Possible trigger warning: if you are of the belief that Noughties fashion is best left there then stop reading now.
If you're not, however, then you probably consider Beyoncé the owner of the world’s most #blessed booty. Because while the rest of us are still living it up down there in so-comfy-we-fear-we’ll-never-get-out-of-them granny pants, Beyoncé is the latest celeb to debut what’s set to become one of 2021’s hottest items: the thong.
Appearing on multiple covers for the latest issue of British Vogue, Beyoncé was photographed wearing a back-slashed gown (by fashion darling Christopher John Rogers) that was just low cut enough to reveal a crystal thong from Agent Provocateur.
And she's not the only one. Posting on Instagram a few weekends ago, Kim Kardashian West was one of the first to be seen in the social media wild in Matthew M Williams’ debut Givenchy collection – a black maxi dress with a cut out back, all the better for showing off the red G-string. ‘WOW @matthewmwilliams’ she wrote. ‘Congratulations on your first @givenchyofficial collection! It is such a beautiful collection. I can’t wait to wear all the looks you’ve sent!!!’
So (partially) gird your loins, the G-string is a thing again. And not just on Planet Beyoncé/Kardashian. Bella Hadid and Adut Akech have both posted pics of their peeping out of their waistbands. Versace, Supriya Lele and Maximilian Davis’s SS21 collections included trousers and skirts with cut outs at the hips to mimic the appearance of a thong riding out of the top. There they were too in Rihanna’s latest Savage X Fenty show, and on the artwork for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP. For a sliver of fabric, they sure are wielding a lot of power right now.
This isn’t the first time Kardashian West has donned a thong. In 2018, she previously took to the ‘gram in one for a picture ostensibly taken to promote her makeup line. Of course, not just any old thong can find its way onto this in-demand derriere. On the contrary, only very special old thongs do. Because old that one was – the same age as Kylie Jenner to be precise – having made its debut in the Gucci catwalk back in 1997 when Tom Ford, master of sexually charged turbo glamour, sent an otherwise bare-bummed model down the runway in one (there is now one of these double-G buckled styles in the Met Museum’s permanent collection). If you were in any doubt that she was the guardian of the world’s most powerful posterior, consider this: according to Lyst, there was an 88% surge in searches for ‘thongs’ in the 24 hours following that appearance.
For many of us, the sight a G-string no doubt triggers a case of Post Traumatic Sartorial Disorder. If you’re a woman of a certain age, you’ll be taken straight back to a time when wearing a thong riding out of your super low slung, boot cut jeans (best teamed with a Smirnoff Ice and a ‘dressy top’) was a veritable rite of passage into sophisticated adulthood.
The great irony of the thong is that while the crux of its charm was its supposed invisibility (in that it banished VPL) the G-string was the most noticeable knicker of all. Patterned or plain, embellished or with ribbons, it didn’t matter; the only rule was to have a flash of whale tail on show. Nobody was safe; yes it was a Christina Aguilera staple, but Gillian Anderson also wore one out and proud one at the 2001 Vanity Fair party. As the ancient proverb goes: if you’re wearing a thong but nobody sees it, are you even wearing a thong at all? Or something like that.
Kim’s G-string moment marks the apex in the revival of all things late ’90s/early ’00s (see: her and Paris Hilton in velour tracksuits last week) and her particular penchant for reviving items we thought had been banished for good (see: cycling shorts). More than that, however, perhaps a status thong is the only place to go for the woman who has and has tried everything.
So is the thong set for a comeback IRL? Fans (and they are out there) will argue they never really went away, just undercover. Which of course is where one could argue they are best left - no butts.
SEE: The Best Noughties Fashion Trends
1 of 21Jennifer Lopez's Cropped Cargo Pants
There's a lot to breakdown in this outfit. Highlights include cropped cargo pants, a jaunty crochet beret, a sequin shrug AND a 'Passion' logo bag.
2 of 21Victoria Beckham's Sunglasses
This whole VB era is iconic. The bigger the shades the better - and we stand by it.
3 of 21Nicole Richie's Headscarf
This whole outfit from Nicole is everything. The neon boob tube, the cross-body bag, the headscarf, it's peak 2000s.
