I was one of those guys.
I bought my first swim thong for a trip to Europe. It was wishful thinking. Thongs weren’t common at the time, and I was no trendsetter. I’d never even worn swim briefs.
It was a while before I tried again. I set my sights a little lower and bought a Speedo square cut and swim brief to wear while swimming laps. The square cut was my security blanket, something I could wear while I acclimated to the gym pool. What I really wanted was confirmation that swim briefs were okay, but everyone else wore more modest swimsuits. I knew it would be a long time if I waited for someone else to wear one first.
New situations make me nervous. I’m usually more comfortable when I can take my time and approach things in stages. After a few swims in the square cut, I felt like I had a good understanding of the pool routine. So, I decided to switch to the swim brief. There had never really been any cause for concern. They are, after all, one of the two standard men’s athletic swimwear styles along with jammers. I just didn’t want to be the guy in the skimpy swimsuit while I was also figuring out how things worked at the facility.
Swim briefs became my preferred style, and I quickly reached the point where I didn’t need to pack a fallback. It was still rare to see someone else wearing one, but I no longer worried about being first.
As time went by, I couldn’t help noticing that thongs were becoming more popular at the local beaches. It felt like the opportune moment to give them another shot. The thong I’d purchased years earlier was long gone, so I went online and ordered a few new ones. There was a coed spa area between the men’s and women’s locker rooms at the gym. It was usually quiet, so I felt okay wearing thongs there on occasion, and my towel was never far away if I needed to cover up.
Unfortunately, another member decided to complain to the manager, who politely asked me to wear something less revealing. I complied and didn’t complain. The gym was my sanctuary, a place to relax and recharge, so I didn’t want to risk losing access.
The pandemic forced the gym to close shortly after that incident. Like most of the world, my wife and I isolated ourselves. When things began to normalize, we planned a trip, which included a stay at a boutique hotel with a pool. I packed a thong and a swim brief as backup. While I had technically already worn a thong swimsuit, it felt like the first time. The pool was relatively uncrowded and the hotel catered to adults. I was a little nervous, because no one else was wearing a thong, but I went for it, and I was glad I did.
I eventually resumed my membership at the gym. During the pandemic, thongs had continued to become more popular, and it was common to see them at the nearby beach. I asked the manager if they could be worn in the spa at the gym. They agreed that trends had changed and reversed their previous decision.
The voice in my head saying “What will people think?” is still there, but it’s gotten quieter and less difficult to overcome. Some things get easier with time and experience. I cannot say I’m comfortable wearing thong swimsuits everywhere without a second thought, but I don’t wait for someone else to be first.
