The Evolution of Swim Suits

An interesting fact about me is I am a year-round competitive swimmer. I belong to three different teams, F.A.S.T. during the summer season, B.A.S.S. during the remaining months, and my local high school's Varsity swim team. Today I have one of the summer's weekly regular season swim meet which inspired this post.

Swim wear has greatly evolved over time especially the swim suits and garments women have worn. Prior to the recent era, it was seen as "indecent" for women to leave the amount of skin exposed by today's popular bikini style swim suits. In some countries today it is still seem risque and women are forced to cover up when swiping or are all together forbidden from the activity. Let's focus on the history of women's swim wear in the U.S.A.

Photo credit to http://4.bp.blogspot.com

When it was becoming more popular for women to swim for recreational purposes the "Princess" cut was designed. In the 1880's the design included connecting trousers and a blouse. A knee-length skirt was also included to cover the waist, thighs, and knees and maintain modesty. (Hsueh). I am definitely glad these suits are no longer required. I doubt anyone would be able to stay afloat!


The idea of swimming and fashionable swim suits however really boomed in the nineteenth century where most of the changes occurred.

In 1909 Annette Kellerman, an Australian tourist, was arrested for indecency in a one piece bathing suit while swimming in the United States. Her style did not go unnoticed and from then on the style for women became to wear less heavy clothing while swimming. Ideas of aprons and tunics were used to cover up but swim wear eventually developed in to shorter and tighter fabrics.

Click to see the popular swim suit fashions of each decade!

1920's --

Photo credit to http://4.bp.blogspot.com

The 1920's was the first decade when the rebellious, tighter and shorter swim suits became popular. These suits ended about mid-thigh and concealed modesty shorts underneath similar to a skort today.

1930's -- 

Photo credit to http://imgs.inkfrog.com

Skirted suits replaced the twenties style of swim wear. The printed cotton suits were equipped with skirts to hide the thighs.

1940's --

Photo credit to myvintagevogue.com

During the 1940's is when structure was first implemented in to swim wear and the trend of boning to make the bust appear larger and the tummy smaller caught like wild fire.

1946 - First modern bikini was invented, but many people strayed away from its revealing style

1950's --

Photo by Nina Leen July 1952 LIFE Magazine Archive from myvintagevogue.com

The suits of the 1950's featured detachable straps to feature the straight line cut at the top. Zippers were still featured as two piece suits were seen for only celebrities and dancers during this time period. 

1960's --

Photo credit to myvintagevogue.com

Photo credit to myvintagevogue.com

Swim suits of the 1960's were now a toss up of wither bikinis or one-pieces with cut outs or more revealing cuts.

1970's and 1980's --

Photo credit to http://i48.tinypic.com

The bikinis of the seventies showed a lower waist line and deeper plunge of necklines. 

The 90's up until now, along with many other fashions, can be seen as a conglomeration of all of these styles. Today some people wear one-pieces, skirts over suits, shorts over suits, bikinis, and in some places some women even wear nothing!

Thanks to the following for their help in my research:

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~roseying/ids110/WHIS.HTM

http://www.fashion-era.com/swimwear.htm

http://www.squidoo.com/historyofswimwear?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_campaign=framebuster

http://myvintagevogue.com/swimwear#Next

Check out these links for further information!

Hope you enjoyed this post!

--Bottoni