What is a bikini?

Summer is approaching, and a new swimming season is just around the corner. Girls are already preoccupied with the question of what kind of swimsuit will be in trend, what they can show off in on the beach. We hasten to reassure fashionistas: fashion for swimsuits is very conservative and no drastic changes are expected. The same good old bikini will be in fashion, slightly updated with new details. Read about all this below.

What kind of swimsuit is a bikini?

This is the most revealing type of women's swimsuit, which consists of two components: bra and panties. The upper and lower parts are sewn in the smallest sizes that the social morality of the time allows. Bikinis from the 50s of the last century and modern models, while maintaining the general concept, can differ in size and shape so significantly that mid-century fashionistas would blush with embarrassment at the mere sight of a 21st century swimsuit.

Why is it called that?

The first appearance of the suit dates back to July 1946. For the first time, fashionistas were offered a two-piece swimsuit.It was a bold step by the Parisian fashion designer Louis Renard, who presented a previously uniform costume in two separate parts with a demonstration of bare areas of the body. The swimsuit model was called “Atom”.

Giving such a name to clothing was in the spirit of the times, when society readily responded to any technological innovations. The model was advertised as a “split atom”, and a few days before the United States carried out nuclear tests on Bikini Atoll, this is how the two-piece swimsuit was called the bikini.

Description of the design and features of the product

The bikini replaced the closed swimsuit, exposing the female body to the maximum for tanning. This swimsuit consists of panties and a bra. Panties may vary in height, but they never cover the navel. Side seams are often absent, as models with side ties are popular.

The upper part can be either ordinary elastic strips of fabric that hide the breasts, or a bra with molded or sewn cups. The straps can be sewn into the back of the bra or tied around the neck.

Important! The lower part of the swimsuit - swimming trunks - in addition to what is described above, can have the form of a thong (mini bikini), a narrow strip (micro bikini), or shorts.

The history of the bikini

Ancient Roman mosaics depict images of women playing sports in a suit made of two separate parts - the upper one, supporting the breasts, and the lower one, covering the groin and buttock area. It can be assumed that they also entered the water in similar attire. This was the prototype of the modern bikini swimsuit.

In the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, people bathed either in clothes or in underwear.But in the 20th century, the swimsuit underwent many changes, radically changing from a one-piece model that hid both arms and legs almost completely, to small triangles that hid only the most intimate places.

In 1946, a swimsuit model was introduced that was not associated in the public consciousness with a mother woman or a modest girl. At least ten years passed before such a swimsuit appeared on the beach. To popularize the model, magazines repeatedly published photographs of seductive beauties on vacation, dressed in bikinis. Even Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe repeatedly took part in advertising shoots.

The reduced look of a one-piece swimsuit is now much less common than a two-piece swimsuit. His models are used mainly in professional sports. It dries more slowly and covers a significant part of the body for tanning. However, it is more convenient to swim in such a swimsuit without fear of losing one of the parts of the bikini in the water, which is often secured only with easily untied soft ribbons.

Important! The bikini model is recommended only for slender girls. A figure with imperfect shapes looks more toned in a closed swimsuit.

Types of bikinis with descriptions

In addition to the classic model, the following varieties have been invented in recent years:

• string bikini - a swimsuit with laces. It consists of triangles that can change their shape by moving along the lace, and all its fasteners are presented in the form of ties;
• tankini is a model in which the top is represented by a full-fledged tank - a top of any cut. Such models are perfect for slender girls, but they mask the figure flaws of overweight women especially well;
• bandokini - in this bikini, the bodice is represented by a bandage without shoulder straps. The bandini has an even wider bodice, sometimes ending at the waist;
• Stikini – the model consists of panties and two stickers on the center of the chest, covering the nipples. Stickers can be paper, film or silicone. Stikini are often chosen to resemble the stage costume of variety show dancers;
• A trikini is three triangles that are not connected to each other: one covers the groin, the other two cover the chest. The model has several options, but none of them lack a connecting strip on the back;
• sling bikini is a model that combines panties and a bodice with a narrow connecting strip at the front. The hips remain open. This combination also happens with two stripes, then the hips are covered a little more, but the stomach is exposed;
• monokini – swimsuit for topless tanning (with open chest). The composition includes tiny swimming trunks made of two triangles for the groin and buttocks;
• mankini is a male version of a bikini, reminiscent of a wrestling tights, almost completely cut off from the sides. Widespread among the European male population;
• burkini – related to bikini only through the name: burqa + bikini = burkini. This is a fully covered swimwear for girls who profess Islam. In accordance with religious requirements, he leaves only the palms, feet and face exposed. In such a costume, a Muslim woman can not only swim, but also engage in any suitable sport;
• A facekini is a burkini, but not with a hood, but with a balaclava that has slits for the eyes, tip of the nose and mouth. The model is popular in China among women who want to maintain a natural complexion;
• Skirtini - a swim dress (swim dress) model covers the hips with a skirt, the cut of which can be straight, one-piece, pieced, with drapery, with one or more flounces. The skirt can be of minimal length or reach mid-thigh;
• microkini - a swimsuit consists of such tiny strips of fabric and cords between them that it covers only the nipples and provides the most minimal concealment of the genitals from prying eyes;
• sports bikini - a set of short panties that do not reach the navel, but do not completely expose the thigh, and an elastic top that does not restrict movement. Track and field athletes compete in this costume.

Important! A modern bikini can be more than just a swimsuit. It is suitable for many sports, and also serves as a stage costume for actresses, trainers and a uniform for hostesses at various exhibitions and presentations.

Interesting facts about bikinis

The Miss World competition was conceived and held as a competition of girls in bikinis. This festival was invented by Eric Morley from Great Britain. The event was planned as a one-time event, but later became an annual event, like Miss Universe, and the name was given to it by the journalists who covered the event.

In Brazil, the knitted model of an open swimsuit has become widespread. Banana fibers are used as the basis for bikinis.. This outfit is environmentally friendly and erotic, and local beauties really like such combinations.

Price the most expensive bikini is 30 thousand dollars. It was created by designer Suzanne Rose from platinum and huge diamonds weighing a total of 150 carats. The trunks consist of two stones of 51 and 30 carats, and the chest is covered with two more stones on each side with a volume of 15 and 8 carats.All this splendor is held together by the finest platinum threads. Of course, this is not a swimsuit in the usual sense of the word, it is a piece of jewelry that requires the same impeccable model to display it.

Among the unusual bikinis, one can note a very practical model created to take care of health. Tanning is not a harmless procedure; it can cause health problems. The most common problem is simply neglecting the time spent under bright UF radiation. The swimsuit is equipped with pendant beads that change color depending on the amount of ultraviolet radiation received. Its owner is notified that she needs to move into the shadows by darkened beads.