During the festival season, you will see a lot of women dressed in Baywatch costume. Unfortunately, most of them don’t know the origin and history of the swimsuits. The history of the swimwear for women will blow your mind.
It began with a simple outfit
The history of the swimwear for women began with a simple outfit. The outfit was known as the birthday suit. Up to the 19th century, people bathed nude. Women were known to cover themselves with clothes that resemble the modern bikini. However, the outfits were not for swimming. It is up to the 1800s that the swimsuits were invented.
The creation of the swimsuits came out of necessity. Improvements in the railroad systems had made going to the beach and swimming a recreational activity.
The first swimwear wasn’t appealing
Nowadays, people buy swimming costumes in Australia Company because the swimsuits are appealing. Back then, the swimsuits resembled a belted dress and were known as baggy pants. The swimsuit was not aesthetically appealing, but it fulfilled its primary purpose of concealing the body of a woman.
The swimsuits were used to hide the woman’s figure
Back in the days, women had to conceal their bodies because this was considered to be modest. For that reason, the swimsuit’s top portion hung low like a dress to hide the figure of the woman. The suits were made from fabric that was heavy, sturdy and opaque. The fabric was heavy enough not to rise with the water. Some women in the 19th century had the luxury of using the bathing machine. These were wheeled structures that were dragged into shallow water to provide privacy.
Swimsuits became less heavy and more streamlined with the emergence of swimming as an Olympic sport. This paved way to styles and inspired the current Baywatch costume in one way or the other.
