Back
in the 1930s, bikinis became the norm in women swimwear because the
government began rationing fabric – especially fabric used for
bathing suits. Instead of the standard one-piece, the smaller two-piece
swimming suit covered the essential parts without being wasteful. Since
its inception, the bikini has become a symbol of fashion as well as
sport.
Standard bikinis consist of two pieces – a top and bottom –
and there are many variations, including:
• Tankinis
• Microkinis
• String bikini
• Sports bikini
Microkinis are extremely skimpy with very little practical use –
but they are very popular with swimsuit models. A string bikini connects
the front and back of the bottom part with strings that usually tie
together and tankinis have a tank top to accommodate the bottoms which
can be worn under water.