Let’s face it, ladies — even though the thong is truly feminine, we’re not wriggling into the things night after night for our own benefit. We’re wearing them for men who, like Sisqo, want to "see that thong" (tha-tha-tha-thong). You can make all the claims you want about finding one that really is comfortable, but essentially what you’ve got is a thick piece of dental floss up your butt. And that’s not an image that automatically puts a smile on our, uh, cheeks.

Still, the one big plus to wearing a thong is the lack of panty lines, and for that reason alone women are willing to sacrifice their comfort — so they can shake their booties with confidence in skin-tight pants.

The good news is that now, more than 40 years after we put a person on the moon, clothing companies have finally figured out how to make seamless underwear that won’t cause noticeable lines. One alterative is the Maidenform Viva la Tanga! No Show underwear line ($9), available at Filene’s. Promising "no ride up, no panty lines," these undies come in different cuts, such as high bikini and standard brief. They don’t have bumps or ridges in the edging, making for a smooth look. In styles such as hot pink with lace, the No Show looks great by itself or underneath clothing. Wear the 100 percent microfiber-nylon panties under your tightest skirt and feel confident that your rear view is flawless.

Another option is Jockey’s No Panty Line Promise underwear ($8.50), available at Filene’s and Macy’s. Jockey says the "unique leg treatment virtually eliminates all panty lines," and the panties live up to the pledge. The band is made of Tactel microfiber, and the rest of the panty is constructed from Lycra spandex. They come in various prints and colors, in hip-brief and bikini styles.

Avoiding panty lines doesn’t have to involve high-tech fabrics. By pulling on a pair of boy-cut briefs, you’ll eliminate the possibility of a noticeable line across the middle of your fanny. The bottom of the short brief hits right where your leg and butt meet, and if the material is stretchy and clingy enough, the line is minimal.

Filene’s carries Calvin Klein no-seam underwear short-shorts ($14) in tan, white, and black. The high-waist long briefs aren’t the most attractive option, but they do eliminate panty lines. For a cuter look, try Tommy Hilfiger’s pastel and gingham briefs ($12) or American-flag briefs ($16), also at Filene’s. The boy-cut-brief invasion has hit H&M as well, which stocks a large selection ($6.50).

If, after trying these styles, you opt for a thong-free life, you can always turn an old thong into a slingshot for shooting your Sisqo CDs out the window. Or use another to gag your boyfriend if he complains about the lack of thongs in your wardrobe.

Where to find it:

• Filene’s, various locations, www.filenes.com.

• H&M, 350 Washington Street (Downtown Crossing), Boston, (617) 482-7001, www.hm.com.

• Macy’s, various locations, www.macys.com.