Swimwear is a general term for bikinis and bathing costumes of all styles for the beach, the swimming pool and sports -- not to be confused with undergarments or lingerie.
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History
The first widely used swimming costume was the wool jersey tank suit of the 1920s. By the 1940s, these had given way to a corset-style costume, often with the rigid bra-cups and paneling of traditional corsetry. In 1946, Frenchman Louis Reard patented the bikini and put it on show on the fashion runways of Paris. In the 1980s, the Brazilian thong, or tanga, was incorporated into Western swimwear styles.
Fabrics
Most swimwear is made from a mix of nylon and Lycra, creating flexible, smooth-fitting costumes which absorb little moisture. Meanwhile, companies such as Speedo have developed their own proprietary performance-enhancing fabrics for sports swimwear.
Styles
One-piece costumes and the two-piece bikini are the two predominant forms of women's swimwear. Both can be styled with a wide variety of brightly colored fabrics. One-piece costumes range from the traditional corset-style to more daring examples with a high-leg cut and open sides and back. Rigidly paneled at first, over time the bikini has come to resemble Reard's original daring design, while variations such as the string bikini and micro-bikini remain ever-popular.
Men's Swimwear
Men's swimwear ranges from the traditional tight-fitting trunks and mid-thigh length examples favored by professional swimmers to loose-fitting cotton shorts inspired by surfers.
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