Women's beachwear fashion

Last updated
Bikini fashion show at World Bodypainting Festival 2014 in Austria Bikini fashion show at World Bodypainting Festival 2014.jpg
Bikini fashion show at World Bodypainting Festival 2014 in Austria
Woman showcasing microskirt at a fashion show, Alaska, USA, 2010 Whitney heading for the runway (IMG 7662a) (5459411927).jpg
Woman showcasing microskirt at a fashion show, Alaska, USA, 2010

Women's beachwear fashion developed during the 19th and 20th centuries as rail travel became available in Europe and mass tourism became widespread. [1] The beach in particular became a holiday destination where people could relax. [2] The inhabitants of large industrial cities took to vacationing in locations that provided a contrast to their home areas. The practice spread worldwide and wealthy women desired new stylish outdoor garments to wear. [3]

Contents

Seaside tourism

Seaside tourism began in the middle of the 18th century. [4] Before then, the coastal landscape was synonymous with danger, a place where natural disasters occurred. The sea was thought of as a boundary separating people, and literature presented it as a place of unpredictable travel and shipwrecks. [5] In the 16th and 17th, centuries there was a change in attitudes to the seaside. English doctors promoted visiting the seaside to the nobility as a therapy for melancholy and for sickness of the spleen. In the middle of the 19th century, Thomas Cook & Son began to organize escorted tours for the English nobility to the Mediterranean, particularly the French Riviera and Liguria. Between 1860 and 1914, Nice became one of the most popular places to stay. [6] Subsequent developments in rail travel helped to make the seaside a place where city dwellers could readily escape from urban noise and pollution. Those taking vacations at the beach found their bodies becoming cultural symbols representing their identity and style. [7]

History

The early 1800s was the beginning of a period of innovation in swimwear. Women who traveled to the beach for seaside recreation typically wore knee-length, puffed-sleeved, wool dresses that were often black in color and featured a sailor collar. [8] This outfit covered almost all of the wearer's skin [8] in order to avoid a suntan, since tanned skin was a sign of belonging to the social class of common laborers. [8]

At this time beach goers often made use of bathing machines. [9] These were wooden huts on wheels pulled by horses, and were usually located along recreational beaches where the water was shallow. [10] People undressed inside the bathing machines, which were then drawn out into deeper water in order to let their occupants bathe unobserved.

By the end of the 19th century, there was a desire to have swimsuits that were less burdensome. This allowed exposure to the sun and more comfort for popular new seaside activities. [10] However, at the time, the only game played by women at the beach involved jumping through the waves while holding on a rope attached to a buoy.

The first attempt to a modernization of the female swimsuit happened in early 20th century, by Anette Kellerman, an Australian swimmer, who designed a form-fitting and more convenient swimsuit for a competition.

The bikini was introduced in 1946 by two French designers, Louis Réard and Jacob Heim, who redesigned the female swimsuit by dividing it into two pieces. [11] Initially it was called the " atome ". [9] Although the bottom of the stomach was still covered, something that is not always the case today, it was an important development because this new form of beachwear was quickly accepted and gave women more physical and social freedom.

In the 1950s, women's curves were emphasized together with vivid colors. This continued until the 1970s, by which time the sexual revolution was in full swing. [9] Designs were increasingly influenced by the media such as the 1990s TV series Baywatch , which led to the high-cut leg becoming popular, appropriating a look derived from sportswear. [12] The swimwear fashion industry has continued with this approach, following continuously changing fashion styles and the influence of media [13] such as TV, [14] advertising, and the Internet.

Business

The Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro at New York Fashion Week, 2013 Lais Ribeiro.jpg
The Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro at New York Fashion Week, 2013

The arrival of beachwear fashion led to the development of swimwear as a business.

