Carol Wior Slimsuit
Swimwear has a history peppered with outlandish mistakes. It's hard to find an area of fashion where the costume design has been so absolutely unsuited to the purpose intended.
In antiquity they had the right idea. Bathing was segregated and nude; akin to a group bath. There was a brief dip into swimwear: a wall mosaic from the 4th Century shows girls dressed in "bikinis". The look didn't last.
In the dark and middle ages nobody bathed at all. There are certainly no records of any special swimming costumes worn for bathing, and in Europe, "bath houses" went out with the Romans.
Swimming reappeared as a sport in the 19th Century. Men wore long, fitted woolen one piece suits, looking a bit like long underwear and no doubt itchy, but reasonably practical to swim in. This look lasted a century, getting shorter and a bit more colourful by the 1920s.
The girls finally got into the water for fun in Victorian times. This was an age when modesty and decorum took precedence over practicality. Ladies wore cumbersome and dangerously heavy bathing gowns, the strict morality of the time ensuring flesh was covered, curves were obscured and the thick, black, woolen garment was not see-though when wet. Lead weights in the hem of the gown stopped the dress floating up in the water.
Recreational swimming gained popularity when the railroads started transporting families to the coast. "Bathing machines" meant girls and women could change and submerge in the sea without the titillating exposure of nude skin. The dress evolved into a two piece suit; a long sleeved gown to the knees, plus long pantaloons.
The wonderful Annette Kellerman shocked the world in Boston in 1907 by swimming in a revolutionary jersey sleeveless tank-suit, revealing her arms and legs. She was arrested for indecency.
However, she promoted the new style of swimwear for women and "Annette Kellermans" were the first modern girls' swimsuits. In 1926 Gerturde Ederle swum the English Chanel and girls now "swam" rather than "bathed".
These early women's costumes were fairly androgynous, albeit practical. In the 1930s came the feminisation of the swimsuit. Costumes got impractical again when Hollywood introduced bathing beauties into films; Esther Williams wore figure hugging costumes, the new stretch fabrics may have helped movement but the sequins and mermaid tail must have been tricky.
In the 1940s corsets made a comeback and women were strapped, boned and cupped into desirable shapes. New fabrics such as stretch Lastex and elastic nylon combined with cotton to enhance curves. Zips pulled it all together.
Revolution came again in 1946 with Heim and Reard's bikinis: "smaller than the smallest bathing suit in the world," although these guys would be shocked at just how much smaller the bikini could get.
For the next half a century the only style change in swimwear was the concept that less is more. Lycra came with the 60s and the stretch meant small scraps of fabric could stay up, more or less. The 1960 hit by Bryan Hyland "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" says it all.
Swimwear styles in the past had been silly, some putting their wearers at risk of drowning. But nothing did so much long term health damage as the look that came next: the thong. Two decades of sun worship and ultra tanning and near naked bodies soaking up cancer on the beach.
Surfers took over next and the thongs (thankfully) were covered with board shorts for both the guys and girls. Cancer clinics world wide are grateful for the fashionable rash shirt; a big step in putting melanoma out of fashion.
Carol Wior deserves a mention as the Slimsuit inventor (all hail!) and cozzies for competitive swimmers have made massive advances over the last decade with performance fabrics helping slash race times in the pool.
My prediction for the next decade is that swimming costumes will find a happy balance. They will use fabulous fabrics for stretch and performance, that hold muscle and enhance swimming ability, prevent sun damage and in styles that will be both flattering and practical.
Unfortunately, this happy state wont last. Another mad combination of social morality and fashion will produce something as impractical and ridiculous as the designs we've seen in the past.
So watch out for the perfect swimsuit, coming soon. And stockpile, to see you past the ridiculous designs that follow.
