Influential beach beauties
I think it is fair to say that summer has now passed as all the trees are losing their gorgeous coloured leaves! I’d like to wrap up the summer season by taking a look back at some of the most influential ladies in their sculpted one-pieces to barely-there bikinis.
Let’s start with Joan Crawford, an American actress that started her career as a dancer and stage showgirl. This photo is from 1930, the bathing suit evolved into a shorter length and the fit became much tighter. This suit that looks like a dress, actually has shorts underneath which is still seen in some swim styles today.
The second photograph is Oliva de Havilland, in 1938. The materials of swim have transformed from wool to rayon, to cotton into nylon, to elastane. Today however, suits are made of high-tech synthetics and are designed to sculpt the female figure and streamline us as we move through the water.
Around 1939, waist emphasizing one-pieces and bikinis went mainstream. Left to right we have Betty Gable, Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth and Marylin Monroe.
Barely-there styles became popular from the 1970s into the 80s. From the photos you can see how much tighter the bathing suits became, and how much more skin the styles showed. From left to right we have Cheryl Tiegs, Priscilla Presley, Pia Zadora and even Princess Diana, photographed in 1985.
In looking at these old photographs, I think one of my favourite things I notice, besides the iconic faces is that fashion always repeats itself. Lately one pieces have come back into style among younger crowds and time and time again we see these suits being reinvented. If I can leave you with anything from reading this blog, don’t be afraid of wearing that daring cutoff or bold print on the beach… if you got it, flaunt it girly!
Until next time, Han x