The Ultimate List: 7 Celebrities Who Mastered The Exposed Thong Trend In 2025 And Beyond

The line between innerwear and outerwear has officially dissolved, and as of today, December 12, 2025, the exposed thong trend—or the infamous 'whale tail'—is not just a nostalgic Y2K throwback, but a high-fashion mandate. This polarizing yet undeniably captivating style has dominated the red carpets, runways, and street style scenes throughout 2024 and 2025, transforming what was once a wardrobe malfunction into a deliberate and empowering fashion statement. From sheer gowns and low-slung skirts to custom couture, the world's biggest celebrities are embracing the visibility of their G-strings, turning heads and cementing this look as the most talked-about style of the year.

This deep dive explores the most recent and audacious instances of the celebrity exposed thong, analyzing the fashion statements, the cultural context, and the key players driving this bold movement. We're looking at the A-listers who have perfected the art of the intentional flash, showcasing how the simple thong has become the ultimate accessory for the modern, confident star. Prepare to see how these celebrities are rewriting the rules of modesty and glamour.

The Resurgence of the 'Whale Tail' Trend: 2025's Boldest Red Carpet Looks

The term 'whale tail'—a reference to the visible back strap of a thong peeking over the waistband of low-rise bottoms—has been resurrected from the early 2000s and given a sophisticated, high-fashion makeover. In 2025, this trend is less about casual wear and more about couture statements, with designers explicitly integrating the thong into the garment itself.

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Hailey Bieber: The Gucci G-String Revival

No celebrity has been more instrumental in the 2025 revival of the exposed thong than model and entrepreneur Hailey Bieber. Her appearance at the 2025 GQ Men of the Year Awards was a masterclass in fashion history and modern audacity.

• The Look: Bieber wore a sheer, floor-length Gucci gown.
• The Statement: The dress featured a strategically cut-out back that revealed a matching black Gucci G-string, a direct nod to the iconic Tom Ford-era Gucci logo thong from the 1990s.
• Impact: This single look instantly became a viral sensation, showcasing how the whale tail can be elevated from Y2K street style to a sophisticated, red-carpet-ready ensemble.

Dua Lipa: Balenciaga's Sheer Perfection

Pop superstar Dua Lipa, a consistent trendsetter, has also championed the exposed underwear look, often incorporating it into her performance and red carpet attire.

• The Look: At a high-profile event, Lipa wore a Balenciaga lace dress from the Summer 2025 collection.
• The Statement: The sheer fabric and asymmetrical, high-slit skirt of the dress were designed to intentionally expose a matching black thong.
• Impact: Her chic interpretation proves that the trend is versatile, blending the edgy aesthetic of exposed lingerie with the elegance of high couture.

Julia Fox: Avant-Garde at the Grammys

Known for her boundary-pushing and experimental style, Julia Fox brought the exposed thong trend to the 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet in a truly unique way.

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• The Look: Fox layered an oversized leather jacket over a completely see-through top and skirt.
• The Statement: Her choice of visible undergarments, including a simple thong, was a key component of her deconstructed, avant-garde outfit, turning the undergarment into a focal point of her look.
• Impact: Fox demonstrates the trend's potential as a tool for radical self-expression, pushing the envelope far beyond traditional glamour.

More Than Just a Trend: The Thong as a Statement in High Fashion

The current fascination with the visible thong is not merely a celebrity whim; it is a calculated move by the fashion industry to embrace maximalism, body confidence, and a playful sense of nostalgia. The trend is being driven by some of the world's most influential designers, solidifying its place in the modern fashion lexicon.

Charlize Theron’s Micro Thong Moment

Veteran actress Charlize Theron proved that the exposed underwear trend is ageless and powerful, channeling an iconic look with a modern twist.

• The Look: Theron wore a completely sheer black lace catsuit.
• The Statement: The catsuit was designed to offer a peekaboo effect, clearly flaunting a tiny micro thong underneath.
• The Influence: Her ensemble was an homage to the legendary Jerry Hall's iconic style, demonstrating that the exposed thong is rooted in a history of fearless celebrity fashion.

Katy Perry's Structured G-String Reveal

Katy Perry used the exposed thong to accessorize a highly structured look at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards.

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• The Look: Perry paired a fitted corset with low-slung bottoms.
• The Statement: The intentional styling allowed her black G-string to peek out over the top of the garment, adding an unexpected edge to her otherwise polished ensemble.
• Impact: This showed how the thong can be used as a subtle, yet impactful, detail that breaks up the severity of a tailored outfit.

Heidi Klum and the Latex Look

Supermodel Heidi Klum brought the trend to her social media, showing a more playful, behind-the-scenes interpretation.

• The Look: Klum shared a video of herself squeezing into a thong-baring latex skirt.
• The Statement: The tight, low-cut nature of the latex skirt created the perfect frame for the visible thong, aligning the look with a high-octane, glamorous aesthetic.
• Impact: Klum's embrace of the style highlights its appeal in editorial and high-fashion modeling contexts, proving its enduring relevance.

The Psychology Behind the Exposed Underwear Movement

Why is the visible thong dominating fashion in 2025? The trend is far more than just revealing; it is a complex cultural phenomenon that speaks to larger themes of empowerment, nostalgia, and challenging traditional dress codes.

Y2K Nostalgia and the Fashion Cycle

Fashion is cyclical, and the return of the 'whale tail' is intrinsically linked to the current obsession with Y2K fashion. Driven by Gen Z, this era—characterized by low-rise jeans, crop tops, and visible lingerie—is being reinterpreted through a modern lens. Today's exposed thong is a cleaner, more intentional version of its early 2000s predecessor, often seen in luxurious fabrics like silk or lace, or as part of a designer piece, such as those from Schiaparelli’s Fall 2025 Haute Couture show.

The key difference is the context: where it was once an accidental flash, it is now an intentional, integrated design element.

Body Confidence and Empowerment

In an era focused on body positivity and self-acceptance, the exposed thong trend is a powerful symbol of confidence. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa are using their platform to normalize and celebrate the body, treating the thong as a piece of clothing to be admired, not hidden. This shift reframes the undergarment from a private necessity to a public expression of self-assurance and ownership over one's body and style.

Lingerie as Outerwear

The trend is part of a broader movement where lingerie as outerwear has become commonplace. This includes visible corsets, sheer dresses, and bra tops. The thong is simply the latest, most provocative piece to cross this boundary. Brands are designing thongs not just for comfort, but for visual impact, often featuring intricate straps, logos, and embellishments specifically intended to be seen.

The visibility of the G-string is a defiant act against outdated notions of modesty, cementing the idea that a woman's clothing choices are entirely her own, regardless of how revealing they may be. This bold, unapologetic approach is what makes the celebrity exposed thong trend of 2025 one of the most exciting and talked-about fashion moments in recent memory.