Dear Editor: Time to bury thongs; let Carnival costumes return to bikini and beads

“[…] The modern thong and beads era, while bold and unapologetic, often leans too far into the realm of impracticality. The disappearing thong, in particular, vanishes in part into crevices of unknown depth, leaving little to the imagination and often sacrificing comfort for shock value.

“The bikini, on the other hand, has long been a symbol of freedom and effortless confidence. With the added embellishment of beads—whether along the straps, adorning the edges, or woven into cover-ups—the ensemble maintains a flirty charm without becoming overwhelming…”

The following Letter to the Editor on Trinidad and Tobago Carnival costumes was submitted to Wired868 by Orson Rogers of Belmont, Port of Spain:

A masquerader for the Lost Tribe shows off her 2024 Carnival costume.
Photo: Lost Tribe.

Carnival fashion is a cycle, constantly reinventing itself while drawing from past inspirations. Amid the ever-evolving Carnival wear trends, it’s time to bring back the classic bikini and beads (something I never thought that I would utter)—a look that balanced playfulness with sophistication.

The modern thong and beads era, while bold and unapologetic, often leans too far into the realm of impracticality. The disappearing thong, in particular, vanishes in part into crevices of unknown depth, leaving little to the imagination and often sacrificing comfort for shock value.

The bikini, on the other hand, has long been a symbol of freedom and effortless confidence. With the added embellishment of beads—whether along the straps, adorning the edges, or woven into cover-ups—the ensemble maintains a flirty charm without becoming overwhelming.

A carnival masquerader shows off her thong.

Unlike the barely-there nature of thong swimwear, the bikini offers versatility. It flatters different body types which we need in Trinidad Carnival, while still allowing for self-expression.

Beyond aesthetics, comfort is key. The disappearing thong may make a statement, but practicality and ease should not be overlooked.

Constant adjustments and the inevitable discomfort make it a high-maintenance choice (how are bathroom trips managed on a hot Carnival Tuesday?).

A well-fitted bikini with beaded accents and accessories provides movement, style, and just the right amount of allure—without the perpetual concern of wardrobe malfunctions. And it allows me to maintain a degree of decorum in mixed company.

Hip hop star Nicki Minaj sports a bikini and beads-themed Carnival costume for her Pound The Alarm music video.

As fashion continues to evolve, perhaps it’s time to revisit styles that embraced both sensuality and wearability. Let’s bring back the bikini and beads—a timeless combination that exudes confidence while leaving a little to the imagination.

More from Wired868
Demming: Sandals offer must be fair to all—why I split with TDC over MOU

“[…] The now-infamous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), exposed thanks to Afra Raymond’s successful legal challenge, showed a lopsided agreement. The Read more

Dear Editor: Appeal Court ruling on buggery drives home importance of constitutional reform

“[…] The [Appeal] Court ruled that, despite modern thinking and growing public support for human rights, parts of our Constitution Read more

Dr Farrell: Judicial independence vs accountability—why everyone loses in Ayers-Caesar v JLSC

“[…] Both the Privy Council and the Court of Appeal noted that the motivations of the JLSC [in the Marcia Read more

Dear Editor: Digitalisation of Carnival could lead to national transformation

“[...] Here in Trinidad and Tobago, the Road March results still rely on a manual system—TUCO officials physically count song Read more

Jessica: Is the naked body inherently indecent? Or should we get a grip on primal urges?

During the Bush 2.0 Administration, pious Christian Nationalist and Attorney General John Ashcroft demanded that two nude statues, called Spirit Read more

Dear Editor: A sitting MP is evading a debt collection agency; suppose he gets elected?

“[…] In the news just recently, we had a case of a sitting MP evading a collection agency over a Read more

Check Also

Dear Editor: T&T’s housing crisis—“what good is a degree if you’re paying 60% of your salary in rent?”

“[…] I stand here not just for myself, but for every young professional drowning in …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.