Hot Swimwear
A bikini guide: from then to now
The dog days of summer are here and our favorite beaches are calling our name. Whether you are soaking up the sun in St. Tropez, Majorca, Martha’s Vineyard, or The Hamptons, the most important decision will not be your SPF number, but which little number you will be donning down by the sea.
When it comes to bikinis designers do not try to reinvent the wheel. It’s always about balancing sex appeal and functionality, while working in the current trends that show up on the runway.
Here’s a little wiki-bikinia:
1920’s
The term “Swimsuit” is coined by Jantzen.
1940’s
Esther Williams popularizes the aqua-musical and designer swimwear.
Bikinis start popping up on the beaches of Sweden.
1946
Named after Bikini Island in the Pacific, the modern bikini was invented by a French Engineer, Louis Reard
1950’s
Grace Kelly is utterly elegant in the movie High Society while wearing a white halterneck swimsuit.
Don’t leave out bombshell Marilyn Monroe. Look at her and her memorable swimsuit poses. Ali McGraw in her heyday.
50's glam
1960’s
Designer Rudi Gernreich debuts the monokini.
1976
Farrah Fawcett seen in a red one-piece Charlie Angels poster has every red blooded American boy panting.
Farrah
The Year 2000
Bikinis become a $800 million dollar business and, as they say, the rest is history.
Here is a roundup of the current trends du jour:
Lingerie Inspired Swimsuits:
This on-trend style has been seen all over the runways from across the channel to stateside. Bathing suit designers took notice and made swimwear out of lace, crochet, ruffles, silk, and satin. The perfect lingerie effect doesn’t just show off the body, but leaves a lot to the imagination by hinting at what’s underneath while drawing in the viewer and distracting them from any flaws.
Why not look boudoir on the warm sandy beaches? These are easily worn with a pair of denim cut-offs for any occasion.
JETS black top with ruffles
Marc Jacobs blue ruffled bandeau bikini
Lisa Maree Crochet cut-outs
Crochet Monokini
Vintage-Inspired:
High waisted bikinis cover the areas that we want to hide. One-piece suits have cinched-in waists and halter neck styles which are flattering for every body shape.
These suits come in playful prints, fuller-cupped tops, and boy-legged bottoms.
Think Grace Kelly. Marilyn Monroe.
Marc Jacobs retro-navy belted one-piece
Co Co Rave black and white checkered tankini
High-End Sportswear
This is an easy trend to translate as these suits look like the clothes is your wardrobe. These are easily worn with a pair of denim cut-offs for any occasion. Rock this trend with panache!
Karla Coletto black trench style with white trim
Red Carter army green with gold studded bikini
Juicy Monokini
And don’t forget the bondage-style. Fabrics wrap around your body in a monokini style. Wear with skyscraper heels, oversize sunglasses, and a 70’s hair-do.
Karla Coletto bondage style
Lisa Maree Swimwear 2011
Sonjja Baram Swim
When bathing suit shopping, always keep in mind your body and buy what looks good on you and what you are most comfortable wearing. Then rock that body!
There is no time like the present to indulge.
Suits shown above can be found at www.shopgreatshapes.com, andwww.sonjjabaram.com
