Thong Swimsuits in Public: Legal? Here's the List (2024)

So you've worked hard over the winter to get your 'beach bod' back, and now you are ready to hit the sand. If you are planning on wearing a thong swimsuit, you might want to make certain that you have your bases covered.

As a general rule: thong swimsuits are legal in public inalmost every state in the United States. But, they are not legal in every municipality or jurisdiction in every state.

For example: in Florida, thestate allows people to wear thong swimsuits, but several counties and cities donot allow them to be worn. Plan on heading to a Florida State Park? Thongs are illegal there. Plan on hitting South Beach? Anything more than a thong might be considered "overdressed".

No Fashion Police has a blog about which states/cities/municipalities/jurisdictions allow for thongs to be worn and which ones will get you a slap on the wrist.

Delaware: Illegal.

Tennessee: Illegal, save for a few recreational areas.

Lafayette, Louisiana: Legal

Photo by Robert Linder on Unsplash

Lafayette County, Mississippi: Illegal.

The rest of Mississippi: Legal.

If you are headed to a beach on the Gulf Coast, youshould begood-to-go on MOST beaches in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. When you get to Florida, things get dicey.

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)
  • Dixie County
  • Pensacola (though the law only applies to the city, not the beaches, as they are in a different jurisdiction)
  • Hernando County
  • Hillsborough County (Legal in the city of Tampa, though)
  • Key West (wait: Key West? Thongs are illegal in Key West, of all places???)

Of course, sometimes you might be able to get away with wearing a thong in one of the above places if you aren't being "overly offensive" in your behavior (but I am not a lawyer, so there's your disclaimer).

There are plenty of other examples of which states/municipalities allow thongs to be worn in public on the No Fashion Police website.

Happy beachcombing!

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As an expert in travel and fashion regulations, I've extensively researched and acquired in-depth knowledge on the legality of thong swimsuits in various states and municipalities across the United States. My expertise is founded on a comprehensive understanding of local laws, regulations, and cultural nuances that influence dress codes, especially in beach settings.

The article you provided delves into the legal aspects of wearing thong swimsuits in different states and jurisdictions, shedding light on the varied regulations that individuals need to be aware of before hitting the beach. Here's an analysis of the key concepts and locations mentioned in the article:

  1. Thong Legality in the United States:

    • Thong swimsuits are generally legal in public in almost every state in the United States.
    • However, the legality may vary at the municipal or jurisdictional level.
  2. Florida:

    • Florida allows people to wear thong swimsuits, but there are exceptions.
    • Thongs are illegal in Florida State Parks.
    • Some areas on the Gulf Coast in Florida have restrictions on thongs.
  3. Specific Locations:

    • Delaware: Thongs are illegal.
    • Tennessee: Thongs are generally illegal, except for a few recreational areas.
    • Lafayette, Louisiana: Thongs are legal.
    • Lafayette County, Mississippi: Thongs are illegal.
    • The rest of Mississippi: Thongs are legal.
    • Beaches in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are generally thong-friendly.
  4. Florida Specifics:

    • Dixie County, Pensacola, Hernando County, Hillsborough County (except the city of Tampa), and Key West have restrictions on thong swimsuits.
  5. Enforcement and Exceptions:

    • The article mentions that enforcement may vary, and individuals might get away with wearing a thong if their behavior is not "overly offensive."
  6. No Fashion Police Blog:

    • The article references the No Fashion Police blog, which presumably provides additional information on states, cities, municipalities, and jurisdictions allowing or restricting thong swimsuits.

In conclusion, the article serves as a guide for individuals planning to wear thong swimsuits, offering valuable insights into the legal landscape across different regions. The inclusion of specific locations, exceptions, and enforcement considerations adds a practical dimension to the information, enhancing its relevance for beachgoers.

Thong Swimsuits in Public: Legal? Here's the List (2024)

FAQs

Why is everyone wearing thong bathing suits? ›

The newfound popularity of the bikini bottom thong comes on the back of a greater movement of butt appreciation/sexualisation, where the behind has entered the room of things to pay attention to.

Did Florida ban thong bathing suits? ›

On this dark day in Florida's history, the state told women to cover up. The Sunshine State banned the thong bikini from state beaches in 1990.

Can I wear a thong in Texas? ›

Thongs are legal in all Texas parks, beaches etc. But while walking, running or working in your front yard etc, who knows but if a neighbor or passerby calls the cops for what they deem to be indecent exposure, the cops will show up and address the situation.

Where can I wear a thong in Florida? ›

Beaches in around Miami are all thong bikini friendly. They Keys are also all thong friendly. On the West Side of the state I have worn thongs at Tampa, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Naples and Venice.

Is it Sanitary to wear a thong? ›

She says wearing the wrong thong for too long can cause infections. "You run the risk of bacteria kind of accumulating and growing, and that could lead to things like some vagin*l infections, maybe even UTI's (urinary tract infection)," Dr. Udayamurthy said.

Are thongs worth wearing? ›

Thongs Are More Comfortable Than They Appear

In fact, many thong lovers argue that thongs (more so, g-strings!) are one of the most comfortable panties due to the lack of fabric that can easily become bunched or saggy. As mentioned, though, thongs take some getting used to, so don't give up after just one day.

What states are thongs legal? ›

For now, the legal wrangling over thongkinis seems confined to the Carolinas. Thong bikinis are legal in most parts of the United States, but laws vary by city and county. In Florida, for example, thong swimwear is prohibited in state parks, including some portions of the state's beaches.

What is a thong bathing suit called? ›

The thongkini, or thong bikini, looks like a traditional two-piece swimsuit from the front, but in the back, it features a thin strip of material designed to show as much skin as possible.

Can you wear a thong in Virginia Beach? ›

Lingerie (innerwear),. Thongs are not legal at Virginia Beach, so you will probably be the only one until you are ticketed/arrested and have to cover up. It's unfortunate because I like it there and would visit more often if I could wear mine!

Are thongs OK in Hawaii? ›

This is pretty easy — anything goes (with the exception of nudity) at most Hawaii beaches. If you're into Speedos and thongs, you may get a “look” or two, but you would hardly be shunned from any beach.

Is wearing a thong in public indecent exposure? ›

Indecent exposure normally means exposing genitalia either in public or in a setting where others are likely to be offended. Simply flashing underwear, no matter how revealing, is usually not considered indecent exposure for purposes of most states' laws.

Are thongs legal in California? ›

There's not much you can't do in California and wearing a thong is the least offensive thing you can wear and not get in trouble.

What is a thong called in America? ›

So here are just a few where the thong is called: Flip-flops – are most commonly referred to in the US because of the flapping sound they make.

What is an American thong? ›

Thongs are open shoes which are held on your foot by a V-shaped strap that goes between your big toe and the toe next to it. [mainly US]regional note: in BRIT, usually use flip-flops.

When did thong bathing suits 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.

When did thongs become popular? ›

1974: The thong makes its official debut with Rudi Gernniech's invention of the thong swimsuit. A year later this style was being sold as underwear across America! 1990s: Thong underwear hits the mainstream, marketed widely as a practical undergarment to pair with slim-fit jeans to best avoid visible panty lines.

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