The History of Women’s Swim Suits

279

Bathing in the sea has always been a delight for the fun loving. And the excitement almost doubles up when one gets to wear super sexy swimsuits. Interestingly, how many of us are aware of the year of birth of a swimsuit and how it evolved over the years. Puzzled? Don’t worry as we take you through the history of women’s swimwear.

Early 18th century

This is the time when swimming had started to become somewhat recreational. It was alright for ladies to brave the waves but that they could do wearing long dresses for the sake of modesty. Since the basic idea was to protect the bathing garments from floating up with the breeze, ladies had to sew weights into the hem of their bathing gown in order to prevent the flying gown exposing their legs.

Mid 18th century

It was in the 1850s that bloomers were added to the bathing suit. This was done as a matter of precaution so as to avoid any leg exposure by accident. It was towards the end of the century that the princess style evolved. What made it look like one? Well, it was a combination of one-piece fitted blouse and bloomer-like trousers.

The 1920s

This was an era that saw swimwear assume fashionable proportions. The full gown for women had paved way for an outfit that covered neck to the knees. An important point to note is that the length of the swimming costumes started decreasing. Jantzen, a swimsuit brand that gained popularity owing to its “Red Diving Girl” logo symbolised feminism through waters.

The 1930s – Era of liberation

Ah…this was the momentous era when a woman’s limbs could be finally seen. It’s as if they were liberated from the confines. The female body could finally breathe and the era of wearing a short swimsuit finally arrived. This gradually led to the evolution of Lastex, a woven satin that suited the beachwear.

[sc:mediad]

The 1940s – Arrival of the bikini

This was the moment in time when in the year 1946, designer Louis Reard designed the word’s first bikini. The awesome part about it is that the bikini was modelled by a dancer. Why so? Because the original model had refused to wear it. If you want a dose of laughter, an engineer went and hailed the bikini as “smaller than the world’s smallest swimsuit,” and went and named it after nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll.

The 1950s – Curve enhancing

Someday it had to happen. The swimwear started to get developed for curvaceous women. This meant making designs that concentrated on shape and support. It was towards the end of the decade that bikinis started seeing acceptance.

The 1960s – Monokini suit

Garments, particularly feminine ones, have always been in the innovation. The designer Rudi Gernreich in the year 1964 introduced the topless “Monokini,” which was a fashion rage at that time. The bikini had two micro halter straps that was condemned by the Vatican and pronounced illegal on most public beaches in the world. But that was not to be. A couple of modest styles of the cut-out swimsuit were unveiled which went on to become popular styles.

[Also Read: Swim Suits for Women with Small Breasts]

The 1970s – Psychedelic wave

No longer was it appropriate to look covered on a beach. With sexual revolution stepping in, the swimwear went on to look bare. The year 1975 saw the famous poster of Farah Fawcett dressed in a red one-piece swimsuit selling a whopping 12 million copies!

The 1980s

There was much similarity between clothing and swimwear during this phase. The styles were rainbow-hued, printed and yes, body-baring.

The 1990s – Crotch-baring

The swimsuits of the 90s were an absolute ode to the crotch. One could find high and hip-baring swimsuits. Call it the influence of Baywatch babes who bared their hip bones in their red one-piece swimsuits.