National Bikini Day

Photo c/o compellier.com

Today is National Bikini Day, a grand celebration of that tiny piece of swimwear that generally would cover the private parts of the female anatomy.  This revealing two-piece bathing suit traces it's origin to July 5, 1946.  It was the perfect companion for those going to the beach, especially in the tropical islands and regions.  From then on it slowly made it's way to the different beaches all over the planet, and today, 71 years later, it is still making heads turn.

It was Parisian engineer Louis Reard who is credited for having named and designed the bikini in 1946.  He named it after Bikini Atoll, a speck of land in the Pacific Ocean where testing on the atomic bomb was being made.  At the beginning, it was banned from beaches and public places because it was controversial and was very revealing.  It gradually became popular, most especially when film stars like Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Ursula Andress, and many others began wearing them.  I remember almost all of the Bond girls, those who appeared in the 007 films, would be wearing bikinis in all its colors and designs.

Nowadays, there are stylish variations to this swimwear - thongs, g-strings, even men's underwear.  They are generally found not only in the beaches but also in sports events like beach volleyball.  There is even a growing sports trend in the USA called the Bikini Basketball Association.  This garment has definitely arrived.