Throughout the centuries, fashion has evolved, but nothing has progressed as much as the swimsuit sector. In the past, swimwear designs were oriented toward modesty rather than practicality. As a result, ladies were forced to wear bulky bathing dresses with pantaloons made of thick textiles, which were far from practical for swimming. These designs were intended to drown out a woman’s form.
But as feminism started to gain traction, perceptions of women and their rights were challenged. This had ripple effects on all aspects of life, including the design of women’s swimwear. In other words, fashion designers started creating bolder swimwear.
Ever since swimwear has given women a way to express themselves through fashion and celebrate body diversity. From full-body coverage to modern-day chic sustainable swimwear pieces, the evolution of women’s swimwear gives us insight into fashion trends and women’s liberation.
Keep reading to learn all about the evolution of this beach essential.
Swimsuits In The 1700s
In the 1700s, women’s swimsuits were referred to as bathing robes. They were long and flowy chemises with long sleeves and ankle-covering parts. The thick wool or flannel structure protected the clothing from sticking to the wearer’s body even when wet, and it also kept the dresses from floating up in the water.
Some ladies went so far as to tie down weights to the hems of their robes to avoid any unintentional showing of their calves, hence keeping their modesty intact.
Swimsuits In The 1800s
During the mid-nineteenth century, things started to change a bit by shortening the lengths of both swimsuit gowns and pants. For instance, the bloomer swimsuits included knee-length bathing slacks with short-sleeved tunics. For modesty, these swimsuits were still made of thick wool, canvas, or flannel, but they began to make them into more fashionable shapes. In this period of time, sailor swimsuits became very popular. However, even though the swimsuits were shortened, the legs remained off-limits, as stockings and beach shoes were popular until the 1920s.
Swimsuits In The 1900s
It wasn’t until 1907 that swimmers started donning sleeveless tank suits, and it wasn’t until the 1920s that a two-piece swimsuit was created and soon gained popularity among women. This change was long overdue as women sought looser swimwear that allowed greater mobility in the water. Then, the introduction of elastic swimsuit material in the 1930s truly revolutionized women’s swimwear.
Bikinis with a high waist took the world by storm, especially in the 1940s and 1960s, with monokinis and bikinis with halter necks becoming the most popular swimsuit styles in this age. The lace model, worn frequently by actress Marilyn Monroe, is one of the best-known bikini models.
Swimsuits in the 21st century
There was a time when the only option for beach clothing was a simple one-piece, generally in a neutral color. Nowadays, the market is bigger than ever, with a value of $64.12 billion and expectations to continue to grow. You can easily find swimwear in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes.
Elegant cutout bikinis, monokinis in leopard print, or three-piece swimwear are just some of the many options available in today’s market. For instance, the most popular swimsuits of the 2010s varied from vintage-inspired designs to somewhat more revealing alternatives. Leather-look swimsuits and retro-style suits with unusual cut-outs were also popular in 2020. Bright colors and swimsuits with metallic-like sheens appeared to come back in popularity in 2021 and 2022.
Finally, one thing that is new in women’s swimwear in the 21st century is that brands are more accommodating to female sizing. There is gradually less pressure to look a certain way when poolside or on the beach, allowing women to explore and choose from many options.
Final Thoughts
In the past, there was only one type of swimwear that was centered around modesty rather than practicality. With the rise of feminism, fashion designers became bolder, making swimwear one of the most innovative garments around.
Regardless of your style and preferences, all you have to do nowadays is go online and find a swimsuit that makes you feel comfortable and fashionable, complements your style, and looks great on you.
