A woman with blond hair wearing a green bralette and a black thong lays sideways on a textured white sheet

G String vs Thong: What's the Difference?

Paulina Kwik

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So, you’re ready to venture into the world of cheek forward panties (awesome!) but perhaps you’re unclear on the differences between a g string vs thong. How are you meant to let your booty breathe when you don’t know what the best cheeky underwear option is for you? Well, don't you worry your pretty little head, I’m here to clear things up!


Before we get into the meat of the issue let’s address the question, why do women wear thongs ? There are many reasons! Comfort and practically reign supreme here, because the less fabric your panties have, the easier they are to disguise under every outfit. Plus, a thong is a great alternative to women going commando !

Now, the above enthusiasm applies to both thongs and g strings and it’s all a matter of figuring out which style works better for you. So, without further ado, let’s start picking apart this whole thong vs g string debate!

BRIEF HISTORY OF THONGS

A woman wearing WAMA green hemp thong.

I’m going to give you a little spoiler to our main question “what’s the difference between g string vs thong?” The reality is that a g string is just a style of thong (and we’ll get into exactly what kind in a moment) so to start this show off correctly we need to ask some thong related questions. Like, who invented thongs ? And when?


Thong-like staples of underwear have actually been around for many centuries! Thong-like styles of underwear can be traced as far back as 42,000 BCE in Africa where they were worn by hunter-gatherers.


A more modern appearance of the thong can be traced back to the 1939 World’s Fair in New York where nude dancers were required to cover up . Of course, they did this in a manner that still left little to the imagination, so the idea of underwear with very little fabric was born (even though it didn’t stick beyond the performances).


That brings us to the actual birth and popularization of the thong. In the 1970s, a designer named Rudi Gernreich released a thong bathing suit in response to a public nudity ban . I guess some people still really wanted to let their butts hang loose in public so the concept took flight. Within a year, thong underwear became quite a thing and it’s been around ever since!

WHAT ARE G STRINGS?

A woman in a black hemp thong and black top posing on the beach

So, what are g strings? The simplest way to put it is that a g string is basically a thong but with far less fabric. What exactly does that mean?


Well, if you take a look at a standard pair of thong underwear , you’ll probably find that even though it leaves most of your butt exposed, the fabric around the waistband and the back strap is still quite sturdy.


A g string typically has a flimsier build. Namely, where a thong still has a triangle of fabric that runs from your lower back to the top of your butt, a g string just kind of disappears inside. Well, not literally, but you get the picture!


Many people wear thongs to avoid visible panty lines and ensure their underwear is completely hidden. A g string just provides a more extreme version of that!

G STRING VS THONG: THE DIFFERENCES

A woman sitting on a mans lap wearing WAMA Green hemp thong.

Now that we know that a g string is basically the daughter of a thong, let’s dig into their differences and what makes for an ideal pair of each style!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A THONG

Thongs come in many different styles and fabrics. Think about how you intend to utilize your thong before you embark on the journey of searching for one. Here’s what to consider:


  • Are you planning on using your new thong on the daily or will it be more of a special occasion item? A simple thong made out of a soft, sustainable fabric is best for daily use while frilly, lacy thongs are best left for nights out (or spicy nights in)!
  • What kind of style suits you best? The waistband of a thong can come in a variety of thicknesses. The same goes for the strap that runs down the back. The comfort level of each depends on personal preference so choose wisely!
  • Is it made of a natural fabric? A thong gets real up close and personal with your intimate bits so it’s wisest to opt-out of any synthetic fabrics that may cause chafing or irritation.

There are a few other factors that you should keep in mind when choosing a thong such as the fabric and the fit. I’ll be discussing those in further detail in the next section!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A G-STRING

A woman laying down on her belly wearing g-string.

Buying a g string requires a bit more consideration because they tend to be made with less structural integrity and are slightly more invasive on the body than thongs. Choosing the right fabric and fit is even more important in this case.