Occasions of use and materials

The principal occasion of using beachwear was the maritime holiday, and the most common material used in the making of swimwear was Lycra, which had the ability to stretch up to 7 times its original size. In 1974, Lycra was introduced to the market of beachwear. [15] This transformation allowed the replacement of swimwear from wet and misshapen clothes to lighter garments. Another occasion refers to the use of beachwear in sport. In 2008, swimwear provided inserts of plastic material with the aim of reducing friction with the water and improving sport performance. [16] Fashion shows are another occasion of use where many brands choose to show their swimwear lines. In this case, the beachwear is created to attract attention.

Industry innovations

Swimwear presented during a final walk through at Miami Fashion Week Yamamay Runway Show.jpg
Swimwear presented during a final walk through at Miami Fashion Week

Thanks to the development of science, society, and new technologies, there are innovations. The first concerns the birth of burkinis, created for Muslim women. This is similar to a diving suit made more feminine, so that these women can swim in comfortable clothes that respect their religious faith. Another innovation concerns ecological beach bags that are created using recycled sails. [17] Even thongs present innovations: from Indonesia comes the Paperflop, [18] the first thong made of recyclable and Eco-sustainable materials. Their bottom is made from recycled newspapers and other Eco-friendly materials, such as palm roots and husks of coconuts. As for the bikini, the Canadian Franky Shaw has developed a hydrophobic material that repels water. Something different is the Sponge Suit, [19] which is designed in California, and is a bikini made with a material that absorbs pollutants: people will use it up to twenty-five times, and then it can be recycled.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikini</span> Two-piece swimwear

A bikini is a two-piece swimsuit primarily worn by girls and women that features one piece on top that covers the breasts, and a second piece on the bottom: the front covering the pelvis but usually exposing the navel, and the back generally covering the intergluteal cleft and a little, some, or all of the buttocks. The size of the top and bottom can vary, from bikinis that offer full coverage of the breasts, pelvis, and buttocks, to more revealing designs with a thong or G-string bottom that covers only the mons pubis, but exposes the buttocks, and a top that covers only the areolae. Bikini bottoms covering about half the buttocks may be described as "Brazilian-cut".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swimsuit</span> Clothing worn for swimming

A swimsuit is an item of clothing designed to be worn by people engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, diving and surfing, or sun-orientated activities, such as sun bathing. Different types may be worn by men, women, and children. A swimsuit can be described by various names, some of which are used only in particular locations or for particular types of suit, including swimwear, bathing suit, bathing attire, swimming costume, bathing costume, swimming suit, swimmers, swimming togs, bathers, cossie, or swimming trunks, besides others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monokini</span> Topless swimsuit designed by Rudi Gernreich

The monokini was designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964, consisting of only a brief, close-fitting bottom and two thin straps; it was the first women's topless swimsuit. His revolutionary and controversial design included a bottom that "extended from the midriff to the upper thigh" and was "held up by shoestring laces that make a halter around the neck." Some credit Gernreich's design with initiating, or describe it as a symbol of, the sexual revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One-piece swimsuit</span> Swimwear worn mainly by women and girls

A one-piece swimsuit most commonly refers to swimwear worn primarily by women and girls when swimming in the sea or in a swimming pool, playing water polo, or for any activity in the sun, such as sun bathing. Today, the one-piece swimsuit is usually a skin-tight garment that covers the torso, although some designs expose the back or upper chest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tankini</span> Two-piece womans swimsuit

The tankini is a bathing suit combining a tank top, mostly made of spandex-and-cotton or Lycra-and-nylon, and a bikini bottom introduced in the late 1990s. This type of swimwear is considered by some to provide modesty closer to a one-piece suit with the convenience of a two-piece suit, as the entire suit need not be removed in order to use a toilet. Tankinis come in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes, some include features such as integrated push-up bras. It is particularly popular as children's beachwear, and athletic outfit good enough for a triathlon. According to Katherine Betts, Vogue's fashion-news director, this amphibious sportswear for sand or sea lets users go rafting, play volleyball, and swim without worrying about losing their top.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boardshorts</span> Type of swimwear and casual wear

Boardshorts are a type of swimwear and casual wear in the form of long loose-fitting shorts that are designed to be quick-drying and are generally made from strong and smooth polyester or nylon material. Originally known as surf trunks, later as Jams, and occasionally in British English as swim shorts, boardshorts are a style of men's and, more recently, women's summerwear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Competitive swimwear</span> Swimsuit, clothing, equipment and accessories used in the aquatic competitive sports

Competitive swimwear refers to the swimsuit, clothing, equipment, and accessories used in the aquatic sports of swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, triathlon, and water polo.

