Inspired by the look of the flappers, the 1920s suits became skimpier, slimmer and would you believe sexier, and then very athletic. Up to this point in history there had always been great emphasis on the trunk of the body. Now the spotlight was on the limbs. The look of an underdeveloped torso created a coveted boyish look in an attempt to look youthful. She freed women from the binding of their bosoms, a fashion of the 1920s and in the 1930s that inspired very soft feminine liquid swimwear which really looked like loungewear no one wanted to swim in.
Men are just as interested in how their suits look.
In 1932, Johnny Weissmuller, the famous Olympic swimmer, made his debut in Tarzan, the Ape Man. Bikinis, which are referred to as low-rise briefs, and thongs, although worn, are not as popular as the many varieties of the trunks. The 1940s had bathing beauties, pin-up girls, glamour girls wearing high heels, and jewelry to accessorize their bathing attire. The most exciting was a two piece creation called the bikini. He named his creation after several tiny islands in the South Pacific, Bikini atoll.