The Complete History of The Swimming Costume

350 YEARS OF SWIMMING FASHION The Complete History of the Swimming Costume BEFORE 1650 - AU NATUREL 1687 - SWIMMING SHIRTS In ancient times swimming in the nude was the norm. There are next After the 1650's women began to wear shirts when they bathed and swam. The shirts were loose fitting to hide the shape of the body and perfect for bath water as any other material would have turned yellow. Men also had waistcoats and drawers made from the same to no depictions of people swimming in anything other than their bathing suits other than a 4th century roman mosaic in the Villa Romana del Casale which depicts women wearing outfits similar to contemporary athletic events. bikinis during canvas. 1731 - UNDERWEAR 1800 - ALL-IN-ONE In the public things were entirely different. Nude swimming in the ocean was acceptable, although the sexes were segregated. Men at this time would have worn a suit Towns in the UK made their own laws regarding bath house nudity and bathing. In the bath no one was allowed to bathe nude from 1737. Most would wear their undergarments. jackets and petticoats of brown linen – with an attachment to wipe Women made of wool, similar to a thermal onesie. The style changed little for over a century and men were not banned wore away sweat. from public nude swimming until 1860. 1864 - DRESSING UP FOR THE BEACH 1880 - FANCY FROCKS Through the mid 1800's women began to wear two piece bathing suits, usually a paletot style knee length gown with Turkish harem pants or leggings that went down to the ankle. This style was noted in The 1880's saw the two piece suits become a practical sailor style with bloomers and black stockings instead of harem pants. Fancy caps and lace up slippers were the also used to complete Godey's Lady's Book in 1864. ensemble. 1900 - HELLO, SAILOR! 1907 - LITTLE BLACK DRESS In 1907 Annette Kellerman the The sailor style remained popular through to the 1920's however changes did begin to occur. The suits necklines, sheerer stockings, and became more flattering. Australian "underwater ballerina" indecent charged exposure for her one piece that revealed her legs, arms and neck. She released similar swimsuits for was with began to have lower sale and during the 1920's there was an attempt to ban them. 1920 - FLAPPY AND HAPPY 1921 - SHORT AND SWEET Flappers ground revealing more flesh than ever with their baring costumes. The flappers accessorized with stockings that More colours and styles were introduced due to the growing popularity of beauty pageant. Miss America having started in 1921. were breaking new in female swimwear, were much shorter and often rolled. 1930 - TOPPED OFF 1940 - THE BIKINI BLOWS UP In 1946 Louis Reard invented the Mabs of Hollywood began to make costumes from Lastex, an elastic previously reserved for girdles. 1935 saw the first bare chested Bikini. He named it after the atomic test site, Bikini Atoll, referencing the explosive reaction someone would have seeing the garment. Colours and fabrics were rationed due to swimming costumes, and 1936 saw men legally able to go topless on American beaches. the war, pin up girls of the 40's had high waisted bikinis only showing a small section of midriff. 1950 - MODESTY IS THE BEST POLICY 1960 - A PATTERN EMERGES Men had more form fitting trunks or boxers for a more modest look. In 1947 James Garner popularised the look for savages swimwear by Jantzen. The 50's retained a more modest style, but gradually more flesh was displayed. Patterned fabrics became the style after the Patterned fabrics were just as popular with men, which included men's cabana sets and loud print boxer trunks with matching shirts. The 1960's saw bikinis shrink in size as the sexual revolution took hold and women's rights began to advance. war. 1962 - STRAIGHT OUT IF THE MOVIES 1964 - SHOW OFF In 1962, bond girl Ursula Andress, emerged from the water in the film, Dr No. She caused a sensation in her white bikini, which is still considered the most famous and In 1964 Rudi Gernreich brought us the first monokini believing that a topless suit would soon be the Sports Illustrated's first swimsuit issue norm for women. featuring Babette March credited with truly making mainstream. The swimsuit edition is bikini of all time and an iconic outfit in cinematic history. the bikini still being published annually. 1970 - STRINGING ALONG 1980 - THE BAYWATCH By the early 70's string bikinis were considered the height of fashion along with psychedelic prints and handmade crochet suits. The male The late 70's and early 80's centered on sparkly fabrics, animal prints, bright colours and high cut legs. In unveiled another suit called the 1985 Rudi Gernreich equivalent Speedo was worn by Tom Jones, Rod Stewart and Olympic swimming, Mark Spitz. Pubikini, v-shaped suit exposing the pubic area. The television show Baywatch featured red swimsuits that became iconic. gold medallist in 1990 LOUD N' PROUD 1994 - SLING SOMETHING ON more prominent display of designer brands and garish prints on swimwear. From 1994 the microkini became The 90's saw 1994 was the year that the sling became swimsuit mainstream. Although it looks like a wedgie, it had already been popular from 1990 at resorts in Ibiza and San a popular choice for those who essentially wanted to bare all. Tropez. 1998 - CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 2004 - COVER MODELS In 2004 Australian designer Aheda Zanetti invented the Burgini. The burqini allows women to cover up, without the fabric becoming heavy or difficult to swim in. Invented by Ann Cole in 1998, the tankini was essentially a tank top with small shorts or briefs for bottoms. convenience of a two piece with the modesty of a one piece. Men's trunks It provided the extended in length, transforming into boxer trunks and board shorts. 2007 - SKIRTING AROUND 2014 - A BIT OF EVERYTHING 2007 saw the rise of the skirtini, made popular by Juicy Couture. It added a ruffled skirt to the Current styles amalgamate Pin up style bikinis, cut out one pieces, skirtini, tankini and burginis. All are available in a wide range of fabrics and styles, it is even common to mix and match tops and bottoms for a custom look. costumes, barely-there traditional bikini briefs. INDIAN OCEAN INSPIRATIONAL OUTDOOR FURNITURE