From Bustles to Bikinis: The Great Beachwear Strip-Down

Stroll down Fort Lauderdale Beach today and you’ll see it all: cheeky bikini bottoms, cut-out one-pieces, speedos, sarongs—and not much left to the imagination. But rewind 100 years, and the shoreline looked more like a Victorian picnic than a modern-day hot spot.

Picture this: You’re basking in the summer sun, cold drink in hand, but instead of a breezy bikini, you’re decked out in a long wool gown, full stockings, bathing tights, and lace-up shoes. Yes, shoes. Going to the beach wasn’t about getting a tan—it was about not drowning in your outfit.

In the mid-19th century, “bathing dresses” were all the rage—heavy, modest garments made of flannel or wool that clung to the body (and not in a good way) once wet. Beneath those dresses were bloomers, tights, and layers meant more for covering up than cooling off.

As the decades rolled on, swimwear slowly loosened up. Women began sporting shorter sleeves, tighter tops, and—gasp—exposed knees. Some even wore beach corsets, which were considered “dainty and serviceable” but about as comfortable as a sunburn.

Then came the roaring 1920s and ‘30s, when knitted swimsuits hugged curves in new ways, even if they drooped like damp sweaters after a dip. Beach pajamas and breezy sets became popular for lounging, as people began to associate the ocean more with leisure than just a cautious wade.

And then, in 1946, came the game-changer: the bikini. Small enough to “fit in a sardine can,” it shocked the world—and cemented its place as the ultimate symbol of summer. From Brigitte Bardot to Fort Lauderdale spring breakers, the bikini has been embraced, reimagined, and celebrated ever since.

So the next time you see someone in a string bikini or sunbathing in barely-there swimwear, just remember: we’ve come a long way from wool and waist cinchers. The bikini revolution is alive and well—and in Fort Lauderdale, it’s on full, glorious display.

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