Summer beckons, and with it, the perennial quest for swimwear that flatters without fuss. At The Lingerie Museum, we see this as more than a shopping dilemma - it's a chapter in the long history of body-shaping garments. From the whalebone corsets of the 19th century to the elasticized girdles of the 1950s, designers have always sought to sculpt silhouettes. Today's tummy-control swimsuits are the latest iteration, blending modern textile engineering with a legacy of discreet support.
Consider the clever ruching and strategic panels in today's one-pieces: they echo the structured foundations of early 20th-century lingerie, but with a lighter touch. Brands like Blooming Jelly (founded in 2016, a relative newcomer in the swimwear world) offer boho-inspired styles with tassel detailing, while Suuksess (a Chinese label specializing in shapewear) brings high-end ribbed fabrics and halter necklines. Even the classic tankini, introduced in the 1990s as a modest alternative, now features high-waisted bottoms that recall the retro two-pieces of the 1940s.
What unites these 19 picks - all under $50 - is their nod to history: the gold O-ring on a one-piece winks at Art Deco jewelry; the swim dress channels 1920s beach pajamas; the crochet bikini revives 1970s bohemia. Whether you prefer a plunge ruffled suit or a leopard-print skirted bikini, you're participating in a centuries-old dialogue between fashion and form. Because confidence, like a well-constructed garment, is always in style.
Originally reported by US Magazine