the history of bikinis and more about Brazilian bikinis (part 2)

In the 1970s the brazilian bikinis were increasingly featured in sophisticated glamour photography as fashion designers and photographers alike began to include it in their word. Girls in bikinis were seen promoting fast cars and motorbikes. Further diminishing in size in the mid-1970s, it encountered a feminist backlash. "micro bikini" appeared and one psychologist is reported to have said that it was a way of disguising the shyness of those women who lacked confidence in everything but their physical attributes.

An example of such style was the string bikini, which consisted of two minuscule triangles of fabric, held together by ties at either hip, whilst the top was attached by ties around the neck and back.

In the 1980s saw the introduction of the G string bikini, contrasted by the 'power' swimsuits. Holiday-makers flocked to popular holiday resorts in warm climates, and sun-worshippers wore topless brazilian bikinis. The increasing brevity of the bikinis was demostrated by the thong, the 'bikinis' and the loop. Another style was the high waisted bathing suits, which consisted of two pieces, a bloused effect which came below the natural waistline, the top having a built-in bra. This style was originally fashionable during the 1960s but was revived during the 1980s, Briefers, worn by men and boys, were very short trunks, similar to and inspired by brazilian bikinis pants, and were made from elastic or knitted fabrics. The improvised scarf suit was developed in response to badly-designed swimsuits. Women tied scarves around their bosoms for tops, and wore cut-off jeans for bottoms, creating individual outfits.

The brazilian bikinis of the 1990s are sleek and sexy, baring bottoms with styles like the tanga brazilian bikinis, a design revolution popularized by supermodels such as Naomi Campbell. Designer bikinis have been shown by Gianni Versace, Katharine Hamnett and Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood has also confirmed that less can mean more; Karl Lagerfeld designed a sensational micro-bikini for the House of Chanel in 1995.