PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The early 1800's marked the beginning of a revolution in swim wear when Americans flocked to the beaches for seaside recreation.
The first swimsuits consisted of bloomers and black stockings. By 1855, drawers were added to prevent the problem of exposure
By the 1880's the "Princess" cut was introduced, consisting of a blouse and trousers in one piece. The skirts were traded in for cotton-like trousers. There was also a separate skirt that fell below the knee and buttoned at the waist to conceal the figure. A ruffled cap or a straw hat completed the ensemble.
Swimsuits began the trend of becoming lighter and briefer. The apron disappeared by 1918, leaving a tunic covering the shorts. Even though matching stockings were still worn, bare legs were exposed from the bottom of the trunks to the top of the shorts. With the Roaring 20's following WWI, there was a large increase in appreciation of recreation and the spending of leisure time. This was manifested in the first annual "Bathing Suit Day" held on May16, 1916 at Madison Square Garden .
The 1930's began with a new generation of designers and the emergence of a new look for the body that was functional, sleek, and streamlined
The 1940's was characterized by the two-piece suit. A popular model was the "Taboo," a diaper trunk tied into large bows at the back of the waist and thighs, leaving a little bit of the hip exposed to the sun.
The swimsuit look of the1950's was characterized by the cars of the era - counterpoised jutting angles against bulbous shapes and curves. The new suits featured pointed breasts and slim waists.
The Sixties was the decade that showcased the body, if nothing else. Swimwear design underwent another major revolution with the introduction of Spandex, a synthetic polyurethane fiber that made it ideal for a swimwear look that stressed shape, vibrant color, and a clingy silhouette.
In 1964 Rudi Gernreich unveiled his bare breasted bathing suit called the ‘Monokini’, which caused the world to take a large intake of breath.
Another innovation in swimwear in the 1970s was the tan-through swimsuit but as the issue
Support (for those who sadly didn’t need support) came via the launch of ‘Top Secret’ in the early 1990s. Devised by Cole of California (which like many of the original brand name manufacturers is still going strong) this seemingly innocent looking bikini featured inflatable falsies concealed within the cups of its top
The 21st century bikini soon came to be a two piece set with string.
