Monokinis: They’re Not What You Think
Posted on | August 8, 2011 | No Comments
Contrary to popular belief, the monokini is actually more conservative now than when it first came out. It was created during the 60s, a testament to the decade’s extreme fashion sense. It was made by Rudi Gernreich, an avant-garde fashion designer who was also a self- declared nudist. The monokini created such a controversy when it came out because of its extreme celebration of the female body; it also came into public view during a turning point in American history, where mild-mannered unadventurous fashions are evolving into the volatile, tempestuous styles of the 60s.
The monokini swimsuits are similar to a one-piece bikini. The major difference is that the monokini can reach as high as the waist, and ends there. It has two thin straps to keep the monokini up, and leaves the breasts bare. It was considered to be a futuristic design, and was even featured in Look magazine as such.
The first time the monokini came out, sales were over the roof. People were buying them out of their shelves because of its sheer novelty. However, because of its risqué design, few people were seen wearing it in public. Fashion critics, church and government officials were vehement in their denunciation of the swimsuit, and over all very scandalous. Although it was called a swimsuit, the monokini was obviously not meant for swimming; it was considered more of a fashion statement, and a lot of people at that time even considered it as a joke.
Although derided during his time, Gernreich’s vision of the monokini swimsuit has helped usher in a new era in swimsuit fashions where other designers started experimenting with design and form. Nowadays, although popularly mistaken for the one-piece bathing suit, true monokinis are still available in the swimwear market although not easily found; the more prevalent versions are those that give full coverage, but boast of interesting cut-outs in their design.