When picking out the perfect g string, consider how much use it will be getting:


  • If your goal is to wear a g string to avoid panty lines, I say simple is always better. Look for one with a waistband that lays smoothly against your hips without causing a bump.
  • If your aim is to spice things up in the bedroom then the build of the g string is a little less important. You’ll only be wearing it for a little while (hopefully, the goal is for it to end up on the floor!) so the comfort levels are a little less important. All you need to do is pick one that makes that booty pop!

3 WAYS TO ROCK THONGS AND G STRINGS COMFORTABLY AND CONFIDENTLY

a woman standing in front of a mirror wearing hemp underwear and bralette snapping a mirror selfie.

Thongs and g strings are both styles of underwear that get up close and personal with your back door. That can result in some bacteria transferring to your vagina and nobody wants that! While thongs are not linked to causing urogenital infections more than regular underwear, it is still vital to know how to wear one safely.


Here are the 3 things to consider when buying/wearing a thong or a g string:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT FABRIC

This one is super important! You can follow all the other tips in this article, but if your thong is made of a restrictive, stifling synthetic material then you’re already starting off in a less than ideal position. Natural fabrics, like hemp, are always the best option for underwear. This is especially important for a thong or a g string.


Hemp , for example, makes for the best antibacterial underwear . It’s a breathable and moisture wicking fabric, as well. All of these qualities make it an excellent fabric for a thong or a g string because they ensure that your hoo-ha won’t be locked in a swampy prison or subjected to the nasties that can travel down from your garbage chute.


The other positive of natural fabrics is that they are often more durable. This is especially handy when it comes to g strings because they have a flimsier build. If the elastic on a g string is cheaply made then it’s inevitable that it will eventually snap. Do what’s best for your body and the planet and opt for natural over synthetic!

KNOW WHEN TO WEAR IT

A woman laying down on a white sheet wearing black bra and black hemp thong.

Both thongs and g strings can be used on a daily basis if that’s something that works for you. However, there are times when you want to avoid wearing either style of underwear. Wearing your thong or g string to sleep is not the best idea. You move around at night which can cause your thong to move as well, making the transfer of bacteria more likely.


Going to the gym or hiking whilst wearing a thong or g string is also not recommended. The build up of moisture plus the effect of moving your body can also cause some unnecessary bacteria transfer to occur.

MAKE SURE THE FIT IS PERFECT

You definitely don’t want your thong or g string to be too tight. The waistband should rest comfortably against your hips without cutting into your skin. The same goes for the strap in the back.


When buying a g string, make sure the back strap rests in your butt crack without going too deep. The wedgie effect is unavoidable when wearing a g string but it should be loose enough that it doesn’t cause any friction down there. Comfort should be a priority!

THONG VS G STRING FAQ

A woman standing with her hand on her waist wearing WAMA green hemp thong.

Well, there you have it, a comprehensive discussion of the differences between g string vs thong! May your booty-baring journey be smooth now that you know which of these styles is your jam!


Before I leave you, let’s address some final questions that may still be rooting around your brain on the topic of thong vs g string.

1. WHAT'S MORE COMFORTABLE? A G STRING VS THONG?

This really depends on personal preference. Many people would find a thong more practical and comfortable simply because the wider straps rest against your body more comfortably. A g string is more prone to digging into your waist or giving you an uncomfy “wedgie” feeling so the right fit is especially important!

2. DO G STRINGS CAUSE VISIBLE PANTY LINES?

Thongs are a go-to solution for eliminating dreaded VPL but g strings can actually be even more effective in some cases!

3. SHOULD YOU SLEEP IN A THONG?

It’s recommended that you don’t! Because a thong gets real close to all of your intimate bits, bacteria transfer is highly possible. If you move around at night your thong might shift and enable the bacteria to spread from your rear and to your front bits and no one wants that!

CONCLUSION: G STRING VS THONG

Two women facing back wearing black lace bra and lace thong.

So, what do you think? Did I get them all? Is there anything crucial you think people should know before embarking on the journey of wearing thongs? And what is your personal preference with this style of underwear? Let me know in the comments!

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