Deconstructing The Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie Swimsuit
By Leeanne Griffin

So it’s summertime, and maybe you overindulged a bit during the cold months. (Hey, there’s a recession going on, and boxed mac and cheese is cheap. We understand.) Now, like most of the world, you’re probably panicking about stepping into a bathing suit. But how can one little garment send people into such a tizzy? We deconstruct the common swimsuit for you to make it seem less scary.

Women’s Swimwear in the 20th Century
fashion-era.com/swimwear.htm

Modern women may snicker at the swimsuits of the 1920s (which look like sleeveless unitards stopping at mid-thigh) but recognize that this look was considered risqué at the time. Women “back then” were used to long skirts and nothing figure-flattering. The swimsuit evolved over the next few decades, revealing more leg and defining waistlines by adding “corsetry.” Suits were designed in a variety of fabrics, and manufacturers addressed “body issues” by adding skirts, bra cups, and control panels for “tummies.” Then the bikini was patented in 1946, and all hell broke loose. Later innovations included the string bikini, the “tan-through” suit (made from light fabrics that let sun shine through, eliminating pesky tan lines) and the 2007 introduction of the Speedo Fastskin, a revolutionary racing suit that caused a lot of controversy at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.”

Brazilian Bikinis
brazilianbikinishop.com

Brazilian women are notorious for skimpy bikinis (hence, the namesake salon treatment). But although almost anything goes on the beaches of Ipanema, we New Englanders can’t exactly flaunt “tanga” style bikinis (think G-string) on Cape Cod or Misquamicut. So check out this site and thank your lucky stars that if you have to wear a bathing suit, you can at least keep your backside comfortably covered. If you’re the type that would ~ and could ~ bare it all, then…well, we salute you, girl.

ModCloth.com:
Retro Swimsuits
modcloth.com/store/
ModCloth/Womens/Swimwear

Feeling better about swimsuit season now? We hope so. If you’ve been looking for something cute and comfortable to sport at the beach, these throwback styles (halter one-pieces with ruching, two-pieces with high-waisted bottoms) are adorable, chic and tasteful. No mid-thigh unitards here or ugly skirts here. You can hit the beach feeling great about your shape, while honoring the bathing-suit pioneers who came before you.