What psychological or erotic reasons lead men to wear male or female thongs during sex?
Executive summary
Men wear thongs during sex for a mix of practical, psychological and erotic reasons: many sources cite comfort, minimal coverage and “closer to naked” sensation as practical drivers, while others point to increased confidence, body‑display and erotic arousal—both for the wearer and their partner [1] [2] [3]. Reporting across retailers, blogs and forums also shows identity‑expression, fetish play and norm‑challenging as recurring explanations, with acceptance growing in the 2020s [4] [5] [6].
1. Practical comfort and function: thongs as “almost nothing”
Retail and underwear‑brand reporting emphasizes that thongs feel like wearing less fabric while still providing support—“the closest thing to wearing nothing” and useful under tight clothes or in hot weather [1] [3]. Brands and reviews highlight breathability, minimal panty lines and a contoured pouch that some men find supportive during sex or physical activity [3] [7].
2. Erotic display and partner appeal: sexiness as a selling point
Multiple commercial and lifestyle pieces present thongs as explicitly erotic: they reveal more abdomen and buttock contour, framing the body for visual arousal and “serious sex appeal” that can heighten sexual encounters for both partners [2] [3] [8]. User anecdotes on forums reinforce that wearing a thong can be a deliberate choice to look sexy for a partner [9] [10].
3. Psychological boost: confidence, empowerment and identity
Journalistic and blog coverage links thong‑wearing to self‑confidence and body empowerment. Writers argue that the snug, body‑accentuating silhouette can make men “feel sexier” or more empowered, and that choosing thongs can be an act of expressing modern, flexible masculinity [1] [5] [11]. Several outlets explicitly connect the trend to changing norms and greater acceptance of diverse gender expression [4] [6].
4. Fetish, erotic preference and cross‑dressing overlaps
Some sources acknowledge that for a subset of men wearing female or skimpy underwear is sexual in itself—either as a fetish or as arousal tied to specific garments. Expert answers and lingerie retailers note that wearing women’s panties can evoke sexual excitement and be part of exploring gender identity or kink, without necessarily indicating pathology [12] [13] [14].
5. Social signals and performative masculinity
Fashion and trend analyses frame men’s thongs as a cultural signal: runway visibility, social media and market research show rising interest tied to body‑confidence and changing ideas of masculinity [4] [15]. This suggests some wearers choose thongs partly to align with contemporary aesthetics or to challenge norms, not solely for private erotic reasons [15] [11].
6. Partner dynamics and consent: who benefits in the bedroom
Forum posts and consumer pieces show two recurring dynamics: some men wear thongs primarily to please a partner (bought by partners or worn “for me”), while others wear them for self‑pleasure and sensation. Sources advise open communication—though direct guidance on negotiation is “not found in current reporting” beyond anecdote [9] [14].
7. Limits of the coverage: what sources omit
Available sources are mostly commercial, lifestyle blogs and anecdotal forum posts; systematic psychological or clinical studies are not cited in the provided reporting. Reliable prevalence data and controlled research on erotic motivation versus fashion motivation are “not found in current reporting” among these sources [16] [17].
8. Conflicting perspectives and hidden agendas
Industry and brand content emphasize comfort and confidence—an explicit marketing objective—while forums mix genuine experience with cultural bias [3] [9]. Fetish and identity explanations come from specialist or advice sites that may frame cross‑dressing positively for clients; this reflects both consumer demand and a pro‑acceptance agenda [12] [13].
9. Practical takeaways for partners and curious men
If the goal is erotic enhancement, sources suggest thongs can amplify visual arousal and a “closer to naked” feeling; if the goal is comfort under fitted clothing, the ergonomics and fabrics matter [1] [3]. For relationship use, the reporting implies partners should communicate preferences and boundaries—many anecdotes describe positive responses when worn consensually [9] [10].
Sources cited above are primarily underwear brands, trend blogs, forum anecdotes and lifestyle Q&A (see: [4]–[15]; [18]–[19]; [11]–p3_s8). Available sources do not mention large‑scale clinical studies quantifying sexual versus non‑sexual motivations.