Nike Swimwear is Not a Clean Break from Early Swimsuits

We humans have naturally inquisitive creatures. Have you ever wondered who created the first soda, sent the first e-mail, or built the first microwave oven? Indeed, “knowledge is king.” Learning the history of various types of products that we use, or intend to use can be beneficial. It provides us with a better appreciation for, and understanding of, the past and present development of a particular variety of product -such as Nike swimwear. It will also give us insight about which particular item we should consider buying.

Swimwear Was Not Greek To the Greeks

Today, we can find a variety of swimsuits, such as Nike swimwear, on the market. However, an activity that may seem unrelated to Nike swimwear has had a tremendous impact on the evolution of swimwear. Swimsuits were born in ancient Greece. During that era, attractive and wealthy women commonly enjoyed the services that public baths offered.

Hundreds of years later, during the Roman Empire’s peak, public bathing became enormously more prevalent and trendy. In one classical villa in Sicily, a mosaic wall reveals how ancient Roman swimwear appeared. On the wall are pictures showing youthful Roman females adorned in provocative swimwear that actually resembles today’s bikini!

After the Roman Empire collapsed, swimsuits became less suggestive. Also, for several centuries, public bathing became less fashionable. This resulted in a downturn in swimwear usage.

The Rebirth and Death of a Trend

Then in the early 1700s, public bathing suddenly became trendy again. Adorned in swimwear that resembled the togas of ancient Romans, both males and females began making trips to natural springs. However, the popularity of these swimsuits that resembled ancient Roman’s swimwear quickly died.

In fact, European women began wearing outfits, which included hats, dresses of wool, stockings and shoes, to the beach, Wool was the preferred fabric as it did not become very transparent when wet. Ironically, this ultra-conservative swimwear would eventually influence the materials used for Nike swimwear.

Wild about Wool

In the United States, public bathing once again became trendy, again influencing swimsuits, and ultimately, today’s Nike swimwear. The bulky swimsuits of wool that European women had worn impacted the swimsuits of the early 20th century. Swimsuits became snugger, yet remained modest. It included a top that resembled a leotard (tight fitting clothing without legs), a hat, shorts, and special bathing socks. Also, in the first appearance since the ancient Romans’ swimwear, the swimwear bore arms and knees. While this initially seems like a minor alteration, it has had a tremendous impact on today’s swimsuits, such as Nike swimwear.

We must know our history before we know our future. Likewise, having an awareness of the history of a type of product, can allow us to better appreciate today’s versions, such as Nike swimwear.