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| In Classical antiquity women's tropical dressesswimming and bathing was most often done nude. In some settings coverings were used. Murals at Pompeii show women wearing two-piece suits women's tropical dresses covering the areas women's tropical dresses around their breasts and hips in a fashion remarkably similar to a bikini of c. 1960. After this, the notion of special water apparel seems to have been lost for centuries. From the 1960s on the bikini shrank in all directions until it sometimes covered little more than the nipples and genitalia, although less revealing models giving more support to the breasts remained popular. At the same time, Fashion designer Rudi Gernreich introduced the monokini, a topless suit for women consisting of a modest bottom supported by two thin straps. Although not a commercial success, the suit opened eyes to new design possibilities. |