Swimsuit over the years

Swimsuits have evolved significantly over time and continue to adapt to new styles and trends. Women's swimwear of the 1800s and early 1900s looked a lot like dresses. Swimsuits have become increasingly colorful and daring in recent decades.

Policeman fining for wearing a bikini

1800 Era

1800 era bathing dress

Swimsuits were known as bathing gowns in the 1800s, and they were lengthy dresses with little flesh showing. Wool was the most prevalent material used. Bathing gowns featured lengthy skirts, and weights were occasionally stitched into the hems to keep the fabric from floating up when submerged in water. Women also used bathing machines at this period to keep things even more hidden. Individuals (typically women) climbed aboard these carriages to change into their swimsuits while they were rolled into or near water.

Swimsuits in 19th Century

1900s bathing coats

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, some women wouldn't even let their feet go bare. In the early 1900s, bathing coats were also fashionable. Women wore swimming coats to cover over their bathing costumes since modesty was still important. These coats were sometimes made of silk, and they had long sleeves and broad capes. Women typically wore this coat to the beach, removed it at the water's edge, and replaced it as she exited the sea.

Swimsuits got shorter and more form-fitting around 1910. After years of putting on the garments to go in the water, women switched their bathing gowns for more form-fitting swimsuits with shorter skirts. However, during this time, women began to be publicly chastised and penalized for wearing exposing swimwear, according to law enforcement.

The necklines of swimsuits became lower in the 1920s. Swimsuits got more practical as time went on, and they also revealed more of a woman's body. Suits with deep boat necks or V-necks became increasingly popular, and armholes became larger. Swimsuits got brighter in color, and they were sometimes accented with belts. Swim caps were remained popular among women, and these unique hats began to include chin straps to keep them in place. 

1920s group of women using bathingsuit

In the 1920s, women were still subjected to swimsuit regulations. Beaches had strict swimsuit regulations created with modesty in mind, so women had to be careful not to wear suits that were too short or too showing throughout this decade. Beach patrols would be conducted by special deputies or regular police officers in a variety of locations across the United States.

In the 1930s, women's swimsuit necklines became lower, and leg cuts became higher. Women's swimsuits began to resemble one-piece men's swimsuits in the 1930s. They were cut higher in the leg than before, revealing more of the woman's back. Swimsuits began to include thin straps, making them look more like the popular one-pieces of today. These suits were also made of lighter, more comfortable rubber-based materials that were less stiff and more supporting than wool

The Rise of Bikini Culture

Louis Reard with his first Bikini design

The bikini was also popularized during the 1940s. In July 1946, French designer Louis Reard designed a daring two-piece swimsuit that would become recognized as the first bikini. It was made up of a halter top and shorts that showed off a small portion of the midriff. During this decade, bandeau tops with halter straps became increasingly trendy. During World War II, when people were forced to use less fabric due to rationing, these slightly exposing fashions became fashionable in the United States.

The material of bathing suits changed once more in the 1950s. Although one-piece and two-piece suits resembled those of the 1940s, the fabric continued to evolve in the 1950s. Nylon and elastic were utilized to make the suits stretcher and help them dry faster.

Evolution in the Swimsuit Style

1960s swimsuits

The 1960s saw the introduction of more form-fitting swimwear. In the 1960s, bikinis became tighter and smaller, and even one-piece suits became more exposing. Low-cut swimsuit bottoms grew more common in the mid-'60s, and the bikini continued to gain popularity.

The majority of these suits were composed of Lycra or Nylon, making them more fitting and tight. Swimsuits were more exposed than ever before in the 1970s. Swimwear became more exposing and daring by the 1970s. Thongs, string bikinis, cut-out swimsuits, and sheer suits became popular. Swimsuits had a lot of bright patterns in the 1970s. Both men's and women's swimsuits were frequently covered in bright patterns throughout this decade.

Suits in the 1980s were vivid, colorful, and patterned. It's probably not surprising that the aesthetics of the 1980s were daring. Bright neon’s and animal designs were popular. Suits frequently had low, scooped necklines and higher leg cuts. Thong-style bathing costumes were popular as well.

Swimsuits in the 1990s were bright and trendy. In the 1990s, bathing suits didn't quiet down; in fact, they became much more daring. Swimsuits in incredibly brilliant colors, colorful patterns, and eccentric styles may be seen in advertisements from the 1990s. One-piece Speedos with an athletic theme was also popular.

Inspiration through TV Shows

Baywatch bikini inspiration

"Baywatch" sparked a fad in the mid-1990s. Throughout the 1990s, the hugely popular show "Baywatch" (1989-2001) influenced various bathing suit trends. Many popular one-pieces had high-cut legs and a low, tank-top neckline throughout the decade.

21ST Century

One piece and bikini set full color

In the early 2000s, tankinis were all the rage. Many of the popular styles in the 1990s were still fashionable in the early 2000s. The tankini made an appearance. Designer Anne Cole is credited for developing this look. A tankini is simply a more modest form of a bikini, with a tank top on top and conventional bikini bottoms underneath.

Popular swimwear patterns today are extremely diverse. Swimsuit fashions in recent years have featured one-piece suits making a reappearance and high-waisted suits gaining popularity. The most popular swimsuits in the 2010s appeared to range from vintage-inspired designs to slightly more revealing alternatives. Despite widespread criticism, swimsuits made for poolside posing rather than swimming are also fashionable in 2019. Leather-look swimwear and retro-style suits with unusual cut-outs were trendy in 2020.

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With love, the Ishine team.