Have you heard of camel toe?
Yes, the dreaded camel toe, which is basically the elephant (or camel) in the room that everyone seems to know about but doesn’t want to discuss.
You might find it hard to believe, but the widely maligned term ‘camel toe’ or ‘cameltoe’ has been in circulation since the 1990s. However, it became more popular courtesy of the Late Night with Conan O’Brien show’s ‘Camel Toe Annie’ skit.
Historical Context of the Camel Toe
Fashion and the Evolution of Camel Toe Visibility
The visibility and perception of the ‘camel toe’ have evolved considerably, in tandem with the ebb and flow of fashion trends and changing body shapes through the decades. While this term has gained prominence in recent times, thanks to the ubiquity of tight-fitting activewear, the underlying concept – the concern about how intimate areas appear in clothing – has been around for ages. Let’s dive into the nuanced relationship between fashion trends, body shapes, and the prominence of camel toe.
From Billowing to Body-hugging: A Brief History of Women’s Clothing
Before the tight-fitting era we are familiar with today, clothing, especially women’s clothing, was more conservative and voluminous in nature. During the Renaissance period, women wore voluminous gowns that concealed the contours of their body, prioritising modesty and societal standards over individual comfort. There was little to no concern about the appearance of the intimate region since it was entirely obscured.
The Victorian era brought corsets into vogue. These undergarments cinched the waist, accentuated the bust and hips, and ensured the pelvic region remained flat and shapeless beneath long, billowing skirts. Their design and functionality mirror the modern-day waist trainer, which aims to sculpt the waist while providing a smooth silhouette. These historical choices in intimate wear reveal a consistent thread: the concern about how clothes fit, flatter, and conform to varying body shapes, and the emphasis on a polished appearance, regardless of the era’s prevailing fashion.
The flapper era of the 1920s saw a drastic shift, with more form-fitting dresses that lay straight down the body. However, the focus was on a ‘boyish’ figure, and the dresses, while closer to the body, did not accentuate the pelvic area.
Post World War II, fashion experienced another shift. The 1960s and 70s saw the rise of bell-bottoms and flared pants, which, while fitting at the top, flared out from the knees, reducing the focus on the intimate area. It was also a time when women started wearing pants more frequently, challenging societal norms.
As we entered the 1980s and 90s, tight-fitting jeans, especially the ‘skinny jeans’, became popular. With this trend, the body’s contours became more visible, leading to increased awareness and potential self-consciousness about the appearance of the pelvic area in such tight clothing.
Activewear and the Camel Toe Phenomenon
The 2000s saw the rise of activewear, particularly yoga pants and leggings, as mainstream everyday wear. Their comfort, versatility, and ability to flatter the figure made them an instant hit. However, the very nature of their tight fit brought the camel toe into sharper focus. The thin, stretchy material, designed for flexibility and movement, often clings to every contour of the body, making the intimate area more pronounced.
Fashion’s Influence on Intimate Wear Choices
As clothing trends evolved, so did underwear choices. The rise of tight-fitting pants led to the development of seamless underwear, thongs, and even specially designed products to prevent the appearance of camel toe. The fashion industry recognised the need for solutions and responded in kind, proving yet again how interconnected fashion trends and intimate wear choices have been through the ages.
Concluding Thoughts
The term ‘camel toe’ might be a product of modern lexicon, influenced by the age of activewear and the candidness of social media, but the underlying concern it represents has historical roots. Fashion, across eras, has always influenced and been influenced by societal norms, personal comfort, and the desire to look one’s best. The camel toe, in many ways, is just a modern iteration of age-old sartorial concerns.
The mystique surrounding the camel toe is now fodder for gym – especially yoga-related – jokes. These usually cringe-worthy jokes now extend to virtually any situation where women wear activewear leggings, tights or bottoms that can be constricting so as to lead to the appearance of the camel toe.
If you’re hearing about the camel toe for the first time or want to find ways to prevent it from appearing, here’s a helpful guide for you. Here, we talk about the yoga pants camel toe and what you can do to prevent and hide it.
What Is a Camel Toe?
The answer to your question “What is a camel toe?” is pretty simple – that is, with a bit of imagination. Perhaps if you hear the term ‘crotch cleavage’ courtesy of the Urban Dictionary, you’ll be able to visualise what a camel toe is faster.
It actually refers to the female labia that become visible because of tight-fitting pants or clothes.
Meaning of the Term ‘Camel Toe’
If you type in ‘camel toe meaning’ or ‘what does camel toe mean’ in good old trusty Google, you’ll see a couple of results turn up. The first one would likely be from Oxford Languages identifying the term as informal and defining it as ‘an effect created by a pair of pants or shorts that fit very tightly around a woman’s groin, drawing attention to the shape of the external genitals.’
But this definition doesn’t really explain the camel and the toe, or the camel toe.
