The shift in modesty over the decades is apparent, from the 1920’s body covering beach dresses, to the contemporary bikini, displaying the body with skin-tight fabrics and bust-enhancing support. B athing suits kept pace with 1920’s fashions, with the “most daring” swimsuit (at the time) a fine, clinging jersey one-piece. Studying the history of swimwear, I learnt that women dressed for the beach with the intention of looking good on the sand, not to swim.
In my research of contemporary swimwear, it became apparent that the majority of bathing apparel is designed with a close fit to the body, usually constructed out of elastomeric fabric. This exposes every curve of the body, leaving nothing to the imagination and a true sense of the body on display. In referencing the one-piece suits of the 1950’s decade, I will have sneaky panels of clear plastic to display the body. Brazil, Copacobana Beach, 1974