|
The Concept of Layers The number of layers of fabric a swimsuit is composed of is one of the central variables of the swimsuit and one of its most important erotic elements. It is related to the fabric itself, and to the thickness of the fabric, but none the less it is its own variable. Closely related, and also developed in this section, are the possibilities that result when garments are layered overtop each other, for example a vest overtop a bra, and some manifestations in swimwear as well. Layers Reductionism The reduction of the number of layers of fabric is a key factor in the development of the swimsuit from the middle of the 1800s (C1850A) until the establishment of the woolen maillot, circa 1910. More modern fabrics, introduced during the '40s, '50s and '60s, permit a swimsuit to be constructed with less foundation and lighter and thinner materials. But throughout this period it is still constructed with two layers--an exterior fabric and a lining. The culmination of this development occurs with the string bikini of the 1970s, when the number of layers is reduced to one (JR197710), with the sometimes exception of a sanitary linings in the briefs. By the 1980s single-layered Spandex tops are so thin that the outlines of erect, wet nipples are impossible to mask (FI8309), especially in see-through- when-wet fabrics (RW197610), an effect which is commonly called headlights. The Layered Bikini In the late 1980slayering emerged as a creative concept in which none of the individual swimsuit pieces offer adequate coverage in and of themselves; swimsuit combinations must be built from two or more pieces which are individually scandalous, but when layered partly over top of each other permit decency to prevail. This new layering approach is different from the past because it is a function of the combinatorial aspects of separate pieces, and not a thinning of the swimsuit. The layering theme is sparked by factors that include the exercise look, the miniskirt/tanga combination, flexible exposures, and a search for new themes in general. These layered swimsuits are difficult to classify. Many of the combinations have the silhouette of maillot, but are in fact bi-kini (and sometimes more). But unlike bikinis in general, the separate pieces are not distant from each other; they tend to be in different colors and somewhere along the line, the pieces cover each other and touch. Layered looks, especially when the different layers provide only limited coverage, remain a space of vast pattern potential, with regard to the number of layers involved, their ordering, color and pattern. Layered Silhouettes One vector toward the layered maillot begins once the asymmetrical one-shouldered maillot concedes to the urge to bare bosom. The resulting maillot halftop must be layered with a halfbra to remain decent. Another stimulus for the layered look comes from the suspender maillot, introduced by Norma Kamali in a picture for Vogue that makes fashion history (V198305). The suspender maillot is symmetrical left-right and to some extent, front back. Its straps however, do not squarely cover the breast and the nipple; their function is simply to support the brief. A loose-fitting t-shirt leaves the breasts free; bandeau tops provided more firmness. The sister of the suspender maillot is the T-front maillot, a design that is otherwise a topless maillot unless layered with a bra (JD89A0), a bandeau, or a whatever. The T-front also tends to be T-backed. Still another look contrasts with the formality of suspender, the t-front, and even the asymmetrical. This is the more casual, open-holed layered look of Lisa Bruce. Her knitted open-spaced designs appear less predictable, and one senses a tableau of cutouts, randomly rolled out and sewn in the swimsuits; and of a wearer sorting through a rack of these bright, colored creations and selecting herself a minimum covering set (CS8435, N198502). Less specific than the previous designs, the individual layers play on tanga as well as toplessness, and tempt the exhibitionists to wear only one layer or another at a time. Another approach to layering involves the tube bikini, essentially tubes of Spandex worn in colorful combinations. A narrow tube might function as a bandeau while a wide one becomes a miniskirt. Tubes invite layerings of all sorts: a tube belt on a maillot rolldown enables the bikiniite the option of a bandeau top. Tubes are a way to hide the flirtatiousness of --what better way to compromise a bare-butted swimsuit than put a Spandex miniskirt around it. And what better way to compromise a mini than put a g-string underneath. Another layering variation is the trikini--a three piece swimsuit with many possibilities: a pair of tubes and a g-string encourage one tube to be a bandeau top, the other is a miniskirt with a g-string underneath. Or perhaps an undershirt top enables a bandeau and v-kini to be covered, or to be worn sans bandeau. These designs echo the freedom-of-choice era. Ordering Symmetry It is important to realize that with layered swimsuits there is usually a choice as to the order of layering: what goes on top, what goes under. For example, is a bandeau to be work overtop a strapped maillot or underneath it? The option of these two symmetries do not have play in normal bikini or maillot; and they invite a sophistication for the bikiniite who wishes to migrate from one state to the other (RD8729A). These symmetries can also be left-right on the body, such as the over/under variations of two halfbras, e.g. the green and the yellow and which can be on top. Layers Taxonomy This is very simple: No layers: If you have no layers you are at a nude beach. One layer. Well, you have a thin bikini or maillot. Two layers: You either have a lined bikini (gauche), or a crazy layered design (cool). Three layers: Huh? Four and more layers: No no no. It is difficult to swim in icy water and the polar bears wil lbe confused. Layering and Street Clothes Layers may also extend the venue of bikini (RL9104A). Street clothes may be provocatively layered over bikinis, be they a vest and jeans (WCS9101), a bra and shorts (CB9363), an open armhole croptop layered over a bikini (FL8625-26, KP880E), or low-hung shorts which demonstrate the bikiniite is still wearing a v-kini (CB91B8) or tanga (CB9184B). Street clothes which doesn't completely cover underwear (CP8711, CP8712) is also a fad. Sometimes layering occurs with complementary exercise wear, or by wearing what might be otherwise very brief bikinis overtop exercisewear (KP88G2). Sometimes exercisewear is comboed with bikinis, like this scoop back layered over a t-back (CI880B). Layers and Changing Layered street clothes and bikinis lead to the subject of layered changings, where garments are doffed and donned in order to satisfy different degrees of exposure and venue. Examples are especially prevalent arriving (FL87SA5) and leaving the beach, and of controlling exposures for different venues, such as putting on shorts over a tanga to go to the food stand (CI8901), or trying on clothes (VB8501). Layering provides a way to change bikinis as well. A culotte can provide a portable dressing room for a change of g-strings (PB87SE), or one bikini can be put on on top of another, and then the under bikini can be removed (PB87JA). Layering is a particularly well-developed theme on Topless Beach, where it functions as a way to adjust exposures not only at arrival (SM8813-14, SM8820A) and departure (e.g., C8986), but during activities like going and coming from ones towel spot. Layering is often associated with the process of trying on bikinis, be it putting a bikini on overtop what one is already wearing (VB8418), or the doff and don antics of the French swimsuit peddlers who strip down to their g-strings, then put on their best wares (G8817), and encourage their prospects to follow suit. Layers and layering is very sophisticated stuff for the smart bikiniite. The innocent have no chance. |
|
