The Thong Pants Trend Is Back for 2022

(Image credit: Getty)

published 18 January 2022

Back in my youth, when my pals and I thought Limited Too epitomized haute couture, celebrities like Britney Spears, Halle Berry, and Christina Aguilera were donning one of the most controversial fashion trends of all time:

Thong pants.

What are thong pants, you ask? Also known as the whaletale, this trend involves allowing your G-string to ride up over your low-rise jeans (another dreaded Y2K trend that's making a reappearance). Remember this?

The only logic I can come up with for this trend is that it's risqué and a little coy. I read once, in a book about body language, that when women let one shoe hang off their toes a little, it makes their admirers imagine the rest of their clothes coming off. Thong pants are like that, I suppose, although an exposed G-string strikes me as a little more in-your-face than a slightly too-big pair of flats.

Anyway, Julia Fox's recent appearance wearing thong pants on her date with Kanye West—and with stars like Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and Jennifer Lopez also sporting this trend—proves that, against all reason, thong pants are back and here to stay.

Want to stay on-trend and wear thong pants without actually sagging your jeans below your waist à la Christina Milian? Girl, I could not agree more. And I've got you covered.

Check out some alternatives below to achieve that thong-pant vibe while keeping your thong tucked safely in your pants.

MissyEmpire Not So Basic Thong Detail Flare Pants in Black

These pants are so sleek, and the strappy detailing channels our Y2K foremothers without fully imitating their look.

Verdusa Women's Mid-Waist Cutout Pants

These comfortable, inexpensive pants work great for when you want to throw on a pair of leggings—but with a little spice.

ASYOU Set Wide Leg Pants With Cutout in Blue

The structured, more modest cut on these pants proves that your outfit can thonglessly nod to the thong-pant.

A Night With You Lace Thong

This strappy thong can be worn with pants that have a slightly higher waist so that you can indulge in the visible thong trend without having to get a pair of low-rise jeans. Plus, the little cross charm is a fun touch, especially if you're trying to go really retro and channel your inner Madonna.

EMMIOL Lace Up Printed Flare Pants

Are you a fan of the Y2K statement T-shirt? Well, then, you're going to LOVE these statement pants, complete with a fake thong peeking out of the hem.

Fashionkilla Kick Flare Pants With Hip Strap in Camel

We love this subdued interpretation of the thong pants trend.

Adika Empire Flare Cut-Out Pants

This structured pant with its hip-revealing cutout reminds me of Pamela Anderson's outfit at the 2001 MTV Music Awards, only a bit more modest.

Scantilly by Curvy Kate Unzipped High-Waist Brief

We love the balance of subtle and edgy that these panties' little gold zipper and soft mesh bring on.

Blythe Wide Leg Pants With Cut-Out

These pants are beautiful. A work of art, truly, with their universally flattering silhouette and subtle gold detailing.

Curvy Kate Buckle-Up High Waist Thong

This high-waisted thong, with its fun color and attention-grabbing buckle, is definitely meant to be flaunted.

Gabrielle Ulubay is a Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. She has also written about sexual wellness, politics, culture, and fashion at Marie Claire and at publications including The New York Times, HuffPost Personal, Bustle, Alma, Muskrat Magazine, O'Bheal, and elsewhere. Her personal essay in The New York Times' Modern Love column kickstarted her professional writing career in 2018, and that piece has since been printed in the 2019 revised edition of the Modern Love book. Having studied history, international relations, and film, she has made films on politics and gender equity in addition to writing about cinema for Film Ireland, University College Cork, and on her personal blog, gabrielleulubay.medium.com. Before working with Marie Claire, Gabrielle worked in local government, higher education, and sales, and has resided in four countries and counting. She has worked extensively in the e-commerce and sales spaces since 2020, and spent two years at Drizly, where she developed an expertise in finding the best, highest quality goods and experiences money can buy.

Deeply political, she believes that skincare, haircare, and sexual wellness are central tenets to one's overall health and fights for them to be taken seriously, especially for people of color. She also loves studying makeup as a means of artistic expression, drawing on her experience as an artist in her analysis of beauty trends. She's based in New York City, where she can be found watching movies or running her art business when she isn't writing. Find her on Twitter at @GabrielleUlubay or on Instagram at @gabrielle.ulubay, or follow her art at @suburban.graffiti.art

Stay In The Know