4 of 21Leighton Meester's Jeans And A Nice Top
The ultimate 'It' girl combo; unbelievably low jeans and a pretty little top. She gets bonus points for the dangly earrings, teeny bag and cork wedges combo.
5 of 21Beyoncé's Pink Shag Bands
The polka dot two-piece is '00s enough, but throw in some neon pink accessories and the whole thing falls into place.
6 of 21Lindsey Lohan's Boot-cut Jeans And Belt
A moment for this whole outfit. The fitted shirt. The wrap-around sunglasses. The chain belt that does absolutely nothing. Perfect.
7 of 21Christina Milian's Scarf Belt
Another entry for pointless belts - and this time it's the sparkly scarf version. Warning, do not go near these with any kind of jewellery: these scarves were snag city.
8 of 21Atomic Kitten's Denim
Aren't Natasha's slim-line pedal pushers a thing of '00s beauty?
9 of 21Kate Moss’s Yellow Dress
10 of 21Lucy Liu's Halter Top
The mid 2000s saw Liu become a halterneck connoisseur. This strappy black number is a particular highlight and wouldn't look out of place in 2022.
11 of 21Mary-Kate Olsen’s Cowboy Boots
She's one half of the twin powerhouse behind Manhattan's most minimalist luxury brand, but back in the early noughties, Mary-Kate Olsen's wardrobe was all tangled necklaces, laddered tights and knee-high cowboy boots. I still remember making scrapbooks out of her courtside outfits on my bedroom floor. Sigh.
12 of 21Zoë Kravitz's Waistcoat
I also remember wanting a school friend's collection of waistcoats. Weird, but true, although Zoë Kravitz's, paired with a tank top and bootcut jeans for an early red carpet appearance, is kind of ticking all the boxes. Right?
13 of 21Nicole Richie’s Headband
Another Nicole Richie appreciation entry. Post-The Simple Life, AKA the Rachel Zoe years, Richie's style was an endless goldmine of boho inspiration for noughties teenagers. Who else remembers trying, and failing, to make a headband across the forehead look this cool?
14 of 21Ariana Grande’s Tattoo Choker
Chokers have been 'back' for years, but nothing will ever live up to their first incarnation - stretchy bands of plastic that looked a little like neck tattoos. FYI, you can still buy a pack of three from Claire's for under a fiver.
15 of 21Rachel Bilson’s Boot-leg Jeans
They're so much more flattering than skinnies, but the word 'boot-leg' is still enough to strike fear into the hearts of most. This wasn't so in the early noughties, with The OC's Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts both paid-up fans of the flaring cut.
16 of 21Beyoncé's Boob Tube Dress
Another entry for Queen B. Beyoncé wore one, and so did Carrie Bradshaw, yet a stretchy boob tube dress seems vaguely terrifying now. Who knows? If combat trousers and bandanas can do it, maybe boob tubes are due a comeback.
17 of 21Melissa Joan Hart’s Leather Coats
Hands up if you used to daydream about being able to change outfits like Sabrina? We'll also take Melissa Joan Hart's burgundy leather coat. Thanks.
18 of 21Tia and Tamara Mowry’s Baker Boy Hats
Of all the questionable hats belonging to the noughties hall of fame, the baker boy is perhaps the most underappreciated. Spotted here on Sister Sister's Tia and Tamara Mowry, we're thinking it's ripe for a renaissance (outside of Peaky Blinders).
19 of 21Cameron Diaz’s Strappy Top
Oddly enough, Cameron Diaz's strappy top, metallic mule sandals and low-slung jeans could be part of Hailey Bieber or Bella Hadid's Instagram-approved wardrobe in 2022 .
20 of 21Halle Berry’s Tinted Sunglasses
Halle Berry's sunset-coloured shades - note, without rims - were the cat's eye of the early noughties.
21 of 21Reese Witherspoon's Polo Neck
Ah 2000, when celebrities wore (at least what looked like) their own clothes on the red carpet instead of gowns. Case in point, Reese Witherspoon's wardrobe of black polo necks and caramel leather trousers that defined the era's dress code: don't try too hard and definitely don't wear a dress.