Running head: Evolution of Swimwear

Evolution of Swimwear
Shefali Patel
LIM College
September 16, 2015

Evolution of Swimwear

EVOLUTION OF SWIMWEAR

Introduction
The evolution of the women's swimsuit has come a long way. In classical
antiquity swimming and bathing was done nude. The first recorded use of a form of a bathing
costume was in Greece in 350 B.C. Even though no one really knows if they were used for
swimming or maybe for athletics. Women's swimsuits have always been at the forefront of
modern contemporary fashion. It was first introduced more as a cover-up for those daring
enough to expose themselves to a quick dip in the water; the bathing suit is now a palette of
colors and fabrics for everyone from the competitive swimmer to the ideal sun-bather. The
history of swimwear has evolved through the decades and nothing can define it better than
visuals, here is a link of a video by Amanda Cerny showcasing the evolution of swimwear,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYKgRdBJ-vw
The history of swimwear be it menswear or women's wear makes fascinating study. Women's
swimwears have always been a heated topic in the fashion industry but there has been several
changes in men's swim wear according to the trends of the passing eras. The following is a link
showcasing 100 years of men in swimwear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRl-eh7dTuo
We will further look as each decade in brief to understand how trends evolved in womens
swimwear.

Evolution of Swimwear

History of Swimwear
Late 1880s

The 18th century saw the development of the first bathing outfits for ladies and whole-body suits
for the gentlemen. People swam in bathing suits made of thick wool and cotton fabrics that soaked
up lots of water, and took an eternity to dry. This material was used to prevent the skirts from rising
up. Everything was strictly segregated according to gender - including swimming zones. Women
were not supposed to reveal too much skin so that men would not get the wrong impression of
them. When tourism started to take off in the early 20th century, swimming trips to the sea came
into fashion. At the beginning of a season the sea was "opened." Swimsuits had by now become a
little tighter, and elastic tricot came into play. Bathing caps, still resembling hats, were intended to
protect people from the sun. Full-body swimsuits, as here in 1910, were designed for men and
women.

Evolution of Swimwear
1920s

1920 was a big year for swim. Jantzen

introduced the elastic suit in 1921. Released
from long skirts, women of the twenties
wore a sleeveless tank suit that formed to
every curve and made women feel sexier
than ever. The sleeveless tank suits that
characterized this era were made of wool
jersey and were typically a drab gray color,
although they started to appear in patterns
and brighter colors as the decade went on.
However, they werent completely free yet,
as there was a city norm that swimsuits could
not be more than six inches above the knee
1930s

Women went from flapper dress to femme fatale in

the 1930s. The ideal petite silhouette from the 1920s,
which was soft, straight went round in the 30s. Breathable
cotton replaced wool jersey as the fabric du jour. Backless
one-piece suits during the 1930s were all the rage and this
drastically transformed swimsuit styles for years to come.
These styles were popularized by swimmer-turned-actress
Esther Williams and by movies featuring water ballet.
These suits were the first to bear some resemblance to
swimwear of today.

Evolution of Swimwear

1940s

During World War II, material shortage facilitated the need to make two-piece suits. The 1940s were
very popular for their halter-top bathing suits that promoted the sexy corset-style. In 1946, French
engineer Louis Rard deputed the first ever bikini. Parisein models refused to wear the barely there suit
so Reard hired an exotic dancer, Micheline Bernardini to sport it. She became an instant success.

Evolution of Swimwear
1950s

One-piece suits were still the most popular choice during the 1950s, but some did venture out and
show off more skin. For the braver ladies during this time, bikinis were ideal and the trend really
started to pick up. Finally, swimsuits allowed women to feel confident and attractive, revealing a
new standard of sexy. Constructive suits used padding, corsetry and boning to enhance and
acquire the perfect hourglass shape. Rubber swim caps with fancy flowers were also all the rage
during this time, and I hope for them to never make an appearance ever again.

Evolution of Swimwear
1960s

The swimsuits of the 1960s were the first suits that drastically
changed the way we see swim suits today. The bikini was the
dominant swimsuit style, except now everything was cut a little
lower. Women wanted to bear it all and for once, no one was
complaining. Finally, there were no more limits. The 60s saw
explosion of colours and patterns, graphic stripes, psychedelic
patterns and tie-dye were extremely well known. The 1960s led to
the introduction of nylon and Lycra, which meant that swimwear,
could be tighter and stretchier than ever.

Evolution of Swimwear
1970s

1970s were an era of bohemian ecstasy. Materials like beads, wooden rings and other
natural things find their way into swimwear. The 1970s were all about high waist
bottoms and barely any coverage (Lulus 2013). Without any restrictions, designers
used this time to experiment with different styles and reveal nearly every curve of the
female figure. Bikini bottom got as low as they could go. Thongs became well known
in the 70s. We now know where Mylie Cyrus gets her midriff obsession.

Evolution of Swimwear
1980s
High legs+ Low Plunge = Totally
1980s. The 1980s were obsessed
with neon and high-cut pieces that
were sure to catch attention. It was
inclined towards sportier than the
usual swim chic wear that we have
seen throughout the decades.

1990s

The 1990s kept the high-waisted trend that carried on from the 1980s. The high V- cut exposed legs
and hips remained popular in the 90s. While one pieces amped up the sexy with the bust lines cut in a
daring plunge style. They also had the bikini tops with adjustable straps, almost as if they were bras
(Lulus 2013). All of us remember Pamela Anderson on Baywatch with their slow motion jogging.

