What has made the tankini successful? Tankinis offer the coverage of a one-piece, but because it is made of two pieces, it enables the wearer to use the bathroom without getting completely undressed. The original tankini comprised bikini bottoms and a tank top upper. But these days many combinations are possible. Women are combining tanks, strapless or halter tops with sarongs, beach coverups or shorts. This flexibility gives women the possibility, for example, to dress for the beach and then put on a skirt and go to a dinner without changing her clothes. The other plus with tankinis is that the two pieces can be purchased separately. So, if a woman wants to change her style she has the possibility to mix and match her wardrobe with other items to create an entirely new outfit.

But naturally we experienced an important development fifty years before the tankini. In 1946 the bikini was introduced in France and there was little change in the swimwear industry since then. At the end of the 90’s the tankini was introduced. This step, while just as innovative as the popular bikini has not received the press that the bikini received. In spite of this, it is now widely acknowledged that the tankini is the biggest breakthrough in women’s swimwear since the bikini. It is estimated that nearly one third of the market for the female swim fashion industry are for the tankini. Still some women are still not familiar with the tankini. What is different about the tankini? Similar to the bikini a tankini is a swim suit with two-pieces. But unlike the bikini which has the goal to reveal a great deal of skin, tankinis are more about modesty. Although some associate the tankini with plus size females tankinis are being worn by all kinds of women because it offers convenience that other styles of swimsuits can not offer. For this reason tankinis can be excellent gifts for women.