bikini

The bikini is an iconic two-piece swimsuit that entered fashion history in 1946. It takes its name from Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, a site of atomic testing, and that bold context helped make its launch feel more shocking than it might otherwise have been. Designed to be more revealing than earlier swimwear, it was initially controversial, then quickly became a symbol of summer life, beach culture, and personal freedom. You’ll see it everywhere from sunny beaches to poolside parties, with countless styles, colors, and patterns.

Think of Marilyn Monroe playfully posing in one, or Gisele Bündchen strutting on a runway—it's more than swimwear now; it’s a cultural icon.

A bikini is a two-piece swimsuit designed for women, usually with a fitted top and matching bottoms that leave the midriff exposed to varying degrees. It is now common from beaches to magazines, but its origins are tied to post-war fashion change.

The name was chosen by French designer Louis Réard in 1946 and linked to Bikini Atoll, where nuclear tests had just made headlines. The term was meant to signal a bold, attention-grabbing style shift. At the time, women’s swimwear was generally more covering, so this new design was seen as scandalous by many conservative audiences. As swimwear became more relaxed and beach culture shifted in the 1960s, the garment spread rapidly and came to symbolize social freedom.

Modern bikinis appear in an impressive range of styles—triangle tops, bandeau tops, high-waisted bottoms, and thongs, among others. They’re made from materials like nylon, spandex, or polyester, often with prints, trims, or bright colors.

You also hear the word in compounds such as bikini top and bikini wax, but the core meaning remains the same two-piece swimwear associated with sun, sand, and summer.