<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fftmlondon.org%2Fftm-exhibitions%2Friviera-style-resort-swimwear-since-1900%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"><em>Riviera Style: Resort & Swimwear since 1900</em></a>, a new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, explores the evolution of beachwear.
1970 —
Riviera Style: Resort & Swimwear since 1900, a new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, explores the evolution of beachwear.
Courtesy Leicestershire County Council
The exhibition features archival pieces, as well as vintage prints and posters promoting fashion and travel.
1960 —
The exhibition features archival pieces, as well as vintage prints and posters promoting fashion and travel.
Courtesy Leicestershire County Council
Seen together, the pieces chart the changes in design, textiles, and societal norms.
1920 —
Seen together, the pieces chart the changes in design, textiles, and societal norms.
Courtesy Leicestershire County Council
"The story of innovation really relates to finding materials that respond to the requirements: fitting and getting wet," says Fashion and Textile Museum curator Dennis Nothdruft.
1953 —
"The story of innovation really relates to finding materials that respond to the requirements: fitting and getting wet," says Fashion and Textile Museum curator Dennis Nothdruft.
"The story really starts with the shift from bathing in Victorian times to swimming," Nothdruft says. "There was this movement toward more activity, and particularly women being able to be more active."
1912 —
"The story really starts with the shift from bathing in Victorian times to swimming," Nothdruft says. "There was this movement toward more activity, and particularly women being able to be more active."
Chapman/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Though the social norms of the Victorian era were loosening, women were still expected to dress fairly modestly for the sea.
1915 —
Though the social norms of the Victorian era were loosening, women were still expected to dress fairly modestly for the sea.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In the 1920s, swimsuits became more revealing as tans came into fashion, thanks to trendsetters like Coco Chanel.
1923 —
In the 1920s, swimsuits became more revealing as tans came into fashion, thanks to trendsetters like Coco Chanel.
Paul Thompson/FPG/Getty Images
It was in the 1930's that contemporary swimwear design came to be, thanks to the advent of elasticated threads that made a close fit more achievable.
Joan Crawford, 1933 —
It was in the 1930's that contemporary swimwear design came to be, thanks to the advent of elasticated threads that made a close fit more achievable.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
"The problem with swimwear early was that it didn't stretch, or it didn't fit very well," Nothdruft said.
Rita Hayworth, 1946 —
"The problem with swimwear early was that it didn't stretch, or it didn't fit very well," Nothdruft said.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Two-pieces from the 1950's were built to enhance -- or create -- the hourglass silhouette that was coveted at the time.
Marilyn Monroe, 1953 —
Two-pieces from the 1950's were built to enhance -- or create -- the hourglass silhouette that was coveted at the time.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
"You start getting a lot of structured swimsuits built like corsets," Nothdruft says. "They have bra tops, and there's control and structure material inside them for shaping."
1955 —
"You start getting a lot of structured swimsuits built like corsets," Nothdruft says. "They have bra tops, and there's control and structure material inside them for shaping."
Orville Snider/Frederic Lewis/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The tiny bikinis as we know it came into fashion during the Sixties, as young women rejected the constricting fashions their mother's embraced.
Jane Birkin, 1969 —
The tiny bikinis as we know it came into fashion during the Sixties, as young women rejected the constricting fashions their mother's embraced.
Victor Blackman/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Swimsuits continued to shrink well into the 1990's, adding new emphasis on physical fitness.
1970 —
Swimsuits continued to shrink well into the 1990's, adding new emphasis on physical fitness.
Archive Photos/Getty Images