The ancient Romans usually did not wear swimwear. They bathed naked. Only from the 17th century onwards did people in Europe start wearing swimwear. Swimwear has undergone enormous development since the beginning of the 20th century. From swimwear that covered everything to bikinis that barely concealed anything. In recent decades, modern materials have been used for swimming that provide little resistance in the water. Very fast times can be swum in these swimsuits.
Bathing in ancient times
In ancient times, the Romans spread the thermal culture throughout the Roman Empire, which covered a large part of modern-day Europe. Bathing was mainly done in the nude, although frescoes have been found showing the predecessor of the now famous bikini. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the baths were also over. Only the Crusaders came into contact with bathing again during their travels when they encountered Arab culture in the Near East. They brought them back to Europe. Men and women often bathed together. The women wore a garment that was tied around the neck and left the back exposed, the men wore a bathing shirt or some kind of swimming trunks. Due to plague epidemics, bathing culture declined sharply at the end of the 16th century.
Spas in the 18th century
Numerous health resorts were developed in the 18th century. People enjoyed the beneficial effects of the water. Not only healing was pursued here, but also mental well-being and physical beauty. The first wellness centers were born. This also created a certain type of swimwear for men and women. At that time it was not done to show bare skin. The swimwear from that time was more reminiscent of sleepwear. To keep their legs covered, the women wore weights on their bathing gowns. A hat and bathing stockings were also worn. A corset had to keep everything in place. There was no swimming. The ladies only went into the water up to their knees.
Swimwear as a status symbol
The better-off people soon saw all kinds of accessories with which they wanted to distinguish themselves from the ordinary people. Ruffles and gold buttons were used. Swimwear continued to develop. Increasingly larger hats were worn to maintain the distinguished white complexion. Brown skin was for the workers.
Relaxation on the beach: 19th century
In the mid-19th century, swimming on the coast was seen as a form of relaxation. The coast also became more accessible because railway lines were added. The ladies were taken into the sea by a kind of horse-drawn carriage. There should not be too many body shapes visible. The weight of their swimwear made swimming difficult. As time went on, lighter and smaller swimsuits became available. Swimwear became a bit more frivolous. Australian swimmer Anette Kelderman swam across the Channel in a one-piece swimsuit in 1910. The swimsuit subsequently became immensely popular. The trouser legs became shorter and the swimsuit closed at the top with a strap.
Headgear: the swimming cap
The ladies wore a headscarf to keep their hair in shape. Swimming caps that appeared in all kinds of colors were worn in the pool.
The beginning of the modern swimsuit
The swimsuit as we know it today was only developed in the 1920s. The knitwear industry was on the rise. This offered new possibilities for swimwear. It was machine made from jersey.
American influences
After the Second World War and due to the influence of the Americans, trends from the United States also spread to Europe. In 1949, the first bikini, named after an island in Micronesia, came to Europe. It proved to have a long life and still dominates the swimming pools and the beach.
The rise of the bikini
In the 1950s, the bikini increasingly appeared alongside the swimsuit. The swimsuit has always remained popular for swimming. From now on, the men only wore swimming trunks.
The 60’s and beyond: unlimited freedom
In the 1960s the trend was to use corsets and boning because people started to emphasize the full bust and waist. Another trend was the monokini, the bikini without a top. The sixties were clearly a time of shifting morals. Actually, just about anything was possible at that time. That trend continued into the 1970s. At that time, the bikini had high hip pants and was preferably brown or orange. The classic swimsuit got a revival in the 1990s. Bikinis and swimsuits were varyingly popular. Many ladies now had both in their closet due to increased prosperity.
The 21st century, technical suits
The new century is mainly characterized by great freedom in models and colors. There is also a clear trend to use increasingly advanced materials, especially for competition suits. Very fast times were achieved in these suits. Swimming associations intervened to bring the matter back to sporting proportions. Not the technique but the swimmer’s performance should come first. In the meantime, not much has changed in the appearance of the swimming trunks. The most characteristic distinction is between the tight swimming briefs and the wider swimming shorts.
