Swimwear Fashion

Womens swimwear fashions has come a long way. Over the decades, swimwear has seen major makeovers. In the 1850s, women wore bathing gowns (that's right, gowns) complete with bloomers, stockings, sleeves and a high collar. Then in the early 1900s they evolved into sleeveless, sheath dress styles. Towards the 1920s the necklines started to go lower and skirts turned into shorts of mid-thigh lengths. It wasnt until the 1940s that swimwear fashion took a major turn with the invention of the bikini. At the time, people were conservative with their wardrobes and sporting a midriff-baring two-piece was both scandalous and shocking. Even when it was ready to be unveiled, the inventors couldn't find a model to wear it. Like most inventions, the bikini just needed time for people to come around to it and, before long, women everywhere were embracing the freedom and feminine appeal of the two-piece suit.

Today, swimwear fashion has evolved the bikini into more extreme and stylistic versions. A hybrid between the one-piece and two-piece, the monokini has a distinct top and bottom, but with a section in the middle that joins the two. The tankini looks like a one-piece but is actually two separate pieces with the top looking like a tank top. Bikinis are also being designed in smaller and smaller styles. The Brazilian is a type of bikini bottom that shows off some more skin in the back by skimming off fabric and letting more skin peek out from the side. Thong bikini styles are also becoming popular. This cheek-baring style lets it all hang out leaving little to the imagination.