How the Whale Tail Went From '90s Fashion to Top Trend (2024)

Whale tails have made their way back into the fashion conversation after laying dormant for a few years. Alongside chokers and velour tracksuits, the 90s trend has made a comeback after the Kardashians were seen sporting the look.

What is a Whale Tail?

A whale tail is a visible thong; with the Y-section of the thong or G-string showing above the pants waistband.

When worn with low-cut jeans, the Y-section gives the impression of a whale tail coming from the back of a pair of pants, hence the name.

In 2006, the American Dialect Society named the whale tail as the "most creative word" of 2006, beating muffin top by 20 votes.

Their definition of the word is "the appearance of thong or g-string underwear above the waistband of pants, shorts, or a skirt. Also known as a longhorn."

While the exact origins of the trend is hard to tell, it was seen on the runway of major fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier and Gucci in the 1990s.

Celebrities of the 2000s then added to their fame, namely Britney Spears, who some considered to be one of the main wearers of the trend.

In 2006 essay "Did you see what she was wearing?" The power and politics of schoolgirl style by Shauna Pomerantz, Deborah Fulsang is quoted as writing in 2002: "Blame it on Britney.

"As teens across the country negotiate the sexually charged territory of high school, more and more of them are doing so in cleavage-baring crop tops and ultra-low-rise pants that show off their pelvic bones.

"Clothes for girls have never been so skimpy."

Pomerantz added: "This style has sparked heated debates across the country, as parents negotiate their daughter's skin quotient and students debate their comfort level with the visible thong over fries and gravy at lunch."

In 2004, Alex Kuczynski wrote of whale tails: "Just as Madonna made bras a public garment in the 1980's, Ms. Lewinsky, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton transformed women's panties into a provocative garment intended for public display."

By the mid-2000s, the trend lay dormant, though parents everywhere may have been jubilant at such news.

However, since the late 2010s, the trend has begun to resurface, along with other 90s trends like tracksuits, crop tops, chokers and the 80s trend of mom jeans.

Celebrities who have been wearing Whale Tails

In recent years, the trend has come back with gusto, with major trendsetters like the Kardashians part of the craze.

As far back as 2018, Kim Kardashian sported a black G-string coming above her yellow skirt and crop top combo.

Back in 2019, Hailey Bieber sported the look at the Met Gala, with her G-string including the name of her dress's designer, Alexander Wang.

A month later, Bella Hadid wore the look on the runway for Versace, the same month Kylie Jenner also posted a selfie of her green thong seen above the waistband of her jeans.

The trend was still strong last year, as in November 2020, Kardashian posed in an outfit by Matthew Williamson for Givenchy which consisted of a black dress and visible red thong.

A month later, Beyoncé posed in a red Christopher John Rogers dress for British Vogue with a bejewelled G-string.

Since then, brands like Miaou, Nasty Gal and Shein are releasing trousers with cut outs, to make it look like a G-string is worn underneath.

As well as this, the trend has moved to TikTok, with the current #WhaleTail amassing 32.6million views so far.

It looks like this controversial trend is on the rise, though the looks from modern brands seem to be taking a slightly more demure turn, with cut outs favouring actual visible G-strings.

How the Whale Tail Went From '90s Fashion to Top Trend (1)
How the Whale Tail Went From '90s Fashion to Top Trend (2024)

FAQs

Who started the whale tail trend? ›

Popularized by a number of female celebrities including Amy Dumas, Christina Aguilera, Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, displaying whale tails became popular in the early 2000s, together with the popularity of low-rise jeans and thong panties; but quickly waned within the decade.

Are whale tails making a comeback? ›

Dua Lipa's Exposed Thong is Making a Comeback Case For the Y2K “Whale Tail” And it's not the first time she's displayed her undies. The Grammys 2022 MUST-SEE Moments!

What is the whale tail trend? ›

Their definition of the word is "the appearance of thong or g-string underwear above the waistband of pants, shorts, or a skirt. Also known as a longhorn." While the exact origins of the trend is hard to tell, it was seen on the runway of major fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier and Gucci in the 1990s.

