Abstract: A self supporting thong type brief has no side or waist portions and can be shaped to custom fit the wearer for substantial exposure of the midsection and buttocks area and is particularly suited for sun bathing and tanning. In a preferred embodiment the tanning brief has an interior frame formed of a length of small diameter resilient malleable wire bent to form a relatively short front portion, opposed elongate side portions which extend rearwardly and angularly inward from said front portion and converge toward each other and then extend rearwardly parallel to one another to form a longitudinal rear portion. At least the longitudinal rear portion of the frame is covered by a soft cushioning material. The frame and cushioning material is completely enclosed by a fabric covering. The brief is preferably packaged and sold in a straight configuration, and is thereafter manually shaped into a generally C-shaped configuration curved along its length to custom fit the body of an individual wearer.