The days are getting longer, but it isn’t warm enough to wear a thong outside in the Pacific Northwest just yet. I’ve been frequenting a nearby sauna and cold plunge where swimsuits are de rigueur. It’s a relaxing way to spend an hour regardless of the weather.
In the past, I might have started in a more modest style, gotten a sense of the norms, and perhaps even waited until I saw someone else wearing a thong before donning one myself. Instead, I wore a thong swimsuit on my first visit and every time since.
Most people prefer more traditional attire. Women wear a mix of swimsuits and athletic wear. Men almost universally wear swim trunks. I have seen a couple of women wearing thongs, but I have never seen men in anything less than fitted shorts.
The vibe is the polar opposite of the gym I belong to. The staff and patrons are warm and welcoming. Unlike a beach, there’s no room to spread out. People make space for each other and, no matter what they prefer to wear themselves, are accepting of everyone else.