Who was thong inventor Rudi Gernreich?

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Two narrow straps that sit just above the hipbone, their edges cutting into sun-tanned flesh: the thong.

These days, thanks to the revival of fashion from the 2000s, it seems to be everywhere: sticking out of low-rise jeans, shimmering underneath transparent beach dresses or revealing derrieres on the beach.

But what many people might not know about the thong bathing suit is that its creation was political — and its creator a gay man.

https://www.dw.com/en/the-story-of-thong-inventor-rudi-gernreich/a-73656347

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I love their mens thong bodysuit that they currently sell, wish it wasn’t >$200! Such a nice cut though.

Dressed podcast has a few good episodes about Gernreich and the history of the swim thong.

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I wasn’t aware of that podcast. Thanks for sharing, @SunsOut_BunsOut.

For anyone interested, here’s an episode about Gernreich.

Rudi Gernreich, an interview with Alexander Joseph

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Couple other good episodes about swimwear

The Swimsuit: a Revealing History, Part I

The Swimsuit: a Revealing History, Part II

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The “Thong of Thongs” New York Magazine article by Anne Hollander mentioned in Part II is available on Google Books.

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Thanks for the link! Super interesting to see the story and photos from the time it came out

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