Every year, on July 5, National Bikini Day is celebrated. The day holds importance because it celebrates the anniversary of the invention of the two-piece bathing suit. The bikini was first designed in the year 1946 and it was first worn by film stars Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot. The world took time to accept the new kind of clothing item. National Bikini Day is the time of the year when you should celebrate by visiting the beach. It is a great time to relax, enjoy, and spend quality time with your loved ones. It is the day to flaunt your favourite bikini and pose for the camera, flaunting your style like no one else! Try making this day unique and extra memorable by delving into some fun facts about bikinis you are unaware of. Do you know how the word 'bikini' was coined? On National Bikini Day 2024, here we bring you interesting things about the swimsuit that you may not have known. Red, Blue and White Bikini Looks for 4th of July 2024 Celebrations. 

The bikini was first designed as a two-piece bathing suit. However, it was not very practical to use as it was prone to tangle with arms and legs. Later, the bikinis became more form-fitting and less fabric was used, which made the recent generation wear them on a big scale. Bikini allowed women to express themselves freely. It became a symbol of a women’s right to dress as she likes. On National Bikini Day 2024, we bring you some interesting facts about the swimsuit.

A French Automobile Engineer Introduced Bikini to the World

Yes, you read it right. It was a French automobile engineer, Louis Reard, who introduced the bikini to the world. He introduced the design into the modern Western world on July 5, 1946, when he took over his mother’s lingerie business. The idea of bikini came to his mind after he saw women on the beaches of St Tropez rolling their swimming suits to get a better tan.

The Name Bikini Came From an Island

Bikini Atoll is a part of the Marshall Island in the Pacific Ocean. The US conducted the peacetime hydrogen bomb test at the Bikini Atoll on July 1, 1946. Four days later, Louis Reard named this fascinating outfit for women a bikini.

Most Expensive Bikini Costs $30 Million

Susam Rosen designed the most expensive bikini in the world for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012. The bikini consists of over 150 carats of flawless diamonds set in Platinum. The use of diamonds and Platinum made this bikini worth $30 million.

No Fashion Model Was Ready To Wear the Bikini

No fashion model was ready to wear a bikini in front of the camera, so Louis Reard was left with the option to hire a nude dancer, Micheline Bernardini, who happily presented the bikini to the entire world. Micheline walked a poolside fashion show at the Piscine Molitor in a bikini and won the hearts of thousands. After the day, she received a total of 50,000 fan letters.

Bikini Was Banned in Some Countries

Although the two-piece bathing suit was invented as a bathing cloth, the Vatican called it “sinful.” At the same time, bikinis were banned from countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, and Australia. They were also banned from a few US states like Florida.

National Bikini Day is a celebration of a revolutionary fashion item and a cultural milestone that has evolved significantly since its inception in 1946. The journey of the bikini from a controversial garment to a symbol of freedom and self-expression reflects societal changes over the decades. Each year, on July 5, as people hit the beaches in their favourite bikinis, they not only embrace stylish and comfortable attire but also commemorate the boldness and creativity of Louis Reard. Whether shopping for new designs or flaunting classic styles, National Bikini Day is a perfect occasion to celebrate fashion, history, and the ongoing empowerment of personal choice and body positivity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2024 10:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).