A swimsuit, bathing suit or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn for swimming. In New Zealand English and some areas of Australian English, swimsuits are usually called togs. This term is less common in other parts of the Commonwealth where it can also refer to clothes in general. Swimsuits can be skin-tight or loosely fitting and range from garments designed to preserve as much modesty as possible to garments designed to reveal as much of the body as possible without actual nudity. They are often lined with a fabric that prevents them from becoming transparent when wet. Clothing protects the vulnerable nude human body from the extremes of weather, other features of our environment, and for safety reasons. ... This article concentrates on human swimming. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Australian English (AuE, AusE, en-AU) is the form of the English language used in Australia. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A skin-tight garment is a garment that is held to the skin by elastic tension. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... “Clothes free” redirects here. ... Transparent glass ball In optics, transparency is the property of allowing light to pass. ...

Swimsuits types and styles

A jammer-style suit (left) next to a speedo-style suit (right)

Swimsuits are designed to cover at least the genitals and in most cultures women's breasts. Men's swimsuit styles are swimming trunks such as shorts, boardshorts, jammers, speedo-style briefs, thongs, g-strings or bikini. Women's swimsuits are generally either one-pieces, bikinis or thongs. The most recent innovation is the burqini, a more modest garment designed for Muslim women; it covers the whole body and head (but not face) in a manner similar to a diver's wetsuit. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... okay that is all ... For other uses, see Shorts (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A Jammer is a type of mens swimwear worn primarily by competitive athletes to obtain speed advantages. ... A blue speedo A speedo style suit. ... A man in briefs Briefs are a type of short, tight Y-shaped underwear and swimwear, as opposed to styles where the material extends down the legs. ... G-string or thong is a narrow piece of cloth or leather, or plastic that covers the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as swimwear or underwear by both men and women. ... See Thong for other meanings. ... This article is about the womens bathing suit. ... Womans one-piece bathing suit, 1920s, USA A one-piece swimsuit is a usually skin-tight one-piece swimsuit used by women when swimming in the sea or in a swimming pool. ... A Muslim woman wearing a burqini Burqini is a type of swimsuit designed by Lebanese Australian Aheda Zanetti. ... A surfer in a wetsuit. ...

The monokini, a style of swimsuit that most often takes the form of a bikini bottom without the corresponding top, leaves a woman's breasts uncovered. Monokinis are quite common in many places throughout South America^{[citation needed]} and Europe, though due to particularly stringent taboos they are almost never seen in the United States, except in places with a strong European tourist influence. For pre-pubescent girls leaving the chest uncovered is sometimes considered acceptable. The original monokini, designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964. ... This article is about the womens bathing suit. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... This article is about cultural prohibitions in general, for other uses, see Taboo (disambiguation). ... Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. ...

A U.S. Marine in Jammers

Special swimsuits for competitive swimming, designed to reduce skin drag, can resemble unitards. For some kinds of swimming and diving, special bodysuits called diveskins are worn. These suits are made from spandex and provide little thermal protection, but they do protect the skin from stings and abrasion. Most competitive swimmers also wear special swimsuits including partial and full bodysuits, racerback styles, jammers and racing briefs to assist their glide through the water and gain speed advantages (see competitive swimwear). Image File history File links Download high resolution version (963x1496, 423 KB) Summary Marine running in water. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (963x1496, 423 KB) Summary Marine running in water. ... An acrobat in bodystocking/unitard suspended below a balloon A unitard is a skin-tight one-piece garment with long legs and sometimes long sleeves. ... For open water swimming, snorkeling and diving, diveskins are used when diving in water temperatures above 25 degrees C, 77 degrees F. They are made from spandex and provide little thermal protection but simply protect the skin from stings and abrasion. ... Example of spandex Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity (stretchability). ... A Bodyskin is a style of competitive swimwear worn by both female and male athletes. ... A Racerback is a type of womens swimsuit design common today among competitive swimwear and incorporated into some types of womens clothing. ... Image:Speedo. ...

Swimming without a bathing suit is a form of social nudity. Special nude beaches may be reserved for nude sunbathing and swimming. Swimming in the nude is also known by the slang term "skinny-dipping". As an alternative to a bathing suit some people use their trousers, underpants or T-shirt as a make-shift swimsuit. At beaches norms for this tend to be more relaxed than at swimming pools, which tend not to permit this because underwear is unlined, may become translucent, and may be perceived as unclean. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... People skinny dipping and sunbathing nude at Bredene nudist beach in Belgium. ... Prism splitting light High Resolution Solar Spectrum Sunlight in the broad sense is the total spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. ... Skinny dipping, also spelled skinny-dipping, is swimming naked, i. ... Germanic trousers of the 4th century found in the Thorsberg moor, Germany Early use of trousers in France: a sans-culotte by Louis-Léopold Boilly. ... A pair of mens briefs Undergarments, also called underwear or sometimes intimate clothing, are clothes worn next to the skin, usually under other clothes. ... T-Shirt A T-shirt (or tee shirt) is a shirt with short or long sleeves, a round neck, put on over the head, without pockets. ...

