Monday, September 27, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

TRENDY UNDIES: Comfy Cut

Boy shorts gain popularity as underwear, loungewear

Boy shorts from Victoria's Secret -- which feature many styles in its new Pink line for 18- to 22-year-olds -- start at $7.50. Photo by Jeff Scheid. Click image for enlargement. Photo by Jeff Scheid. The boy short is the hottest thing in lingerie today. It provides much more coverage than a conventional panty. Photo by Jeff Scheid. Click image for enlargement. Photo by Jeff Scheid.

Don't be alarmed, but there's something of a coverup going on.

You've no doubt noticed a trend during the past several years -- mostly among younger women, and we should all be grateful for that -- toward less and less clothing, even when in polite company.

The thong is the ultimate example: a few strings and a couple of quite small patches of fabric. They aren't particularly comfortable -- a company that marketed conventional panties had some success with a commercial using the theme song "Stuck in the Middle With You" a few years back -- but are particularly sexy in most cases (see above) and, most importantly, eliminate those unsightly panty lines under clingy clothing.

But the boy short -- which today is the hottest thing in lingerie -- is the antithesis of the thong, providing much more coverage than a conventional panty.

Arlene Vasquez, who's in charge of women's wear for Target on Stephanie Street in Henderson, said boy shorts are most popular among women from about 17 years old to the late 20s.

At Victoria's Secret, however, the trend seems to be one of personal preference, said Sara Tervo, director of public relations. "You kind of see all ages purchasing them."

Both said thongs remain the most popular option, but that boy shorts are selling strongly, ahead of conventional panties.

"The thong is still a very popular panty style, especially for women who don't want to have any panty lines," Tervo said. "We do recommend thongs or V-strings," the Victoria's Secret version of the time-honored G-string -- "under tight clothing, because it's the most minimal. You definitely want a smooth look."

Providing, of course, that the body is equal to the task.

"It depends on the fabric, too," Tervo said. "Some fabrics are more forgiving than others.

"Cellulite's a very unfortunate thing."

Another panty style that's coming on strong is the tanga, which Tervo said lies flat against the body and is generally made of lace. For those with less body confidence, Victoria's Secret offers shaping panties.

While many women are wearing boy shorts under their clothes -- in large part because of the comfort factor -- both Tervo and Vasquez said they tend to be most popular as sleepwear or loungewear.

At Victoria's Secret, which has introduced its new Pink line especially geared to 18- to 22-year-olds, they start at about $7.50. At Target, boy shorts start at about $5.99, or $8.99 for a package of two.

What may be most startling of all -- at least in some circles -- is that the panty has moved up from its long-held status of a basic item of underwear.

"I would say we're constantly driving our lingerie business around what's going on in fashion," Tervo said. "Women see panties as a fashion extension. They're willing to try them in all styles."

And stores such as Victoria's Secret are making that more of a possibility.

"We're actually opening our new stores with entire rooms dedicated to panties," Tervo said. "It's just an entire room with a zillion different panty options in every different cut, every different fabric. Women are having a lot of fun with panties."

Sound like hyperbole to you? Just wait.

"We're introducing a whole collection of panties that have brooches, based on the jewelry trend that's going on," Tervo said. Plus "little maribou poufs, little side ties, ribbon side ties and everything in between."

So there you have it: While their great-grandmothers were limited to tidy whities, women today have a whole panty spectrum from which to choose.

And the rules are simple.

"It's about what you prefer," Tervo said, "and what makes you feel best underneath your clothing, and what gives you the best shape."