A swimsuit competition, more commonly now called a bikini contest, is a beauty contest which is judged and ranked while contestants wear a swimsuit, typically a bikini. One of the judging criteria is the physical attractiveness of the contestants. The Big Four international beauty pageants have included examples of such a competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea bathing</span> Bathing in the sea or in sea water

Sea bathing is swimming in the sea or in sea water and a sea bath is a protective enclosure for sea bathing. Unlike bathing in a swimming pool, which is generally done for pleasure or exercise purposes, sea bathing was once thought to have curative or therapeutic value. It arose from the medieval practice of visiting spas for the beneficial effects of the waters. The practice of sea bathing dates back to the 17th century but became popular in the late 18th century. The development of the first swimsuits dates from the period as does the development of the bathing machine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burkini</span> Swimsuit

A burkini is a style of swimsuit for women. The suit covers the whole body except the face, the hands, and the feet, while being light enough for swimming. This type of swimwear was designed with the intention of creating swimwear for Muslims who observe hijab in this way. The amount of skin covered is about the same as the person wearing a wetsuit and a swimming cap.

Jantzen is a brand of swimwear that was established in 1916 and first appeared in the city of Portland, Oregon, United States. The brand name later replaced the name of the parent company that manufactured the branded products. The brand featured a logo image of a young woman, dressed in a red one-piece swimsuit and bathing hat, assuming a diving posture with outstretched arms and an arched back. Known as the Jantzen "Diving Girl", the image in various forms became famous throughout the world during the early twentieth century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swim briefs</span> Any briefs-style male swimsuit

A swim brief or racing brief is any briefs-style male swimsuit such as those worn in competitive swimming, diving and water polo. The popularity of the Australian Speedo brand racing brief has led to the use of its name in many countries around the world to refer to any racing brief, regardless of the maker. Occasionally, the speedo genericized trademark is applied to square cut swimsuits, but in general the generic term is used in reference to swimming briefs. Swim briefs are also referred to as competition briefs, swimming trunks, bathers, togs, racer bathers, posing briefs, racing briefs, and colloquially in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom as budgie smugglers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikini variants</span> Swimsuits based on or influenced by the bikini

Many stylistic variations of the bikini have been created. A regular bikini is a two-piece swimsuit that together covers the wearer's crotch, buttocks, and breasts. Some bikini designs cover larger portions of the wearer's body while other designs provide minimal coverage. Topless variants are still sometimes considered bikinis, although they are technically not a two-piece swimsuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the bikini</span> Aspect of history

Evidence of bikini-style women's clothing has been found as early as 5600 BC, and the history of the bikini can be traced back to that era. Illustrations of women wearing bikini-like garments during competitive athletic events in the Roman era have been found in several locations, the most famous of which is at Villa Romana del Casale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thong</span> Garment worn as underwear or as part of a swimsuit

The thong is a garment generally used as either underwear or in some countries, as a swimsuit. It may also be worn for traditional ceremonies or competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lea Gottlieb</span> Israeli fashion designer and businesswoman

Lea Gottlieb was an Israeli fashion designer and businesswoman. She immigrated to Israel from Hungary after World War II, and founded the Gottex company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sling swimsuit</span> Type of one-piece swimsuit