About the Author:
Cristina Sanders is managing director of swimwear brand Lion in the Sun. Now based in her native New Zealand after 20 years in the UK, Cristina has run the manufacturing, wholesale and retail side of her business for the last 10 years, gaining extensive knowledge of the swimwear industry on both sides of the world and acquiring experience in the dynamic world of small business ownership. Cristina lives and works in sunny Hawkes Bay in New Zealand, spending as many hours as possible on a beach researching and testing her swimwear. Her argument is that if you want to make brilliant swimwear, you need to see it in action, swimwear that looks good in a catalogue also has to fit, last and look good on the beach to keep the customers coming back for more. http://www.lioninthesun.com/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Swimming Costumes; A History of Ridiculous Design
Carol Wior
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NEW Carol Wior 1 pc SLIMSUIT Halter SWIMSUIT Womens 18W
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NEW Carol Wior 1 pc SLIMSUIT Halter SWIMSUIT Womens 16W
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Carol Wior Shape Detector Classic Shirred Tummy Thinner Tank Swimsuit
$105.00 Color: Black/white -t is Customary to Size up one size from your normal pant size when purchasing a swimsuit but check out size chart to be sure*********************************************PLEASE SEE LINK BELOW TO OUR POLICIES BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE - THANK YOU.... |
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Carol Wior Shape Detector Shirred Front Swimsuit
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Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Carol Wior Twist Front Swim Dress - Sizes Style #72091 - JUST ARRIVED
$114 Twist Front Swimdress from Carol Wior Collection. Swimdress provides excellent coverage with style. Bodice has twisted front with sweetheart neckline and shirring along sides. The twist front enhances the bust line while the floating underwire and soft molded cups provide bust support for a natural look. The princess seams in the front and back of this garment allow it to gracefully fall away from the body without using tons of fabric. The straps can be worn straight or crossed for extra support. The patented Carol Wior lining provides a smooth and slimming fit. FEATURES Made in the USA Floating Underwire Tummy Tamer Waist Minimizer Soft Cups with Soft Floating Underwire Bust Enhancer Straps can be Criss Crossed for Extra Support Full Bust Support Sizes: 16W, 18W, 20W, 22W, 24W COLOR: BLACK, TURQCare Instructions After each use, rinse your swimsuit in cool or lukewarm water to remove residue from salt water or chlorine. To clean, hand wash in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent (like Woolite). Do not machine wash (even on delicate cycle), use bleach or other hard detergents. To dry, hand wring gently and hang outside in shade, or lay flat on towel. Do not use in dryer or line dry in direct sun. |
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50% OFF - Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Carol Wior One Piece Underwire Bandeau - Style#90362W - Sizes 18W-22W - NO RETURNS
$114 This plus size one piece bandeau from Carol Wior is a striking addition to the AlwaysForMe 2009 Plus Size Collection. The black and white print, which almost appears as two dolphins facing nose to nose, helps to provide a slimming appearance and an hour glass figure. The halter neck strap is removable for comfort and optimal tanning exposure. The leg is cut moderately for appropriate coverage on the plus size woman. The patented Carol Wior lining provides a smooth and slimming fit with superior bust support.FEATURES: Removable strap Soft padded cups Padded, floating underwire Bust enhancer Full bust support Waist minimizer Tummy tamer COLOR: Black/WhiteSIZES: 16W, 18W, 20W, 22W, 24W, 26WFABRIC CONTENT: 82% Nylon 18% SpandexCARE INSTRUCTIONS: After each use, rinse your swimsuit in cool or lukewarm water to remove residue from salt water or chlorine. To clean, hand wash in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent (like Woolite). Do not machine wash (even on delicate cycle), use bleach or other hard detergents. To dry, hand wring gently and hang outside in shade, or lay flat on towel. Do not use in dryer or line dry in direct sun. SALE PRICE DOES NOT APPLY TO PURCHASES MADE PRIOR TO 1/12/10 SIZES 16W, 20W, 24W ARE OUT OF STOCK |
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30% OFF - Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Carol Wior One Piece w/ Underwire - Sizes 16W-24W - Style #81470W
$106 Carol Wior presents another gorgeous and sophisticated suit. This one piece bathing suit will have heads turning when you pass by! The suit is solid black with gentle shirring on the sides of the front overlapping panel that defines and slims the waist. The contrasting white trim detail and bow adds flair to this classic style. This plus size swim suit is fully lined for complete control. The bra like bust support features a floating underwire with softly padded cups and additional side mesh material to fully cup your bust for total support. The straps have three adjustable positions in the back and can be worn criss cross or tank style.The v-neck design elongates your face while the black and white slims your overall look and enhances the bustline.FEATURES: Floating Underwire Soft Padded Cups Adjustable Straps Bust Enhancer Waist Minimizer Tummy Tamer Deep V-Neck Color: Black/WhiteSizes: 16W, 18W, 20W, 22W, 24W Care Instructions After each use, rinse your swimsuit in cool or lukewarm water to remove residue from salt water or chlorine. To clean, hand wash in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent (like Woolite). Do not machine wash (even on delicate cycle), use bleach or other hard detergents. To dry, hand wring gently and hang outside in shade, or lay flat on towel. Do not use in dryer or line dry in direct sun. *SALE Price does not apply to any purchase prior to 10/01/09SIZE 24W IS OUT OF STOCK |
