Monokini

What's a Monokini

In order to visualize the original monokini, begin with a basic two-piece bikini. Subtract the top, add shoulder straps to the bottoms, and you have the original model.

In European countries, the word "monokini" almost always refers to a standard bikini bottom worn topless.

Rudi Gernreich is the designer credited with creating this very sexy and, at the time, quite shocking swimsuit. The social climate of this era was transforming from the staid 1950's to the sexual revolution of the 1960's, and Gernreich's swimsuit became a social comment on personal freedom. Although thousands of monokinis were sold that first season, very few were ever seen in public, and those were mostly worn at private/topless swimming venues.

After that first sensational season, the monokini was quickly relegated to fad status and fell out of favor.

Today's Styles

Gone, but not entirely forgotten, the monokini is still around, having inspired innovation in one-piece swimsuit designs.

In the USA, today's mono is more of a cut-out one-piece swimsuit, with top and bottom pieces barely connected by thin straps, laces, mesh, metal accessories or any combination of these devices. The result is wonderfully sexy swimwear that still remains racy, but covers all the strategic points of a woman's body.

Practicality

Ruffled monokini

There is a bit of disagreement over the practicality of monokinis.

Yes, they do expose quite a bit of flesh, but can you really sunbathe in them? Some of the more ornate designs feature so many strings and laces that your tan lines may wind up looking more like a road map.

What about support? Can monokinis really stay in place on anything but the slightest frames? Fuller figures, including plus sizes, require a bit of strategic support to keep everything in place, but the typical mono isn't designed to provide more than a patch of fabric as coverage. What happens as your body twists and stretches as you swim?

One solution to both concerns is to choose one of the less complicated monokini designs. The mono pictured being worn by swimsuit designer/model Jennifer Nicole Lee is an example of a simple, functional design. Yes, it's still incredibly sexy and revealing. However, the suit follows the natural lines of a woman's curves, and the top is not so skimpy that it can't hug the bosom enough to stay in place.

Mono designs like this are your best bet if you want to wear one of these suits for more than just its visual appeal.

It's Your Choice

The mono may have once been considered a flash in the pan, but it has influenced subsequent generations of swimwear designs. You can choose one of the more elaborate, visually stunning swimsuits, or an equally attractive, simple mono that gives you greater freedom of movement. Perhaps a mono isn't your style at all?

In the end, it's your choice. The one thing you should do is choose a swimsuit that you feel comfortable wearing. Style is always a matter of personal choice.

View and Buy

Golden monokini

Monokinis are a bit hard to find at conventional swimsuit outlets, but you can always go the European route and just wear a bikini bottom, as long as the swimming venue allows partial nudity.

View popular styles for purchase at the following websites:

• InStyleSwimwear.com, a source for great monos and other swimwear.
• Fiu Fiu is Jennifer Nicole Lee's swimwear line.
• YumDrop covers the spectrum of skimpy to modest monokinis.