The Evolution of Swimwear
Introduction
Swimwear is the term used for garments designated for swimming and beach wear. It has gradually developed over the years from the bulky garments used to completely cover the body into the selection of brief pieces of fabric arranged to expose as much as possible of the body.
Finding the right sort of swimwear is not always that easy particularly if you do not have a large budget. There is an enormous variety of body sizes and shapes for both men and women and correspondingly there are an enormous variety of outfits ranging from the very cheap to the very expensive.
Fashion Dictates
If it was just a case of having a bathing costume to wear when going swimming and replacing it when it had worn out, life would be relatively easy. But there is the matter of fashion. Every year the makers come up with a different style so that the previous year’s model suddenly looks old fashioned and we feel compelled to buy a new one. As purchasers we are confronted with one piece swimsuits, two piece swimwear, some with long tops, some with skimpy tops, high leg cut, high waist cut, different cup sizes, in a variety of fabrics, colours, patterns, two tone and so on. The choice is endless.
History of Swimwear
The earliest recorded bathing costume was in 350 BC in Greece which was a toga-like garment for bathing. During the 18th century people visited spa resorts for their health where they spent time in the spa waters. Naturally they needed something suitable to wear, other than their day clothes, when they were engaged in public bathing. Later the recreation of beach bathing demanded a specially made outfit to maintain decorum and decency, so the bathing suit was developed.
Initially the swimwear was rather like ordinary daywear, and the dresses worn by the women sometimes had lead weights sewn into the hems to prevent the skirts from floating up. As the expansion of the railways enabled the masses to spend time at the seaside a more practical type of outfit was required. By the early 1900’s the swimsuit consisted of bloomers with black stocking and shoes, and the top was like a jacket belted at the waist. Swimming was considered suitable for men, while women were assisted into the water for a short dip.
Over the century attitudes changed and swimming became an Olympic sport for both men and women. Gradually the swimming costume changed to adopt short capped sleeves and more ankle was exposed beneath the bloomers. As women became more active in the water the swimming costume needed to be less cumbersome so the neckline was lowered and the tops became sleeveless. Eventually the Princess cut was introduced which consisted of the trousers attached to a blouse in one piece.
In 1909 Annette Kellerman, the Australian swimmer, film star and author, helped to define the modern ladies swimwear styles when she wore a loose one piece suit and was actually arrested for indecency, by 1910 “Annette Kellermans” became the new accepted ladies swimwear.
From then on the swimsuits became lighter and briefer. By the 1920’s the women wore figure hugging tank suits made from wool Jersey and by 1928 they had evolved into the swimsuit we would recognise today. In the 1930’s cotton was introduced for bathing suits sometimes with little overskirts to conceal bulky thighs, but film stars wore fashionable figure hugging costumes with higher cut legs sealing the fate of the fashionable swimwear.
The corset manufacturers in the 1940’s saw that women with less than perfect figures needed swimsuits to hide or control the bulges, so seeing a gap in the market they produced costumes which had control panels for the tummy and bra cups and bones to give support to the bust. Using the methods applied in corset making they introduced the stretch factor to bathing costumes so that they were more flattering than ever before.
With the development of new fabrics, Nylon and Lycra became the fabric of choice for swimwear because of their stretch properties. This meant that the costume could be pulled on without openings or fastenings and gave a firmer cleaner line to the figure. Women continued to wear all in one swimsuits until the 1950’s when the bikini became popular.
Leisure Swimming or Sunbathing
Although certain items are called swimwear, in fact some never get near the water. They are solely for sunbathing which usually means they are as small as possible, just barely covering the essential bits so that the skin gets maximum exposure to the sun and such a design would be classed as a bikini.
Two Piece or Bikinis
Over two thousand years ago early mosaics and pottery from Greece depict what in fact looks like an early version of a bikini. These garments were used by women performers and acrobats and were in two pieces to cover the breasts and the lower part of the body, much like the current style of Bandeau tops. Modern day runners and athletes wear something very similar when competing. Paula Radcliffe when running the Marathon last year, wore a garment almost identical to those worn thousands of years ago!!
The bikini resembles women’s underwear and has been described as a scanty two piece bathing suit. The lower part may be two small triangles attached together with a string tie at either side, or even a thong. The upper part may also be two small triangles attached together with a string tie but arranged in a slightly different order. Louis Reard patented the new version of the bikini in 1946; his design was similar to the skimpy string 1970’s bikini and it shocked the world when it appeared on French beaches in 1947.
The very first bikini shown in the cinema was in the Bond film Dr No when Ursula Andress rises out of the sea in a white bikini. This created the iconic Bond girl and made her world famous. When being interviewed on television recently she revealed that the bikini had been constructed out of a bra covered with the fabric to give her the required lift of the bosom. This actual bikini sold at auction for £35,000 in 2001.
The size of swimwear bikinis gradually got smaller and smaller as the craze for tanning more and more of the body increased.
