MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A viral video has reignited debate over public decency laws after three police officers were seen detaining a young woman for wearing a thong bikini on Myrtle Beach.
The clip, shared by activist account Police the Police (@PoliceThePolic1 on X/Twitter), shows the woman in handcuffs as bystanders question why she is being arrested. She was dressed in a sports bra and a thong — attire that sparked controversy but left many asking: Is wearing a thong considered being nude?
Is a Thong Considered Nude?
Under Myrtle Beach city code, public nudity and indecent exposure are prohibited. However, the law specifically bans the “showing of genitals, pubic area, or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering.” Because a thong typically exposes most of the buttocks, the city classifies it as indecent exposure, even though it does not leave a person fully nude.
In short: a thong is not legally “nudity,” but in Myrtle Beach, it can be treated as an offense.
Not the First Time
This isn’t the first time Myrtle Beach has made headlines for strict beachwear rules. In 2019, a woman from New York was briefly detained in a similar thong swimsuit incident, sparking public outcry. Other beach towns across the U.S. — including parts of Florida — have also ticketed or arrested women for wearing thong bikinis, citing decency laws that date back decades.
Critics argue these ordinances unfairly target women, while supporters say the rules preserve “family-friendly” environments.
Public Reaction
The latest video has drawn mixed reactions online. Some called the police action “embarrassing and outdated,” while others defended the city’s right to enforce its laws.
As one commenter wrote: “It’s 2025, and we’re still arresting women for swimsuits? Ridiculous.”
The Myrtle Beach Police Department has not released a statement on the incident at the time of writing.
WATCH THE VIDEO
credit: via X/PoliceThePolic1
