Video provides a brief history of bikini styles

From woollen bloomers to barely-there Brazilian briefs, women's swimwear has come a long way over the last century, as demonstrated by an online video that is going viral.

"The Evolution of the bikini" demonstrates the 20th century's hottest beachwear looks, from the 1890s through to modern times.

Starring model and actress Amanda Cerny, the clip by Breathless Resorts & Spas begins in the last decade of the 19th century in black and white, with Cerny covered from head to calf in a stripy woollen dress with matching bloomers and a hat.

We then skip through to the 1910s, where things have already lightened up considerably with a chic t-shirt and long shorts combo. By the time the 1930s roll around, the concept of the classic swimsuit concept as we know it today has emerged, albeit with a conservative thigh-skimming hemline and a halter neck strap.

The 1940s merit an injection of color, with a bright fuchsia bathing suit accessorized with a polka dot cape, before things really start to heat up in the 1950s with a racy cut-out, yellow, padded one-piece encapsulating the abandon of the post-war across Europe and America.

Although originally dreamed up by Frenchman Louis Réard in 1946 and seen on stars like Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, the first bikini in the video makes its appearance in the 1960s, with Cerny shaking her thing in a pastel floral crop top and matching shorts that provide surprisingly generous coverage. The design shrinks over the course of the next decade however, and the 1970s see her sporting a skimpy halter neck bra top and briefs in acidic colors, accessorised with a hippyish headband and Lennon shades.

The 1980s see a return to the one-piece, although it is smaller than ever and features an eye-wateringly high leg. Slashed to the navel and comprising a thonged brief, it is a bold sartorial choice. Fast-forward to the 1990s and we are back in bikini territory, with high-waisted briefs and bralet style tops the order of the day.

Beachware is much slicker for the first decade of the noughties, with Cerny rocking a black bra top with mesh inserts and a low-rise string brief. The 2010s herald a more carefree look, illustrated by a coral fringed halter top tied at the back and a cute tanga brief. So what does the next decade have in store for the bathing suit? Time will tell...

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/lYKgRdBJ-vw