The modern bathing suit, or swimsuit, has come a long way since the Victorian era when seaside bathing became popular. Suit styles evolved as prevailing attitudes about modesty and fashion were affected by ongoing societal change and cultural revolution. Today, people enjoy many different types of swimsuits that bare as much or as little skin as desired.
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History
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The earliest evidence of swimsuit wear comes from the Classical period. Public bathing had become extremely popular by Roman times. People bathed either completely nude or partially so, with both men and women in simple loincloths called "subligar." Men are also depicted at the baths in tunics and women in bikini-like garments. After the Roman period, public bathing largely went out of style until the Victorian era, when railways allowed for easy travel to the sea. Victorian swimsuits were extremely modest, especially for women. In early Victorian times, they wore long bathing gowns weighted at the hem to prevent the material from floating upward. Later women's Victorian swimsuits were two-piece bloomer-and-overdress combinations that eventually developed into sleeveless styles. The swimsuit would not change dramatically until the twentieth century.
Significance
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Modesty was the biggest issue preventing swimwear practicality, particularly in America. In 1907, Australian underwater ballerina Annette Kellerman visited the United States and was arrested for indecent exposure after performing in a one-piece swimsuit that revealed the neck, arms and legs. This style of suit became so popular that in 1917, the American Association of Parks Superintendents issued a "Bathing Suit Regulations" announcement that barred some suit styles and required men to wear shirts with their swimsuits. Although there were plenty of rule-breakers, men's and women's swimsuits remained cumbersome overall until late in the 1920s. Mimicking streamlined '20s fashion, women's swimsuits became tighter sleeveless tank-style suits that stopped mid-thigh. In the 1930s, women's swimwear was fitted with skirts to hide the unattractive long shorts and midriff-baring two-piece suits began to appear in Hollywood. The shirts in men's swimsuits were replaced with nude-colored mesh tops, and disappeared altogether in 1937. With Hollywood and the fashion world contributing, swimsuit styles slowly began to move away from their conservative past.
Features
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Swimsuits were originally made from basic wool or flannel until the 1940s and 1950s, when new swimwear materials were tested. Synthetic stretch yarn called Lastex and lined cotton grew popular and were incorporated into the new support designs, which included tummy control panels and bra cup boning for women that had been designed by the dwindling corset industry. In the 1960s, Lycra and nylon came onto the scene, allowing more fit control and style. Mesh was sometimes incorporated into women's swimsuit design in the form of cutouts in the side or midriff. In the 1980s, swimwear fabric was made in spandex blends, metallic colors, animal print and glitter. Today, Lycra, nylon and spandex are still used in swimsuits. Composite fabrics of these types are created to make high technology drag-resistant swimwear for competition swimming.
Types
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Men's swimsuits after the 1930s largely remained in the same boxer short or brief style, although men's thongs and G-strings gained popularity among some. Women's swimsuit styles changed constantly and continues to evolve each season with fashion trends. While one-piece swimsuits and old-style two-pieces remained popular in the 1940s, the modern bikini's emergence in 1946 revolutionized women's swimwear, leading to the G-string and Brazilian thong in the 1980s. Today, women enjoy many choices, from chic one-pieces to skimpy string bikinis. In competition swimming, the swimsuit has become more conservative in an attempt to increase speed and are made from the most high-tech biomemetic fabrics.
Considerations
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The swimsuit, particularly in women's wear, is not complete without swim accessories. In the 1920s, women wore bathing caps to protect their hair, which eventually became a fashion statement as well as a practical accessory. These bathing caps mimicked hat styles of the time. In the 1950s, caps were decorated with flowers, petals and leaves to make them appear more feminine. Swimming caps eventually went out of style as hairstyles changed from highly maintained to more natural, and are now used only in competition swimming. Other common accessories seen with women's swimsuits include skirts, sarongs and wraps, which came about as stylish options for covering the ever-skimpier swimsuit.
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