Swimsuits are also worn for the purpose of body display in beauty pageants. Magazines like Sports Illustrated's annual "swimsuit issue" feature models and sports personalities in swimsuits. A beauty contest, or beauty pageant, is a competition between people, based largely, though not always entirely, on the beauty of their physical appearance. ... The first issue of Sports Illustrated, August 16, 1954, showing Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Mathews at bat in Milwaukee County Stadium. ...

Women's swimsuits

Girls wearing one piece swimsuits.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x768, 158 KB) http://flickr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x768, 158 KB) http://flickr. ...

One-piece swimsuits

• Tank suit, leotard or simply one-piece: Probably the most common form of one-piece swimsuit, the tank suit form is inspiration for the subsequent creation of the tank top as a mainstream article of clothing. The name "tank suit" is derived from the term "swimming tank", an obsolete term for what is now called a swimming pool.
• Monokini: a term used for different styles of one-piece swimsuits inspired by the bikini style. Most commonly, a monokini is a bikini bottom without the corresponding top, worn by women, that leaves the breasts bare. Sling bikinis are sometimes, though not often, referred to as monokinis.
• Thong swimsuit: One-piece swimsuit with thong back, buttocks exposed, otherwise ordinary

A woman in bikini

• Sling bikini: also known as a "suspender bikini", "suspender thong", "slingshot bikini" or just "slingshot". The slingshot is a one-piece suit which provides as little, or even less, coverage (or as much exposure) as a bikini. Usually, a slingshot resembles a bikini bottom, but rather than the straps going around the hips or waist, the side straps extend upwards to cover the breasts and go over the shoulders, leaving the entire sides of the torso uncovered, but the nipples and pubic area covered. Behind the neck, the straps join and reach down the back to become a thong.^{[citation needed]}
• Pretzel suit: a one-piece suit similar to a sling bikini, but the straps encircle the torso around the bottom of the ribcage, forming a very high-sided bikini bottom; instead of the straps passing over the neck and down the back, they simply encircle the neck, joining the straps which pass around the midriff.
• Burqini: Designed by Lebanese Australian Aheda Zanetti for muslim women, the suit covers enough to preserve Muslim modesty, but is light enough to enable swimming. The name "burqini" is a portmanteau of burqa and bikini.
• Stringbodys, halter-necks, maillots and plunge fronts.

A leotard is a skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso and body but leaves the legs free. ... Womans one-piece bathing suit, 1920s, USA A one-piece swimsuit is a usually skin-tight one-piece swimsuit used by women when swimming in the sea or in a swimming pool. ... A man wearing a sleeveless shirt. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... The original monokini, designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964. ... “Topless” redirects here. ... Download high resolution version (447x800, 102 KB) (from German wikipedia) Beschreibung: Model Jassi im roten Bikini Die Rechte am eigenen Bild hat das Model schriftlich an den Fotografen abgetreten. ... Download high resolution version (447x800, 102 KB) (from German wikipedia) Beschreibung: Model Jassi im roten Bikini Die Rechte am eigenen Bild hat das Model schriftlich an den Fotografen abgetreten. ... See Thong for other meanings. ... Lebanese Australian is the name given to an ethnic group in Australia who are either migrants or descended from migrants from Lebanon. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... This article is about blends. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article is about the womens bathing suit. ... Two women wearing halternecks Halterneck refers to a type of womens clothing with one strap around the back of the neck instead of two over the shoulders. ... The maillot is the fashion designer’s name for a woman’s one-piece swimsuit. ...

Two-piece swimsuits

• Bikini.
  • Thong, T-back or G-string.
  • Tankini: A tank top combined with a bikini bottom.
  • Freedomware, a two-piece suit that sits on the hip when folded up.

This article is about the womens bathing suit. ... See Thong for other meanings. ... Erotic tankini suit A tankini is a type of two-piece swimsuit. ...

Men's swimsuits or Swimming trunks

A boy wearing boardshorts

A men's thong-style swimsuit. This style can be controversial in more conservative areas.

