The History of the Bikini

Layers of petticoats were eventually transformed into a single piece costume which no longer hid the contours of the female body
Rue des Archives / Collection Bourgeron

Loud and Proud
Layers of petticoats eventually gave way to a single-piece costume that no longer hid the contours of the female body. The precursor to the modern bikini emerged in 1907, when Australian swimmer and performer Annette Kellerman (not pictured here) was arrested on a Boston beach for wearing a formfitting one-piece.

share

Get the Latest Photos from Time.com
Get TIME photos and pictures of the week delivered directly to your inbox.