The
bikini truly became USA-certified, politically
correct, politically correct, or at least
acceptable, in 1964 when Sports Illustrated
launched its first bikini cover. Forty-two
years later it is a tradition. Since
Greek women wore two-piece outfits much
like the first bikinis during sporting
competitions dating as far back as 1400
B.C., it was a natural for a sports magazine
to devote an issue to women modeling
sexy swimwear. Another throwback twist
for the mix is that Ancient Roman women
wore two-piece suits or bikinis in 300
B.C. Once again the attire was as athletic
wear. It really is not much different
than what the female
beach volleyball players wear today.
Today it seems that designers make every effort
to remove more and more material with
each rendition. We have gone from traditional
to thong to string. There is even a "mono-kini" and
a "micro-kini." The former
is a bikini bottom only, and the latter
makes an average bikini look like a blanket.
Both versions were forefathers to "the
less the merrier" era. Today women
are spending over $1 billion annually
on two-piece bathing suits. Swimwear,
overall, one and two-piece suits, are
more than two percent of the total revenues
of women's clothing, according to reports
offered by NPD Online Research. Actually,
one-piece swimsuits are quite nice too.
It is contents-over-package issue with
scientific basis that stirs up advocates
from both sides. |
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