Click on the answer from Wikipedia, and you get a more enlightening definition that includes this information: ‘Owing to a combination of anatomical factors and the tightness of the fabric covering the area, the crotch and mons pubis may display a shape resembling the forefoot of a camel.’
And voila! You get the camel toe.
Now that we’re clear on what a camel toe is, let’s move on.
Camel Toe Causes
It’s strange, but the moment you realise what camel toes are, you start seeing them everywhere – places you never cared to look or notice before.
But what causes camel toe?
To be fair, no one cares about the camel toe if it stays hidden underneath a skirt, pair of shorts, pants or dress.
But when it invades the public sphere, it can offend those who witness its unfolding (pun intended) – much like a wedgie if you’re not wearing squat-proof pants. Or, at the very least, a camel toe can embarrass its unsuspecting bearer when they find out the reason for those stares that they interpreted as signs of appreciation or envy.
So, to be aware of the camel toe, it would help to know the causes identified below.
- Anatomical Factors: It’s worth noting that the appearance of a camel toe canbe influenced by one’s anatomy. The structure of the pelvic region, the labia’s size and shape, and even factors like weight can affect how pronounced a camel toe might appear in tight clothing. This is why some women might experience it more frequently than others, regardless of the clothing material.
- Spandex, Lycra or elastane: This is a popular stretchy material used in making leggings, swimsuits, bike shorts and other types of sportswear. To be honest, it’s hard to avoid spandex if you’re into fitness or athletics. But one thing you should know is that spandex is not used on its own as most workout fabrics today come as blends for better performance.
- Undersized swimwear: If your swimsuit is smaller than your real size, no matter the fabric, expect to get a camel toe.
- Leggings, tights and yoga pants: These three types of workout bottoms (although some wear them just because) are designed to be form-fitting. So, if you pair them with short tops, then expect others to see your shiny leggings or yoga pants camel toe.
- Exercise shorts: There are different types of exercise shorts. There are loose, comfortable ones and form-fitting shorts. If you are fond of the latter, it’s possible to have your camel toe showing.
- Stretchy pants made from flimsy material: If your stretch pants are made from low-quality or weak fabric, expect to have a camel toe in full view.
- Very light or thin fabrics: If you wear long skirts and dresses thinking that your camel toe is safe from public view, think again! If you’re wearing a skirt or dress made from thin and very light material, a breeze can drive the fabric between your legs and give others a glimpse of your camel toe.
With the causes out in the open, we can finally discuss the solutions to your yoga pants camel toe, leggings camel toe, activewear camel toe and everything else in between.
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8 Ways to Get Rid of Camel Toe
Now, on to how to get rid of camel toe.
If you are prone to leggings camel toe or general activewear camel toe, it can make you feel uncomfortable in what’s supposed to be a cool yoga outfit or fancy new gym set. But don’t worry! There are several ways you can try to hide your camel toe successfully.
Here’s how to conceal camel toe using different products:
1. Use a Smooth Groove Cup or Camel Toe Guard or Concealer
The smooth groove cup is a plastic cup that’s designed to hide the entire labia, so the possibility of getting a camel toe is slim to none. However, you need to ensure you are wearing underwear under leggings that stays in place so it also holds the cup securely in place. It also takes some getting used to since the plastic material can be uncomfortable.
Another option you can use to guard against yoga pants camel toe is by wearing a camel toe guard or concealer that has a bump that hides the camel toe. It can be made of fabric or silicone and is reusable just like the smooth groove cup. You need only insert it into your favourite yoga pants and secure with tape to keep it from moving. Be sure to wash and clean it before your next use.
2. Camelflage
The Camelflage or ‘visual privacy panty for women’ is actually a type of camel toe concealer, except that it is branded and comes with a significant modification: it’s an entire thong. So, it’s a kind of underwear designed to eliminate the appearance of camel toes.
Just like regular underwear, the Camelflage comes in a range of sizes and you can wear it under anything, including form-fitting gym shorts. What’s amazing about Camelflage is that it has been around since 2008 – that’s a lot of camel toe cover-ups, don’t you think?
3. Toilet Paper
It may just be a case of poor lighting at home, but there could be times when you think you’re all set for spin class in your activewear shorts or leggings. Then when you get to the gym and take off your hoodie, you realise that your camel toe is in full view for all the world to see.
Should you let this stress you or make you decide to skip spin class altogether?
Nope.
All you need to do is go to the bathroom, get a roll of tissue and wind it around your three middle fingers. Once you get the right thickness, pull, fix and insert the toilet paper into your workout pants. Problem solved!
Of course, this is just a temporary fix. You’ll basically end up with mashed little pieces of tissue after your spin class or workout. Remove it immediately before changing into fresh clothes.
4. Feminine Pads or Napkins
Just like tissue, only more hygienic and convenient, panty shields, sanitary pads or napkins can also do the work of keeping your camel toe concealed.
The type of pad to use depends on how flimsy your bottoms are and how visually impactful the camel toe is. Just to be safe, ask a friend to conduct a visual assessment of the affected area and make adjustments as needed.
