It's that time of year again. With SB '15 cluttering our news feed and bikini season in full bloom, we thought we'd get nostalgic for a sec and take a look at swimwear trends over the century. What's old is new again, right?
Late 1800s
Nothing says "sexy" like "full-coverage bathing dress." Until the twentieth century, women were expected to wear long gowns, modest bathing dresses, and pants or bloomers.
1900s
The turn of the century saw the introduction of the two-piece bathing suit. That is, a knee-length gown with full-coverage trousers underneath.
1910s
A revolutionary decade that popularized the form-fitting and romper-esque suit, also known as the "Annette Kellerman."
1920s
And so began the shrinkage of swimwear. Throughout the 20s, the amount of fabric used to make bathing suits began to decrease.
1930s
The 1930s saw more skin with feminine, figure-flattering suits and low-cut necklines.
1940s
The modern bikini first appeared after World War II, introduced in 1946 by two French designers. Described as the "atom bomb of fashion," the scandy new swimwear was named after Bikini Atoll, the site of several nuclear weapons tests.
1950s
Everywhere you looked: exposed midriffs (and covered navels). What a time to be alive.
1960s
A decade that saw Beatlemania, the war in Vietnam, the moon landing, the Civil Rights Movement - and bikinis of the itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot variety.
1970s
Groovy.
1980s
Big hair, tiny swimwear. Also the decade MTV began its annual Spring Break coverage.
1990s
Baywatch, anyone?
The 21st Century
You know what they say: an Ellen clip is worth a thousand pictures. My, how far we've come.
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