Bikini Underpants

Bikini Underpants, Bertha Church Shop Burlington, VT, 1988

Thong underwear became a staple for women in the 1980s as pants became tighter and women did not want their underwear lines to be seen. This pair of ornate panties enter the realm of lingerie, which sexualizes the undergarment as well as the woman’s body. The emphasis on the detailing and decoration of an item that is normally worn underneath one’s clothes seems suggests that another person may be intended to view this revealing garment. Lingerie has been commonly used since the late 19th century, however it was in the second half of the 20th century that the sexy undergarments experienced a revival as working women attempted to regain their femininity and sexuality.