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Evolution of Swimwear

2000s

The 2000s have been all about ultimate exposure. Styles now run the gamut from retro throwbacks to
daring cutaway maillots to tan-through garments to barely there G-string bikinis. With a wide range
of fabrics and technology at their disposal, swimwear manufacturers today truly know no bounds.
Women work out and want to flaunt their bodies wearing bikinis and monokinis. A one-piece trend
that I love is what the Kardashian sisters are sporting in the picture above. This is a one piece that
leaves no curve to the imagination.

Evolution of Swimwear

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Opinion
The bikini having perhaps reached its masculine limits, the one-piece swimsuit has made
a spectacular comeback to swimwear shows with sophisticated cuts and colorful designs (Mund
2015). Delicate and quick drying: the requirements made by fashion designers for suitable
materials for swimsuits are becoming ever more demanding. In the current 2015 season we
noticed colorful outfits for swimming and sunbathing. The classic one-piece swimsuit has
already overtaken the bikini as the most popular type of swimwear. Today it is, all about that
bass, the booties are certainly having a moment with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and
Nicki Minaj. Another trend observed in swimwear this year was swimwear for plus size. Large
sizes have always posed a particular challenge for swimwear designers. However, today, the
material has become extremely elastic. Good quality bathing suits should be just as durable in
wet condition as in the sun, or on the beach. Therefore, they often consist of two layers to help
them retain their form. Fashionable swimwear in large sizes continued to be a rarity until 2015.
Sports magazine illustrated Robin Lawley in their 2015 issue; she is considered a plus size
model by industry standards (Pengilly, M. 2015, February 5). The current trends have surely
been about, wear what you want and be what you want. We have seen almost all trends come
back this summer, the high-waist bikinis, one piece that could be worn by every body type. Over
the past year or so, the rises on our pants have been getting higherand now the same is
happening for the bikinis. The high-waisted bathing suit has made a comeback, and I couldnt be
happier to see this figure-flattering look popping up everywhere. These retro-inspired bikinis
provide the perfect way to pay homage to the bombshells of the 1950s (while simultaneously
embodying a sexy, slightly updated fit).

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Evolution of Swimwear
Swimwear Advertisements through the years

Evolution of Swimwear

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Evolution of Swimwear

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Conclusion

A screenshot of the ad with plus-size model Ashley Graham featured in this

ASOS Seersucker High Waisted Bikini Bottom

years Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Photograph: Instagram

I believe there is a growing enthusiasm for curvy and embracing natural body shape this
year. There is more freedom to wear what one likes to and is able to express that through her
clothing. There is no more one size fits all. Today there are sizes as well as styles and colors for
every body type. The resurgence of items made just for you is part of this trend. Objects can be
personalized or made to measure. Practically the only thing that unifies consumers is their
expectance of high standards. Price is no longer a deciding factor (Disruptioninretail 2015). We
know that fashion always repeats itself; it could be a different silhouette, texture, variation or
color (Stone, E 33). But style is eternal and ever lasting. The big question today is: how much
material is too much? The difference between a bikini and a swimsuit, which traditionally is a
little bit more, concealing, is difficult to define in todays generation. We donot know what the
next innovation would be like, but nothing can get more flashy than what we have already seen.

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Evolution of Swimwear
References

100 Years of Men's Swimwear in 3 Minutes Mode.com. (2015, August 5). Retrieved
September 16, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRl-eh7dTuo
Amanda Cerny demonstrates 125 years of swimwear in "The Evolution of the Bikini" (2015,
May 25). Retrieved September 16, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKigcgVPktQ
Fashion Era: The Evolution of Swimsuits Over the Years. (2011, May 26). Retrieved September
13, 2015, from http://blog.lulus.com/fashion/fashion-era-the-evolution-of-swimsuitsover-the-years/
Mund, H. (2015, July 20). Bye-bye bikini: One-piece swimsuits are back | All media content |
DW.COM | 20.07.2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015, from
http://www.dw.com/en/bye-bye-bikini-one-piece-swimsuits-are-back/g-18583812
Pengilly, M. (2015, February 5). Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue features its first-ever plus-size
mode. Retrieved September 13, 2015, from
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/05/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issueplus-size-model
Photographs of the History of Decades. N.d. Fashion Era: The Evolution of Swimsuits Over the
Years. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. http://blog.lulus.com/fashion/fashion-era-the-evolution-ofswimsuits-over-the-years/
Photograph of 1940advert. N.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.
https://www.pinterest.com/evellies/stylish-1940s/

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Photograph of 1950 Advert. N.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.

http://www.suggestkeyword.com/MTk0MCBzd2ltc3VpdHM
Photograph of 1950 Advert. N.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.
http://www.vintag.es/2012/11/vintageswimwear-fashion-from-1930s-to.html
Photograph of 2000 Advert. N.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.
file:///Users/shefu/Downloads/decades/Pinterest_%20discover%20and%20save%20creati
ve%20ideas.html
STATZ, A. (2015, May 14). Bustle. Retrieved September 13, 2015, from
http://www.bustle.com/articles/83457-modcloths-history-of-bathing-suit-trends-isinformative-super-cute
Stone, E., & Stone, E. (1999). The nature of fashion. In The dynamics of fashion (4th ed., p. 33).
New York: Fairchild Publications.
(n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2015, from
http://www.disruptioninretail.com/pdf/TBWA_DIR_sample.pdf