Trends for August 13, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Aug. 13, 2001 | 8:26 a.m.

Anniversary attire?

Here's wishing lingerie maker Frederick's of Hollywood a happy anniversary the thong panty is 20 years old this month.

The company calls the tiny panty which doesn't boast much of a backside "the most essential item in every woman's wardrobe" as today's "low-rise" fashions have women "running from the dreaded fate of the VPL (visible panty line)."

Hmm. And we thought it was those fitting-room fun-house mirrors and florescent lights that sent them scampering. But what do we know?

Frederick's has even crunched numbers to prove its case: In 1981, the year it introduced the thong, the style accounted for 5 percent of the nation's overall panty sales. These days the company says it sells 75,000 thongs per week and the underwear accounts for 90 percent of panty sales.

Suppose it's time to let the celebration begin. How's this for a party favor: In honor of the thong's 20th, Frederick's is giving away 100,000 pairs of limited edition panties at its 183 retail stores nationwide.

The spice of life

Where you decide to wear those free panties is up to you.

The staff at adult-product maker Adam & Eve, however, is betting you use them to add some zip to your sex life.

The company recently sponsored a telephone survey of 1,000 adults (ages 18-65), asking what items men and women use to spice things up in the bedroom.

Among the findings: 49 percent of respondents said they use sexy lingerie to help turn up the heat. Massage oils came in second place with 36 percent.

Sorry, folks: The remainder of the results aren't fit for print in a family newspaper.

Star-crossed lovers

Who needs fancy underpants and other such devices, anyway?

Sally Nash, the author and editor of the online book "Astro Loves," would have you believe you were born with all of the information you need to understand your love life. Just look toward your astrological sign.

According to the book, Geminis (born between May 21 and June 21) are "the most likely to be bisexual," and Aries are among "the most likely signs to be unfaithful."

Cheated on your significant other? No problem. If your birthday falls between March 21 and April 19, you (apparently) have a built-in excuse.

Look for Virgos (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) in bondage shops and at "fetish parties." Tauruses (April 20-May 20) are "most likely to indulge in ... gourmet sex" (read: the movie "9 1/2 Weeks"), while Sagittariuses (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) are more apt to "have casual sex with friends and strangers."

Downloadable copies of "Astro Loves" are available for $14.95 at astroloves.com.