The fracas in France over suitable swimwear is nothing new.  It wasn't too long ago (1919) that some twenty special deputies called "sheriffettes" were selected to monitor the swimwear of the bathers at Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York.  The concern was that public morals would be corrupted by the exposure of too much flesh. The standard Victorian bathing dress was designed for full coverage of the female form, and men and women bathed in the sea separately.  Women, including Queen Victoria, were provided bathing machines, small wooden changing chambers on wheels.  The cubicles were then drawn out to sea after the women changed into suitable bathing attire. The concern was modesty – the more coverage, the more modesty.  A lot of time, thought, and effort were put into opposition to the trend that eventually resulted in today's bikini, a garment that would have offended Victorian sensibilities even if it were worn as...(Read Full Post)