The evolution and history of bikini

Main protagonist of each summer, the bikini has managed to make its way through the thousands of controversies, discussions and censures to which it has been subjected over the years. A faithful companion of every holiday, this particular type of swimsuit has become over time a means of seduction and functionality, essential features for the hottest and most awaited period of the year.

The history of bikini

The official date of the bikini invention is 1946, the date on which he made his debut on the world stylistic scene thanks to the two most influential French tailors of the time, Jacques Heim and Louis Reard. Due to its size, Heim nicknamed this garment "atom" and advertised it accordingly with the slogan "the smallest swimsuit in the world", while Louis Reard decided to call it bikini, presenting it to the public for the first time on 5 July 1946 inside the Molitor swimming pool in Paris.

Despite the worldwide success of the bikini, its evolution has been very slow and saw the arrival of this small piece of fabric as a great scandal for the morals of the time. According to fashion historian Olivier Saillard "the emancipation of the swimsuit has always been linked to the emancipation of women".
In fact, one centimeter after another the prejudices, condemnations and prohibitions fell, which managed to clear the bikini thus both on the beach and at the cinema. Thanks to the euphoria of the 80s, the idea of bikini changed drastically and adapted to a collective atmosphere of light-heartedness and exuberance. But in the 1980s it wasn't just the size that changed: to impress the audience were also the insolent and joyful neon colors and bold patterns, like floral prints or marine stripes.
Over the course of a few years, the bikini thus became an incredible and indispensable instrument of seduction, as well as a symbol of freedom.

Abandoned the "culottes" and too old-school bras, the bikini was enriched with fringes, ruffles, metal or plastic decorations, embroidery, plastic beads and crochet. Whether it is colorful, high-waisted, one-shoulder, bandeau, with lace inserts, with bows, with push-up or triangle cups, year after year the bikini has followed the summer trends that fashion imposed, becoming one of the most controversial and chameleonic garments of the last decades.

Which one is better?

Se scelto con la dovuta attenzione e abbinato ai giusti accessori come cappello in rafia, foulard o degli estrosi occhiali da sole, il costume da bagno risulta un capo di grande effetto. Intero, bikini, a fascia, a vita alta o bassa, c’è un costume per tutti i gusti e per tutte le forme.

If chosen carefully and matched with the right accessories like raffia hats, scarves or fancy sunglasses, the swimsuit can be powerful. One-piece, bikini, bandeau, high or low waist, there is a costume for all tastes and for all shapes.

For small breasts, the most suitable models are those without straps: bandeau, crossed bandeau and those enriched with ruffles, which create an illusory effect of volume. For those with bigger breasts, it is better to use triangle bikinis equipped with laces to be braided behind the neck, so as to promote greater support and consequently guarantee greater comfort and freedom of movement. As for the lower part, those with narrow hips should opt for low-waisted bikinis with laces, while for curvy women or for those who have a "pear-shaped" body, it is recommended to use a high-cut bikini that makes the leg super looong and the presence of volants on the back which guarantees the increase in volume on side B.

I colori per questa estate 2020 risultano i canonici bianco purissimo e nero frizzante che sconfiggono la noia con balze, ruches, volant e scolli a cuore. Altrettanto di tendenza sono i colori vivaci come il rosso, giallo o azzurro che ricordano i caldi e romantici tramonti in spiaggia. Il bikini must-have dell’estate è senza dubbio il crochet seventy, modello lavorato all’uncinetto che si abbina a caftani etnici, gonnellone, shorts in denim e a bijoux colorati.

The colors for this summer 2020 are the classic pure white and sparkling black that defeat boredom with flounces, ruffles, volants and heart-shaped necklines. As well, the bright colors such as red, yellow or blue that recall the warm and romantic sunsets on the beach, are a trend of this season. The must-have bikini of the summer is undoubtedly the seventy crochet, a model that goes well with ethnic kaftans, skirts, denim shorts and colored bijoux.

Curiosity and fun facts

Appeared for the first time during the Roman imperial period (I-II century AD), the bikini was not originally used for swimming, nor for sunbathing on the beach, but was mainly used for athletics, dance and in schools of gymnastics as it gave freedom of movement.

The term "Bikini" is inspired by an atoll in the Marshall Islands that the United States had chosen to target its atomic bombs. The importance of this type of swimsuit, according to Reard, was in fact such as to rival the event in question, considered a metaphorical bomb in the fashion field of the time.

Since the first day the bikini was able to raise numerous scandals and controversies, fueled also by the choice of Reard himself to use a French stripper, Micheline Bernardini, as a model to present this controversial and brilliant boss to the public.

In 1932 it was the French fashion designer Jacques Heim who first created a small and skimpy swimsuit, enough to call it "the atome" because of its small size.

The seaside looks for women in the early 20th century included wide slip-pants up to the ankle, on which skirts with petticoats were worn. The upper part instead consisted of a shirt with puffed sleeves up to the elbow.

The first swimsuits obviously were not tight fitting. Because of the wool, the curves of the models were deformed and hidden. It was tailor Paul Poiret who imposed more adherent knitted swimsuits on men and women.

In 1958 Lycra was introduced by the homonymous company, a material that allowed to cover the body by drying it quickly. Today the main fabrics used for making swimwear are precisely lycra, lastex and other stretch fabrics that adhere well to body shapes. In 1920, rayon was used, a fiber obtained from cellulose, but it was characterized by poor durability, especially when wet.

nss G-Club special tips

bss G-Club thinks about picking the right model in the infinite ocean of the new swimwear 2020 proposals, with a selection of the 15 coolest swimsuits for the upcoming summer. From two-piece bikinis for a perfect tan, to one-piece swimsuits that can be worn all day long, colored, monochromatic, shaded or with patterns and glitter, we are sure that you will find your new favorite bikini of the year.