The tankini is a bathing suit combining a tank top, mostly made of spandex-and-cotton or Lycra-and-nylon, and a bikini bottom introduced in the late 1990s.[1][2][3] This type of swimwear is considered by some to provide the coverage of a one-piece suit with the convenience of a two-piece suit, as the entire suit need not be removed in order to use a toilet. Tankinis come in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes, and some include features such as integrated push-up bras.[4] It is particularly popular as children's beachwear,[5] and is considered an athletic outfit fit for a triathlon.[6] According to Katherine Betts, Vogue's fashion-news director, this amphibious sportswear for sand or sea lets users go rafting, play volleyball, and swim without worrying about losing their tops.[2]
A tank top consists of a sleeveless shirt with low neck and adjustable shoulder straps that vary in width and style. It is named after tank suits, the one-piece bathing costumes of the 1920s that were worn in 'tanks' or swimming pools. The upper garment is worn either by men or women, having a greater variety of models available for women. In men it is usually used as underwear.[7]
- ^ Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, "Tankini", Oxford University Press, 2005
- ^ a b Alisha Davis, "It Rhymes With Bikini Archived 2008-12-24 at the Wayback Machine", Newsweek, 1998-05-04
- ^ Becky Homan, "Tankini goes over the top", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1999-04-03
- ^ Australia, Curvy Swimwear (July 2021). "What is a Tankini?". Curvy Swimwear Australia. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ^ Samantha Critchell, "Tankinis and rash guards rock with comfort, protection for kids", The Seattle Times, 2008-06-04
- ^ Zoe McDonald & Lisa Buckingham, Triathlon Made Easy, page 52, Collins & Brown, 2008, ISBN 1-84340-433-8
- ^ "Tank Top." Thefreedictionary.com. The Free Dictionary, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tank+top>.