This season I want to reach a new level of confidence as a thong wearer on the beach. I already wear swim thongs, but until now I try to chose quietest parts of the beach. I tan and go into the water in my thong (a Desmiit one), no problem, even if I am a little self conscious. And if someone is coming near me I consider that the person hasn’t any problem with my swimsuit. But now I want to challenge myself to go in the crowded parts of the beach. I will tell you my progresses. I started today during my lunch break. There were some people already tanning on the beach and I didn’t want to walk far. Minutes later, while I was laying on my stomach, other people have settled near me, so my thong was not a problem. There were young men and a young lady, and I was the only one in a thong. Tell me if you are in the same process to increase self confidence, what steps you do. Of course I know that many of you are totally confident.
I started out in more secluded areas but then pushed more towards medium crowds. As far as a very crowded beach I avoid that regardless of my swimwear. I don’t find it relaxing when you have people all around you. Last week I had a couple walk by me when I was laying out, buns fully exposed. They setup 20 feet from me and that’s about as close as I feel comfortable having someone that close. Good for you going to the crowds though, the more people that see you the more normal it will be. I’ll keep doing my thing acting normal at the beach.
“Doing [your] thing acting normally” is really the only way.
Traveling places where the usual dress code is “less” also helps. In Spain, it’s permitted to be nude at any beach; even if thongs are not usually seen, nobody will (visibly) blink an eye if you wear one. Portugal and France are almost as permissive, and Italy just behind that. Closer to home, California or Florida, e.g. Or, as I recently learned, Puerto Rico.
When you get back to your home beach(es) after several trips wearing a thong for a week here, two weeks there, thongs have become your usual beachwear, so you just wear one and it’s no big deal. Sure, you might be a bit nervous at a different place, but I have to think that’s normal.
One thing I do to calm the jitters is wear a slightly larger thong the first time I’m somewhere, just to gauge the reaction. If no big deal, I’ll wear my usual smaller ones next time around.
For what it’s worth, from the US Midwest, I started similarly to you, cautious at first. Ultimately, at this point I setup wherever I want, even on crowded beaches. Usually with my wife, also wearing a thong, and often with friends and kids. To this day I haven’t had any “issue.” I used to be pretty nervous I’d encounter some negativity, especially on Lake Michigan beaches for example, but I’ve only ever had people stop me to share compliments. Even with rangers and law enforcement, they have never said anything, they are usually way more concerned about catching people having a beer on the beach it seems! Just do your thing & don’t act like a weirdo!
Yeah, Midwestern mid-40s dad here. I started exactly the same way secluded beaches, carefully picking spots far away from people. Fast forward a few years and now I’m confidently wearing thongs on full-blown 6,000-passenger cruise ships.
What you eventually realize is this: yes, people will look. A man in a thong is still rare enough that people notice it immediately. But “being noticed” is not the same thing as “being judged negatively.” Most of the time people are simply curious, surprised, amused, or honestly impressed by the confidence.
The biggest thing is to carry yourself normally. Don’t act nervous or awkward. Walk around like you would in swim shorts. Smile. Say hi. Once you break the ice, everybody relaxes.
In all the years I’ve done this, I’ve never had anyone get angry or confront me. If anything, people tend to smile awkwardly because they’re the ones suddenly feeling self-conscious or flustered.
On my last cruise, I had two women intentionally hang back on a staircase so I’d walk up ahead of them. I could absolutely feel the eyes on me. At first my brain went into that old conditioned thinking: “This is weird. Men aren’t supposed to do this.” But then I realized something important, they made that choice themselves because they enjoyed the view. So instead of shrinking away, I leaned into the moment with confidence and humor.
We ended up chatting for a few minutes. They complimented my confidence, and I told them honestly that a huge part of it comes from having my wife — my best friend — encouraging me to just be myself and stop living according to everybody else’s expectations.
Oddly enough, that little interaction became a core memory for me. It wasn’t really about the thong at all. It was about finally realizing that confidence isn’t something you buy or magically receive from others. It comes from being bold enough to put yourself out there without guarantees and realizing you’ll be okay no matter what happens.
And honestly? Most people respond far more positively than your anxious brain tells you they will.
At the end of the day, you’re living your life, not somebody else’s comfort zone.
What a great post. I just returned from a cruise and although I thonged at the adult pool I never mustered the courage to walk around and get in the pool. Maybe I’ll eventually get to that point but my lack of self confidence got in the way. That is something I need to overcome.
You have progressed a little further than me already. Trying to gain a little confidence myself. So far only been sunning in a less populated area not had the guts to go to the water. As daily underwear I only wear thongs 99,99% started to think it felt strange to jump into board shorts. So upgrade my swimwear a bit some briefs and thongs.
I wear thongs most of the times. When I don’t wear thongs (family outings/gym areas) I wear swim briefs which now feel like board shorts. I started with swim briefs and quickly realized no one cares. I did get attention from both women and men, both in a positive way. It’s a confidence thing, same thing happens when I wear thongs. Be confident and own it!
