Article

Whale tail

"Whale tail" (also written "whale-tail") is slang for the visible top of a thong or G-string above low‑rise trousers, where the narrow back of the underwear peeks over the waistline and resembles a whale's tail.

Anatomy & causes

Caused by low-rise outer garments combined with higher-cut or low-back underwear (thongs, G-strings), or by intentional styling choices that expose the waistband/back. The effect is most visible with low-slung jeans, hipster trousers, or deliberately low waistlines.
Fabric, waistband width, and body shape influence visibility. Elastic bands or decorative straps are more likely to show than smooth, low-profile waistbands.

Styling & practical notes

To avoid: choose lower-cut underwear, wear higher-waisted pants, or select undergarments with a lower centre-back. Seamless or laser-cut waistbands reduce visible lines.
To signal: the whale tail was often worn deliberately in 1990s–2000s pop and street fashion as a signifier of youth, sexiness, or rebellious style (see 1990s); use it as a stylistic marker in character description when relevant.

Cultural context

Popularised in mainstream fashion and media in the late 1990s and early 2000s (boyband and pop culture era), often paired with low-rise jeans and crop tops. The look has oscillated between fashion statement and object of critique for its sexualised connotations.

Writing tips

Use the whale tail as a quick visual shorthand (style, era, character attitude) but avoid reducing the character to a trope. Describe the interaction — how she adjusts her jeans, how she feels — to keep agency central.

Example

"He noticed the twin V of lace above her low jeans as she leaned over the market stall — a deliberate, careful flash of youth and defiance. She laughed and pulled the waistband a fraction higher, as if daring him to mention it."