From bloomers to bikinis, practical sportswear to sexy fashion statement,The Swimsuitpays glorious, glossy tribute to bathing wear in all its incarnations. It marries design history to stunning photography, showcasing images of vintage costumes along with illustrations gathered from diverse sources: fashion magazines, advertising, and manufacturers' archives, including that of the Portland Knitting Company (later, Jantzen) and Cole of California. Organized chronologically, the book focuses on such special topics as the bikini, beauty pageants, and brands, as well as the creations of the great couture houses of the early twentieth century and present day swimsuit-only designers. Intriguing visually and historically,The Swimsuitis not just about an item of clothing; it is about women themselves--the way they've styled themselves and their relationship to their own bodies--set against a fabulous background of social changes and trends.