• Bikini: The style varies from a speedo to thongs or g-string.
• Thong (clothing): Style varies with pouch design, materials, colors and back (including Y-back, V-back and T-back variations).
• G-string: Minimum coverage front and back.
• Boardshorts: The length goes down to the knees.
• Swimming shorts: Most French swimming pools forbid these for sanitary reasons.
• Jammers: a type of men's swimwear worn primarily by competitive athletes to obtain speed advantages. They are made of nylon and lycra/spandex material and have a form fitting design to reduce water resistance. They provide moderate coverage from the mid-waist to the area above the knee, somewhat resembling compression shorts worn by many athletes. They provide greater leg coverage than speedos or competitive briefs, although they also have slightly more water resistance.
• Speedos or briefs .
• Tangas, thongs, t-backs and g-strings.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (600x800, 66 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Swimsuit Boardshorts Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (600x800, 66 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Swimsuit Boardshorts Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 422 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (451 × 640 pixel, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 422 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (451 × 640 pixel, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... This article is about the womens bathing suit. ... The Speedo boomerang logo Speedo is a swimsuit manufacturer that began on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia. ... Look up thong in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... See Thong for other meanings. ... G-string or thong is a narrow piece of cloth or leather, or plastic that covers the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as swimwear or underwear by both men and women. ... See Thong for other meanings. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Jammer is a type of mens swimwear worn primarily by competitive athletes to obtain speed advantages. ... A blue speedo A speedo style suit. ...

History

1858 Woman's bathing suit.

A man in a Japanese traditional swimwear Fundoshi -red rokushaku

In Classical antiquity swimming and bathing was most often done nude. In some settings coverings were used. Murals at Pompeii show women wearing two-piece suits covering the areas around their breasts and hips in a fashion remarkably similar to a bikini of ca. 1960. After this, the notion of special water apparel seems to have been lost for centuries. Download high resolution version (462x630, 59 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Swimsuit Categories: Public domain images ... Download high resolution version (462x630, 59 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Swimsuit Categories: Public domain images ... Download high resolution version (480x640, 35 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (480x640, 35 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, which begins roughly with the earliest-recorded Greek poetry of Homer (7th century BC), and continues through the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Western Roman Empire (5th century AD... For other uses, see Pompeii (disambiguation). ...

In various cultural traditions one swims, if not in the nude, in a version in suitable material of a garment or undergarment commonly worn on land, e.g. a loincloth such as the Japanese man's fundoshi. In the 18th century women wore "bathing gowns" in the water; these were long dresses of fabrics that would not become transparent when wet, with weights sewed into the hems so that they would not rise up in the water. The men's swim suit, a rather form-fitting wool garment with long sleeves and legs similar to long underwear, was developed and would change little for a century. A loincloth is a one-piece male garment, sometimes kept in place by a belt, which covers the genitals and, at least partially, the buttocks. ... The fundoshi (褌) is a traditional Japanese male loincloth, made from a strip of cotton cloth, one shaku (traditional Japanese foot, 35 cm = 14 inches) wide and about 2. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... A pair of mens briefs Undergarments, also called underwear or sometimes intimate clothing, are clothes worn next to the skin, usually under other clothes. ...

In the 19th century, the woman's two piece suit became common—the two pieces being a gown from shoulder to knees plus a set of trousers with leggings going down to the ankles. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Man and woman in swimsuits, ca. 1910; she is exiting a bathing machine

In the Victorian era, popular beach resorts were commonly equipped with bathing machines designed to avoid the exposure of people in swimsuits, especially to people of the opposite sex. Download high resolution version (1083x699, 360 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1083x699, 360 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The bathing machine was a device which flourished in the 19th century to allow people to wade in the ocean at beaches without violating Victorian notions of modesty. ... Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her accession to the Throne, 20 June 1837) gave her name to the historic era The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... The bathing machine was a device which flourished in the 19th century to allow people to wade in the ocean at beaches without violating Victorian notions of modesty. ...

In 1907 the swimmer Annette Kellerman from Australia visited the United States as an "underwater ballerina", a version of synchronized swimming involving diving into glass tanks. She was arrested for indecent exposure because her swimsuit showed arms, legs and the neck. Kellerman changed the suit to have long arms and legs and a collar, still keeping the close fit that revealed the shapes underneath. She later starred in several movies, including one about her life. Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Annette Kellerman Annette Marie Sarah Kellermann (born July 6, 1887 in Sydney – died November 5, 1975 in Southport, Australia) was an Australian professional swimmer, vaudeville and film star, writer, and advocate for the change of womens swimwear. ... Russian synchronized swimming team, May 2007 Synchronized swimming is a hybrid of swimming, gymnastics, and dance. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about motion pictures. ...

After this event, bathing wear started to shrink, first uncovering the arms and then the legs up to mid-thigh. Collars receded from around the neck down to around the top of the bossom. The development of new fabrics allowed for new varieties of more comfortable and practical swim wear. Womans bathing suit, 1920s, photo postcard. ... The 1920s is a decade that is sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ...