When did the whale tail come out? ›

Though the origins of shameless thong showing began with burlesque dancers in the 1930s as part of their performance costumes, the now so-called whale tail trend made its fashion debut at Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring/Summer 1997 runway show, which included exposed undergarments, thongs and briefs alike.

What does a whale tail symbolize? ›

The whale tail— also called its flukes—symbolizes strength and power: The whale tail holds special meaning for the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. The whale tail is often found in their culture as a symbol of strength, due to the power that the tail provides to the whale.

Were thongs a thing in the 80s? ›

When we think back to the 1980s, one of the things that often comes to mind is thong-style leotards popularised by aerobic workout videos. This trend of showing off the hips and derrière continued into the late 80s with the arrival of a well-known American TV show.

Are thongs still fashionable? ›

For those who remember the late 90s and early noughties, thongs were a defining emblem of popular fashion, often poking out of low-rise jeans. But recently, brands like M&S are seeing a surge in their thong sales since 2019, and with the resurgence of 'Y2K' style among Gen Z, it seems that thongs are back.

Are G strings still popular? ›

It looks like G-strings are back on the horizon in myriad forms and are already being adopted by A-listers, high-fashion designers, and influencers alike. This time, however, there's a significant difference: Many of the thongs we've noticed around the internet are actually attached to the clothes featured.

When did thongs become popular? ›

Thongs didn't hit the mainstream fashion industry until around the 1980s. Thongs hit pop culture in a unique way when musical artist Sisqo released “The Thong Song” in 1999 and rose to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in 2000. Soon after, thongs became more and more prominent in pop culture and media as a whole.

What are the benefits of a whale tail? ›

The whale tail also helps reduce cavitation on boats with partial or no tunnels and really enhances the same abilities but in a less aggressive way. These also are great tools for boats that have stabilization issues or have to compensate for bow porpoising while on plane.

What is whale tail called? ›

Whales often raise their tails, called flukes, out of the water when they dive, and flukes have characteristics that are unique among species and individuals.

Are G strings making a comeback? ›

If you've made a New Year's Resolution to be braver with your style in 2022 than brace yourself - because the G-string trouser trend is back. Rising star Julia Fox donned a pair of the racy thong trousers to hit Broadway with her date.

How popular are thongs? ›

Almost a fifth of U.S. women, aged from 16 to 25 years, revealed that they wore thongs almost daily as of 2017. In comparison over 85 percent of women over 51 years of age stated that they never wore thongs, showing thongs to be an undergarment favored by younger women in the United States.

How do you identify a whale tail? ›

So How Do We Tell the Whales Apart? A whale's tail ranges from all black to all white to any combination in between. Researchers compare the overall color patterns, the scars, and the serrations along the trailing edge to differentiate one tail from another.

What is this thong? ›

: an article of swimwear or underwear with the back portion consisting of a narrow strip of cloth that passes between the buttocks and connects with a waistband.

What does whale mean in slang? ›

Whale can refer to a person who is impressive in some way (like a whale is in size), such as a gambler who places large bets. The term is used that way by the character Sam "Ace" Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro) in the 1995 Martin Scorsese film Casino, who at one point calls a gambler named K. K.

What does the whale symbolize in Native American culture? ›

In Native American society, Killer Whales play an important part as symbols as well. They were the creatures of legends and represented courage, compassion, unity and goodness.

Why are there whale tails in Burlington? ›

The sculpture named, “Reverence”, was created by Jim Sardonis in 1989. Carved from 36 tons of African black granite, the tails stand between 12 and 13 feet tall and are meant to symbolize the fragility of the planet.

Who wore thongs first? ›

Now, to be fair, women weren't the first people to wear thongs. Ancient thongs were around in Africa as early as 42,000 BCE and in Minoan and Mycean culture as early as 1570 BCE. Japanese men began wearing them for sumo wrestling as early as 250 CE, and they still wear them for that purpose today.

Who started wearing thongs first? ›

Who invented thong underwear? Austrian-born American fashion designer Rudolf “Rudi” Gernreich is credited for the invention of the thong as we know it today. Gernreich was a bonafide industry pioneer, known for pushing the envelope both on and off the runway.

