Swimsuits are actually a relatively recent invention. Swimming activities were frequently carried out in the bare chest in ancient Rome and Greece. And for a long time, at least for men, this persisted. Although women started dressing themselves in the UK as early as the middle of the 17th century, it wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that both sexes were forbidden from swimming in their undies there. When it comes to women’s swimwear today, there are a plethora of options. They come in a variety of styles, from the very revealing thong bikinis to the more covert one piece swimsuits. We’ll focus on the two types of women’s swimwear that are currently most in demand.

Bikini

Very early inventions include the bikini. By a French engineer, of all people, they were developed in the 1950s. The Bikini Atoll, which served as the location of nuclear tests during World War 2, inspired the name of this kind of women’s bathing suit. The bikini quickly overtook other types of swimwear as the most popular option for women. Additionally, it promoted the growth of the hair waxing sector. It is a two-piece swimsuit with coverage for the crotch, buttocks, and breast regions. It is the go-to swimsuit, especially for those who want to emphasize their form. Since its introduction, its popularity has grown steadily, making it the most popular women’s swimsuit in the world at this time. Sales of just the bikini total nearly $1 billion a year.

There is proof that the first bikinis were actually created by the Romans or the Greeks, though. In Sicily and Pompeii, bikini-clad women and goddesses have appeared in artwork. There are numerous variations on the market today as a result of its popularity. These include bandeau bikinis, tankinis, and monokinis.

One Piece Swimsuits

The one-piece suit existed before the bikini. The majority of women’s (and men’s) swimsuits from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries were one-piece suits of some kind. Before bikinis took the world by storm, they were the most popular types and were thought to be more modest than revealing. They wore skirts intended to conceal the thighs that were made of cloth. Since nylon and lycra were both extremely stretchable and reasonably priced, nearly all single-piece suits used them together after lycra was invented.

All water sports, such as swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming, and diving, favor them as the preferred swimwear. Modern full body suits made from materials that offer less resistance underwater have replaced the traditional one-piece swimsuit. Today, halternecks (single strap around the neck), tank suits (the most popular, double strapped), and bandeau style suits (strapless) are some of the common varieties sold.