Due to the figure-hugging nature of these garments, glamour photography since the 1940s and 1950s has often featured people wearing swimsuits. This subset of glamour photography eventually evolved into swimsuit photography with the help of Sports Illustrated and swimsuit photographers around the world. Glamour photography is the photographing of a model (usually female), in a way that is intended to be erotic, yet not pornographic. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The 1950s decade refers to the years 1950 to 1959 inclusive. ... The first issue of Sports Illustrated, August 16, 1954, showing Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Mathews at bat in Milwaukee County Stadium. ...

Male model in designer speedo style swimsuit

The first bikinis were introduced just after World War II. Early examples were not very different from the women's two pieces common since the 1920s, except that they had a gap below the breast line allowing for a section of bare midriff. They were named after Bikini Atoll, the site of several nuclear weapons tests, for their supposed explosive effect on the viewer. Photo from the Dolce and Gabbana fashion show in summer 2003, released by request to the public domain, photographer is S. Rellandini from de:Mann File links The following pages link to this file: Swimsuit Categories: Public domain images | Images of clothing ... Photo from the Dolce and Gabbana fashion show in summer 2003, released by request to the public domain, photographer is S. Rellandini from de:Mann File links The following pages link to this file: Swimsuit Categories: Public domain images | Images of clothing ... The cover of a Victorias Secret catalog, a catalog known for featuring supermodels as its lingerie models. ... The Speedo boomerang logo Speedo is a swimsuit manufacturer that began on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia. ... Bikini may also refer to Bikini Atoll, BIKINI state and bikini styles of underwear. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The Flag of Bikini Atoll Bikini Atoll (also known as Pikinni Atoll) is an uninhabited 6. ...

Through the 1950s, it was thought proper for the lower part of the bikini to come up high enough to cover the navel. From the 1960s on, the bikini shrank in all directions until it sometimes covered little more than the nipples and genitalia, although less revealing models giving more support to the breasts remained popular. At the same time, Fashion designer Rudi Gernreich introduced the monokini, a topless suit for women consisting of a modest bottom supported by two thin straps. Although not a commercial success, the suit opened eyes to new design possibilities. In the 1980s the thong or "tanga" came out of Brazil, said to have been inspired by traditional garments of native tribes in the Amazon. However, the one-piece suit continued to be popular for its more modest approach. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... Brief introduction on the history of fashion design and designers Fashion design is the art dedicated to the creation of wearing apparel and lifestyle. ... Rudi Gernreich (1922-1985) was a fashion designer and gay activist. ... The original monokini, designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1964. ... The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... See Thong for other meanings. ... Amazon River basin The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. ...

Men's swimsuits developed roughly in parallel to women's during this period, with the shorts covering progressively less. Eventually racing-style "speedo" suits became popular—and not just for their speed advantages. Thongs, G-strings, and Bikini style suits are also worn, typically these are more popular in more tropical regions such as the coastline of the West, South, Southeast United States, the Caribbean islands, western Europe and the Mediterranean; however, they may also be worn at public swimming pools and inland lakes. But in the 1990s, longer and baggier shorts became popular, with the hems often reaching to the knees. Perhaps due to the greater weight of these suits when wet, or perhaps from sheer daring, they were often worn lower on the hips than regular shorts. In footwear and fashion, flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal that consist of simple soles held on the foot by a V-shaped strap that passes between the toes and around either side of the foot, attached to the sole at three points. ... A woman with a thong-style bathing suit. ... This article is about the womens bathing suit. ... The tropics are the geographic region of the Earth centered on the equator and limited in latitude by the two tropics: the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere. ... “West Indian” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... 50 meter indoor swimming pool A swimming pool, swimming bath, or wading pool is an artificially enclosed body of water intended for recreational or competitive swimming, or for other bathing activities that do not involve swimming, i. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ...

American postcard, 1907

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 388 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (439 × 678 pixel, file size: 53 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Postcard: Two females in swimsuits, from a postcard with a 1907 copyright, mailed in 1909. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 388 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (439 × 678 pixel, file size: 53 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Postcard: Two females in swimsuits, from a postcard with a 1907 copyright, mailed in 1909. ...

See also

• Beachwear
• Competitive swimwear
• Drysuit
• Wetsuit

Beachwear refers to clothing suitable for wearing on a beach or urban beach. ... Image:Speedo. ... drysuits are used in a number of sports to provide a barrier between the occupant and cold water. ... A surfer in a wetsuit. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Swimwear

• History of Fashional Bathing Suits on Victoriana.com starting in late 1700s; awkward JavaScript navigation
• National Geographic look at swimsuits of the 1900 - 2000 era
• Sample of images of some historical swimsuits, 1880s to 1990s
• Bikiniology An extensive study of types and styles of female swimwear.