The sling swimsuit is a one-piece swimsuit which is supported by fabric at the neck. Sling swimsuits provide as little coverage as, or even less than, a bikini. Monokini types also exist. The sling swimsuit is also known by a variety of names including "suspender bikini", "sling bikini", "slingkini", "suspender thong", "slingshot swimsuit" or just "slingshot". It is so named because of its resemblance to the Y-shape frame of a slingshot. It is sometimes listed as a bikini variant. When designed for or worn by a man, it is often called a "mankini".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of swimwear</span>

The history of swimwear traces the changes in the styles of men's and women's swimwear over time and between cultures, and touches on the social, religious and legal attitudes to swimming and swimwear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trikini</span> Three-piece garment used as beachwear

A trikini is a three-piece garment used as beachwear. The name is formed from bikini, replacing "bi-", as if to mean "two", with "tri-", meaning "three". Some different interpretations of this bikini variant have appeared over the years.

Cole of California is a swimwear brand, known for innovations in fashionable swimwear.

References

  1. ↑ Valerie Cumming; C. W. Cunnington; P. E. Cunnington. The Dictionary of Fashion History. Books.google.it. p. 5. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  2. ↑ di Ana Swanson (2016-07-17). "Come sono nate le vacanze al mare?". Ilpost.it. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  3. ↑ Webster, Craig (1 October 2011). "Zuelow, E. G. E. (ed.) (2011) Touring Beyond the Nation: a Transnational Approach to European Tourism History. Ashgate. 250 pp. ISBN 978-0754666561". European Journal of Tourism Research. 4 (2): 248–250.
  4. ↑ Corbin, Alain (1994). The Lure of the Sea: The Discovery of the Seaside in the Western World, 1750-1840. Translated by Jocelyn Phelps. University of California Press. ISBN   9780520066380.
  5. ↑ Daniela Blei (23 June 2016). "Inventing the Beach: The Unnatural History of a Natural Place". Smithsonian Magazine.
  6. ↑ Salizzoni, Emma (2015). "Turismo lungo le aree costiere euro mediterranee: dalla scoperta, al consumo, al progetto del paesaggio" (PDF). Ri-Vista (Research for Landscape Architecture) (in Italian). Firenze University Press. 10 (1): 207–220. doi:10.13128/RV-17280.
  7. ↑ Booth, Douglas (2001). Australian Beach Cultures: The History of Sun, Sand and Surf. Psychology Press. ISBN   9780714651675.
  8. 1 2 3 Douglas MacGowan (2015-07-06). "A brief and revealing history of the swimsuit | MNN - Mother Nature Network". MNN. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  9. 1 2 3 Marlen Komar (2016-02-14). "The Evolution Of The Bathing Suit From The 1800s Until Today Proves One Very Important Thing". Bustle.com. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  10. 1 2 Pauline Thomas. "Swimwear in the Early Days - Fashion History Pictures". Fashion-era.com. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  11. ↑ "Bikini introduced - Jul 05, 1946". HISTORY.com. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  12. ↑ "Costumi da bagno, 100 anni di storia in 3 minuti - Video - Perizona Magazine". Perizona.it. 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  13. ↑ "Notizie sull'industria della moda italiana". Fashionunited.it. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  14. ↑ Francesco Tortora (2016-07-20). "Da Cameron Diaz a Scarlett Johansson: i costumi da bagno più celebri nel cinema". Corriere.it. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  15. ↑ "Che cos'è LYCRA?" (PDF). Laboratoripiazza.it. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  16. ↑ "Doping tecnologico: i costumi in poliuretano". Nonsolofitness.it. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  17. ↑ "Borse ecologiche uniche fatte di vele riciclate". Reregreen.com. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  18. ↑ "Paperflop: dall'Indonesia la ciabatta ecologica fatta con giornali riciclati – Frontiere". Frontierenews.it. 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  19. ↑ Andrea Indiano (2017-02-24). "Un bikini-spugna ripulisce il mare dall'inquinamento - Corriere Innovazione". Corriereinnovazione.corriere.it. Retrieved 2017-03-01.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.