Why are thongs becoming more popular? ›

One of the main reasons why thong bikinis are so popular is because they show off your curves. If you have a nice, hourglass figure, then a thong bikini is the perfect way to show it off. The high-cut design of the bottoms accentuates your smooth hips and butt cheeks, while the low-cut top enhances your cleavage.

Why are thongs not popular with men? ›

A lot of men are put off by the idea of wearing thongs because of their traditionally thin, flimsy appearance and long-standing association with femininity. Contrary to popular belief, a male thong is a specialty underwear especially designed and built to provide superior support and stretch for, well, a man's manhood.

Are thongs more flattering? ›

The biggest and most noticeable difference when wearing a thong is that the front is the only full-coverage area. This means your bottom (yes, cheeks and all), are left exposed for a more flattering look when wearing form-fitting clothes.

Why do girls wear thongs or G-strings? ›

Whether you wear a Cheeky Thong, a G-String or a Tanga, at the end of the day, women want to feel good, comfortable, sexy and strong. Many women agree that wearing a thong makes them feel comfortable, especially when wearing yoga pants, jeans, shorts or skirts.

What percentage of girls wear G-strings? ›

A quick office survey seems to point to yes, with 48 per cent of women saying they still wear G-strings (Really?

Is the Exposed thong coming back? ›

You may have noticed that exposed thongs have been resurrected from the '90s and are back in our Instagram and TikTok feeds, worn by some of the internet's biggest celebs. Exposing thong underwear, also known as the “whale tail,” was a fashion phenomenon that gained popularity in the late '90s and early 2000s.

Why are thongs so nice? ›

Super comfortable!

This point is a bit more about personal preference, but for many women thongs are an especially comfortable style due to their lightweight nature and minimal fabric coverage. Because of their sleekness, thongs are much less likely to ride up and move around during daily activities.

Are thongs allowed on Florida beaches? ›

In Florida, thongs are legal, but not everywhere. On the Gulf Coast, some areas have restrictions set on thongs: Florida State Parks do NOT allow thong swimsuits (it appears, though, that action will only be taken if someone complains)

Would a tail benefit a human? ›

No, tails have no purpose in modern humans today.

Why did whales used to have legs? ›

As whales evolved over millions of years, the nose kept moving back until it became today's blowhole. Scientists disagree on what purpose the hind legs may have served. Gingerich originally suspected they served as "sexual claspers" that would have held the whales together during copulation.

How do you get to whales tail? ›

The Whale's Tail is on Playa Uvita, which is pretty easy to find. Off the Carretera Costanera Sur, there are several roads you can turn onto to take you there. If you put Uvita Beach into your GPS, it should take you to the right place.

How powerful is a whales tail? ›

Whales clearly also use their muscular tail fluke to propel themselves through the water. The sperm whale can dive up to 3 kilometers or almost two miles beneath the surface when hunting the notorious giant squid, all of it made possible via the power of its flukes.

What is a whale tail slap called? ›

A tail slap also known as “lobtailing” is the act of a whale or dolphin lifting its tail flukes out of the water and forcefully slapping them onto the surface of the water, often repetitively, resulting in a loud slap.

Is it OK to wear G-strings everyday? ›

Thongs become less comfortable if they're made from itchy fabrics that don't provide enough coverage. Skimpy lace g-strings may be great for the bedroom, but they're not designed for hours of wear. Can I wear thongs everyday? Absolutely!

What percentage of men wear G-strings? ›

Thongs for Men

Overall, about one percent of men in the United States wore thongs several times week, while zero percent wore them on a daily, or almost daily basis. The overwhelming majority of American men do not wear thongs at all.

Why do G-strings have a pocket? ›

The reason for the crotch pocket is simple: A small piece of extra fabric—called a gusset—sits in the crotch of your undies to provide reinforcement, breathability, and moisture-wicking.

