The Ancestors Of The Bikini
The permissive tradition of nude swimming faded away and women soon began to wear various forms of bathing gowns that were extremely loose fitting and made from thick cotton. In the Victorian Era and continuing into the early 1900's, women began to wear two piece bathing suits. Don't get too excited, these 'two-pieces' were probably the least sexy item:
a gown from shoulder to knees plus a set of trousers with leggings going down to the ankles.