National Bikini Day!

 National Bikini Day!

Hello, and welcome to our next National Fun Holiday.

I actually found out a ton of interesting things about the bikini. I was trying to figure out the best way to give you all this information and keep it in order. Since I found bits and pieces all over, I didn't want to give it to you that way. I've decided to do this post in a written timeline sort of way. Bear with me, we'll get there!

When asked, when did the bikini start or How old is the bikini most people, myself included, probably assume around the mid 20th century.

Well, we aren't completely wrong.

Let's get started on this timeline.

5600 BC~ Evidence of bikini-style women's clothing has been found that far back. Illustrations of women wearing these garments during sporting or competitive events in the Roman era have been found in several locations, the most popular being, Villa Romana del Casale.

I'm not great with numbers, so I hope I'm putting these in the correct order. biggest first, lowest later? Is that right? Until AD?

1400BC~two-piece garments worn by women for athletic purposes are depicted on Greek urns and in paintings.

Active women of ancient Greece wore a breastband called a mastodeton, which continued to be used as an undergarment into the middle ages. Bottom garments were called subligaria. Which is similar to the "high waisted" brief style.

286-305 AD~ During an excavation in the 1950/the 60s there was a mosaic artwork floor discovered depicting 10 women in athletic style garments in an obvious competition. 

It has actually been dubbed, "Bikini Girls".

Nowhere in history, to this point indicated "bikinis" were made or used for swimming or sunbathing. they were more likely a sporting uniform garment.

Jumping forward. I honestly couldn't find anything else until the 1900s. 

1946~

Now, we get to the actual BIKINI!

July 5, 1946, in Paris, the bikini made its debut.

French designer Louis Reard named this new two-piece swimsuit after Bikini Atoll, where the USA conducted atomic tests. Thinking it would make an explosive statement. (He wanted to name it "atom") True story, although I don't think it would have become as popular.

Europe enthusiastically donned the new two-piece swimsuit, other countries, including the United States, weren't quite ready for such an immodest garment.

Several countries actually banned the buying and wearing of any such garment.

There are still a few that it is illegal to, even today.

Actress Carole Landis

1954~

 French film The Girl in the Bikini starring Brigitte Bardot, showed one of the first bikinis ever seen on television. Bardot has been credited with popularizing the bikini and making it a classic summer style.

1960s~

By the 1960s the United States and other countries had gone bikini bonkers!

Beach-themed movies poured out in abundance!

~Where the Boys Are

~Gidget Goes Hawaiian

~Bikini Beach

~How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (I'm a bit scared to ask about this one)

~Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine

~For Those Who Think Young

~The Horror of Party Beach

~Clambake

~Blue Hawaii

~Beach Blanket Bingo

~A Swingin' Summer

~Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (Y'all, I can't make these up.)

I'm sure there are a ton more! It is clear that the United States lost all public modesty in the 1960s!

~1988

By then, the original designer had died, and his company had folded. Still, the bikini made up 20% of swimwear purchased that year.

~1990s

With people becoming more conscious about UV rays and skin cancer, the more modest "tankini" or fuller tops became popular. 1997, Malia Jones appears on the cover of Shape Magazine wearing the halter top two-piece bikini for rough waters. Setting, a short-lived hype.

~2000s

People seemed to move away from the risks and bikinis again became skimpy and revealing

~ the 2020s

Most popular bikini styles for today's women

Tie front/High waist

One strap top/Hipster bottoms

Squareneck top/Standard Bikini bottom ~ this one is my personal favorite.

Today, you can find just about any type of bikini.

Skimpy, sporty, modest, thong, string, strapless...

They say there is a swimsuit for every girl and every body type.

I have a few styles that I'm comfortable in, but it definitely is a struggle. Our bodies sometimes change as quickly as fashion. (or the image of our bodies, more likely)

Anyway, I say

~WEAR THE BIKINI~

Have fun. Be comfortable. You go do your thing!

I really do have so much fun getting pulled down the rabbit hole with these posts!

#historynerd

Please, like, love, comment, share!

I love feedback. 

To celebrate National Bikini Day!!!

It's going to be 92F here in Ohio today!

I definitely will be rockin' my bikini, hangin' out in the kiddie pool today!