#SunAndFun | Jen's Perspective Blog

Since July 5, 1946, women have been hitting the beaches and poolsides in bikinis. National Bikini Day marks the anniversary of the invention of the revealing two-piece bathing suit.

Named after the Bikini Atoll, where the United States conducted atomic tests, the two-piece bathing suit made its debut in Paris. French designer Louis Réard wanted to name revealing bits of fabric “atom.”

By World War II, sunbathers cast aside the chaste one-piece bathing costumes for modest two-piece bathing suits. However, nothing prepared the United States for the revealing bikini when it hit the beaches on July 5, 1946. The skimpy strips of fabric were seen as less than a women’s unmentionables. While Europe enthusiastically donned the bikini after a long and arduous world war, American’s sense of decency kept them from accepting the bikini until the 1960s.

Itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini — It’s an Itsy Bitsy Teensy Weenie Yellow Polka Dat Bikini

Today, the bikini comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and fabrics. Designers expanded the style to flatter more body shapes, enticing more women to wear the fashion. Throughout the summer, the beaches and pools call for swimwear. If you’re considering the bikini, perhaps the celebration is the day to pick one that fits your style.

NATIONAL BIKINI DAY HISTORY

While we were unable to identify the founder of National Bikini Day, we did determine the date for the day commemorates the anniversary of the bikini bathing suit. Louis Réard, designer, presented the smallest bathing suit the world had seen calling it the bikini. The designer hoped his fashion statement would be explosive, much like the atomic tests on the Bikini Atoll. Réard sparked a firestorm of controversy with his itty bitty bikini, too. Many countries banned the two-piece bathing suit for several decades.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBikiniDay

Wear your bikini or go shopping for a new one. Go to the local pool or beach for a swim. While you’re sunbathing, learn about the changing fashions of swimwear through the ages. Share your favorite styles and looks using #NationalBikiniDay on social media.

Traleubie Women's Beach Cover Up Floral Print Chiffon Swimwe — Traleubie Women’s Beach Cover Up Floral Print Chiffon Swimwe

CUPSHE Women's Bikini Sets Two Piece Swimsuit High Waisted V Neck Twist Front Adjustable Spaghetti Straps Bathing Suit — Traleubie Women’s Beach Cover Up Floral Print Chiffon Swimwe

The Saturday after the Summer Solstice, gather your friends and family to celebrate Summersgiving! This day is designed to combine all the fun of summer with America’s favorite Thanksgiving food. It’s a celebration of life, rooted in gratitude, to be shared with the friends and food that make life fun.

Everyone has a favorite holiday food or tradition, and Summersgiving provides the opportunity to bring them all together under the sun and stars for one big celebration. Make a feast and share the dishes that mean celebration with a broader crowd of friends and family. Let the joy and fun memories grow year after year!

SUMMERSGIVING HISTORY

Around the year 2009, Robert Solomon created a Thanksgiving BBQ with his best friends to celebrate summer and all the food he thought he could only have at Thanksgiving. He loves turkey and all the rich side dishes that come with it. They drank cranberry martinis into the night, and Summersgiving was born from a love of great food, great drinks, and great friends.

HOW TO OBSERVE #Summersgiving

Grab the turkey (what Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without one) and serve it with all your favorite holiday foods and eat them in celebration of the day. Or, reinvent the holiday classics and share your Summersgiving favorites on social media with #Summersgiving. Be sure to invite all your friends and family and tell everyone it’s time to party Summersgiving style.