When it comes to fashion, women have often had to fight for the right to wear certain items of clothing: pants, miniskirts, one-piece swimsuits—not to mention the highly controversial bikini. A veritable scandal when it first appeared, the two-piece swimsuit is now a must-have at the beach or by the pool. As it has evolved with fashion and trends, it now comes in many styles with varying degrees of cutouts. Let’s take a look back at the history of the two-piece swimsuit and its various styles to help you find your perfect bikini.
The History of the Two-Piece Swimsuit
The reason the two-piece swimsuit caused such a stir when it first appeared is that women’s bodies had always been required to be heavily covered, lest they provoke widespread outrage. Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman learned this the hard way when she wore one of the first one-piece swimsuits in 1907.
Frenchman Jacques Heim designed the first two-piece swimsuit in 1932. Since the bottoms were high-waisted briefs that covered the navel, his design was accepted by society. The bikini as we know it today was created by a man named Louis Réard in 1946: a top consisting of two triangles connected by strings and a bottom that reveals not only the navel but also the hips and buttocks. This design was made smaller to allow women to tan more of their skin. As for the name, it refers to a bomb explosion on Bikini Atoll carried out by the Americans.
Brigitte Bardot, in Roger Vadim’s film *And God Created… Woman*, popularized the bikini in 1956. Across the Atlantic, actress Ursula Andress appeared on the poster for a James Bond film wearing a white bikini in 1967. This marked the beginning of the success of the bikini and all other two-piece swimsuits for women.
Bikinis vs. two-piece swimsuits: what’s the difference? A bikini is a two-piece swimsuit with a triangle-shaped top and a high-cut bottom. It’s this distinctive shape that gives it its name, and today it has become a timeless classic. Today, there are many other styles of swimwear available, with a variety of top and bottom options.
The Swimsuit Top
The top of a two-piece swimsuit now comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and styles—with or without underwire, with or without straps, and so on. While you should choose based on current trends, you should also consider your body type when making a purchase, particularly your bust size, to flatter your figure—just as you would with a bra.
The Triangle Bikini Top
This swimsuit top is typically paired with a bikini bottom. Very popular, it’s still common to see it worn by most people on the beach today. It usually fastens at the back and around the neck by tying the straps that connect the triangle cups into a knot. These straps can be fixed or adjustable, with or without underwire. Available in solid colors or prints, some styles are embellished with jewelry, beads, sequins, or other decorations.
In terms of body type, the non-underwire triangle bikini top is ideal for women with a smaller bust. Women with a fuller bust may prefer the push-up triangle style.
The push-up swimsuit
Just like a lingerie bra, a swimsuit top is designed to enhance the bust by lifting it. Thanks to the presence of balconette cups and underwires, the décolletage is beautifully accentuated. Padding, when included, can make certain busts appear up to two cup sizes larger. A push-up swimsuit top is therefore well-suited for medium and full busts. Regardless of the push-up style—triangle, bandeau, or demi—it’s its ability to lift the bust that gives it its name.
The Bandeau Swimsuit Top
What characterizes the bandeau swimsuit top is its lack of straps. However, today’s swimsuit styles offer the option to wear straps or not by including removable ones. The bandeau style is particularly well-suited for women with a fuller bust. In fact, it tends to flatten smaller busts. It’s therefore best for them to avoid this style. The advantage of wearing a bandeau at the beach is that it leaves no tan lines on the shoulders.
Swimsuit Bottoms
There are also different types of swimsuit bottoms, offering varying levels of coverage: from classic briefs to shorties and thongs. Your desire to tan at the beach, your body type, and the latest trends are all factors to consider when choosing.
High-cut swimsuits
A bottom is considered high-cut when it reveals the hips, buttocks, front, or all three at once in a much more pronounced way than a classic bottom. A high-cut swimsuit not only allows you to tan a larger area but also flatters your figure. For example, if the cutout is on the hips, the legs will appear longer, and the curve of the buttocks will be accentuated more with a cutout in the back.
A high-cut swimsuit is often associated with a bikini that ties with knots at the hips—the epitome of sexiness. However, it’s also possible to find high-cut swimsuits that don’t require tying with strings. Instead, they feature a simple string or a thin strip of fabric across the hips.
The thong
While the thong is universally popular on Brazilian beaches, it took a little longer to catch on at European beaches. Today, however, it’s enjoying great success. Somewhere between a G-string and briefs, it allows you to tan more skin. Even more high-cut than a bikini, this style also caused quite a stir when it first appeared. Women with curvy buttocks can confidently opt for the thong, which will perfectly highlight that part of the body.
The high-waisted swimsuit
Wearing retro or vintage-style clothing has come back into fashion in recent years, and swimwear is no exception to this trend. Brands now offer swim bottoms with a high-waisted panty style, reminiscent of the very first swimsuits. If you want to channel a pin-up look, don’t hesitate to go for this style. You’ll have no trouble finding pieces you like, as this style is extremely popular today. In addition to being fashionable, high-waisted bottoms help slim your waist and flatter your overall silhouette. Opt for black if you want to look slimmer, or go for a full retro look with a red polka-dot bandeau top, for example.
The Shorty
If you’re a woman who’s self-conscious and want to wear a swimsuit at the beach that offers more coverage, the shorty is the bottom for you. Choose black for a slimming effect. While they cover a good portion of the buttocks, they still highlight their curves. They’re also a great choice for those looking for a swimsuit with a sporty look.
In summary
The advantage of a two-piece swimsuit is that you can mix and match the top and bottom to create a truly original and unique ensemble: a red bikini top with pink bottoms, a white push-up top with printed shorty bottoms—the possibilities are endless. To help you choose your swimsuit from the vast array of options available today, you might want to consider your body type or skin tone. Certain colors will flatter some women more than others. Feel free to read our article on this topic before buying your two-piece swimsuit.
Soraya Swimwear wants every woman—regardless of her size, body type, or personal style—to find the perfect swimsuit. Every year, the collection available on our website and in-store features a wide variety of styles to satisfy everyone. Swimsuits come in all sizes, from XS to XXL, in colors like red, pink, blue, black, and white, as well as printed designs featuring polka dots and stripes. Our brand also aims to make its products accessible to as many people as possible. That’s why we offer low prices and discounts during sales. Plus, shipping is free on orders over a certain amount.