Are Frongs Hot or Not? An Investigation

The “front thong” trend has been favored by everyone from ‘Baywatch’-era Pam Anderson to Beyonce.

Thomas Freeman

Jul 21, 2016

https://www.instagram.com/p/26lHgWPwwC

Ever noticed how Instagram bombshells, like Kylie Jenner, have been showing off way more hipbone than usual? You were not mistaken.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BC6SkNhnGjS

Kylie and other savvy social media sirens have pounced on the latest swimwear trend–the frong. That’s a portmanteau of “front” and “thong,” for you linguists out there.

You may recognize its high-waisted glory from “Feeling Myself,” the frong-heavy music video Beyoncé dropped with fellow frong fiend Nicki Minaj earlier this year. As many style writers have ably pointed out, that’s when the trend really gained traction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsiLmKoWpoU

But the frong is as old as time itself (okay, maybe just the ’80s). As is the case with most trends, the frong is a throwback, specifically to an era when swimsuits tended to ride up a bit higher on the side. Think Pamela Anderson’s one-piece from her Baywatch glory days.

But ever since these retro swimsuits were christened with their “frong” moniker, they’ve really been given the room to flourish as a trend.

The beauty of the frong is that it allows wearers, like Khloé Kardashian, the chance to wear a one piece but still be daring.

https://www.instagram.com/p/5pb3mzhRjK

But what impact does a trend among Hollywood style gamblers have on us hoi polloi?

It has a major impact, it seems.

At this year’s Miami Swim Week, designers like Cirone and Revel Rey near unanimously debuted high-wasted new frongs.

It was a full-blown frong fest.

Cirone Swim Runway Show (Photo: Arun Nevader/Getty Images/Art Hearts Fashion)

Mister Triple X Runway Show (Photo: Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)

For Love And Lemons 2017 Collection (Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/For Love And Lemons)

Revel Rey 2017 Collection (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/Revel Rey)

Filthy Haanz 2017 Collection (Photo: Thomas Concordia/WireImage/Getty Images)

So, is the frong hot or not?

One point to consider is that the frong may not be the most practical for wearers. It’s a bit awkward to show off such a specified part of the body, and it requires some serious… uh… maintenance down there.

But such efforts may pay dividends. A frong is certainly bound to turn heads, and we’re hard pressed to find something wrong about women trying on something new.

So the jury is in, people: the frong is, indeed, pretty hot.

And what better time than before the Baywatch film hits theaters on May 19, 2017?

h/t Elle