Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
Fri Jul 5, 2013, 04:17 AM Jul 2013

July 5 1946 – The bikini went on sale after debuting during an outdoor fashion show in Paris, France

A bikini is a women's two-piece swimsuit designed to provide minimal coverage of the body. One part of the attire covers the breasts and the other part covers the groin and part of or the entire buttocks, leaving an uncovered area between the two.

Merriam–Webster describe the bikini as "a woman's two-piece bathing suit" or "a man's brief swimsuit."[1] It is often worn in hot weather, while swimming or sunbathing. The shapes of both parts of a bikini resemble women's underwear, and the lower part can range from revealing thong or g-string to briefs.

In 1946, the term bikini was coined by Louis Réard,[2] who named the swimsuit after Bikini Atoll,[3][4] where testing on the atomic bomb took place.[5] Reard chose the name bikini because he believed the suit's revealing style would create a stir among people similar to their shock and surprise in response to America’s atomic bombing of Japan the previous summer.[6][7][8][9]

The bikini is perhaps the most popular type of female beachwear around the globe, according to French fashion historian Olivier Saillard due to "the power of women, and not the power of fashion". As he explains, "The emancipation of swimwear has always been linked to the emancipation of women."[2] By the mid-2000s, bikinis had become a $811 million business annually, according to the NPD Group, a consumer and retail information company.[10] The bikini has boosted spin-off services like bikini waxing and the suntanning industries.[11]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
July 5 1946 – The bikini went on sale after debuting during an outdoor fashion show in Paris, France (Original Post) Sherman A1 Jul 2013 OP
(la-la) Freedom's just another word for... nothin' left to lose. (la-la) MiddleFingerMom Jul 2013 #1
I started wearing a two piece bathing suit when I was 12. In_The_Wind Jul 2013 #2

MiddleFingerMom

(25,163 posts)
1. (la-la) Freedom's just another word for... nothin' left to lose. (la-la)
Fri Jul 5, 2013, 05:30 AM
Jul 2013

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»July 5 1946 – The bikini ...