1940s Bathing Swimsuits

In the 1940s, restrictions on modesty at the beach began to loosen up and swimsuits became more revealing. New materials and manufacturing techniques aided this revolution in swimsuit design.

Women's Swimwear

Women's swimwear became more revealing in the 1940s. Man-made materials such as nylon, Lycra and Spandex clung to women's curves, while corset makers developed techniques, such as stomach control panels and boning, that helped hide flaws in women's figures. Manufacturers also began using bright colors and bold designs.

Men's Swimwear

Men's swimwear in the 1940s often consisted of very tight shorts with a similar cut to the lower portion of women's swimwear. Men who wanted a more modest look wore boxer-style trunks.

Bikini

Supposedly named for an atoll used for U.S. nuclear testing, the bikini was a skimpy, two-piece swimsuit invented in France in 1946. Although almost immediately popular in Europe, the bikini did not become part of U.S. fashion until the 1960s.

References

• Enyclopedia.com: Swimwear
• Fashion-Era: Women's Swimwear in the 20th Century
• Everything Swimwear: Men's Swimwear History