Introduction of women’s swimwear
Ancient Greece was the starting point of history for the swimsuit, as public bathing was seen as the popular recreational activity among women of beauty and luxury.
Early 20th Century swimwear
During the early 19th Century both men and women spent more time at public swimming baths and natural springs; it was seen as a very popular recreational activity. Also at this point in time, for women it was essential that while at the swimming bath or springs that their bodies were entirely covered anything less was frowned upon.
Wool was considered the most appropriate material for bathing/swimsuits, especially in Europe. Women wore heavy wool dresses to the beach or baths which were normally accompanied by hats, stockings and shoes. Such dresses were typically made in black or dark colours, which attracted sunlight much more than other colours. Also due to its weight and colour it made women very hot and clammy.
The heavy woollen dress during the early 19th Century soon became burdensome, which then triggered the creation of more tight fitting and modest swimsuits for women. Also during this period, it was the first time since Ancient Rome that arms and knees had been revealed for swimwear.
1930′s – 1940′s swimwear
Swimsuits materials were now advancing to more breathable material such as nylon (e.g. ruffled) and Lastex, breast cups and busters’ were now incorporated into the design of women’s swimsuits. Bathing caps which were still a must at this point, as women didn’t want to ruin their hairstyle while taking a dip in the water. Previously bathing caps were just plain plastic caps which made women look bald and quite unattractive, so then came the time for the caps to step up a notch, just like women’s swimwear fashion during this time.
Swimming caps were normally customised with plastic decorative flowers and were also made in a variety of colours and styles to help match swimsuits.
During this time the corsetry market was not performing very well, which then left corset manufacturers wanting to find new avenues inside the fashion industry. They then recognised a gap within the women’s swimwear market; they then acted upon this by incorporating their corset designs into swimsuits. By adding a corset to a swimsuit, it helps women show off their figure now more than ever, without showing any faults women sometimes worry about when wearing tight clothing. The corset style swimsuit was designed to have zips within the middle of the suit, in order for women to feel secure and comfortable.
Early 1940′s saw two piece swimsuits introduced in the swimwear market, due to rations of material during World War Two.
In 1946 saw the radical introduction of Louis Reard’s two piece bikini.
1950′s – 1960′s swimwear
Normal women during this time were quite wary of bikinis, and many chose not to wear them are they were more associated and best suited for strippers and film stars But they soon become very popular and was introduced into mainstream swimwear fashion.
Swimsuits & Bikinis during this time became much shorter in length and more revealing, swimsuits now typically cut straight across the top of the leg, in order to disguise the separate twinned material on the crutch of the suit. Detachable swimsuit straps were also an option for women within the 1950′s, as many women disliked the marks straps made while in the sun. The halter neck bikini top was very popular as it allowed extra exposure of the body as well as an enhanced cleavage.
In 1960 Itsy Bitsy Yellow Polka Dot Bikini released by Brian Hyland triggered a craze for bikinis.
1970′s – 1980′s swimwear
Swimsuits & Bikinis become lower in the neckline (to expose breasts and cleavage) and the cuts also become lower in within the waistline area (cuts become higher & above the hips), they also were not always fully covering the buttocks as they were just worn on the pubic bone.Prints, materials and patterns become more eccentric e.g. metallic, animal print, glitter, aluminous colours and more.
The Microkini – So little material it only covers private parts (just barely) – the small pieces of material are held together by some sort of adhesive product . In many cases the size of the bikini bra was just enough just to cover the cover nipples. The second half of the microkini was the tanga bikini knickers (also called a G String, Originated from tribes within the Amazonian forest) which was recommended to be worn if women had a Brazilian wax as it along with the bikini bra had very little coverage. Some women choose to wear tangas with normal sized bikini bras.
1990′s swimwear
During the 1990′s designers were becoming more innovational with their women’s swimwear designs. The traditional one piece swimsuit had become boring and other than changing the colour or pattern it still didn’t stand out from the crowd. Designers began to stylish adapt the cut, style and shape of the traditional one pieces swimsuit. Monokinis are a combination of a one piece swimsuit and a bikini; it was held designed to be held together like a one piece but gave exposure to the body like a bikini.
Beach volleyball became very popular during this period, which therefore led to an increase in demand for more supporting swimwear for women. More sporty bikinis and swimsuits were made to help provide women with support, protection and style while playing on the beach.
The tankini, the combination of the tank top and matching shorts, is still quite recent in terms of its exposure within the swimwear industry. But it can be seen as an adaptation of the first two piece swimsuit introduced during WW2.