5. Cover-ups
A fuss-free way to keep your camel toe from making an appearance is by using whatever type of cover-up is available at the moment. You can use a pashmina or wrap fashionably draped around you or your waist. You can also use a jacket or sweater for the same purpose.
If you’re wearing a long top that’s tucked in, you can let it hang loose so it covers your crotch area, hiding the camel toe from view. You can also wear tunics if you want to keep using tights or leggings that show your camel toe.
6. Yoga Pants with a Gusset Crotch or Lined Crotch
Say bye-bye to yoga pants camel toe by wearing pants with a gusset crotch or lined crotch. Both types are designed to reduce or eliminate the possibility of camel toes. What makes your pants even more camel toe safe, is to wear anti chafing underwear with your pants. They are light-weight, but use special fabric that helps conceal your camel toe.
Yoga pants have seams that typically connect in the crotch area. By including a gusset that slightly shifts the seams away from the area, the leggings become more durable and camel toe will be less of a concern.
Wearing yoga pants with a lined crotch or an extra lining makes the camel toe a lot less noticeable. And if you opt for compression wear made of special fabric, your cameltoe will be even less visible – if at all.
7. Loose Pants
The easiest way to get a camel toe is by wearing tight-fitting bottoms. By opting to wear pants that are looser or fit just right, you can avoid having your camel toe exposed.
But what happens if you end up wearing a tight jeans and have no time to wiggle yourself out of them and change into more comfortable pants? If you’re wearing your top untucked and it’s long enough to hide your zipper, pull the slider down the zipper.
Since your pants are tight, they’re unlikely to fall off. But your top should be long enough to hide your open zipper and not call attention to your crotch – even in the absence of a camel toe.
8. Camel Toe-Proof Underwear
Not all panties cause camel toe, but there are some that do. So the best thing to practise is to be choosy when it comes to buying underwear. As much as possible, opt for ones with a high inseam as these usually stay in place. Another option is to wear seamless panties made from thick fabric.
If your dilemma right now is how to stop camel toe, you’ll probably be shocked that there’s a small group of women who not only embrace it but also prefer to flaunt it.
Can Camel Toe Be Sexy and Desirable?
Camel toe underwear apparently became fashionable in Japan in 2007, with the trend making a return in 2017. This has led to debates regarding the camel toe, particularly in relation to it being a desirable or undesirable thing to be seen in public.
Frankly, most women don’t care. But the public’s prying eyes and negative comments have prompted the growth of anti-camel toe products.
Still, in some segments of society (like those women in Japan), camel toe underwear has been called party pants. These have also been marketed to transgender women who wish to conceal their male genitalia.
The cultural response to camel toe varies widely. In some places, it might be seen as a mere fashion faux pas, while in others, it might be considered more taboo. Additionally, personal reactions can range from embarrassment to indifference. Understanding the range of reactions can help women decide for themselves how they want to address the issue.
Love them or hate them, they’re a trend somewhere in Asia.
And are there other ways to get camel toe without resorting to this kind of underwear?
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How to Get a Camel Toe
How to get camel toe is an easy need to address – just do the opposite of what we advise in the section on how to get rid of the camel toe.
You see, it’s actually easier to get a camel toe than it is to conceal it.
Just look at the many, many photos of celebrities caught with their leggings camel toes or just the usual pants camel toes – usually while performing, walking on the street or on their way to yoga practice or the gym.
Public Perceptions on Camel Toe
To gather authentic perspectives, we reached out to women and men and inquired about their views on the camel toe.
Here are their insights:
“I remember feeling incredibly embarrassed when a friend pointed it out during a yoga session. I had no idea! Since then, I’ve always been cautious about the type of pants I buy for workouts.” – Mia, 28
“Honestly, I don’t understand the big fuss. Sometimes it shows, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t let it define my confidence or my day.” – Aisha, 34
“I find the appearance of a camel toe kind of alluring. It’s a natural aspect of a woman’s body and when it shows, it feels genuine and confident. There’s an underlying sexiness in embracing one’s body as it is.” – James, 29
“For me, the camel toe isn’t particularly appealing. I believe clothes should fit well and comfortably, and the presence of a camel toe might indicate the opposite. It’s more about the comfort of the individual than any aesthetic preference on my part.” – Ethan, 34
How about you?
What do you think of camel toes?
If you’d rather be discreet, know that there are plenty of products you can use to hide your camel toe because – well, it’s probably meant to be hidden away, anyway.
Buy Camel Toe Tights?
When we say purchase camel toe tights or camel toe pants, it doesn’t mean we’re endorsing the camel toe since these pants actually eliminate the camel toe.
So, to call certain pants camel toe tights is a huge misnomer. Or, at least, people need to make sure they read the fine print to know that camel toe pants and tights or leggings are anti-camel toe.
If you’d rather be discreet, know that there are plenty of products you can use to hide your camel toe because – well, it’s probably meant to be hidden away, anyway.