Ultimately the top part of the bikini was abandoned altogether when topless sunbathing became the norm in some countries and the bottom was just a G-string or thong also called a Tanga. Oliver Saillard the fashion journalist states that the bikini is the most popular female beachwear in the world, and that the emancipation of swimwear is linked to the emancipation of women.
In the 1950’s there was a popular song entitled ‘In My little Itsy Bitsy Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ that indicated the acceptance of the new style of swimwear. I remember my cousin persuading me to try on a bikini and I felt very exposed but she said how amazing I looked in it because I was so slim.
Although the bikini is now an acceptable garment whatever the size, the one piece swimsuit is still the best for serious swimmers. Some firms are well known for their skill at making swimwear and make all the garments for the Olympic team and other swimming competitions. Now swimwear is available in a wide range of bust sizes and the more expensive makes have control panels for the stomach combined with clever styling to create a good silhouette. Combined with a matching sarong, older ladies may feel more comfortable when walking around the beach area.
Helen Mirren was photographed on holiday in her substantial bikini last summer with the caption commenting on how good she looked for her age and that particular bikini was snapped up from the stores within days. Perhaps the purchasers believed that they could look as good as Helen Mirren in a bikini if they had the same one.
Leg Line
Some two piece bathing suits are cut so that the waist is high and the corresponding leg line is also cut high. I believe the aim is to make the wearer look as though her legs are much longer than they are. However if you have less than the perfect shape for this style it can emphasise large hips so it’s not for all women.
Another fashion mode is the tankini where the bottoms look like little shorts and shows the lower curve of the bottom, which is fine if you are young with a nice pert bottom.
To go with swimwear tankinis is a longer top which just meets the waistline of the shorts, but has a line of flesh showing during movement.
The classic bikini style is still as popular as ever though, with the cut of the leg line following the natural crease between the leg and the hip.
The most recent development in fabric is the ‘tan through’ swimwear. This allows the body to tan without exposing the body to the world. Some commentators on this style point to the effects of too much sun on the body and the occurrences of skin cancer of which the evidence indicates an alarming increase. However, the counter argument to that is if you are wearing a bikini anyway then the extra exposure to the sun through the top and bottom garments is hardly going to make much difference.
Conclusion
Swimwear is a term used these days to cover all types of beach wear and swimming gear. It is a bit of a misnomer in that many outfits never see the water and are not used for swimming. However there is a huge range of garments available for the customer of different styles, sizes and fabrics. The one commonality of course is that everyone wants to look good once they don these garments. The main key to that is to make sure your new swimwear is the right fit and cut, for your body size and shape.
The importance of being properly measured for your swimwear is often overlooked but it is as important as being properly measured for your bra or other underwear, particularly if you do indeed intend to actually swim in your new swimwear! By wearing the right size and style swimwear for your body, will ensure you are really comfortable in it on the beach, in the pool or wherever else you choose to wear it.
Planning a Hawaii Wedding
For many people, Hawaii weddings are the ultimate way to tie the knot, and the Pacific Ocean is the perfect location for a wedding. The obvious reasons are indeed obvious – the fabulous climate, the great beaches, the exotic setting and the unbeatable Hawaiian welcome. Then there is the fabulous food, the entertainment and simply the fact that you are in Hawaii. Most of all, however, there is the romance. Nevertheless, the best way to organize a wedding in Hawaii is to seek the services of a professional.
There is a lot that needs to be juggled when you get married in Hawaii. You’ll need to trust other people with the flowers and cake as well as decor and setting up the venue. You can, of course, have video conferences and use photos over the internet which is very helpful and will make you feel more at ease.
Most people have no idea what is involved in getting married on an island so far away from the mainland. You have to organize the flowers, the venues for the ceremony and the reception – and if they aren’t the same, then you have the transportation between these to set up. In fact there are 101 things to get done at a time when you feel like just sitting down and crying. Most people don’t, of course, and just get on with it because they don’t have the time to think of themselves.
When it comes to the wedding dress and bride’s maid’s dresses you’ll need to have them flown to Hawaii. If you want, you can always purchase a ready-made wedding dress when you go to Hawaii to pick out the venue. You’ll have to be prepared for the fact that it might not fit you when you get there for your wedding though (you may have gained or lost weight in the time interval) – so have a backup dress just in case.
If you get your dresses made at home, then ship them over in carefully packed boxes sealed in plastic. They should also be steamed beforehand. Ensure they will arrive on time by shipping them well before the wedding. Mail them to someone you trust to hold them for you.
When planning Hawaiian weddings, it is advisable to speak to the staff of the hotel where you are holding your reception. If you are staying there overnight you should speak to them and get to know them. They will then be more amenable to helping you out when you have a problem, such as the best local wedding planner (the hotel can also likely help) or any other issue you have with your wedding.
Another thing to consider for your Hawaii wedding is to have a local photographer. This is recommended because they know the area and can help you to choose the best places to have your photos taken.
GreatHawaiiWeddings.com offers details to all-inclusive Hawaii weddings. Find a cheap Kauai wedding package and great Big Island wedding package deals.
