For me a real loincloth is a long strip of material passing through the legs and held up by a cord or string tied around the waist. For example Johnny Weissmuller wore a real loincloth, but it look like Gordon Scott wore flaps over briefs or speedo.
Thumbs up to Bob T, but there are the self-holding, tied ones like a bahag or a rokushaku fundoshi, but as Tarzan fashion, they're out of question, of course :)
For me, it's most likely the one strip of material hanging from a belt on both sides. (Two flaps hanging from a belt, hiding nothing, is the "half" style.) Or the loincloth becomes its own belt.
From what I remember reading, Weissmuller's loincloth was leather flaps with a chamois type material forming the U shaped under piece. The chamois naturally would provide a more comfortable fit and hold up to the constant water exposure.
For years I thought Weissmuller had worn some type of thong under his loincloth to "corral" him - especially in those scenes carrying Jane 😉 - but there is a scene in Tarzan's Desert Mystery where he was hiding in a cave during a sandstorm with Nancy Kelly where something is clearly peeking out. I'm surprised the censors didn't catch it.
I was watching Pony Soldier and I notice that one native american looks like he is wearing a jock strap under his flaps. Did indians wore jock straps back in the old west.
