It was a flash from the past that refused to fade: the visible thong. Also called “string apparent”, this Y2K signature has stepped out of nostalgia and into everyday wardrobes, riding the same wave that brought back low-rise pants, micro minis and glossy vinyl.
The timeline checks out. Designers pushed it first, celebrities amplified it, then search and street followed. Versace’s spring 2021 show in Milan spotlighted exposed straps on satin skirts in September 2020. Blumarine made it a calling card in 2022. Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber wore versions across 2021 and 2022. The message felt clear : the whale tail had swum back to shore.
What “string apparent” means in Y2K fashion
The term points to the thong’s straps intentionally peeking above low-rise waistlines. It started late 1990s, peaked around 2001–2003, and lived in paparazzi culture as much as on red carpets. Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton were photographed in the look at the time, paired with hip-hugging denim and baby tees.
Two decades later, that same formula returns with a twist. The silhouette sits lower on the hip, skirts get shorter, and lingerie becomes part of the outfit. Not underneath – integrated. Think coordinated straps, rhinestone hardware, or satin bands that echo the color of the skirt or pant.
The appeal is partly visual, partly symbolic. A tiny line changes the proportion of a look, draws the eye to the waist, and says “this is intentional”. That last part matters in 2024.
Runway to sidewalk : the 2020–2023 revival in facts
Designers planted the seeds before the mass audience noticed. Versace spring 2021 in Milan (September 2020) revisited the house’s early 2000s glamour with exposed G-string details. Givenchy under Matthew M. Williams showed hardwear-inspired waist accents across its spring 2021 era. Blumarine’s spring 2022 and fall 2022 collections leaned fully into Y2K codes, including visible straps with butterfly motifs.
The celebrity pipeline did the rest. Bella Hadid wore visible straps with sheer dresses in 2021. Dua Lipa posted low-rise looks with thong peeks multiple times across 2021–2022. Hailey Bieber stepped out in a cutout dress revealing branded straps in 2022, while Kylie Jenner toyed with the detail on beach sets the same year.
Retail followed the hype cycle. High street labels released skirts and pants with built-in thong bands in 2022 and 2023, sometimes detachable. That construction shift matters for comfort and fit, and it moved the look from DIY to ready-to-wear racks.
How to wear the visible thong today without the costume effect
The question everyone asks: where does one start if low-rise still feels daring? Short answer : treat the thong like a graphic line, not a shock tactic.
Keep the rest grounded. A structured blazer, a men’s shirt left open at the midriff, or a simple ribbed tank stabilizes the outfit. Monochrome straps read cleaner than big logos if the look is new to you.
Proportion is everything. Low-rise need not be ultra low. Even a mid-hip pant can reveal a thin band with a slight tilt or cutout. Designers now place straps where they sit comfortably – that small shift is why the 2020s version looks more polished than 2001.
One practical detail rarely discussed : fabric. Microfiber or stretch satin straps stay flat under tops and won’t chafe during a long day. Hardware should be smooth, especially if you sit at a desk.
- Begin with a skirt or pant that includes built-in straps for fit control.
- Choose one reveal point: center back, or subtly on both hips.
- Match tones: black on black for work-adjacent looks, color pop for night.
- Balance volume: low-rise bottom with a boxy jacket or relaxed shirt.
- For daylight, layer sheer knit over the waist to soften the contrast.
Etiquette, context et comfort : where the trend actually works
Public settings vary. Clubs, concerts, festivals and fashion events welcome bolder styling. Casual city days tolerate a discreet strap under a long coat or overshirt. Workplaces with conservative dress codes likely do not. That’s not a judgment – it’s the social reality of different spaces in 2024.
Fit solves most awkward moments. Straps should sit flush, not dig. If the band lifts when you move, size up in the built-in thong or adjust the rise by a centimeter or two. Some brands add tiny adjusters at the hip – worth seeking out.
Sustainability sits in the conversation too. Vintage and resale platforms from 2000–2005 low-rise pieces pair well with modern built-in styles, extending garment life. Repair-friendly straps that detach or replace keep a piece wearable longer.
A final note on styling logic rather than rules : the visible thong works when it belongs to the outfit’s architecture. When that thin line echoes a shoe strap, a belt detail, or a neckline trim, the look reads cohesive. That’s the missing piece many overlook, and the difference between a throwback gag and a favortie new uniform.