Is it healthy to only wear thongs? ›

Thongs may not cause hemorrhoids or be inherently bad for your health, but they can cause problems for the delicate skin of your nether regions. According to Gersh, thongs, especially snug-fitting ones, can rub delicate genital skin and cause or worsen vulvar skin conditions and inflammation.

Do thongs have a purpose? ›

Purpose of Thongs

The main goal of the thong style is to provide coverage and protection between your body and your clothing, without showing through. Many women prefer the style with form fitting pants, skirts and dresses and also feel the style gives them added confidence for intimate occasions.

Is it hard to get used to thongs? ›

It's important to remember that it takes time to get used to the feeling of wearing a thong. If you're new to this style, it might feel strange at first but don't give up on it. It might take more than one day to get used to the fit, so be open when trying this style out.

What is a fluked tail? ›

Fluke (tail), the lobes of the tail of a cetacean, such as dolphins or whales, ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and metriorhynchids.

What does a whale tale look like? ›

A whale's tail is made of two lobes separated by a deep notch. Unlike fish, which have vertical tails, the whale's tail is on a horizontal plane when his body's upright. Another difference between flukes and fish tails is that flukes don't contain bones.

What is the oil filled melon used for? ›

It is believed that the oil filled melon is used by toothed whales for echolocation - high frequency bursts of sound that reflect from their prey.

When did whale watching start? ›

History. The first officially recorded whale-watching trip occurred in California in 1955, when an enterprising entrepreneur charged $1 for individuals to go out on his fishing boat to see grey whales (Eschrichtius robustus) (Hoyt, 1984, Hoyt, 2009).

When was whale hunting popular? ›

Whaling in the United States hit its peak in the mid-1800s. New technologies, including gun-loaded harpoons and steamships, made whalers around the world more efficient. The American whaling fleet, based on the East Coast, operated hundreds of ships in the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Why did whale hunting start? ›

The development of modern whaling techniques was spurred in the 19th century by the increase in demand for whale oil, sometimes known as "train oil", and in the 20th century by a demand for margarine and later whale meat.

Why is whale watching popular? ›

While whale watching is most commonly used as a form of recreation, it also serves as an educational and scientific way to study the species without interfering with their habitat or lives.

How popular is whale watching? ›

Over 13 million people across over 100 countries go whale watching every year, feeding a multi-billion dollar industry.

What is the purpose of whale watching? ›

Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins (cetaceans) in their natural habitat. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity (cf. birdwatching), but it can also serve scientific and/or educational purposes.

When was save the whales popular? ›

On April 27, 1975, Greenpeace launched the world's first anti-whaling campaign from the docks of Vancouver. The mission would become the spark that ignited a global “Save the Whales” movement and eventually helped secure an international ban on commercial whaling.

What was whaling like before the 1900s? ›

A harpoon attached to a heavy rope would be thrown into a whale, and when the whale was killed it would be towed to the ship and tied alongside. A grisly process, called "cutting in," would then begin. The whale's skin and blubber would be peeled off in long strips and boiled down to make whale oil.

How many whales were killed in the 1900s? ›

In sum, we estimate that nearly 2.9 million large whales were killed and processed during the period 1900–99. Of this total, 276,442 were killed in the North Atlantic, 563,696 in the North Pacific, and 2,053,956 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Why is whale meat toxic? ›

Mercury is not the only toxin found in dolphin and whale meat. Whale and dolphin meat can be highly contaminated by both heavy metals and PBOPs (persistent bioaccumulative organic pollutants) such as PCBs, and pesticides such as DDT and chlordanes.

Why do people still hunt whales? ›

Over a thousand whales are killed each year for their meat and body parts to be sold for commercial gain. Their oil, blubber, and cartilage are used in pharmaceuticals and health supplements. Whale meat is even used in pet food, or served to tourists as a 'traditional dish'.

Why are people against whale hunting? ›

Whaling could have more impact on populations than sheer numbers. A pod of beaked whales rest in the warm waters of the equator. 4) Whales are necessary for healthy oceans, mixing, distributing nutrients and helping deal with the impacts of climate change. 5) Whales are full of persistent toxins, like mercury and PCBs.

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