Have you ever thought that just over a century ago, a garment as popular as women’s swimsuits did not exist?

In a previous blog we reviewed the history of the bikini, a piece created by Louis Réard in 1946 that evolved from the functional one-piece made of nylon to a dynamic and daring two-piece, but there is a story before the bikini and we are going to tell you about it.

The beginnings

It seems incredible but it is so. In the 19th century, women who went to the beach did so in normal clothing and it was not until the beginning of the last century that the true history of the swimsuit began.

The first “swimsuits” were more related to the activity of playing sports than as a garment specifically for the bathroom because swimming became a recreational activity.

Both men and women enjoyed the water with clothes on. They wore dresses and underneath long pants, and hats to keep their skin completely pale, which at that time was a symbol of social status.

It was not until the 1920s that the scene began to evolve thanks to women who changed history.

Challenging history

It all began at the beginning of the 20th century, when brave women challenged rigid social norms and dared to bathe in the sea with a revolutionary garment: the one-piece swimsuit. This design caused quite a stir in the society of the time. You can’t believe the scandal that was caused by showing your ankles on the beach!

It was from this time that bathing suits became a fashionable set, still conservative but part of the legs and arms were already exposed. Most of the girls of this time wore bathing suits made of wool, and many of them complemented the outfit with stockings.

But the wayward girls didn’t stop there. As the 1920s progressed, women embraced swimwear fashion with style and elegance. Swimsuits became slightly shorter, and the silhouettes began to hug the feminine curves, which made the beaches the perfect setting to show off the most glamorous fashion.

At that time, swimsuits were dark and neutral colors, with hardly any ornamentation or graphic motifs, just a few laces or embroidery.

More comfortable and tighter-fitting swimwear

In the 1930s, designs evolved, the most “daring” shapes and necklines, and elastic and satin materials began to be implemented in designs. Swimsuits have become much more comfortable and tight in the bust area. However, you had to respect the rules to wear these suits. On several occasions, the police were responsible for measuring the length and avoiding conflicts.

The revolution arrives

But the real revolution came when Louis Réard, a French mechanical engineer, found himself in charge of his mother’s lingerie company in the 1940s and decided to devote himself fully to clothing design. They say that while vacationing on the beaches of Saint-Tropez, he noticed women rolling up their long, uncomfortable swimsuits to get a better tan, which inspired him to design a two-piece swimsuit.

This new piece of clothing was very well received, especially by the film industry and the glamor of Hollywood actresses who extended this piece of swimwear, creating a new industry of fashion, design and inspiration for all of us who are dedicated to this sector.