danshamptons.com
DAN’S PAPERS
June 7, 2013 Page 41
Mr. Sneiv explores Bikini evolution By MR. SNeiv
S
In the case of going topless, it’s not a true bikini. It’s actually a “monokini.” I’m not in favor of this for the Hamptons... The groundwork for the modern bikini was laid in 1907, when an Australian swimmer and performer named Annette Kellerman was arrested at a Boston beach for wearing a formfitting one-piece bathing suit. By 1913, inspired by the introduction of women into Olympic swimming competition, Carl Jantzen made the first functional two-piece swimwear. By 1934 swimsuits starting hugging the body, and they began getting smaller, to enable better tanning. Hollywood and the media helped fuel the evolution of the bikini. Remember the late 1970s and our very own East End’s Christie Brinkley on the cover of Sports Illustrated? On many European beaches, it’s acceptable for women to do away with the top part of the bikini and wear just the bottom part. We see this every year in the Hamptons, when someone from Europe visits and is not aware of the protocol on the East End. This is one of the few benefits of being involved in Hamptons law enforcement during the summer. In the case of going topless, it’s not a true bikini. It’s actually referred to as wearing a “monokini.” I’m not in favor of this for the Hamptons, because I grew up in a conservative household. Besides, it’s better if you leave something to the imagination. Beachgoers are all (Continued on page 44)
Bathing suits in the early 1900’s covered up a lot more than today’s versions...
THEY’ RE MAKING HISTORY. DON’ T MISS A MOMENT OF IT. Become a part of history as Long Island welcomes the best women golfers in the world for its first ever U.S. Women’ s Open. The biggest names in women’ s golf including Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis,
Michelle Wie
and more will compete for the national championship at the beautiful Sebonack Golf Club. Tickets are going fast, so purchase yours today!
JUNE 24-30 U.S. WOMEN’ S OPEN SUZANN PETTERSEN
SEBONACK GOLF CLUB SOUTHAMPTON, NY (631) 488-4065
25678
ometimes, as a journalist, a topic comes across your desk that takes you outside your comfort zone. That was the case recently, when it was suggested that I write about the art of choosing a bikini for summertime in the Hamptons. My apprehension was soon assuaged, when a friend reminded me that many women’s clothing and shoe designers are actually men. So why couldn’t Mr. Sneiv offer some insight into the art of selecting the perfect bikini? The bikini is perhaps the most popular form of swimwear around the world. It represents not just the power of fashion, but the power of women. Some believe it has represented the emancipation of women. The name “bikini” is credited to Louis Reared, who in 1946 named it after Bikini Atoll, where testing of the atomic bomb took place. But that was just a name. Bikinis actually show up all the way back in the Greco Roman era, as depicted in mosaics. In order to report accurately on the subject matter, I decided that I would have to experience first-hand what it’s like to actually wear a bikini. I started my research by going through the dresser drawers of my longtime companion, while she was out shopping at Citarella. Karen had numerous bikinis to choose from. I selected a black number. To my dismay, it didn’t fit. I was going to have to lose 75 pounds or continue my research without the benefit of actually knowing what it feels like to wear a bikini. So that was that.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT www.2013uswomensopen.com!