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Welcome back to the early 2000s, because the return of the exposed thong is here

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Hailey Beiber and Lupita Nyong'o
Hailey Beiber and Lupita Nyong'o

Of course not. This is Rihanna's internet, so you either go big or you "move out di wey".

This is why the arrival and return of certain trends is never subtle these days. Okay, this isn't because of Rihanna, but it's actually about the fact that we're living in yet another bold fashion era much like the notable '80s and early 2000s. 

READ MORE: Would you rather wear janties, a deconstructed denim jacket or see-through PVC pants? 

From sky-high side slits to freeing the nipple to cut-out jeans, sartorial liberation has meant that there isn't really such a thing as "taking it too far" as long as you're comfortable and confident. 

And it sure does take a great deal of confidence to intentionally expose your undies as an outfit accessory of sorts.

READ MORE: Thongs are back – but not in the way you expect

Actress Gillian Anderson sported this ballsy trend in 2001 at the Vanity Fair Oscar after party. Halle Berry also played peak-a-boo on the 2000 MTV Movie Awards red carpet, while the 'bad girls' of the noughties era - Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton - all dabbled in the exposed thong trend on more than one occasion.

exposed thong trend is back
CULVER CITY,CA - JUNE 3: Actress Halle Berry att

It became a regular occurrence to see the spaghetti strap equivalent of underwear peaking out of the low rise jeans and skirts of 2000s fashion enthusiasts and TV stars. 

And in 2017, this Vogue writer even dared to try this at the office, garnering mixed reactions from her colleagues. 

Over the past few years, nude illusion dresses have been no anomaly on both local and international red carpets - if anything, this has been their heyday.

READ MORE: Feathers, frills and fairy tale gowns - all the extravagant looks we loved from the Met Gala 2019 red carpet

Perhaps these somewhat risqué gowns have eased us into a less conservative gaze that can now allow us to embrace the return of this daring game of peak-a-boo that has since been cemented on red carpets by a few A-listers.

Last year, People Magazine spotted J.Lo on set for a music video in tweed trousers and a matching high-cut thong, and it really wasn't as jarring as a concept as it sounds. 

This is how Hailey Bieber, Lupita Nyong'o, and Kendall Jenner wore theirs on the red carpet:

Hailey Bieber

Hailey's Alexandra Wang Met Gala 2019 gown was "work at the front and party at the back" - a long-sleeved turtleneck with an exposed back and "Wang" embellished on the thong, gave us a look that I would describe as elegance with an edge.

View this post on Instagram

@alexanderwangny

A post shared by Hailey Rhode Bieber (@haileybieber) on

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita was ready to party in her second Met Gala look by Versace. The Versace chain created this exposed thong illusion by her lower back. 

View this post on Instagram

#MetGala Look 2.

A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on

Kendall Jenner

In 2017 - also at the Met Gala - Kendall Jenner gave us a reupholstered La Perla version of Rose McGowan's 1998 MTV VMA's "sheer fringe dress that fully exposed her black thong". 

Kendall's dress was also sheer, but it was not fringed or short like Rose's 1998 look, yet it was probably one of the most memorable times this introverted model has coloured outside the lines of her pristine image. 

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Model Kendall Jenner is se

We're slowly approaching single digit weather, but we think this "dare if you will" trend will soon hit local streets too in a high fashion kind of way. 

Are you on board with this trend loved by celebrities? Take our poll below.


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