Swimwear Essay

As body exposure becomes increasingly socially acceptable; does the bikini as a garment empower women? Or does it construct a negative identity of the wearer, and objectifying us in such a way that evokes negative attention, such as ‘the male gaze’? In the 1800’s women were required to wear bathing suits that had weights sewn in the hem, to prevent it from rising in the water, and to preserve the modesty of the wearer. These bathing suits were essentially a long dress made of flannel, as discretion was an important social factor at the time. Throughout history swimwear has developed to become more revealing, particularly with the daring invention of the bikini, from French designer Louis Reard in 1946. During this period of time the bikini was perceived too risqué for post-war citizens; Reard declared that a two-piece suit was not a genuine bikini "unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring.” Clearly illustrating how skimpy the design had become over such a short period of time. This subsequently became popular with the younger and audacious generation in the late 1950’s, especially when commercialised by celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress.

The female body has been a subject of wonder throughout art history, but present day the media has made a woman’s body an object for sexual gratification. For example in the image of Sports Illustrated, Kate Upton is shown wearing a skimpy bikini. By revealing almost every part of her anatomy, it completely eliminates any trace of modesty, and undermines her respect from the viewer. Her red bikini connotes sexuality and passion; and the use of direct eye contact implies that Upton is in a position of power, and is able to influence the response of men due to her sex ...

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...had been told, both implicitly and explicitly, that bikinis are not for them. These women have been encouraged to cover up their bodies. In this context, a bikini on a fat woman could be seen as empowering as she is subverting the social constructs of beauty in order to adhere to more realistic expectations. So why should a woman who takes care of her appearance be criticised for exposing a body she has worked hard for? In Naomi Wolf’s novel ‘The Beauty Myth’ she states “A culture fixated on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty, but an obsession about female obedience. Dieting is the most potent political sedative in women’s history; a quietly mad population is a tractable one.” This quote reinforces the social pressures women encounter, and implies that if you are able to achieve a thin body, you are therefore desirable and in control of oneself.