Swimsuits are at the center of attention during this long, hot summer. However, the swimsuit you are wearing today has a long evolution of history behind it.
In ancient Rome there was no such thing as swimsuits at all. Men and women bathed nude in “bath houses.” It was not an activity for fun, but rather necessary for hygiene. Mostly, it was done privately and in one’s own home, but there were also public bath houses where men and women gathered in gender-specific facilities, fully nude. Think public swimming pool in the nude. YIKES! Modesty was not an issue. As evident in their art, the Romans had a fascination with the human body and had no problem being on display in these ancient bath houses.
However, by the 1800’s coverage and modesty were expected, especially for women. Bathing gowns were the standard and were cut so large that they hardly showed off any curves in the body. These gowns were also made of wool which was too heavy and restricting for actual swimming.
In the 1900’s, bloomers made their debut. This suit was inspired by women’s rights activist, Amelia Bloomer. It was made with much lighter fabric, in a two-piece style with pants cut at the knee and a loose-fitting top. Despite the lighter fabric it was still difficult to move around in. Controversary surrounded the bloomers because it included pants which were only supposed to be worn by men at the time.
Competitive swimmer, Annette Kellerman, made her own adjustments to the swimsuit and was actually arrested for sporting her swimsuit pant which was a full body, one piece that allowed her to move more freely in the water. It was considered too form fitting and suitable only for men to wear pants.
As the Olympics gained popularity, competitive swimsuits were designed to improve movement and speed. They were cut from sheer fabric and became more form fitting, covering less and less of the body.
Perhaps the most popular evolution in the bathing suit came about in the most unusual circumstance. Designer, Louis Réard, dropped a bomb on the fashion industry when he introduced the bikini. The new, daring style was named after the Bikini Atoll Island where the nuclear bomb tests were taking place. His skimpy and revealing two-piece caught on quickly but not without much controversy. Many women refused to wear it. But, once Hollywood stars embraced it, women around the globe soon followed.
Today swimsuits vary in style and fabrics. Nylon and latex fabrics have made the suits more breathable and comfortable for all levels of activity. Gone are the long, bulky, wool swim dresses of the past.
Bring It Forward
As with all fashion, there are lots of styles and choices available today. Here are some tips to help you choose the best style for your body type.
TWO PIECE
First, choose a swimsuit top that is comfortable. If you have to constantly pull your bathing suit top up or down, it does not fit properly. At the same time, a proper fit compliments your figure.
If you have a full bust, it’s best to wear V-neck style tops
If you have a small bust, a push-up top would be the best choice.
Make sure your bottom choice fits snug, but is not too tight. You don’t want the bottom to slip down while swimming and you don’t want an uncomfortable “wedgie” while walking on the beach either.
ONE PIECE
One-piece suits also need a snug fit. You don’t want baggy or tight areas. The suit should conform and follow your curves in a flattering way.
Match A Suit To Your Shape
Rectangle= cut off the waistline by using ruffles or a waist band
Pear= Even out the upper part of your body by using ruffles
Strawberry= Best to wear a swim dress or a skirt to even out the
lower part of your body
Hour glass= Lucky you…any bathing suit suits you
fashionpastforward.com 