History of: The Bikini

"I'll be there in a Jiffy, Debbie, let me just see if I have anything to wear!" And with that you twirl around your room until you hit your closet. Hoping you find something suitable for the pool party, you finally come in reach of a two piece do-up in the corner of the tall armoire. "This is perfect!"

It's not just the scenery and the clear blue water, but the swimwear as well. Almost every girl has a Bikini in their wardrobe. They are feminine yet simple. In every color of the rainbow and every style a person could imagine, a bikini can't be overlooked when shopping for summer clothes. It is a quintessential piece, after all.

But did you know what is worn today as two piece attire or even a one piece showing off some of your body was not acceptable way back when? A bikini came into acceptance thanks to the change of fashion and landed a revolutionary milestone in what woman would be allowed to wear. Later on, high end fashion magazines supported the clothing choice, and, during the 50's, Vogue referred to the bikini as "a state of dress, not undress."

Lets take a moment to look back at how it flourished into what it is today, shall we? 

Micheline Bernardini in Paris

WW2 is over and people can come back to their normal lives. The year is 1946, and Parisian Fur manufacturer, Jacques Heim has thought of a brilliant idea. He introduces the modern garb as the 'Atome,' (french for "Atom"). Later on, it debuts with the advertisement slogan "Atome - the world's smallest bathing suit"

A year later, an even smaller piece is created by Louis Réard, a french engineer. This is also the time in which the term Bikini is sprung out. Louis wanted to do something unlike previous bathing suits which was to expose the naval part of our body. One problem though, no one would wear it!

Like I said earlier, it was not a social thumbs up to wear something so miniscule, therefore, it was tough for Louis to find someone to model his creation. Later on, he resorted to finding a show girl (nude dancer- Micheline Bernardini) willing to try it on. Keep in mind, exposing such skin was obscene for a woman in religious countries at that time.

Rack City B, Rack Rack City B

 Entering the 1950's, Many Mediterranean countries attempted to ban the Bikini but others saw it as an exquisite piece, sending Réard tons of mails asking to keep doing what he's doing!

But it wasn't until years later when the Bikini was seen as a High Fashion candy that it later opened eyes to its mode sense.

Brigette Bardot, a famous french actor, turns heads at the Cannes Film Festival of 1957 lounging in a bikini. If a famous celebrity was caught in the Bikini storm we might as well join in! Bikini sales grew during the summers as people starting noticing its comfortable trendy and breezy wear.

Riding the same boat are influential actors such as Hollywood Gold; Marilyn Monroe and Esther Williams, while features in Bryan Hyland's famous song Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and a movie role with Honey Ryder hit the scene. Singles like California Girls influenced the rage and by 1963/1964 the bikini is seen as a must-have, around the world.

20 years continue to sky rocket the signature piece and 1988 is the year the founding father closes down his company. With that in mind, the sales hit the roof and pass down each year. And as each year rows along, the bikini changes form and becomes a bit more smaller. G-strings give public attention & lay down in Brazil, and reach the rest of the globe.

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Gradually, the bikini changes shape and form, while still holding the status of the worlds smallest bathing suit although I am sure now it is a tad more microscopic compared to Jacquie Heim and Louis Réard's vision. Now, we will find it anywhere and are more popular among females (would hate to see a man in a G-string *cringes*)

Personally, I love bikinis, they are cute and easy to wear. Such a feminine piece can bring out our form and lace around our curves is great! Now you can go to Debbie's pool party in style!

Thoughts? comments? Would you like me to do more History Of's?? Please let me know!