What is a monokini swimsuit?

We’re all familiar with bikinis and one-piece swimsuits. But what about their more slightly confusing and currently trending counterpart? You might have heard about this third – in-between – style of swimsuit; the monokini. 

And like any other fashion item, designers are always at work improvising on the piece and making their monokini mark. Over the years, few swimsuit styles have seen such innovation or drastic leaps in design. So, if you’re scratching your head over what exactly this ‘neither here nor there’ swimwear really is – that’s understandable. 

We’re here to investigate the mystery of the monokini and pull back the veil – enjoy!

What exactly is a monokini?

The monokini is where fashion meets swimwear. Pushing boundaries from the get-go (we’ll get to that later,) this intriguing piece is generally considered the more ‘daring’ swimwear choice. 

But that hasn’t stopped it on its way to becoming one of the most popular swimsuit choices today. It could even be said that the monokini is Instagram-worthy, with it becoming a regular as-you-scroll sight. 

But to cut to the chase: the monokini is a one-piece bikini with cut-outs. Or, if you prefer, a bikini with attachments. In other words, it’s the middle ground between the one-piece swimsuit and bikini. 

The most common monokini is similar to a two-piece swimsuit connected by a strip of fabric at the belly. It offers a bareback like a bikini, but from the front, it has all the trappings of a one-piece style.

Other names the monokini goes by:

• The trikini.
• One piece with side cut-outs.

And really, the list goes on … Due to being relatively hard to define and with ever-changing borders of design, it can be hard to know when a monokini stops and starts. So, if ever you can’t decide if a swimsuit is a monokini or not, here’s a quick guide…

What does a monokini look like?

First things first, let’s get an image in mind of what the monokini looks like. We’ve covered the basic outline above, but here’s what really sets the monokini apart: a skimpier style with a V-cut bottom. So, while some one-piece swimsuits will have cut-outs and not be considered monokinis, if they also have a high-rise v-cut bottom – you can bet that’s a monokini!

But where did the swimwear style (and the confusion) begin?

History of the monokini

The year was 1964. The setting: Los Angeles. Rudi Gernreich is about to make history. As a pioneer of avant-garde clothing, this Austrian native is prone to thinking outside the fashion box. 

Fortunately for the world of swimwear, he set his sights on revolutionizing the scene, curating style after futuristic style during an era that celebrated innovation as much as it did uniqueness.  

But among a neverending stream of fashion excellence – one piece rose above the rest, capturing the attention of the fashion industry and the public at large – the monokini. 

But it wasn’t the monokini as we know it today. The first edition was completely free of any breast-covering material, with Gernreich himself saying, “it’s as if I invented nudity.”

Given the era’s attitude to modesty, the monokini predictably sparked uproar across the US. And with that, Gernreich had succeeded in bringing attention to what he viewed as an unfair society-wide subjugation of the female form. In defense of his design, he would later say, “Baring the breasts seemed logical in a period of freer attitudes, freer minds, the emancipation of women.

In its birth year, there are only two known incidences of the monokini being worn in public, with one leading to an arrest. 

Monokini today

While sharing many features with its predecessor, the modern-day monokini is a decidedly different garment. For one, contemporary monokini styles cover the breasts. Instead, the idea is to bare skin elsewhere through a variety of cut-outs that change position from design to design. 

Nowadays, the monokini comes in a variety of styles such as triangle, Brazilian, cut-out, etc. What’s more, unlike the more minimalistic tones of the early editions of the monokinis, today’s monokini styles are famed for their bright, eye-catching colors. However, the hybrid swimsuit has also taken a more sophisticated turn, with many fashion magazines including holiday-ready editorials lined with models wearing striking black monokinis. 

And, almost 6 decades after its explosive introduction to the swimwear scene, the monokini is still going strong and shows no signs of slowing down. Recently, Kylie Jenner’s swim line featured various funky-chic monokini styles that were snapped up by not only her fans but also swimwear fans in general.

Is monokini a swimsuit?

 Short and sweet – yes! The monokini was designed to be a swimsuit from the get-go. And ever since, nothing’s changed. So many monokinis, despite their cut-outs, are still kitted out with the typical linings and paddings that give more traditional swimsuits their comfortable and functional edge. 

That said, it is true that some monokinis are designed for more ‘aesthetic’ purposes than water suitability. Regularly referred to as “skimpy,” some women are reluctant to try monokinis for themselves for fear of a swimsuit wardrobe mishap. However, with a variety of styles to select from – halter monokinis, low-back, open-back, bandeau, one-shoulder, plunge, and sleeved – just to name a few, there’s a monokini on the market for all body types. 

Which brings us to …

Who is the monokini right for?

Interestingly, the monokini has taken two style paths as it evolved through the ages. One path has led to an ultra-modern, super-chic sext style that’s not afraid to steal the spotlight. The other – a sophisticated, elegant, sleek appeal that is often seen with floppy beach hats and oversized sunglasses on the cover of high-end magazines. 

But what about the middle ground? 

It’s thriving. We don’t see it often on social media or in editorials, but we do see it day-to-day, at the beach, and well – in real life. That’s because monokini’s versatility is often overlooked for its stylish merits.

It’s ideal for women who aren’t quite ready for a bikini but don’t want the complete restriction of a one-piece swimsuit. For them, the monokini offers just the right amount of coverage and freedom, all while looking incredibly stylish. 

And there you have it : The Monokini!

We hope you’ve gained some insight into what exactly a monokini is as we peeled back the layers of the age-old mystery. However, truth be told, the monokini is never still – it’s always adapting to new tastes, styles, and trends, making it one of the most flexible swimwear items out there. And it’s all underpinned by a comforting level of reliability that makes the monokini the swimsuit for everyone. 

The monokini has evolved over the years. From a divisive hot topic to, well, a hot hot topic – this innovative swimwear option continues to make its mark on the fashion industry.

So, as one of the most flexible pieces on the swimwear scene, asking “what is a monokini?” can seem like a question to which the answer changes every year. 

For now, one thing is sure: this is one swimsuit style to watch. With more designers putting their mark on the swimsuit by the year, the monokini is here to stay!

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