I have worn thongs for many years although still get away from families and tourist in bermuda short, socks, and sandals ;-). But on my last beach trip, I decided I would wear a g-string (Skinzwear M55 in mesh). Other than the pouch to cover essentials, it is just shoe laces. It made me once again have that “I’m going to take the plunge” feeling when I took off my shorts. So from an observer perspective, is there any or much difference between wearing a thong and wearing g-string?
What I like about thongs is that they provide some support, which I find comfortable for swimming, e.g. They are also not quite as “in your face” as g-strings, so I find them more defensible on public beaches where other people might possibly object.
I personally would never wear a mesh swimsuit on a public beach, it’s just asking for a confrontation (I’ve seen this happen, btw, with women in mesh swimsuits at otherwise tolerant beaches). I’m strongly in the “co-exist” camp and mesh swimsuits don’t line up with that – in my opinion, ofc.
In general I agree with your position. Although the mesh on my string was a mullt-color print so unless backlit or your very very close, it is not extremely revealing.
I wholeheartedly agree. I prefer swim thongs because they essentially look like swim briefs from the front. It certainly helps when you’re feeling unsure about wearing a thong and are trying to build up confidence… in the same vein, I do think mesh swimsuits are too deliberate in how revealing they are and to a lot of people, that means there’s no ambiguity in that you’re trying to be an exhibitionist
But honestly, I think this makes a lot of sense! I imagine they must be similar to many tan-through suits, which uses complex-looking patterns to confuse the eyes out of seeing the mesh of the suit.
Good for you! As a bikini brief wearer I have got the nerve to here in the states (New Jersey) but I’d love to sport my thong just not sure how anyone would feel about an older 56 yr guy showing his body!
If you go to any beach and look with a harsh eye, you might decide that at least one third of the people should not be out in public in a swimsuit of any type. If the criteria include “looks great in such-and-so”, that would disqualify so many people that only the youngest and most beautiful would be allowed to go to the beach.
By all means, take care of yourself and make yourself look good. But you do not need to be your own gatekeeper.
Whenever we set up I ask my wife, “cool to strip down here?” … she’s never said no. Solves most of my concerns. 
IMO … mesh on a crowded beach is asking for a problem … especially if the police show up.
Agree, if anyone complains you’ve got no plausible defense. And it risks the authorities cracking down on everyone else even if they are wearing more modest thongs.
I went out to my local spot of and and water today. Given it was Memorial Day I figured the park would be very busy, os I got there early.i brought a bucktooth do a short ride before setting up for the day. When I got off the bike I saw a friend setting up. I joined her as another woman friend showed up. They like to be in the thick of things. As a result there is no hiding when I’m with them (not that I hide anyway). One of the women wore a cheeky bikini the other one wore a swimsuit with much more coverage. I stripped down to my thong. Soon enough we had many people around us. Soon another friend walks up and strips down to his Speedo. As the day progresses no one seems to be concerns about the guys in the more revealing suits on the beach for men, me in a thong, him in a Speedo. My friend wearing the Speedo takes off leaving me with the two women. Soon my friend wearing the cheeky bikini takes off leaving two of us in the throng of other beach goers. We have a group of teenagers ask if they can set up next to us. It was a great day.
I know many people believe they need to be on the more secluded parts of a beach. What I have found is the more you act like you belong the more people are accepting or at least tolerate of a man wearing a thong.
I agree. I have only worn thongs and g-strings in public as recent as 8 years ago. Ever since, I have never looked back. I am now trying to make up for lost time. As I get older, a have realized no one really cares. In fact, I think most people applaud me for my courage to wear such minimal coverage suits. When people find out I like to wear thongs and g-strings at the beach, they always say it’s great I have the courage to do so. I just wish I could find a female companion willing to join me.
When I go to the beach, I try to get there early, but don’t make it a point to be too far away from everyone. I set up in a location as if I am wearing what most people consider a normal swimsuit. In some cases, I am wearing a “cover up” swim trunk or brief from Cocksox, or in other cases I am already only wearing a thong or g-string. I find it even easier to ride a bike to the beach wearing my Cocksox swim trunks over a much smaller suit. This is because I usually cannot be riding down the street wearing just a thong or g-string. As soon as I hit the beach, I take off the swim trunks. I find that if you are doing something, the activity helps distract what I am wearing. People usually don’t realize what I am wearing until I am about to pass them or after I pass them. After I ride for miles and see that no has said a word, it gets to a point I don’t remember what I am wearing. I am more focused on the activity or thinking how much time I need to get back to my set up spot. Now I will say I occasionally hear a few whoops and hollers from afar, but it has always been positive.
In summary, I have no issues being near other people when I am only wearing a thong or g-string. I am not being creepy in any way whatsoever. I am just enjoying the beach like everyone else. I am just wearing a legal suit that allows for a maximum suntan.