Swimsuit's history

World Wide Customs: swimsuit's history

SWIMSUIT'S HISTORY:

1800: 

(1)

The history of women’s swimwear begins with a simple outfit known as the birthday suit (1). All jokes aside, up until the 19th century people frequently bathed nude. And while women were known to cover themselves with clothing that resembles our modern day bikini, the outfits weren’t for swimming. In fact, swimsuits were invented in the mid 1800s. Their creation came out of necessity; recent improvements in railroad systems and other transportation methods had finally made swimming and going to the beach a recreational activity.


If you saw a picture of swimsuit-clad women in the second half of the 19th century, you’d have a hard time recognizing their outfits as swimwear.
The times called for swimsuits that more closely resembled a belted dress over long bloomers (aka baggy pants). While they weren’t aesthetically appealing, the swimwear fulfilled its primary purpose: to conceal a woman’s body.

The top portion of the swimsuit hung low like a dress to hide the woman’s figure. These suits were made from heavy flannel 

fabric that was both opaque and sturdy enough to not rise with the water

1900:

Only at the turn of the century, when swimming became an intercollegiate and Olympic sport, did people realize that the current swimwear lineup had been designed without functionality in mind. As the sport grew, swimsuits became more streamlined and less heavy (2), paving the way for styles to come. At this point in the history of women’s swimwear, women often accessorised with soft bathing slippers (3) that provided added protection against rough shores.

(2)

(3)

(4)

(7)    

  

1950:

(8)

By 1910, women’s swimwear was less 

restrictive and heavy (4) (5). Women exposed their arms, hemlines creeped up to the mid-thigh and designers used less fabric toconceal a girl’s figure. As the 1920s rolled around, the swimsuits got smaller, and the demand for them grew larger. Hollywood and Vogue(6) (7) both popularized the idea of swimwear being sexy and glam, a trend that would persist in the decades to come.

(6)

While two-piece suits were common

 in the years leading up to World 

War II, they usually covered a 

woman’s navel and left only a bit 

of midriff visible (8). In 1946, French 

designer Louis Reard introduced 

the world to the first modern bikini, 

featuring significantly less fabric 

than its predecessors. Its name 

has roots in the war: Reard was 

inspired to name his two-piece 

after a newsworthy US atomic test 

with the name Bikini Atoll

                                                 

While changes to future generations

of swimwear were mostly aesthetic

 in nature, a few iconic swim styles

 stood out and captivated the country.

Take, for instance the red one piece 

that stars like Pamela Anderson and

 Carmen Electra donned for Baywatch

(9).