How has swimwear for women changed?

* 1900-1905: Women wore ankle-length bathing costumes made of wool or serge, with long sleeves and high necklines.

* 1906-1912: Swimwear styles began to loosen up a bit, with the introduction of shorter hemlines and sleeveless tops.

* 1913-1919: One-piece bathing suits became popular, as did the first two-piece bathing suits, which consisted of a pair of bloomers and a loose-fitting top.

1920s

* 1920-1925: Two-piece bathing suits became increasingly popular, as did suits made of new synthetic materials such as rayon and Lastex.

* 1926-1929: One-piece bathing suits made a comeback, but they were now shorter and more form-fitting than in the past.

1930s

* 1930-1933: Halter tops and strapless tops became popular, as did suits made of cotton and linen.

* 1934-1939: The "maillot" one-piece swimsuit was introduced, which featured a low neckline and a high-cut leg.

1940s

* 1940-1944: Wartime restrictions on fabric usage led to the development of one-piece swimsuits that were simpler in design and used less material.

* 1945-1949: After the war, swimwear styles again became more flamboyant, with the introduction of ruffles, sequins, and other embellishments.

1950s

* 1950-1953: The bikini swimsuit was introduced, and quickly became one of the most popular styles of swimwear for women.

* 1954-1959: One-piece swimsuits remained popular, as did swimsuits made of new synthetic materials such as nylon and spandex.

1960s

* 1960-1964: Swimwear styles became increasingly revealing, with the introduction of the monokini and the topless swimsuit.

* 1965-1969: One-piece swimsuits made a comeback, as did swimsuits inspired by different cultures, such as the Moroccan kaftan and the Japanese kimono.

1970s

* 1970-1974: Swimwear styles became more relaxed and casual, with the introduction of beach cover-ups and sarongs.

* 1975-1979: One-piece swimsuits remained popular, as did suits made of new, brightly colored Lycra fabric.

1980s

* 1980-1984: Swimwear styles became more athletic, with the introduction of one-piece racing suits and high-cut bikinis.

* 1985-1989: Two-piece swimsuits made a comeback, as did suits inspired by the 1950s, such as the high-waisted bikini.

1990s

* 1990-1994: Swimwear styles became more varied, with the introduction of a wide range of different cuts, colors, and prints.

* 1995-1999: One-piece swimsuits remained popular, as did two-piece suits with high-waisted bottoms and bandeau tops.

2000s

* 2000-2004: Swimwear styles continued to be varied, with the introduction of new trends such as tankinis and swimdresses.

* 2005-2009: One-piece swimsuits, especially those with interesting features like cut-outs, made a major comeback.