Swimwear Throughout The Years

Swimwear is always a signal of the time's fashion and ideas of the era. In the 19th century, Western civilisation was very prim and prudish and female swimwear reflects this entirely. During this time, the woman's two piece suit became common, with a long gown floating from shoulder to knees and a form-fitting pair of trousers from waist to ankle. In the 1920s bathing wear began to cover less and less of the female form, with swimming costumes revealing arms and the legs up to the mid thigh. By the 1940s and 1950s one-pieces had become far more fitted and feminine, with revealed cleavage and a variety of different materials and patterns. The development of more risqué bathing suits led to a new start in glamour photography, with glamour magazines of the war era showing gorgeous starlets in beachwear. This is still the case, although current glamour magazines leave a lot less to the imagination. During the swinging sixties as skirts got shorter, swimsuits got skimpier, with bikinis a massive trend during the time. As the decade progressed, even the bikinis got smaller, as seen by many current models too. In the 1980s the thong or 'tanga' arrived from Brazil, although this trend thankfully passed. Even today the bikini is still in fashion with more variety available than ever as you can choose boy shorts, briefs, halter necks and normal bra shapes; you can design your costume to fit your shape. The modern modest one piece is now also a firm favourite as they are not only supportive but hot new trendy swimsuits also include jewellery, embellishments and cut away sections to create a glamourous, sexy silhouette.