There is less to worry about, and people are actually respectful.

[Thongs4All]

Certain beaches are certainly better for men thongers than others but now it doesn't really phase me. I was on the big island last summer at the pool in a thong and no one cared, not even the staff. But I've been doing that for years I chatted with people and it was no big. Ironically the only dirty look I got came from two teenage girls who were in thongs too. A bunch of cheeky suits on moms, speedos and boardies for men.

[microstringlvr]

The 2 teen aged girls saw you as competition, that's why they gave you the dirty looks!

Certain beaches are certainly better for men thongers than others but now it doesn't really phase me. I was on the big island last summer at the pool in a thong and no one cared, not even the staff. But I've been doing that for years I chatted with people and it was no big. Ironically the only dirty look I got came from two teenage girls who were in thongs too. A bunch of cheeky suits on moms, speedos and boardies for men.

[SmallThong]

The 2 teen aged girls saw you as competition, that's why they gave you the dirty looks!

Certain beaches are certainly better for men thongers than others but now it doesn't really phase me. I was on the big island last summer at the pool in a thong and no one cared, not even the staff. But I've been doing that for years I chatted with people and it was no big. Ironically the only dirty look I got came from two teenage girls who were in thongs too. A bunch of cheeky suits on moms, speedos and boardies for men.

yeah i have to agree with microstringlvr...jealousy can be terrible!  I've witnessed something like this before too...in NJ no less!

[kiyoothong]

Certain beaches are certainly better for men thongers than others but now it doesn't really phase me. I was on the big island last summer at the pool in a thong and no one cared, not even the staff. But I've been doing that for years I chatted with people and it was no big. Ironically the only dirty look I got came from two teenage girls who were in thongs too. A bunch of cheeky suits on moms, speedos and boardies for men.

Jealous because your ass is bigger and rounder than theirs.

[HappiMan]

Around 2000, with help from the Internet, my interest in thongs started in earnest. Through forums, I found out that Dore Gabriel (Beachndance) made good thongs and strings. So I ordered 10 different models but all in royal blue. My idea was that when people got used to me in a rather large model, a smaller model would not be noticed as small. But the first step was quite nerve wracking. I went to a small French beach resort close to Belgium near the end of season. I went to an empty part of the beach and sat on my towel. After some time I stood up and walked to the shoreline and back. Nobody noticed. Then I walked along the shoreline, farther away from people. When I walked back, I walked closer to people and still nobody looked at me. A little later I walked along the shoreline past the more crowded part of the beach and still no reaction at all.
The next day I wore a slightly smaller thong and walked the beach for quite some time and the feeling of the wind on your behind was very exciting. A year later I went to the South of France. Here it was very crowded and I had to get used to wearing thongs in public again. But nobody paid any attention to it so my thongs became a little more skimpy.
Now I don't have any problems with being in public in skimpy suits as long as I know it is legal. That is the big difference between liberal Europe and puritan America. Nobody in his right mind would tell people how big a swimsuit should be in Europe. The burkini-thing in France will blow over with the legal action now. A lot of beaches allow nudity like in Spain and the Netherlands. So I'm happy I can visit Sandy Hook, NJ, where there is even a nude beach.

Why the collective guilt towards American puritanism?
I wish I didn't need to be harsh, but it's a very butt-hurt statement to make.