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Emergence of Silhouette Once the single-shoulder asymmetrical maillot concedes to the urge to bare bosom, a maillot halftop, also called a single-barebreasted maillot, is born. The exposed breast can be on the right or the left (JD89E). Because of the shoulder strap and one covered breast the silhouette is still maillotesque, and not really the culotte half of a deux-pièces. It is related to topless if only because it involves the exposure of one breast. In order to make it complete, one only need add a halfbra, one-half of a soutien gouge. These designs may be classified maillot in the sense that they do not really consist of a soutien-gorge and culotte, yet they are bikini in that they do consist of two pieces. If the two pieces are sewn together, one may wish to classify this as a maillot cutout--a one-piece in two colors, with a slice missing. In any respect, it is asymmetrical (RD8725). Layering Variations In both of this design (and the T-front, in which the wearer would otherwise bare both breasts and be otherwise topless except for a bandeau or a bra), the wearer requires a layered combination in order to achieve "decent" coverage: maillot missing one breast plus a half-halter to make up the difference (JD89E). This design has two lateral symmetries, left and right, and two layering ones, as to whether the halfbra is over or under the halftop. This makes it very rich. Media Evolution Maillot halftop and halfbra are introduced in Cosmo (CS8410). Cindy Crawford demonstrates the halftop without the halfbra in Playboy, part of cracking the supermodel topless barrier (CC8820). But two years later, when the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue demonstrates the look, Elle Macpherson, also known to pose topless, is shown with her forearm covering (EM9010), reflecting the more conservative "family" media. Media Evolution Unusual silhouettes also emerge in the new century, such as this asymmetrical maillot halftop with a half-halter (RUA843). |
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